Amman makes a brilliant base for something you can’t do almost anywhere else: within an hour’s drive you can stand in two of the most significant places in the biblical world. We spent our time here on two day trips, one to the Jordan River, one to a mountaintop, and both left us slightly stunned.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised
Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, recognised as the place where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. We explored the ancient churches, Byzantine ruins, natural springs and the historic baptism site itself, learning the story of one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage destinations as we went.
Down at the river we stood just metres from Israel, watching baptism ceremonies taking place on the opposite bank, and visited the modern Greek Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist. Then came the moment we didn’t expect: we were given special access to touch the historic waters ourselves.
Practical note if you’re planning a Jordan trip, the video explains how the Jordan Pass works with religious sites like this one and what to expect from a visit. Whether you come for faith, history, archaeology or simple curiosity, it’s one of the most fascinating places in the country.
Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land
Mount Nebo is where Moses is traditionally believed to have looked out over the Promised Land, and the view still delivers. On a clear day the panorama sweeps across the Jordan Valley towards Jericho, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem.
At the summit we visited the Memorial Church of Moses with its remarkable Byzantine mosaics, wandered the monastery ruins, saw the famous Brazen Serpent sculpture and the Abu Badd rolling stone, and stopped into the small museum. It’s a compact site, but standing at that viewpoint, you understand exactly why this mountain has drawn pilgrims for centuries.
There’s more from this trip on our YouTube channel, we film the real sights and sounds, no fluff. You’ll also find us on TikTok and Instagram.