Jordan - from Petra to the Red Sea
General information
In the heart of the Middle East, among desert landscapes, ancient cities and the shores of the Red Sea, lies Jordan - a country that brings together monuments from several thousand years of history in a relatively small area. It is one of those destinations where nature and human history are so closely intertwined that it is sometimes hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
Jordan borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the south and south-east, and Israel and the Palestinian Territories to the west. In the south it has a small outlet to the Red Sea, where Aqaba - the country's only seaside resort - is located. The capital, Amman, lies in the north-west and is a lively modern city built on many hills.
Among Jordan's greatest treasures is its historic heritage. Here you will find traces of the Nabataean civilisation, the Roman Empire, Byzantium, early Christianity and the Islamic states. The country's best-known symbol is Petra - the ancient rock-cut city that is today one of the most recognisable archaeological sites in the world.
Climate
Jordan's climate is mainly dry and desert-like, but different parts of the country vary somewhat. Summer is usually hot and dry, while winter is cooler, especially in Amman and the higher areas. In the desert, temperatures can change considerably between day and night.
Spring and autumn are among the best seasons for touring Jordan. Temperatures are more pleasant for visiting the archaeological sites and the Wadi Rum desert. Summer is good for Aqaba and the Red Sea, but when visiting Petra and the desert areas you need to bear the strong sun in mind.
Culture and history
Jordan's history is linked to some of the most important trade and cultural routes of the ancient Middle East. Its position between the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia made the region a place through which traders, armies and different cultures passed for centuries.
The most impressive testimony to this past is Petra. The ancient city was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom and flourished especially between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century AD. The Nabataeans built a system of reservoirs and channels that allowed the city to thrive in the dry landscape.
Petra is reached through the Siq - a narrow natural canyon flanked by high rock walls. The gradual walk through it ends with one of the most memorable views in Jordan - the façade of the so-called Treasury, carved directly into the rose-red rock. It is this moment that turns a visit to Petra into an experience rather than just a tour of an archaeological site.
The Treasury is only the beginning. The ancient city covers a large area and includes streets, tombs, temples and other monumental façades carved into the rock. Among them, the so-called Monastery is particularly impressive - a huge façade reached after climbing hundreds of steps.
Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The city is especially striking early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the sun changes the colour of the rocks.
Jordan's history, however, does not begin and end with Petra. In the north of the country lies Jerash - one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Once part of the Decapolis, it impresses with its colonnades, squares, temples, theatres and streets. A walk among the Roman ruins gives an idea of the scale of city life almost two thousand years ago.
Amman also preserves remains from different historical periods. On one of the city's hills stands the Citadel, where you can see remains of Roman, Byzantine and Islamic buildings. Nearby is the Roman Theatre, carved into the hillside and able to hold thousands of spectators.
Jordan also has an important place in the history of Christianity. East of the Jordan River lies Bethany Beyond the Jordan - a site traditionally associated with the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. The area is an important pilgrimage centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Among the country's natural wonders, Wadi Rum holds a special place. The huge desert valley is known for its reddish sands, towering rock massifs and natural arches. The landscape is so unusual that it is often used as a natural film set.
The most characteristic way to experience Wadi Rum is by jeep through the desert, a night in a Bedouin camp and stargazing far from city lights. The impression is quite different from Petra - if the ancient city shows how humans shaped the desert, Wadi Rum shows the scale of nature itself.
The southern city of Aqaba offers yet another side of Jordan. Set on the Red Sea, it is ideal for relaxing after touring the historic sights. Warm waters, coral reefs and the underwater world make the area a popular spot for diving and snorkelling.
An unusual natural wonder is the Dead Sea - a salt lake at the lowest point on land on Earth. Its extremely high salinity lets you float on the surface almost effortlessly. The area is also known for its mineral-rich mud and traditional spa treatments.
Jordanian cuisine is an important part of local culture. Traditional dishes include mansaf - lamb with rice and a sauce made from fermented dried yoghurt - maqluba, hummus, falafel and various mezze. Food is usually linked to hospitality and sharing, and coffee and tea are an essential part of welcoming guests.
Why and when to visit?
Jordan is one of those destinations that let you combine history, nature, desert and sea in a relatively short trip. A route can start in Amman and Roman Jerash, continue to Petra, pass through Wadi Rum and end with relaxation on the Red Sea or the Dead Sea.
Spring and autumn are best for a combined tour, as temperatures are more pleasant for long walks. Winter can also be interesting, especially for cultural tourism, but evenings in the desert are cold. Summer is hot, but Aqaba and the Red Sea remain attractive for a beach holiday.
Jordan impresses with its contrasts - ancient cities carved into rock, vast deserts, Roman streets, Christian holy sites and the warm waters of the Red Sea. Travelling here is not just sightseeing, but a gradual passage through different layers of history - from the ancient Nabataeans and Romans to the culture of the modern Middle East.
And if Petra is the image of Jordan that stays most strongly in the mind, the country has much more to offer after that first encounter with the famous rock city. It is the combination of history, desert, sea and hospitality that makes Jordan one of the most varied travel destinations in the region.
