Jordan (al-“Urdunn), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab country in southwest Asia spanning the southern part of the Syrian Desert down to the Gulf of Aqaba. It shares borders with Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Palestine to the west, and Saudi Arabia to the east and south in addition to short sea lane direct between Aqaba and Egypt Seaports of few dozens miles. It shares the Dead Sea with Palestine, and the coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba with Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Egypt. Much of Jordan is covered by desert, particularly the Arabian Desert; however the north-western area, with the Jordan River, is regarded as part of the Fertile Crescent. The capital city of Amman is situated in the north-west.
During its history Jordan has seen numerous civilizations, including such ancient eastern civilizations as the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Mesopotamian, and Persian empires. Jordan was for a time part of Pharaonic Egypt, and spawned the native Nabatean civilization that left rich archaeological remains at Petra. Cultures from the west also left their mark, such as the Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Turkish empires. Since the seventh century the area has been under Muslim and Arab cultures, with the exception of a brief period under British rule.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with representative government. The reigning monarch is the head of state, the chief executive and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The King exercises his executive authority through the Prime Ministers and the Council of Minister or cabinet. The cabinet meanwhile is responsible before the elected House of Deputies which, along with the House of Notables (Senate), constitutes the legislative branch of the government.
The judicial branch is an independent branch of the government. Jordan has a role more its size relatively in the world. The country is situated at the junction of the Levantine and Arabian areas of the Middle East. The country is bordered on the north by Syria, to the east by Iraq, and by Saudi Arabia on the east and south. To the west is Palestine, while Jordan”s only outlet to the sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, is to the south. Jordan occupies an area of approximately 96,188 square kilometers including the Dead Sea, making it similar in size to Austria or Portugal.
Jordan is a country of culture, beauty and surprising contrasts. It is an ancient land, yet a modern Kingdom, offering the discerning traveler fascinating diversity, safety and traditional hospitality. Few nations do boast such close affinity to the great historical epochs of the world or do many match its beautiful climate. Here the very destiny of mankind has been reshaped, time and centuries, resulting in layer after layer of unparalleled spectacles of nature and human achievements.
Jordan’s language is Arabic as mother language but English is widely used as second and business language.
Jordan can be divided into three main geographic and climatic areas: the Jordan Valley, which extends down the entire western flank of Jordan, is the country”s most distinctive natural feature. This forms part of the Great Rift Valley of Africa, the Mountain Heights Plateau, the Highlands of Jordan separate the Jordan Valley and its margins from the plains of the eastern desert. And the eastern desert, or Badia region, which comprises around 65% of Jordan: this area of desert and desert steppe is part of what is known as the North Arab Desert.
The weather in Jordan is pleasurable for travel throughout the year. Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to October, with temperatures averaging approximately 25C (75 F). During the spring, the most beautiful season in Jordan, fields and mountains are coated with rich greenery and exquisite wildflowers. In autumn, the weather is mild and pleasant. July and August are hot and dry, but not restrictive of tourist activities. The valleys and Aqaba are ideal winter resorts, with temperatures averaging 16-22 C (66-72 F) between November and April. Rainfall is a rare occurrence in Aqaba as well as in the desert areas of Jordan.
Of the Middle Eastern cities, Amman, which developed mostly in the 20th century, is relatively young. Although it cannot boast the ancient history and architectural jewels of other capitals of the region, it offers several reasons to stop a little before continuing the journey to Petra, the Dead Sea or Wadi Rum. In fact, Amman is one of the cities where it is easier to enjoy the Middle Eastern atmosphere.
Do not miss the center: at the foot of the numerous hills of the capital and dominated by the majestic Citadel, it houses spectacular Roman ruins, a museum of international level and the lively ferment of mosques, souks and cafes, the heart of Jordanian daily life.
The refined western part of Amman boasts residential neighborhoods surrounded by greenery, cafes, bars, art galleries and modern shopping centers, while in the eastern part you can feel the most conservative and traditional character of the city.
When you arrive in the modern city of Jerash, with its provincial roads and small vegetable gardens where fruit and vegetables are sold, it is difficult to suspect its illustrious past. But as soon as you cross the imposing Arch of Hadrian, which marks the border between the new part of the city and the old one, you immediately understand that it was not a simple provincial center, but a prosperous and powerful city.
In the Middle East there are several other Roman cities that boast similar architectural treasures, but Jerash is famous for the excellent state of conservation of its ruins. The number of structures remained intact allows archaeologists, historians and even the ordinary visitor to vividly imagine how this city should have been in the imperial era.
On reaching the other shore, in the village of Gadarèni, two demoniacs, coming out of the tombs, met him; they were so furious that nobody could go down that road anymore. They began to shout: "What do we have in common with you, Son of God? Did you come here before the time to torment us?". Some distance away from them was a large herd of pigs to graze; and the demons began to ward him off by saying, "If you drive us out, send us to that herd." He said to them, "Go!" And they came out of the bodies of men and entered into those of the swine: and behold, the whole herd rushed off the cliff into the sea and perished in the waves.
In the north-western corner of the country, on the hills that dominate the Jordan Valley, lie the ruins of another city in the Decapolis, Gadara (today called Umm Qais). Although the state of conservation of the site is far lower than that of Jerash, the place is still of considerable interest for the coexistence of Roman remains next to an abandoned Ottoman village. Umm Qais offers its best in spring, when the ruins are made even more striking by the explosion of wild blooms.
Umm Qais is also known for being the place where, according to the biblical story, Jesus performed one of his most prodigious miracles, freeing two men possessed by demons and transferring the latter to a herd of pigs. This has made Gadara a pilgrimage destination for Christians, although in Israel, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, there is another site that claims the honor of being the place of the miracle.
From the place you can admire a spectacular view over three countries (Jordan, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian Territories), which embraces the Golan Heights, Mount Hermon and the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias). For a decade now Umm Qais has become a pilgrimage destination for Palestinians (many of whom have obtained Jordanian citizenship), who are driven here by the nostalgic desire to see their homeland again. The Resthouse, a popular restaurant located in the middle of the ruins, attracts many families who meet here to exchange stories about the Holy Land.
Although appearing slightly rough, Ajloun (or Ajlun) is an ancient market town, with over a millennium of history behind it, and gravitates around a mosque built 600 years ago. However, most visitors do not come to see this small chaotic center and its few attractions, but to visit the beautiful castle perched on the top of a hill close to the city.
The castle, the Mar Elias site and the nearby forest reserve, one of the most interesting in the country, make Ajloun an excellent base.
The pleasant market town of Madaba is most famous for its Byzantine-era mosaics. The most famous of these is the one that covers the floor of the Church of San Giorgio, which represents a geographical map, but there are many other mosaics that cover different parts of the city, many of which are even complete and still retain their vivid colors.
As splendid as they are, mosaics are not the only reason why visiting Madaba is worthwhile. A traveler from the early twentieth century says he let himself be shot at by the people of Madaba only to be brought back to the city "as their guest and eat their food". Today no one will shoot you, but Madaba remains Jordan's most welcoming city to travelers.
Madaba offers an interesting cultural mix. One third of the population is Christian (the other two thirds are Muslim), making it one of Jordan's largest Christian communities. The city has always been an exemplary case of religious tolerance, which manifests itself in a particularly noisy way on Friday. Don't think you can sleep late on this day: before the sun even rises you can hear the muezzin's call to prayer, followed by the bells that ring the alarm clock for Orthodox Christians; finally the "earthly divinities" intervene, with the echoing of the horns and the noise of the traffic. The rest of the day is punctuated by the calls of the apricot vendors and the cheerful greetings of the children.
King's Highway runs along the backbone of Jordan's central highlands, traversed by the mighty canyon of Wadi Mujib. With scenic sites of biblical importance, splendid Roman mosaics and well-preserved crusader castles, there is something fascinating to see along the length of this central region.
Madaba, with mosaic-decorated churches reflecting its rich Christian heritage, is the perfect base for exploring the area. From here you can visit the castles of Karak and Shobak and the place where Moses is said to have first seen the Promised Land on Mount Nebo. You are also a stone's throw from Amman and the Dead Sea.
The Dana Biosphere Reserve is one of Jordan's best natural areas, with ample opportunities for hiking, camping, bird watching and otherwise getting close to nature. It is easy to interact with cities and towns in a region that is still surprisingly off the beaten track for most.
Mount Nebo is located on a hill overlooking the Holy Land and is believed to be the burial place of Moses. The custodians of the monastery are Franciscan monks, the best known of which is Father Piccirillo, an archaeologist who has written many books on the history and archeology of the Holy Land. It contains some of the most impressive mosaics in the world.
Mount Nebo sits atop a river that offers panoramic views of the area, including the Dead Sea, the West Bank, the Jordan River and, sometimes, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Venture inside the monastery and admire the mosaic works, including the main mosaic measuring 3 by 9 meters and capturing different aspects of monastic life. Once outside the monastery, be sure to admire the large serpentine cross, a figure representing the snake taken by Moses.
Recognized as a holy place linked to the life of Moses as early as the 4th century AD, the site had a monastery and churches to house pilgrims who have since flocked to the area. Abandoned in the 16th century, it remained uninhabited until the Franciscan monks purchased it and renewed it in the 90s. The best known Franciscan monk is Father Piccirillo, an archaeologist who wrote many books on the history and archeology of the Holy Land and who made great contributions to the excavations. Pope John Paul II visited the site during the jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2000 and planted an olive tree that still grows next to the Byzantine chapel for peace.
On the edge of the semi-arid steppe near the Kings’ Highway, 30 kilometres southeast of Madaba lies Um Al-Rassas, a delightful archaeological site that is often overlooked due to its remoteness. Having been designated a world Heritage Site since 2004, Um Al Rassas hosts some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics in the Middle East and impressive remains of ancient civilizations.
The site was inhabited since the Iron Age (7th century BC) and settled by Nabateans, Romans, and Umayyad. From Josephus, a Roman-Jewish historian of the 1 century AD, we know that the landscape of Um Al Rassas was once a lush fertile terrain cultivated using an elaborate irrigation system. The site is also mentioned in the Old Testament as the Moabite town of Mephaat which was to be “condemned to great destruction” (Jeremiah 48:21) and, in the Muslim tradition, is believed to be the place where the prophet Muhammad had his encounter as a child with the Christian monk Bahira and where the Meccan Hanif Zeid bin ‘Amr heard the prediction that there would arise a great prophet in Mecca.
The mountaintop fortress, now called Mukawer (Machaerus), commands panoramic views over much of the Dead Sea and the hills of Palestine and the Holy Land. It was here that Herod Antipas imprisoned John the Baptist, and later had him beheaded after Salome’s fateful dance.
The history of Machareus
The strategic position of the Castle looking at Jerusalem from the opposite side of the Jordan River made the fortress a perfect outpost in case of an attack. Built originally by a Hasmonean king around in 90 BC, it was destroyed and rebuilt by the Roman client king Herod the Great in 30 BC and used as a garrison to protect his territories east of the Jordan. The Castle was inherited by the son of Herold the Great, Herold Antipas, who reigned or around 40 years from 4 BC until 39 AD, and later by Herold Agrippa. At the death of Agrippa, the Romans took again direct control of the site. The Jewish occupied the castle during the first Jewish revolt in 66 AD but were defeated by the Romans in 77 AD. After a siege, the Romans tore the castle down to the current ruins.
The remains of the fortress show the ruins of the palace, in some parts still with its original mosaics. There are also remains of city walls and towers, and the aqueduct. The Mikvech, a bath of the Jewish tradition dedicated to ritual immersion, was found under the main courtyard, at a depth of three meters, covered by the sands of the desert. This bath is the greatest of its kind in Jordan and is assumed that Herod did the purifying rituals exclusively with family members.
The dance of the seven veils and beheading of John the Baptist
It is in the rooms of Machareus that one of the most dramatic and famous stories of the Old Testament took place: the beheading of John the Baptist.
Herod Antipas had imprisoned John the Baptist for disapproving his marriage with Herodias, the wife of his brother. Herodias, enraged at John the Baptist, urged her daughter Salome to dance for the king the famous dance of the seven veils. Enchanted by the dance, Herod promised to satisfy any of her wishes. Stirred up by her mother, the girl requested the head of John the Baptist. It is said that the head of John the Baptist was served to Salome on a tray and then was rolled from the fortress. The followers of the John the Baptist later collected his head and brought it to Damascus.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, 392m (1286ft) below sea level. People from all around the world seek to visit the Dead Sea for all the advantages that it presents. Its climate attracts tourists to it and they tend to get in direct touch with its minerals that refreshes their bodies, soul and whole life. Its water rich with salt is the kind of which where even the people who don’t know how to swim can float freely; it is the globe’s saltiest natural lake, with an average salinity of 280 grams per kilogram compared with the normal ocean’s average of 35 grams. It is such a wonderful place to enjoy a great vacation and gift yourself the sensation of relaxation and comfort. The therapeutic and cosmetic treatments involve the naturally black mud that treats your body tenderly to give it the best shape.
The Dead Sea region is resided by many hotels and Natural Spas offering you a pleasant stay rich with care hospitality and provide you with the best treatments, along with many enjoyable sea activities. The Dead Sea is even popular for its medical treatments for arthritic and rheumatic that are treated by Balneotherapy and by Thalassotherapy, and for sure in addition to the massages and physio-therapeutical application. Depression and hypertension are also treated by Climatotherapy and by Heliotherapy…You cannot miss a satisfying stay in the Dead Sea, it has cures to your body, soul and mind.
The Baptism Site “Bethany beyond the Jordan” is situated a few hundred meters from the Jordan River. Excavations have uncovered 1st century AD settlement with plastered pools and water systems that were used almost certainly for baptism, a 5th – 6th century AD late Byzantine settlement with churches, a monastery and other structures probably catering to religious pilgrims. Excavations are still underway and new discoveries are being made in that area almost daily.
Long years of archaeological research, studies of biblical and evangelical texts, analysis of Byzantine and medieval reports, as well as evidence from the local Orthodox church, led to the discovery of the site in 1996. Excavations have uncovered 1st century AD settlement with plastered pools and water systems that were used almost certainly for baptism, a 5th – 6th century AD late Byzantine settlement with churches, a monastery, and other structures probably catering to religious pilgrims. The diggings are still underway and new archeological treasures are discovered almost daily.
Touring the Baptism site
The tour at the baptism site starts at the Visitor Center. A shuttle accompanies the visitors along the ancient path used by pilgrims. The first stop is Al-Maghtas (in Arabic “baptism” or “immersion”) in the Tell al Kharrar area. This is the biblical site called Bethany beyond the Jordan where baptismal purifications took place. Nearby there is a place known as Laura, where there are foundations of structures used as a place of prayer and residence of the ancient monks. This side of the park also hosts Tell Elias, a monument recognized by the three religions as the hill where Prophet Elijah is believed to have ascended to heaven. On the edge of Elijah’s Hill, the visitors can admire churches and monasteries (with mosaic carpets), a prayer hall and a complex of rectangular and square baptismal fonts from the late Roman period (3rd-4th century AD) provided with a functional water system.
After the visit of the sites of the Tell al Kharrar area, the journey continues to the opposite end of the Wadi. Here there is a pilgrimage station, a large pool, presumably used for collective baptisms in the Byzantine era; nearby there are the springs of John the Baptist, which are believed to have been used for baptismal rites. The area also hosts caves, used by the monks both as places of prayer and as hermitages. The caves were carved into the walls of the cliffs and to access them, the monks had to use ropes. The path leads to the church of Saint John the Baptist, erected between 491–518 Byzantine emperor Anastasius. The Jordan River is a short distance away. Until today the river is used for baptismal rites according to the Christian tradition, however, as the river is highly polluted, the water used for the rites is purified. Isolated from the main highlights there is the House of Mary the Egyptian, a repented sinner who retired on the banks of the Jordan to dedicate her life to praying.
Extended at the turn of the Dead Sea Road, this magnificent reserve with an altitude ranging from 900 m above sea level to 400 m below was established by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) for reproduction in Captivity of the Nubian ibex, but today it protects an extraordinary variety of over 400 species of plants (including rare orchids), 186 species of birds and 250 of mammals, including Syrian wolves, striped hyenas, caracals and Blandford foxes. It is also an important resting place for migratory birds flying between Africa and Europe.
The reserve has many challenges ahead. The permanent water flow in the wadis has significantly decreased due to the exploitation to meet the needs of Amman and the Dead Sea resorts. Poaching, uncontrolled grazing of livestock and the demands of extractive industries to exploit the area's mineral reserves seriously endanger the future of the park. Despite everything, the RSCN is doing an excellent job of managing the 215 sq km of protected territory. All that remains is to hope that the increase in tourism in the reserve - which boasts crystal-clear pools, hanging gardens and desert escarpments - could induce the government to guarantee its protection in the long term.
The lovely Hammamat Ma’in is another favoured spot with a hot waterfall, thermal mineral springs and a full compliment of resort facilities. It lies south west of Madaba, 60 Km from Amman. People have gone there for thermal treatments-or simply to enjoy a hot soak-since the days of Rome. What better way to end a day immersed in history than in a wonderful, naturally warm bath! If you are in search of a bit of adventure you can take a guided hike down to the Dead Sea through pools of hot water!
Where do Ma’in hot waters come from?
Jordan lies on the active north-south trending Dead Sea Rift. For this reason, it is a place of intense geothermal activity. Thermal springs are very common, especially where the aquifers is closest to the rift. The Ma’in hot springs originate from these phenomena. Before discharging into the Zarqa River, the winter rains on the Jordanian highlands flow near lava fissures and heat up, reaching temperatures of up to 63 degrees Celsius. The Ma’in area contains about 109 hot and cold springs. The famous Ma’in hot spring have an average temperature of 45 degrees Celsius making it a perfect thermal retreatment place.
A Wellness Center known since Ancient Times
The inhabitants of the region have availed of the thermal waters for centuries. Among the famous historical characters that enjoyed the healing waters of Ma’in, Herod the Great, the Roman client king of Judea at the time of Jesus. From his sumptuous palace in the nearby resort of Muqawir, Herod used to go down to Ma’In hot springs to cure his psoriasis and rheumatic pains. Ma’in is considered an important therapeutic center until today. Along with Jordanians, tourists from all over the world seek here for treatment of various physical ailments.
Sauna Caves and Hot Pools
Relax your body and soul at the top-level facilities of Ma’in Hot Spring spa. Awarded best environmental building in Jordan in 2007, the spa hosts four gorgeous swimming pools with cooled-down water from thermal springs; a waterfall cascade descends in a natural thermal pool and natural sauna caves. The thermal waters in the pools are rich in healing elements that provide revitalizing energy to the guests. From the pools, you can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding nature, with sparrow birds and eagles performing in the sky.
The ancient Crusader stronghold of Karak (or Kerak) stands within the walls of the old city and is one of Jordan's main tourist attractions. This fortified castle was the legendary place where the battles between the crusaders (mostly Franks) and the Muslim armies of Saladin (Salah ad-Din) took place. Today it is very famous, but in the past it was nothing more than one of the many forts built by the crusaders along an ideal line that went from Aqaba, in the south, to Turkey, in the north.
Often ignored by many travelers, impatient to continue south to reach Petra, Karak deserves to be visited instead.
The Dana Biosphere Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Jordan, covering over 300 square kilometers and all four different bio geographic areas of the Hashemite Kingdom. To the east, the heights reach 1500 meters before degrading through the canyons and gorges towards the Arabian Wadi. Dana is one of the biologically and historically richest areas of Jordan and also one of the oldest areas ever inhabited in the world and preserves Neolithic villages, ancient copper mines, Roman aqueducts and Byzantine churches. The different types of landscapes, between fauna and culture, offer a micro paradise for adventure lovers, history buffs, archaeologists, hikers and for those who appreciate nature.
Welcome to Shobak Castle
Surrounded by a remote and wild landscape, Shobak Castle (free admission; hours of light) manages to fascinate even the most indifferent of travelers, despite being less complete than the more touristy Karak Castle. Formerly called Mons Realis (Mont Real, or Montreal, or the Royal Mountain), Shobak Castle was built at the behest of the Crusader King Baudouin I in 1115 and suffered numerous attacks by Saladin's armies before finally succumbing in 1189 (a year after Karak), following an 18-month siege. In the 14th century it was occupied by the Mamluks, who rebuilt and enlarged numerous crusader buildings.
Built on a small knoll in the middle of a plateau, the castle appears particularly suggestive to those who see it in the distance. Some restoration works are currently underway; it is hoped that in the future the various restored buildings will be accompanied by signs illustrating their functions. Meanwhile, the caretaker guides visitors around the complex in exchange for a JD1 or JD2 fee. Bring a flashlight to explore the many dark corners.
Going up the slope that starts from the entrance, you will see some wells on the left and immediately after, always on the left, a restored church, one of the two buildings reserved for worship in the castle. The church has an elegant apse supported by two small niches. The western sector was occupied by the baptistery, on whose north wall you can still see traces of the water channels that come from the upper floor.
Back on the main path, turn left and, after passing the arches, go through the door on the right which will lead you to the vast market. Take the path on the left and, once you have walked the 375 steps downhill, you will find yourself in an extraordinary secret passage that leads to an underground source and finally re-emerges through a staircase outside the complex, next to a road that leads to the town of Shobak . Be careful where you put your feet, use a torch and do not enter the tunnel if you suffer from claustrophobia. Alternatively, you can go through the tunnel and reach, after about fifty meters, a large two-storey building with arches, built by the Crusaders but transformed by the Mamluks into a school.
At the north end of the castle there is the semicircular tower in which four slits open where the archers were positioned. Outside the keep, a dark staircase descends into the prison. Reached the north-eastern corner of the castle, on the outside of the tower you will see some Koranic inscriptions in Kufic characters, possibly dating back to the era of Saladin. Heading south along the eastern perimeter of the complex, you will soon arrive at the entrance of Baldovino I's courtyard, partly rebuilt. The courtyard was later used as a Mameluk school.
Continuing south, you will pass some baths on the right, while on the left you will see a rebuilt Mameluk watchtower and, shortly after, the second church of the castle. In a room on the left, just past the entrance, above a door of the eastern wall there is a run-down incision depicting the cross of the crusaders. The arches of the church have been restored.
Below the church are the catacombs, which contain Islamic tablets, some Christian sculptures, large spherical stones used for catapults and what, it is said, was the very simple throne of Saladin. A path starts from the catacombs and returns to the entrance.
Petra, the magnificent Ancient City half hidden in the windswept landscape of southern Jordan, is one of the most famous sites declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Proclaimed one of the 'Seven New Wonders of the World' by a popular survey in 2007, it has retained its charm intact despite the difficult moments of which the surrounding region has been the scene.
Visiting Petra at the time when its existence was again revealed to the world by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in the 19th century meant dressing up, speaking the local dialect and gaining the trust of the tribes in the area. Today visitors are welcomed both by the Bedouins who still consider Petra their home, and by the inhabitants of nearby Wadi Musa, whose structures contribute to making pleasant an excursion of several days to the Ancient City. With the nearby Nabataean sites of the so-called Little Petra, the camps in the desert and the numerous possibilities for hiking, to do justice to this area, consider stopping at least two days.
Siq al-Barid ("Cold Gorge"), commonly called Little Petra, is definitely worth a visit. It was thought to be an agricultural center, as well as a commercial and supply station for camel caravans visiting Petra. The surrounding area is picturesque and interesting to explore, especially because it is home to some of the oldest settlements in the world, including Al-Beidha.
Wadi Rum is everything one would expect from a desert: extreme both in the summer heat and in the winter frost, violent and capricious when the sun hits the chiseled stone of the siq (gorges) at dawn or when it confuses the margins between rock and sand at sunset, demanding with the Bedouins who inhabit it and vindictive with those who ignore its dangers. For most visitors, who reach it with half-day or full-day excursions from Aqaba or Petra, Wadi Rum is one of the easiest and safest destinations in the region to take a look at the desert. For the lucky few who can devote a couple of days to their itinerary, staying overnight in a camp in the dunes, the desert can be an unforgettable way to bring the soul back to its essence.
Aqaba, a city that has preserved the informal atmosphere typical of the provincial centers, is a holiday resort frequented by Jordanians. A comfortable stop along the journey for those heading to the diving and snorkelling sites located south and the important destinations of Wadi Rum and Petra, Aqaba is also a perfect place to break the journey to / from Israel and the Palestinian Territories or to / from Egypt.
In Aqaba the winter temperature rarely drops below 20 ° C and is often a few degrees higher. In summer the climate is very hot, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 35 ° C, but which are made bearable by sea breezes. In the summer season it is useful to respect the traditional siesta: all the exercises close around 14 to reopen after the afternoon nap, around 18.
