Visiting Amman back in 2006 was a truly memorable experience. Staying with my grandparents for two weeks gave me the perfect opportunity to explore the city and some of Jordan’s most famous attractions, from the ancient ruins of Jerash to the breathtaking landscapes of Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Here’s a guide to the best experiences in Amman and beyond.

1. Camping With Bedouins in Wadi Rum – A Desert Adventure
2. Floating in the Dead Sea – Nature’s Natural Spa
3. Walking into Petra – The Rose-Red City of the Nabateans
4. Smoking Shisha in Amman’s Old Town – Cultural Evenings
5. Jerash Roman Ruins – Walking Through History
6. Tips for Visiting Amman and Jordan
7. Conclusion: Jordan Is Adventure, History, and Humor Rolled Into One
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Camping With Bedouins in Wadi Rum – A Desert Adventure

One of the highlights of my trip was camping with the Wadi Rum Desert Bedouins. Riding camels across the golden sand dunes to reach the camp was an adventure in itself. Once at the camp, we settled into our tents and enjoyed the food which was cooked under the sand! At night, electricity is rationed and so there is not much to do. However, everyone in the group all sat in the a circle around the fire and we all got up dancing, singing, telling stories and drinking tea until the early hours of the morning.

Once i did get she sleep, i had a massive nose bleed in the middle of the night due to its being too hot. I had no light to see where the tissues are and so i woke my brother up (and half the tents around us). All he did was laugh, so it resulted in me throwing a strop, lying down on my back and waiting for it to stop. Apart from that incident, it was an unforgettable and peaceful experience.

Floating in the Dead Sea – Nature’s Natural Spa

Next, we visited the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at 430 meters below sea level. The Dead Sea is unique because its high salinity—around 34%—prevents most marine life and makes swimming almost impossible. Instead, visitors float effortlessly, a surreal and relaxing experience that has been praised since biblical times for its therapeutic properties.

After floating, we applied mineral-rich Dead Sea mud, famous for its healing properties for skin conditions such as eczema. My sister’s severe eczema cleared up dramatically after leaving the mud on for 20 minutes—a literal miracle, and a moment we laughed and cheered about afterward.

Walking into Petra – The Rose-Red City of the Nabateans

Petra, Petra, is perhaps Jordan’s most iconic site. Once the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom (4th century BC – 2nd century AD), Petra thrived as a hub for trade, connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. The city is carved into rose-colored sandstone cliffs and was rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.

Reaching the Treasury involved a 1.2 km walk through the Siq, a narrow gorge that builds anticipation at every turn. Halfway through, I wondered if we would ever arrive, but when the Treasury appeared in all its glory, it was breathtaking. Every corner of Petra reveals intricate carvings, tombs, and monuments that highlight the ingenuity of the Nabateans.

Smoking Shisha in Amman’s Old Town – Cultural Evenings

Evenings in Amman Old Town are a blend of culture, history, and relaxation. The area’s cobbled streets date back to Roman and Byzantine times, and the Old Town has been a center of commerce and social life for centuries. We spent our nights walking through these streets, smoking shisha, chatting with locals, and watching the city come alive as the cool evening air replaced the daytime heat.

Jerash Roman Ruins – Walking Through History

Jerash, Jerash Roman Ruins, is one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the Middle East. Known as Gerasa in antiquity, it was a strategic trading hub connecting Damascus, Amman, and Jerusalem. Jerash flourished under Roman rule starting in the 1st century AD and features monumental arches, colonnaded streets, and theaters.

Seeing the ancient colonnades juxtaposed with the modern city in the background was breathtaking. Jerash may not be a UNESCO World Heritage site, but it’s one of Jordan’s most impressive historical sites—second only to Petra.

          

Tips for Visiting Amman and Jordan

• Best time to visit: Spring (March–May) or Autumn (September–November) for mild weather.
• Packing essentials: Comfortable walking shoes, light desert clothing, swimwear for the Dead Sea, and patience for hilarious travel mishaps.
• Cultural advice: Respect local customs, especially in religious and historic sites.

Conclusion: Jordan Is Adventure, History, and Humor Rolled Into One

From laughing through desert mishaps in Wadi Rum, floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea, and marveling at Petra’s rose-red monuments, to enjoying shisha in Amman and walking through Jerash’s ancient streets, Jordan is a country that combines history, culture, adventure, and humor. It’s a place where every corner tells a story, and every story is worth experiencing.