Jaw-dropping Jordan - Top Six Sights you don't want to miss

There are so many impressive sights and landmarks in Jordan, so much so that it’s nigh on impossible to narrow down a top ten, let alone anything shorter.

But we’re giving it a good go – here is a rundown of our top six memorable moments in the Rose City and beyond, including some interesting facts that may inspire you to pay a visit yourself.

The ‘Lost City’ of Petra

As one of the oldest cities in the world and a New Seven Wonders of the World site, Petra unsurprisingly makes it to the top of the list. No doubt if you have been looking at Jordan, you will have been drawn in by images of the spectacular rose city and its Treasury tomb.

But what makes it all the more a must-see is the notion that just 15% of Petra has actually been archaeologically explored, giving it that added air of mystery and intrigue. The rest of it is believed to rest underground and remains unexcavated. Just imagine what impressive formations could lie beneath as you wander around.

To enter the city, you walk through a 1.2km passageway, surrounded by cliffs on each side. What an entrance in itself!

Did you know? Rediscovered in the 19th century, Petra flourished as the capital of the Nabatean kingdom, whose people became highly skilled at managing the scarce desert water supply through an ingenious system of channels, dams and cisterns. The city thrived as a historical trade route where the likes of Chinese silks, Indian spices and Arabic incense were traded from Greece and Asia to Africa, Western Europe and the Middle East. 

Foodie finds

While the biblical sites and cultural attractions are nothing short of spectacular, we cannot forget the food encounters either. The national dish here is mansaf, which dates back to 1,200 AD – a traditional Bedouin meal usually served on special occasions and family gatherings.

The meal consists of a lamb shank cooked in a yogurt broth, dried and seasoned with paprika and cumin, then served on flatbread with pine nuts, chopped almonds and steamed rice. Literally your own little slice of history and culture, look out for it when dining out, and you won't be disappointed. 

On your Just You tour, you'll also pay a visit to Beit Khayrat Souf, a women-owned and run café, to enjoy a delicious lunch. The project was inspired to provide women not only with employment, but a sense of empowerment too. Today the café employs 25 women, but you can read more about this wonderful Just You Cares project here.

Jerash

If you’ve done Rome and are looking for your next big historical adventure, you’ll want to add Jerash to your list. Laying claim as home to the biggest range of Roman architecture outside of Rome, the ancient city was once part of Decapolis – one of the ten most important cities to the east of the Roman Empire. 

Today, its remarkably well-preserved ruins include the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and an impressive colonnaded street, offering a vivid impression of what life in a Roman city may once have looked like. Indeed you will feel like you are walking back through time in Rome, a surreal but equally inspired experience awaits.

Wadi Rum

Unsurprisingly it's only when you see and experience something for yourself that you can truly appreciate the sheer vastness of the landscape you find yourself discovering. 

And Wadi Rum is exactly that. At over 74,000 hectares it's almost the size of New York City. Resting in the far south of Jordan, you'll spend a night here in the desert in a stunning Bedouin camp. 

Across the desert, wind and weather have sculpted sandstone into immense cliffs, natural arches and rock formations, creating the dramatic landscape for which Wadi Rum is famous. It won't take you long to understand why this other-worldly landscape has been used as a filming location, including sci-fi movies to mimic the reddish orange hues of Mars on screen. 

Keep your eyes peeled for rock carvings, or petroglyphs while you're here too. There's over 25,000 of them here, and it's also thought to be the location for the early formation of the alphabet, as well as charting human evolution. 

A real pinch-me moment on this tour, make the most of gazing at the stars that stretch for miles across the clear night skies.

Amman

One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, you would be forgiven for thinking that the capital, Amman, is all about the history. It's quite the city of contrasts, from discovering the Roman citadel and the amphitheatre, which once welcomed 6,000 spectators, to observing modern skyscrapers dotted across the skyline.

The Roman Theatre dates from the 2nd century AD and remains one of Amman’s most impressive ancient landmarks, while the hilltop Citadel reveals layers of the city's long history.

There's also much more to appreciate beyond its architectural treasures. Get ready for a warm and welcoming atmosphere here – locals are known for their genuine friendliness, so you'll feel right at home.

Shobak Fortress

You'll be glad to know that the adventures don't stop there in Jordan. History lovers and curious travellers alike will be thrilled to visit Shobak Fortress - one of the largest and most impregnable of its kind built by the Crusaders.

Perched on a hill in the middle of the wild, its location makes it all the more dramatic and imposing.

Shobak was built in 1115 to defend against attacks from the Saladin armies before surrendering in 1189 following an 18-month siege. The Mamluks later occupied in the 14th century. Today you will see the remains and reconstructions of some wells, churches, baptistry, school, prison, watchtower and an extensive market area.

You'll be entranced by all the areas that defined times gone by here as you wander the secret passageways and witness the many carvings that promoted important scriptures all those centuries ago.

What's more the grounds are a great place to explore some of the local fauna, including eagles and falcons and wild mountain goats that roam free around the outside of the fortress. This all-encompassing adventure serves to remind us of the rich culture, heritage and wildlife of Jordan.