Traveling to a country with almost no forests and megacities: what to see in Jordan

Not Egypt or Turkey, but no less attractive to tourists. Jordan is a country where there are almost no green landscapes that we are used to in Ukraine or Europe. We'll tell you where to start your trip below.

Aqaba

The city is located in the Red Sea Bay of the same name. It is also home to the only port in the country. The average air temperature from September to November ranges from 24°C to 34°C. Therefore, this is a great time for a beach vacation.

There are many beaches along the coast. Entrance to most of them is free. Intercontinental Beach has a gentle entrance to the water and white sand. There are sun loungers and umbrellas. There are also lifeguards on site.

The public Al-Ghandour Beach has canopies where you can hide from the scorching sun. Here travelers can go boating or snorkeling. From north to south, the sandy shore gradually changes to rocky. Here you can find the legendary coral reefs - the real pride of Aqaba. It is thanks to these underwater wonders that the location has become a popular tourist destination. There are currently 6 diving centers in the city.

We recommend visiting the house-museum where the great-grandfather of the king and prominent ruler of the country, Hussein Ben Ali, once lived. Be sure to visit the Wadi Rum desert. Here tourists can explore the unique landscapes that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. For history lovers, we recommend going on an excursion to the archaeological sites of ancient Jordanian settlements. To do this, you need to climb Tell al-Khalifa Hill.

We also suggest going on a trip to Mars to the Wadi Rum Protected Area. The rocky desert with red sand became a movie set for the Star Wars and The Martian movies.

Amman

The industrial center of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The hottest months in the region are July and August, with average temperatures around 31°C. In the fall, the weather is much more pleasant: September soars to 27°C, while November lows to 17°C.

We recommend starting your visit with a visit to the ruins of the Roman theater. It once accommodated more than 6 thousand spectators at a time. Tourists can climb to the upper levels and enjoy panoramic views of the capital. Next to the amphitheater are museums of folk traditions and folklore, which house exhibits of Jordanian customs, as well as clothing and jewelry.

We also recommend a trip to the Jebel al-Qalaa citadel, one of the city's main historical monuments. Here you can see the remains of unique buildings: the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad palace complex.

Wadi Musa

The town is located in the Ma'an province in the south of Jordan. Interesting fact: the name of the settlement means "Valley of Moses" in Arabic.

Just 3.5 kilometers away, there is a famous historical landmark - Petra. The location is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ancient city is translated from Greek as "stone". It was founded by an association of Idumean tribes around 1200 BC. Excavations are still being carried out here. Archaeologists have examined more than 800 buildings and their facades.

Also visit the Treasury, an exquisite temple in the rock. Researchers suggest that there was once a mausoleum here. By the way, this object can be seen in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade by Steven Spielberg.

Irbid

The third largest city in the country. The average temperature from September to October ranges from 27°C to 32°C. If you are traveling with children, we recommend visiting the Irbid Aquapark. There are attractions for both kids and adults. There are outdoor pools and restaurants on site. Also visit the Happy Land theme park. There are many attractions here.

Tips for traveling to Jordan

1. To enter the country, you need to apply for a visa.
2. When visiting Muslim cities, it is better to follow local customs. Women should avoid wearing too revealing clothes: short skirts, shorts, and clothes with a deep neckline. Men are advised to cover their shoulders and knees, especially when visiting religious places.
3. Do not greet people by shaking hands, just smile.
4. Keep valuables in a safe.
5. Take care of cash in advance, ATMs are rare here.

Do not postpone your trip for later! Choose a destination and go to meet new adventures!

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