Tom Mackie / Lonely Planet

Jordan

A safe haven in a region of conflict, Jordan has delighted visitors for centuries with its World Heritage Sites, friendly towns and inspiring desert landscapes.

Ancient Hospitality

Jordan has a tradition of welcoming visitors: camel caravans plied the legendary King’s Highway transporting frankincense in exchange for spices while Nabataean tradesmen, Roman legionnaires, Muslim armies and zealous Crusaders all passed through the land, leaving behind impressive monuments. These monuments, including Roman amphitheatres, Crusader castles and Christian mosaics, have fascinated subsequent travellers in search of antiquity and the origins of faith. The tradition of hospitality to visitors remains to this day.

Petra: A World Wonder

Petra, the ancient Nabataean city locked in the heart of Jordan’s sandstone escarpments, is the jewel in the crown of the country’s many antiquities. Ever since explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt brought news of the pink-hued necropolis back to Europe in the 19th century, the walk through the Siq to the Treasury (Petra’s defining monument) has impressed even the most travel weary of visitors. With sites flung over a vast rocky landscape and a mood that changes with the shifting light of dawn and dusk, this is a highlight that rewards a longer visit.

Desert Landscapes

Take a ride through Wadi Rum at sunset, and it's easy to see why TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) was so drawn to this land of weathered sandstone and reddened dunes. But Jordan's desert landscapes are not confined to the southeast: they encompass a salt sea at the lowest point on earth, canyons flowing with seasonal water, oases of palm trees and explosions of springtime flowers scattered across arid hills. Minimal planning and only a modest budget is required for an adventure.

Safe Haven

It takes tolerance to host endless waves of incomers, and Jordan has displayed that virtue amply, absorbing thousands of refugees from the Palestinian Territories, Iraq and most recently Syria. Despite contending with this and with large numbers of tourists who are often insensitive to conservative Jordanian values, rural life in particular has managed to keep continuity with the traditions of the past. While Jordan faces the challenges of modernisation and growing urbanisation, it remains one of the safest countries in which to gain an impression of the quintessential Middle East.

Must see in
Jordan

  • Roman Ruins

    For so small a country, Jordan punches well above its weight in world-class monuments, with some of the finest Roman ruins outside Rome. In addition to the Citadel and the well-preserved Theatre in Amman, the black basalt ruins of Umm Qais and the Colonnaded Street in Petra signal the Roman presence at either ends of the country. The true highlight, however, is Jerash with its extensive amphitheatres and colonnades. From the site's well-preserved hippodrome, it's easy to imagine chariots tearing around the track in this ancient outpost of Rome.

  • Crusader Castles

    As a frontier in the battle for the soul between Muslim and Christian forces, the Levant is dotted with castles. In Jordan, there are well-preserved examples at Ajloun and Shobak, but Karak Castle, commanding the semi-arid hills above the King’s Highway, is the most atmospheric. You don’t need to be military-minded to be impressed by the enormous ramparts, but imagination helps to hear the dying howls of those pitched from the parapet by sadistic Renauld de Châtillon.

  • Exploring Desert Castles

    The plains of eastern Jordan are home to the ‘desert castles’, a collection of early Umayyad pleasure palaces, bathhouses and hunting lodges that appear strikingly incongruous in the barren surroundings. Brooding Qasr Kharana tops the list, but other highlights include Qusayr Amra’s saucy frescoes and TE Lawrence’s winter redoubt at Azraq. The off-road Eastern Badia Trail, recently developed by Wild Jordan, links Azraq Lodge with a new community-based tourism project at Burqu in this region of surprises.

Explore Jordan

0

Latest Stories from Jordan

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Jordan.

    Top experiences

    Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Jordan.

      Featured videos