Jordan offers diverse attractions beyond Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Jordan Valley. Visitors can explore ancient ruins, hike deserts, and enjoy beaches while experiencing Jordanian hospitality and cuisine. Sites like Jerash, Madaba, and the Dead Sea add to its appeal. These locations make Jordan a compelling destination for travelers seeking rich cultural experiences.

Jordan was long on my list. I dreamt of visiting Petra old city. I wanted to wander through the Wadi Rum desert. I also wished to experience the Jordan valley!

But I found out that Jordan is so much more than these top 3 places to visit. You can explore ancient ruins. You can hike in the desert. You can float in the Dead Sea. You can relax on a beach. Jordan is the perfect destination. The country offers friendly people and great food. With its diverse landscape and fascinating culture, Jordan left me and will leave you wanting more.

Here is a map of Jordan. It will help you learn more about the country’s geography. It shows where the main attractions and main travel hubs of Jordan are located. Despite being a relatively small country and with average to good roads, travel between the main cities will be taking longer due to traffic, few highways and some checkpoints to guarantee security (namely aimed at locals, not tourists)

Contact me for a personalized itinerary that can fit your schedule, budget and interests.

TOP 11 THINGS TO DO IN JORDAN

My top things to do in Jordan are so diverse as the country itself offering a wide range of travel experiences fittinmg pretty much all tastes in quite a compact country, So my list of the must see places in Jordan and what to do in Jordan should meet every traveller wishlist for a complete overview of all with some secrete places an gfreat travel tips.Myself, I am a fan of covering all the different kind of travel experiences, so these are the absolute best spots in Jordan, with no particular ranking.

These are then the top 11 things to do in Jordan:

1. Petra Old City
2. Wadi Rum Desert
3. Aqaba & Red Sea
4. Kerak castle
5. Mount Nebo
6. Madaba
7. Jerash
8. Dead Sea beach
9. Wadi Numeira
10. Jordan River Baptism site
11. Amman

PETRA OLD CITY UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Petra city in Jordan is one of the seven wonders of the World. It truly honors its status with one of the most impressive ancient cities you will ever visit. It extends over 264 sq km. The Petra main trail is almost 10km long return with many points of interest and some detours. It will take the whole day with almost no big stops if you are on a one-day Petra schedule. For any Indiana Jones kind of adventurer its the ultimate dream come true!

To get to the Treasure Siq (Al Khazneh) square in Petra will be the highlight for most tourists. However, a true traveller will experience every one of the major sites. They will see the grandeur of this lost Nabatean Empire capital. It remained hidden for centuries. A real-life Indiana Jones, Jean Louis Burckhardt, “discovered” it in the 19th century (1812). This discovery started the huge popularity boom that still lives on to this day.

My main travel tips to visit Petra in Jordan are:

• An entry ticket costs 55 JOD per day, 75 JOD for 2 days, so you should buy the JORDAN PASS. The Jordan pass enables you to access Petra for 1, 2 or 3 days and also to most attractions in Jordan. Moreover it waives the tourist visa fee that is mandatory for all visitors on arrival and costs 40 JOD. with prices starting from 75 JOD it gives you a great value for money. Check how to book it on my useful travel tips below. Note the JORDAN PASS is owned by the local authorities, so no fees or unwanted subscriptions.
• Plan at least 2 days in Petra to enjoy the site not only with more time, because its really a long walk with plenty of steep climbs in some places, but also because it will allow you to be more flexible to be at the Treasure area away from the crowds
• Go early in the morning to Petra to have as much time as possible with just a few other travellers, namely to adḿire the canyon entrance and then the Treasure building (almost) by yourself. Never as an early bird schedule will be as important as in Petra, so do start at the main gate at around 7am your visit, because after 8.30am it will be so busy and crowded that you won’t be able to appreciate Petra like it should be. In alternative stay until 6.30pm as most tourist groups will leave at 5-5.30pm, and if its a Petra by night experience night then you’re a lucky visitor
• Come on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday to experience the Petra by night show. Its a lovely show with the iluminated canyon with candles, then the Treasure will be showing different colors under the sounds and voice of a local bedouin. It takes around 30 minutes and the ticket must be bought separately at the visitors centre for 17 JOD, together with a valid same day ticket. now the trick is do not leave Petra and come back later, stay at the Treasure area after 6.30pm, show your night ticket and then admire the emptiness of the place with very few other travellers and experience the iluminated Treasure by candles and with the lights test show… so amazing! You can have a simple but tasty bedouin dinner at the small bedouin café restaurant on the left for 12 JOD.
• The Treasure (Al-Khazneh) is the highlight for many visitors and truly deserves its status. So the Treasure viewpoints gain here an extra importance- the 3 you need to make- the high bedouin viewpoint accessible via a steep but moderate trail on the right, the rock ledge on the cliff wall and finally the small rock immediately after the canyon to get that special picture without all the tourists and camels behind you!
• To see the Treasure building fully iluminated by thenyou should be there between 11.30am tpo 2pm. Other than that it will be always partially with shadow
• There are cafés/ restaurants, toilets and small handicraft shops spread all across the Petra main trail- check the free map that you can become at the Visitors center.
• The Monastery is located at the end of Petra’s main trail and is for me an underrated attraction – its twice as huge as the Treasure, you can see its interior and also have beautifiul views of the surrounding desert and green canyon.

From the over 30 sites of interest inside the Petra old city (see the map image below), these are for me the top 11 Petra must see places by topographic order when coming from the main gate):

1. Djinn Blocks (only 10 minutes walk from entrance)
2. Siq Canyon
3. The Treasure Al-Khazneh (after 45 minutes walk from the entrance)
4. Street of Facades
5. Great Place of Sacrifice
6. Roman Amphitheater
7. Umm, Silk, Corinthian and Palace Tombs (all near each other)
8. Byzantine Church
9. Colonnaded Street
10. Qasr Al Blint
11. The Monastery and its viewpoints

Here is a map to help orientate yourself around Petra old city (its an image of the official visitor map available for free at the ticket office):

I will do a separate blog post on Petra with even more details about each site!

Finally after a long day walking, you can do some shopping at the Petra bazaar, located near Petra’s Visitor center, and have a nice drink to celebrate your great day of hiking around Petra, at the unique cave bar, an ancient site now used a trendy bar next to the main entrance of Petra, just by the Petra Guesthouse hotel.

WADI RUM DESERT

If there is an incredible gem in Jordan then Wadi Rum Desert gets the crown! Wadi Rum has landscapes out of this planet, probably the most stunning desert on Earth that led Star Wars, Dune, The Martian and so many famous films to be filmed here, that added with starry nights where you can see the MIlky way storms in Summer and stars beyond imagination. The only downsize its no longer a secret but you follow some tips it will be magical.

First of all Wadi Rum is a protected area that you can only access if you have an entry ticket. This is included in the Jordan Pass that I mentioned above or then you need to get a ticket at the Wadi Rum village visitor center. Nevertheless, depending on where your camp is located, the local name for all accommodations here, you might not even need to pass through the village because the pick up points might be near one the nearby towns such as Diseh.

Secondly you should reserve a camp inside the protected area to save time when starting the tour and also because the best landscapes are within the protected area. Here a map that shows it:

Most importantly is that when you book your camp in Wadi Rum, the dinner is almost always included in the rate but the tours and camel rides need to be booked on top of that (Check my favorite Wadi Rum camps and tips on where to stay in the section above). You will drop your car at the pickup point in a safe parking location indicated The Jeep tours usually take from 3-4 hours to a full day tour, you should arrange it with the camp one day before arrival. A Wadi Rum jeep tour costs around 45 USD /EUR per person for a 4 hours tour or 60 USD if its a full day tour. A private tour of Wadi Rum costs around 100 USD per pick up truck. In my opinion you will cover all the top attractions in Wadi Rum with the 4 hours tour, take the full day tour only if you really want to see all of Wadi Rum. A Wadi Rum desert camel ride for one hour costs around 15 JOD (22 EUR/ USD) and you should inform the day before.

I took 2x 4 hours jeep tour to try different itineraries and definitely a 4 hours tour will be enough to cover the 7 must see spots in Wadi Rum that you should cover:

1. Lawrence’s House – the most beautiful viewpoint and rock formation, allegedly where the famous Lawrence of Arabia spent part of his life in the region, is also a Star Wars flocation. Moderate climb to get up the hilltop for the best views
2. Burdah Bridge Rock – From the 3 rock bridges in Wadi Rum, Burdah is the most photogenic and accessible to climb up (despite being quite steep). Umm Fruth bridgei s the highest but you are at a far point and its a long hike, Little bridge is kind of hidden, also not easy to get up there (I went to all 3)
3. Barrah Canyon – The most magnificent canyon in Wadi Rum is Barrah canyon, being the best drive in whole Wadi Rum, famous for rock climbing and by a narrow passageway you can walk into before reaching a dead end. Khazali canyon is a good alternative but the drive isn’t so great.
4. Mushroom Rock – this odd rock formation in the shape of a Mushroom , namely when seen from the front, it was purely carved by sand and wind, Mushroom rock is a nature wonder
5. Alameleh inscriptions – Former Camel Caravan passageway, this rock shows thousand year old carvings depicting a stop for caravans passing by the Wadi Rum. Its still a camel stop but now only for tourists wanting to take a camel ride.
6. Great Sand Dune – for a desert, Wadi Rum doesn’t have that many dunes, but you will find some very big ones like the Great Sand Dune. Very steep and demanding short climb, the views are breathtaking and you can slide your way down or just dig your feet on the soft deep sand
7. Sunset spot – the best sunset spot in Wadi Rum is on a low rock formation with 360 views of the desert widest plain and mountains close to Wadi Rum village. Its a known stop as many jeep tours end up here and is also the most known spot for many films due to the vastness around.

Sunrise I can recommend you get up early at 5am and see all those colors in the sky, look for a high spot to walk near your camp or ask the camp owner to drive you. This spot was above one of the camps I stayed in

Also note that around Wadi Rum, all must see stops offer free warm tea and coffee costs 1-2 JOD, plus some local handicrafts are also sold. Toilet facilities are limited.

Take warm clothes for the night as it gets really cold in Wadi Rum and don’t forget your good hiking shoes!

AQABA & RED SEA

Aqaba is the only Red Sea city in Jordan, whose coastline stretches for around 30km long, in between Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Its also usually the end of most Jordan tourists trip as they try to unwind and relay from many hiking activities.

In my case I was in Aqaba at the beginning and at the end of my trip to Jordan. And i can tell you that its totally worth visiting , apart from the beach break, with several great things to do if for a 1 day tour, that you can easily do by yourself as its quite easy to navigate around Aqaba city, plus having some great dining options.

I would recommend that you visit the 5 top things to do in Aqaba : Aqaba Castle, Aqaba Marina area with its restaurants, the sea promenade between the Marina and the Castle, Aqaba’s mosque and finally the stunning view from the Nice View Café . It will take you 1/2 day to 1 day depending on how many time you have, but i can definitely recommend 1/2 day as minimum.

To enjoy the best beach at the Red Sea in Jordan, you need to travel 15 minutes south of Aqaba city by car and get to South Beach. In this area of Aqaba there are 3 main beaches: The public beach , Berenice Beach Club and Tala Bay.

The main difference is that Berenice beach club has much better facilities, pools and bars / restaurants , so it does justify the upgrade vs the public beach that only has a few sun umbrellas and the beach is not as palm tree lined as you would wish for. Tala Bay is different as the beaches there are all part of the local resorts but you could get an entrance daily access if you are not at the hotels here.

My personal favorite and best beach in Aqaba is for me Berenice Beach with its beach club – palm trees, beach bar, sports activities, snorkeling / diving options, great music vibes and the most beautiful corals and various wrecks ton dive nearby make this beach something special. Its well worth the entry fee of 17 JOD (25 EUR/ USD) where you get access to all the facilities and towels. Plus the very important happy hour from 5 to 6pm!

I can definitely recommend you to take the boat glass tour for 20 JOD and snorkel the most beautiful coral reef in Aqaba called the Japanese Garden , where you might be lucky to see the famous lion fish and so many fishes like you never imagined here. On the way there you will float by with the boat over a plane, a ship and tank wrecks. Of course you can also dive in the are for an additional fee. The best thing is that the boat trip is only 10 minutes from the main sites and the trips depart every 2 hours.

Last but not least, I can tell you to stay for sunset – they light up a fireplace in the evening, have a beautiful pier and iluminated trees that make the sunset in Aqaba over the Red Sea and mountains on here are simply magical.

KERAK CASTLE

Jordan was one of the most important locations for the medieval knights crusaders and local Arab rulers To battle for the Holy Land in the Middle Ages, so it became critical that castles were built to watch over enemy armies, caravan routes and defend Jerusalem at all costs. Kerak Castle is one of those medieval castles, that impresses by its stunning location and the huge size of its fortifications, overlooking the Dead Sea and surrounding valleys and mountains. Kerak Castle is one of the biggest medieval castles in the Middle East and is the largest castle in Jordan.

How to get to Kerak castle is by car from the main cities in the Dead Sea or Amman is some 2 hours and from Petra is around 45 minutes. By bus follow my travel section above. The entry fee is included in the Jordan Pass, that I explain in detail in my travel tips for Jordan section. But before you go to the Kerak Castle entrance, you should make a stop at the Panorama Café area (terrace access is for free) to admire the greatness of Kerak Castle

From the Castle Panorama to Kerak Castle, its a 10 minutes drive to a small parking space near the castle (beware of police station nearby to park correctly!) and then another 2-3 minutes walk. You will be amazed by the incredible views from here over the ridge leading to the Dead Sea before entering the old castle maze with long tunnels, narrow staircases and some of the most impressive rooms you will ever see in castle. I am European and I have seen so many castles in my lifetime but Kerak Castle is so unique to visit, never saw anything like a 4 floors castle (originally there were 7!). So just explore around the castle for around 1-1/2 hours before visiting the museum that has a beautiful artifacts collection.

MOUNT NEBO

Mount Nebo is more than just a great viewpoint high up the mountains, with an incredible panorama of the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. Its also the symbolic last stand of the famous prophet Moses (locally Mosa) before his death before he could see the Promised Land (West Bank Palestine/ Israel) .

The memorial church that was built there is now a pilgrimage place for many Christians, together with some other artworks such as the Cross and the serpent. However the highlight is the interior of the Moses church: stunning mosaic tiles from byzantine times extremely well preserved! Its well worth the 2 JOD entrance (this attraction isn’t included in the Jordan Pass,

How to get to Mount Nebo is via the Dead Sea Highway, going up the curvy scenic road up the mountains with great views from the Dead Sea, West bank and even Jerusalem mountains. Depending on you are it will take 30 minutes or more. If you are coming from Amman or Madaba it will be more straight roads until you get to Mount Nebo, that is well signposted as Prophet Mosa / Moses site.

MADABA

If you are into mosaics and historical monuments, then Madaba must be on your Jordan travel bucket list. I made it as a stopover on my way from Mount Nebo to Amman but is also a great place to visit for a day trip from Amman.

Madaba is a small city in Jordan that is known for its stunning Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. The most famous mosaic in Madaba is the 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, which is the oldest, largest and most detailed maps of the region ever created. Its located in St George’s church right in the city center. The entrance costs only 3 JOD, again not included in the Jordan Pass.

In addition to the Mosaic Map, there are many other beautiful mosaics to see in Madaba, including those in the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Madaba Archaeological Museum. My favorite was the Church of the holy Spirit because of the excellent viewpoint from its church tower and the tunnels network that was were the original church was built on.

Madaba is a great place to visit for a day trip from Amman or as a stopover on your way to other destinations in Jordan, such as Petra or the Dead Sea

JERASH

Jerash is an old Greco-Roman city located in northern Jordan. It is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was founded in the 3rd century BC by the Seleucid Empire, and it reached its peak in the 2nd century AD. Jerash was abandoned in the 7th century AD, but it was rediscovered in the 19th century.

Jerash is a popular tourist destination, so it is best to arrive early or stay until late to avoid the crowds, as bus tours arrive here from 10am to 4pm. I got here at around 3.30pm and at the end it was all almost empty, it was amazing! Note that the complex closes at 6pm and entry is free if you have the Jordan

You should either get here by car, with a free car park just a few meters away, but of course there are a number of tour operators that offer day trips to Jerash from Amman. My absolute highlights were Hadrian’s Arch, the Oval Forum , the Colonnade street and the North Theater but there are so many great temples to visit!

DEAD SEA BEACH

If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable travel experience, the Dead Sea is the perfect destination for you. You can’t miss the travel bucket list experience and float in the world’s saltiest lake, soak in the healing mud, and admire the white salty beaches beautiful scenery!

My absolute favorite places in the Dead Sea in Jordan were :

• white salty flats near Wadi Numeira, just a few minutes north from the salt extraction pools. Quite nearby is the hidden gem canyon of Wadi Numeira
• Resorts beach area with well maintained facilities, mud treatments for free and showers . My absolute preferred spot was the Hilton resort
• Wadi Mujib area with a contrast of salty flats and beach area plus a lovely forest area just near the namesake canyon entrance , also another separate highlight here

WADI NUMEIRA

The canyon of Wadi Numeira was for me the most surprising place for me in whole Jordan! It fully deserves its nickname as the Petra on Water ! Without the crowds from Petra too…

A true hidden gem trail that you can hike for 3 hours return over amazing narrow canyons, water streams and no tourist crowds that will remind you of Petra! Due to its geology it’s considered the Petra on Water, as the real Petra has no water at all.

Located near the Dead Sea, on the way to Wadi Mini and the Dead Sea resorts in Jordan , it’s acessible from the main road close to the salt fields. Then turn off to a short gravel road (no signs so double check it on Waze or Google maps) and after 2 minutes you can park your car near a small house. Then it’s a short 10 minutes walk until you get to the trailhead marked by a huge stone hanging between two cliffs.

Take waterproof hiking shoes, a bottle of water and lots of energy! If you come early, you will most likely have the trail just for you 😎

JORDAN RIVER BAPTISM SITE

Even if you‘re not religious, this site is considered by many to be the more likely location of the baptism of Jesus, that is of course an historical must see.

The visit is also an adventure as you will be only a few meters away from the West Bank in Palestine, being guarded by guards from both sides. The site itself is only accessible with a mini bus from the visitor center and then a circa 45 minutes walking guided tour to go through the major sites, including St John the Baptist famous site where he baptized Jesus, the Jordan River itself and a few churches you can visit . There are plenty of them here due to the meaning of the location!

It is located in Jordan, about 10 kilometers north of the Dead Sea. To get there, you can take a bus from Amman or from any Dead Sea main resort . The bus will drop you off at the Visitor Center, from where you can walk to the site. There is a small admission fee to enter the site, that is not included in the Jordan Pass unless you tick the box to include it when buying the pass online.

AMMAN CITADEL

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a fascinating city with a rich history dating back thousands of years. It is a modern metropolis with a vibrant culture and a diverse population. There are many things to see and do in Amman, from exploring ancient ruins to visiting world-class museums.

Here are the top 5 things to do in Amman:

1. Visit the Citadel: The Citadel is a historic site located on a hilltop overlooking the city. It is home to the ruins of several ancient buildings, including the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace, and the Byzantine church.
2. Explore the Roman Theater: The Roman Theater is a 2,000-year-old amphitheater that is still in use today. It is a popular venue for concerts and other events.
3. Visit the Jordan Museum: The Jordan Museum is home to a collection of artifacts that tell the story of Jordan’s history. The museum is divided into several galleries, each of which focuses on a different period of history.
4. Go shopping in Rainbow Street: Rainbow Street is a pedestrian street in Amman’s downtown area. with shops selling souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and more!
5. Enjoy the restaurants in Amman‘s old town

USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS FOR JORDAN

• Visas – Most nationalities can get a visit on arrival at both international airports in Jordan, for border crossings you need to get it online. The current fee is 40 JOD (50EUR/ USD), but you can waive it if you buy the JORDAN Pass.
• JORDAN PASS – The Jordan pass enables you to access most attractions in Jordan and can only be bought abroad and before you arrive to Jordan. You can then select 1, 2 or 3 days at Petra as well a reduced entry to the Baptism site, with prices starting fron 75 JOD. For example single ticket to Petra costs 55 JOD, so if you buy the baic Jordan Pass you would already save 20 JOD if you pay the visa and the entry to Petra (95 JOD in total) . Note the JORDAN PASS is owned by the local authorities, so no fees or unwanted subscriptions- you can check and book it at https://jordanpass.jo/
• Money – The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). In the present its actually valued at 1.30EUR or 1.30 USD per 1 JOD. Best is to exchange your money at the city banks or withdraw it in an ATM. most places accept credit cards Do not exchange money at the airport unless you absolute need it.
• Telephone – buy a local SIM Card on arrivals from Orange or Zain operator official kiosks. Orange has a better coverage. Costs for 25GB surfing are 12 JOD (circa 18 EUR/ USD), that will more than be sufficient. No need to sign up or login anywhere, its immediately ready to use in your phone..
• Car rental – Its quite great value for money if you book it for 7 days or more, expect to pay around 30EUR/ USD per day for an average car . You won’t need 4WD anywhere unless you are planning to drive through the desert or any off road tracks down south, Also when it rains, most roads are perfectly drivable. Own insurance is a good idea, but if you are used to drive abroad, then skip it. Book directly with the rental companies, beware of third parties and companies with hidden fees
• Travel essentials – In Autumn/ Winter bring a rain jacket and some warm clothes, other than that bring light clothing and just a hoodie or jacket for the cold desert nights. Across all seasons do bring waterproof hiking shoes, snorkeling gear (unless you are ok to rent one), water shoes, sunscreen , water refillable bottle and a torchlight.

Hope my travel guide gives you enough info to build an amazing Jordan travel itinerary!

Do ask me for a personalized itinerary or any specific tips because Jordan needs to be well planned but like any travel do spend time to experience Jordan and stay longer where you feel that is a place you feel blended in.