Travel writing based on first-hand experience
Discover the best places to visit in Jordan—from the iconic city of Petra and the Mars-like landscapes of Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea, Jerash ruins, and vibrant Amman. A perfect guide for history lovers, adventurers, and culture seekers.
Table of Contents
Planning a Trip to Jordan
When to Go
– Spring is ideal.
Planning Tips
– There are two absolute musts: Petra and Wadi Rum.
– Everything else depends on your time and budget. We’ll break it down below.
– Most people fly into Amman, drive south, and fly out from Aqaba. You can also do the reverse. The key sights are along the same route anyway.
How Many Days
– You’ll need one full day for Petra and another full day for Wadi Rum. Honestly, the rest is optional. (That’s 2 days total so far.)
– If you’re fit, add canyoning in Wadi Mujib. It’s insanely fun and takes half a day. (Now we’re at 3 days total.)
– Petra and Wadi Mujib are very physically demanding, and in Wadi Rum, you’ll get up at dawn to catch the sunrise. So take one recovery day before heading back to work. That doesn’t have to be in Jordan—it can be at home. But keep in mind that Jordan is expensive.
– So, in our opinion, 3–4 days is enough. But if you want to stay longer, you’ll easily find ways to fill a week.
– With 4 days, you’ll definitely cover the highlights and squeeze in a few extras we mention.
Read also: Essential Jordan Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Our Travel Tips
– Definitely rent a car. You’ll only need a 4×4 in the desert, and there you can hop in a Bedouin jeep. They’ll take you on a tour or drive you to your desert camp. Click here for affordable car rentals in Jordan.
– Aqaba is sometimes marketed as the “Bodrum of Jordan.” Let us be real: it’s nothing like it. Alcohol is legal and the city is duty-free, so Arabs from nearby countries vacation here—but the city itself isn’t pretty, and the sea… well, it’s not the sea experience you’re dreaming of.
Aqaba has only 18 kilometers of coastline, given just so Jordan can have sea access. Most of it is used as a port. There are some resorts and public beaches, but swimming here is like trying to swim at a cargo terminal. The reefs and fish are decent, but not breathtaking. Honestly? Diving in Kaş (Turkey) is more rewarding. The world-famous Red Sea diving is better on the Egyptian side. And yes, there are lots of jellyfish. So if you go to Aqaba, go ahead and dive, but don’t go there just for a beach holiday.
– What about Amman? It’s the capital, but not a must-see.
– Plan your Petra visit to coincide with “Petra by Night” if possible—only on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights from 8:30 to 10:30 PM. Get tickets here.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Amman
Day 2: Bethany – Dead Sea – Wadi Mujib
Day 3: Petra
Day 4: Wadi Rum
Day 5: Aqaba
The 5-day itinerary includes Amman and Aqaba just because of flights. Neither are that exciting, so feel free to cut one or both.
Things to Keep in Mind
– Jordan is governed under Sharia law. Friday is a holiday.
– If you want to go out at night, Monday is best in Amman. Aqaba may be livelier on Saturdays due to tourism.
Our Favorites in Jordan
1. Wadi Rum
Most people put Petra at the top, and yes, it’s amazing. But Wadi Rum left a deeper mark on us. Watching sunrise and sunset, going on safari, meeting Bedouins, sleeping under the stars—all in that pink-hued desert that looks like a massive sculpture park. Minimum one full day, max two.
2. Petra, the Siq, and the Monastery
Petra is the crown jewel of Jordan. You probably even heard of Jordan because of Petra. It’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Siq is the canyon you walk through to reach it, and the Monastery (Ad-Deir) is another giant temple in the complex. The place is massive. You’ll walk all day.
3. Canyoning in Wadi Mujib
Wading and climbing through water in a canyon? Amazing. But exhausting. You don’t need to be an athlete, but don’t do it if you have health issues or young kids. You must book a tour in advance. More on this below.
Places to Visit in Jordan
1. Amman – The Capital of Jordan
Amman is one of the most modern cities in the Arab world, along with Doha and Dubai. Nearly half of Jordan’s population lives here, and it’s the center of the country’s economy, arts, and entertainment. It’s a dry, concrete jungle of a city, almost like a maze. But if it’s your first time in the Middle East, it’s worth spending a day.
A typical 1-day Amman itinerary includes:
– Exploring Historic Amman (Roman Theater, Archaeological Museum, Amman Citadel)
– Eating falafel and hummus at the iconic Hashem Restaurant
– Trying knafeh at the nearby Habibah
– Wandering the souks and local bazaars
– Visiting Rainbow Street in Jebel Amman for cafés and street art
– Seeing a different side of the city in upscale Abdali (The Boulevard) or Wakalat Street in Sweifieh
🗺️ Want the full food + travel guide for Amman? [Click here]
2. Jerash – The Ancient Roman City
Though it might seem modest compared to Petra, Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Just 1.5 hours from Amman, and you can see the whole site in about an hour.
If you’ve seen places like Hierapolis or Ephesus, you might not be blown away, but history lovers will still find it fascinating. There are also half-day tours from Amman that combine Jerash with the city’s historic center.
🎟️ [Click here for tours and tickets]
3. Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas)
“Al-Maghtas” means “immersion” in Arabic, referring to baptism. This is the archaeological site on the Jordan River where it’s believed Jesus was baptized. It’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
The site includes the ruins of monasteries and baptism pools near Elijah’s Hill—thought to be where the prophet Elijah ascended to heaven. After the 1967 Six-Day War, the area was abandoned and mined. But following the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty, it was cleared, excavated, and opened as a pilgrimage site.
Every January 6th, thousands of people gather here to celebrate Epiphany.
Entry: 5 JD
4. Madaba – The City of Mosaics
About 30 km from Amman, Madaba is a Christian-majority town known for its many churches and the famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land found on the floor of St. George’s Church. It once spanned 190 m², though only a portion remains today.
You can visit Madaba via tours that also include the Dead Sea and Mount Nebo.
📍[Click for tours and tickets]
5. Mount Nebo
Mount Nebo is considered the spot where Moses was shown the Promised Land before his death. It’s a sacred mountain near Madaba and believed to be his burial site—though the exact location is unknown. Visiting takes very little time and offers sweeping views.
Entry: 2 JD
6. The Dead Sea
At 420 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the Earth’s lowest land elevation and second saltiest body of water. Swimming here is a surreal experience—you float effortlessly thanks to the 30% salinity. But don’t let any water get in your eyes. It burns!
There are both public and private access points, ranging from 20–25 JD. You can also just stop on the roadside and jump in. And don’t miss a mud bath—the minerals are famous for skin benefits. Many luxury hotels offer spa treatments, and the area has a small mud-and-mineral product industry.
7. Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon
Wadi Mujib is a biosphere reserve with wild biodiversity and epic geology. It’s the lowest nature reserve on Earth, 410 meters below sea level, and offers adventurous canyon trails.
Top trails:
– Siq Trail (easy to moderate)
– Canyon Trail (moderate to difficult; includes waterfall climbs)
– Malaqi Trail (moderate to difficult)
– Ibex Trail (dry trail, open year-round)
Canyoning is only available April–October due to water levels.
🎟️ [Click here for Wadi Mujib tours]
8. Karak Castle
A Crusader castle made famous by the movie Kingdom of Heaven. It was later captured by Saladin, passed to the Mamluks, and then the Ottomans. Bring a flashlight to explore the eerie underground tunnels!
Entry: 2 JD
9. Dana Biosphere Reserve
Dana is another major conservation area like Wadi Mujib, home to endangered flora and fauna. The 16 km Wadi Dana Trail is a scenic, mostly downhill route that takes at least 3 hours.
You can camp at Rummana Camp for a unique experience—but go during the dry season, and keep in mind prices are high (around $100 even for tents).
10. Petra – Jordan’s Crown Jewel
This 2,200-year-old city carved into red sandstone cliffs was the capital of the Nabataeans. You’ll enter through the narrow Siq canyon and be greeted by the breathtaking Treasury (Al-Khazneh). The site includes Roman-style structures, temples, tombs, and a vast archaeological area.
Petra is also a famous filming location—think Indiana Jones and The Mummy. The “Petra by Night” experience is a must: the path and Treasury are lit with candles and live music on select nights.
🎟️ [Petra by Night tickets here] | [Petra day tours here]
11. Wadi Rum – Valley of the Moon
With its Martian-like landscape of red sandstone and granite, Wadi Rum has starred in films like Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, and Transformers. It’s the largest valley in Jordan and has rock art, ancient inscriptions, and archaeological sites.
Activities:
– Jeep Safari (4–5 hours; highly recommended over camel rides)
– Hot Air Balloon Ride at sunrise (1-hour flight, costs around 130 JD for adults)
– Overnight stays in Bedouin camps or luxury bubble tents
🎟️ [Jeep tour tickets] | [Balloon ride info]
12. The Hejaz Railway
This historic railway was built by the Ottomans in the early 1900s to shorten travel to the Holy Land. Lawrence of Arabia famously sabotaged this line during WWI. A few restored trains can be seen along the road to Wadi Rum—with the Turkish flag still waving.
13. Aqaba – Port City by the Red Sea
Located 60 km from Wadi Rum, Aqaba enjoys 300 sunny days a year. It’s Jordan’s only coastal city, and while it didn’t impress us much, it’s a convenient base for day trips to Petra and Wadi Rum.
Diving in Aqaba:
– 20 dive sites with 500 coral species and 1,200 fish
– Popular dive spots: Cedar Pride wreck (up to 26 m deep), and a sunken tank
– Water temps range from 20–26°C year-round
– Contact: Anchor Diving Centre or Ahlan Aqaba Scuba Diving Center
- Driving in Jordan as a Tourist (2026): What to Expect, Road Rules, and Tips for a Safe Trip
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- Perfect Jordan Itinerary 10 days (2026): From Amman To Aqaba
- What to Do in Madaba in 2026: Explore Near Jordan’s Mosaic City
- What to Do in Jerash Jordan (2026): A Walk Through One of the Best-Preserved Roman Cities on Earth
