Discover Jordan

From the moment you arrive in Jordan you will appreciate the timeless power of its ancient heritage. Visitors enjoy the incredible, dramatic landscapes of majestic water-cut canyons, jagged flaming rock and hazy sunlit miles of smooth desert. This ancient Kingdom boasts an assorted mosaic of architecture left behind by civilisations long since past.

The people of Jordan are committed to preserving its national treasures and sharing its distinctive culture, history and ecology with responsible travellers. We are happy to announce the launch of responsibletravel.com’s insiders' guide to Jordan which covers the diversity of experiences to be discovered in this captivating country.

Many different ethnic groups live in Jordan and its position as a country means that it benefits from an incredible range of influences, old and new. There are a number of centres devoted to local arts and culture and local Jordanian crafts depict ancient Arab and Islamic imagery. New cultural hotspots are emerging as artists from various Arab countries find freedom and inspiration in Jordan and it is rapidly developing a fine arts scene. Don’t miss the community craft projects and workshops scattered throughout Jordan, where local people are taught new skills and assisted in reviving traditional practices such as making olive oil soap, restoring mosaics and engraving ostrich eggs. Read more about these workshops When it comes to culinary adventures, Jordan has its own delicacies and national favourites including one of the oldest wine making histories in the world – the climate and soils are well suited to quality grape production. Read more about the varied cuisine including, vineyard visits and traditional Bedouin coffee ceremonies

There’s a sprawling plethora of historical sites to explore in Jordan. Since the dawn of society, it has acted as a link between continents - any movement of people between Africa, Asia, Arabia and Europe would be likely to pass through Jordan. Its role as a pathway, trade route and conduit for commerce and communication means that it bears the imprint of many important civilisations including the Pharonic Egyptians, Byzantines and Crusaders.

From the middle of the 7th century AD Jordan has been ruled by various Arab and Islamic dynasties, the last of which was the Ottoman Empire, brought to an end by the Arab Revolt during the First World War, which then ushered in the current constitutional monarchy.

Read more about the archaeological sites, historical towns and monuments.

Officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, this beautiful country is in Southwest Asia and shares borders with Syria, Israel and Saudi Arabia. It can roughly be divided into three areas: The Jordan Valley is part of the Great Rift Valley. It is flat and fertile land in the north and sinks down to the Dead Sea in the centre which is the lowest point on land anywhere on earth, it then becomes a hot dry plain that ends on shores of the Red Sea. The Eastern Plateau rises 1000 metres in a series of rugged mountains with deep narrow canyons, in the far north this eastern plateau has a Mediterranean climate and fertile valleys and wooded hills, the centre holds the more rural areas such as Amman, Suwaylih and Madaba, and further south the scenery is more dramatic, with sharp ridges of bare rock and plunging valleys. The Desert runs from the capital Amman out to the borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia, it is mainly a flat expanse of sand and basalt. In the south, Wadi Rum is a land of huge red pink and yellow rock mountains that leap up in vertical walls from the desert plains. See our great selection of Jordan holidays.

Although 80% desert, Jordan has a remarkable biodiversity of wildlife, housing precious nature reserves and protected environments for rare species. The Gulf of Aqaba, in the north-eastern arm of the Red Sea, is famous for its marine wildlife and has the world’s northernmost coral reef ecosystem. And in the eastern desert lies Azraq, a unique wetland oasis which attracts a wide variety of birds as they stop for a rest during their long migration between Asia and Africa. Infact, Jordan’s positioning means that it is a hub for migratory species and the birdlife of three continents pass through Jordan twice a year on their passage between seasonal habitats.

Read more information on the wildlife and beautiful national parks that Jordan has to offer. For the adventurous traveller, there is no shortage of vigorous activities to enjoy in Jordan. You can go canyoning past stunning waterfalls, cycle off-road through deserts, ride Arabian horses through wilderness and camp in Bedouin tents under the stars, go scuba diving in the Red Sea, camel trek through the famous Wadi Rum or hike along one of the many fascinating walking trails.

Read more on how to get closer to the people by following one of the walking trails. Visit Jordan any time of the year – summer is hot and dry, winter cool and wet, with occasional snow, spring is lush and autumn mild. There is always plenty to see and there is a selection of annual events that may take your fancy including the Amman Dead Sea Ultra Marathon or the Distant Heat dance festival which starts with an all-night electronic music dance party in the magnificent desert.

Read more on public holidays and events. responsibletravel.com's insiders' guide aims to give you a real taste of Jordan and highlights the many reasons there are to visit such an enchanting and magical place.

It provides practical information for your visit as well as including some wonderful images and suggested holidays. If you would like to hear from the residents of Jordan then please listen to some of our podcasts which playback local people’s descriptions of the home they know and love and are keen to share.

Visit our Jordan Travel Guide