Jordan's history and culture come together with performances at the Roman Amphitheatres at Amman and Jerash, Byzantine mosaics and contemporary art.
Culture
For the best modern art, Amman's Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts has a huge collection, while Darat al-Funun – above a restored 6th-century church – showcases artists from around the Arab world. The Jordan Museum of Popular Tradition is intriguing for its jewellery and costumes. Be amazed at the National Archaeological Museum near the Citadel, when admiring Dead Sea Scrolls. See Byzantine mosaics at Madaba Museum, while Aqaba Museum exhibits local excavations.
Landmarks
The warm hues of the Treasury at Petra – Jordan's flagship monument – adorns postcards and posters, but still provokes gasps of amazement. The Temple of Hercules at Amman's Citadel overlooks Downtown's Roman Amphitheatre. Meanwhile, the colonnade streets of Roman Jerash are beautifully preserved. Desert castles of Umm al-Jimal and UNESCO-protected Qusayr Amra appear out of the desolate sands. Explore Crusader Karak Castle and biblical Mount Nebo, site of Moses's stroll.
Family
Like everywhere in the Middle East, children are adored in Jordan. Take them snorkelling or fish-gazing in a glass-bottom boat in Aqaba's warm waters. Keep your heads above water while floating in the salty Dead Sea. Perch on a camel while trekking and camping in Wadi Rum, or on a donkey in Petra. Scramble around the dramatic ruins of Qasr Hallabat in the eastern desert, and down the canyon at Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve.
Sightseeing Tips
Opening hours of museums and shops may alter during the month of Ramadan, often closing earlier. Bring plenty of water for your trip to Jerash, as not much is available on the hot, exposed site.
Soundtracks
Ride your camel in Wadi Rum to patriotic Hashemi, Hashemi by Bedouin star Omar Abdullat. Get ready for a night out in Amman to traditional ballad Ensani Ma Binsak by Diana Karzon, winner of Superstar, Arabic TV's equivalent to Pop Idol.
