Oman Historical monuments, rich culture, unique natural wonders, in addition to being home to one of the wonders of the world, the rose-colored city of Petra carved into the rock… many features put Jordan at the forefront of the tourism map in the Middle East.
The great diversity that Jordan enjoys in the tourism sector, especially with it hosting the lowest spot below sea level in the world, which is the Dead Sea area, prompts millions of tourists around the world to visit that country.
According to data from the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, 6.4 million tourists visited the country in 2023, and tourism sector revenues in Jordan increased by about 27% in 2023 to 5.3 billion Jordanian dinars ($7.4 billion) compared to the previous year.
The future of tourism in Jordan is promising, especially after a series of economic and administrative updates taken by the government, and the amendment of some vibrant laws such as the modern tourism law that was recently passed, in addition to the movement to develop and modernize tourist and archaeological sites, and all of this reflects positively on the future of tourism in Jordan, according to the former deputy and head of the parliamentary tourism and antiquities committee, Amjad Muslimani, in an interview with Al Jazeera Net.
Cost of a week
If you want to spend a fun vacation in Jordan for a week, one day will cost you about $150, and this is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors, according to the Budget Your Trip platform.
These expenses are distributed as follows:
$37 (26 Jordanian dinars) for meals and food at a rate of 3 meals per day, $23 (16 Jordanian dinars) for transportation (taxi + other means of transportation), and $110 (78 Jordanian dinars) for hotel accommodation.
The average cost of a one-week trip to Jordan for two people is around $2,130 (1,510 Jordanian dinars), which includes accommodation, food, transportation, and visits to famous tourist attractions such as Petra and Wadi Rum, according to the aforementioned platform.
Note that these costs may be reduced by half if the visitor eats in popular restaurants, uses cheaper local transportation, or stays in hotels less than 3 stars.
7 purposes
The whole of Jordan is a museum, and there are many tourist and archaeological sites in it, but we will suffice with mentioning the 7 most important tourist sites worth visiting in Jordan, according to what was stated by the “Visit Jordan” platform affiliated with the Jordan Tourism Board.
pink city
Built by the Nabataeans, an Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than two thousand years ago, Petra continues to fascinate the world. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The site gained its distinction thanks to the culture it contained, and the engineering genius in creating a complex system of dams and water channels. Petra was a beacon of knowledge, and a witness to the ingenuity of its inhabitants from the civilizations that in turn left behind this global wonder.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum, or the Valley of the Moon as many call it, is one of Jordan’s many natural wonders, where you can hold the moon in the palm of your hand, or pick out the stars that are close above your eyes.
Hollywood uses Wadi Rum to film scenes similar to the planet Mars. The valley takes you into a fantasy atmosphere or a fascinating Arab tale with seasons. It is home to nomadic Bedouin tribes and an area of dazzling charm that gives you complete tranquility while you contemplate its sands, stars and moon. It puts you in a new experience of a different kind than the pleasure of your visit to the land of the Nabataeans and the land of the Ghassanids.
Amman.. The City of Seven Mountains
Amman’s history dates back to more than 7,000 years BC, and many civilizations have passed through it, as indicated by the monuments spread throughout the city. During this long period, the city witnessed many civilizations, the most important of which was the Ammonites, from whom it took its name.
The Jordanian capital is characterised by amazing contrasts, as it combines the old and the modern and is located on 7 mountains between the desert and the fertile Jordan Valley.
The heart of the city, home to the Roman Amphitheatre, is home to one of the city’s many great monuments, as well as contemporary hotels, innovative restaurants, art galleries, shops, traditional cafes, and art workshops.
Dead Sea is a wonder of the world
The Dead Sea is an amazing natural wonder, and is considered the lowest spot in the world, as it is approximately 427 meters below sea level. It combines more than one type of tourism, as it is an ideal place for entertainment and the enjoyment of beach life, and it is also a destination for students of medical tourism due to the therapeutic benefits of its rich mineral waters and its clay soil.
Madaba.. The City of Mosaics
Madaba is known as the “City of Mosaics”, because it is rich in Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, which are still produced locally today. It was one of the most important cities of the Moabite Kingdom, and one of the oldest records of the city of Madaba dates back to a memorial to King Mesha in 1180 BC.
This monument was erected to commemorate the glories of King Mesha bin Qamush, and his victories over the Hebrews, whom he defeated and besieged their capital. He did not release the city except after strict orders from the Romans, the protectors of the Hebrews at that time, according to what history books mention.
Among the most important places to visit in Madaba:
- Mount Nebo: In addition to its religious importance, as it contains the tomb of the Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, this mountain is one of the best places overlooking Jerusalem, as the Dome of the Rock can be seen from the place, as it rises about 680 meters above the ground.
- Madaba Mosaic Map: A wonderful area characterized by its beautiful and ancient churches, its old streets and alleys, and is famous for the mosaics that decorate the floors of its churches and monuments, and the delicious and cheap food of the people of Madaba.
- Church of John the Baptist: The Church and Shrine of the Beheading of John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya), or the Latin Monastery in Madaba, is a Latin Catholic church located in the center of the city of Madaba in Jordan. It is one of the most important and oldest churches in the city, as it was established in 1883.
- Mother of Lead: Today, Umm ar-Rasas is considered one of the most important archaeological tourist sites in Jordan, visited by Christian pilgrims from all over the world, due to its ancient religious landmarks. The discovery of the mosaic floor of St. Stephen’s Church is the most important discovery in the entire site, dating back to 785 AD. This well-preserved mosaic floor is considered the largest in Jordan.
Aqaba.. the stronghold of the Edomites and Canaanites
Aqaba is located at the head of the second gulf of the Red Sea, and is considered the most important and shortest shipping line that connected the continents of the ancient world to each other. The Arab Edomites are considered the first to inhabit the city more than 3,000 years ago, and the Edomites established an ancient local civilization in Aqaba.
Among the most important activities that can be practiced during a visit to Aqaba:
- Swimming and diving: Aqaba has beautiful beaches where tourists can enjoy its warm waters. Diving is one of the most popular sports in Aqaba, where you can see the charming coral reefs and various fish, during a special trip on a glass boat or yacht that serves delicious Aqaba food.
- Ayla Beach B12: This club is one of the newest private beach clubs in Aqaba, and offers many marine activities for visitors such as rowing, diving and volleyball. It is distinguished by its clear, calm waters and its wonderful sandy beach.
baptism of christ
This region contains a number of places mentioned in the Christian Bible, such as Sodom and Gomorrah and Zoar. It is the area where John the Baptist (the Prophet of God, Jesus, son of Mary) lived and where Jesus was baptized. The baptism site is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, and it is the place that Christian pilgrims from all over the world visit, seeking a spiritual experience in a place whose events were narrated in the Bible.
A tourist visiting the place for the first time can visit the cave where the Prophet Lot – peace be upon him – and his two daughters took refuge when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, in an area called “Safi” (Zoar) according to the Bible. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
The baptism site extends over a distance of 3 kilometers, and includes ancient churches, mosaic floors, and baptismal pools dating back to the Byzantine and Ayyubid eras.
