The 8 most incredible places to visit in Jordan

There are many good reasons to put Jordan on your travel wish list – desert dunes and the ruins of Petra are only the beginning. With good infrastructure, tasty cuisine and famous traditions of hospitality, this is one of the most rewarding destinations to explore in the Middle East.

Beyond the well-known (and rightly renowned) cliff-carved city of Petra, visitors can discover friendly villages and forested trails in the north, ancient Roman and Islamic ruins in Amman, and the mind-bending, Mars-like desertscapes of Wadi Rum. It's a fabulous destination for travelers with an adventurous spirit and an interest in Arab history and culture.

The intensity of the climate, traffic and terrain can be a little overwhelming for first-time visitors, but if you let go of your expectations and embrace all that Jordan has to offer, you’ll enjoy a warm welcome and unique experiences that you'll remember forever. Here are eight of the best places to visit in Jordan.

1. Amman

Best place for urban adventures

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Don’t make the mistake of just passing through Jordan's lively capital city – Amman is well worth getting to know. More than just a gateway to the country, this is a place to feel Jordan’s heartbeat, in a city pulsing with the energy of the old and new, and millennia of history and culture.

If you only have one day in Amman, go straight to the highest hill in the city to find the Citadel, an archaeological site that includes the ruins of the 8th-century Umayyad Palace and the remaining pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules. Enjoy 360-degree views and respite from the traffic and crowds below.

When you descend, make a stop at the city's imposing Roman Theater before wandering Al Balad, a buzzing downtown district where you’ll find souvenir shops, street souks, argileh (shisha) cafes and vendors serving fresh falafel and kunafeh (a Middle Eastern cheese pastry topped with nuts and syrup).

Take a stroll on Rainbow St – good for eating and shopping – before ending the evening on a high note with a sunset dinner at one of the city’s rooftop bars or restaurants. With more time in Amman, learn about the country’s history at the Jordan Museum or dive into Jordanian culture hands-first with an interactive class such as a cooking lesson at female-run Beit Sitti or an olive-oil-soap-making workshop at Mosaic House.

Planning tip: Conventional taxis and public buses can get you around the sights in Amman, or you can summon a rideshare via the Uber and Careem apps. 

2. Madaba

Best place for ancient Christian history

Just 20 minutes from Queen Alia International Airport, Madaba is a convenient and quiet alternative to Amman as a first place to rest your head when you arrive in Jordan. A friendly and welcoming town for visitors of all faiths, Madaba is home to one of the largest Christian communities in Jordan, and there are some fascinating ancient churches to explore.

Be sure to visit St George’s Church, an 18th-century construction build over the ruins of a much older Byzantine church that contains one of the oldest known maps of the Holy Land, created using mosaic tiles in 560 CE. Several other Byzantine-era Orthodox Christian churches with mosaic interiors lie dotted around the streets.

Detour: While you're in Madaba, consider a visit to Mt Nebo, just outside the city. It’s believed Moses saw the "Promised Land" from the mountain’s summit – a view you can take in, too. Atop the mountain, some of Jordan’s most prized mosaics can be seen at the Moses Memorial Church, while the on-site museum highlights the site's long history.

3. Jerash

Best place for archaeology fans

An easy day trip from Amman, the modern city of Jerash is home to the ruins of ancient Gerasa, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the beauty of this impressive site, but it is helpful to hire a guide either on-site or in advance through a tour operator such as Engaging Cultures, as signage is limited.

The Forum, bound by curving rows of stone columns, is a can’t-miss and is best viewed from above. Be sure to take the steps up to the Temple of Zeus for a panoramic view of the ancient city, with modern-day Jerash in the background.

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This region is also known for producing superior olives and olive oil; some of the region's olive trees are hundreds of years old. If you’re traveling to Jordan in September or October, book a multi-day trip with Engaging Cultures that includes olive harvesting, lunch and an overnight stay with a local family, as well as a visit to Ajloun Castle.

Planning tip: The site at Jerash is vast, so plan accordingly. Count on a minimum of three hours to see the main sights, plus additional time to explore outlying areas and take photos. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection. Buses from Amman to Jerash take about an hour.

4. Dana Biosphere Reserve

Best region for wildlife

Around 194km (121 miles) south of Amman is Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest protected area, covering a rugged collection of mountains and wadis (seasonal river channels). Here you'll find more than 800 plant species, some 215 bird species, rare mammals such as the Syrian wolf and Nubian ibex and an ancient archaeological site. Hikers are drawn by the area's unique ecology, varied terrain, incredible views and serenity.

Make Feynan Ecolodge your base for connecting with Bedouin culture and the land through locally led experiences such as grazing goats with local shepherds, hiking in the wadis with Bedouin guides, baking arbood bread, learning about medicinal plants or making Arabic coffee over an open fire.

Planning tip: For intrepid travelers looking to stay out under the stars, multi-day hikes in Dana and on the Dana-to-Petra section of the Jordan Trail can easily be arranged through tour operators.

5. The Dead Sea

Best place for natural healing

Soak and scrub your worries away with a natural spa experience on the Jordanian shores of the Dead Sea. For a DIY Dead Sea experience, slather on some mineral-rich mud on the shore before wading in to float in the high-salinity water. Beauty mavens can continue the experience at one of the numerous luxury hotel spas along the shoreline (we rate the treatments at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar).

In addition to the healing properties of the local mud and water, the oxygen-rich air and dry climate of this region are believed to be beneficial for people with a variety of health conditions. Just keep in mind that the heat can be unbearable during the summer, when temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F).

Planning tip: In the warmer months, consider an outdoor jaunt in nearby Wadi Mujib, the “Grand Canyon of Jordan,” with a hike in the shade of the gorge followed by a dip in the cool, fresh water. You can also hike in the wadis near South Ghor at the south end of the Dead Sea with the Al Numeira Environmental Association.

6. Petra

Best place for magnificent monuments

However long you're in Jordan, you'll want to make time to explore UNESCO-listed Petra. Known as the “Rose Red City” because of the pink sandstone it is carved from, the site is home to such landmark monuments as the Treasury – the 2000-year-old tomb of the Nabataean King Aretas III – and the similarly grand Monastery (Ad-Dayr).

The ruined capital of the Nabataean civilization sprawls across 264 sq km (102 sq miles) of desert, and you could easily spend several days trekking around the ruins and outcrops and marveling at the masonry skills and rich history of its ancient inhabitants.  

You can choose your own level of adventure depending on your interests, time and ability. If you’re short on time, take the road most traveled and hike through the narrow sandstone canyon known as the Siq to reach the carved stone facade of the Treasury, which you might recognize from the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

If you have multiple days and want to go beyond the most common sites, book a guided tour that includes storytelling, hiking, Arabic coffee and meals prepared by expert local guides.

Local tip: Want to see Petra from another angle? Take a tip from Jordanian mountaineer Mohammed Ziad Abdullatif and hike to Petra from Little Petra, or via the Jordan Trail. “The Petra Back Trail from Little Petra to Petra is my all-time favorite hike for its location, scenery, history and that first glimpse of the Monastery when it starts to appear,” Abdullatif says.

7. Umm Qais

Best place for connecting with local culture

Located about 117km (73 miles) north of Amman, Umm Qais is an ideal base for exploring northern Jordan with its forested trails, authentic farm-to-fork meals, warm hospitality and less-visited archaeological sites. While you hike, you can enjoy sweeping views over the surrounding countryside and rewarding encounters with local people.

We recommend seeking out local experiences arranged through an experienced operator such as Baraka Destinations. Explore the 2300-year-old Greco-Roman ruins of Gadara with a local guide, or go foraging for wild foods with a local farmer or harvesting honey with a village beekeeper. With so many interesting things to do, Umm Qais is an excellent destination for all types of visitors, from families to solo travelers.

Hiking enthusiasts are spoiled for choice at Umm Qais, with numerous trails weaving through Yarmouk Forest Reserve – a favorite hiking spot for savvy locals and in-the-know visitors. Hire a local guide through the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature or a tour operator such as Baraka Destinations. An expert guide can introduce you to the local flora and fauna, and (if you’re lucky) prepare shai (tea) to share in the shade of the deciduous oak trees that grow here.

Planning tip: Umm Qais is also the starting point for the Jordan Trail, which runs for 675km (420 miles) to Aqaba in the south. Book a guided day hike to the Wadi Arab Dam through an operator such as Experience Jordan for a taste of the scenery. Trek the northern section of the Jordan Trail in springtime to see the region carpeted in wildflowers.

8. Wadi Rum

Best place for stunning desert landscapes

While the landscapes look like something from the movie Dune, No spaceship is required to visit Wadi Rum. Instead, you can explore this marvelous expanse of sandy desert and rocky outcrops on foot, by camel, by 4WD or even by hot-air balloon. Eroded mountains and soaring rock arches rising over a sea of rust-colored sand make this protected area one of the most photogenic and beautiful places in the world.

Many travelers come to Wadi Rum seeking silence and a slower pace of life, but the site has become so popular that you may have to head away from the main sites and desert camps to find true tranquility. For an intimate introduction to the landscape, spend a day with a Bedouin guide hiking, cooking and learning how to put up a traditional Bedouin tent.

As one of the best places in the world for rock climbing, Wadi Rum also attracts plenty of active adventurers. Book an overnight climbing and camping trip with Bedouin Campsite and Tours and learn from guides who have spent their lives scaling these sandstone giants.

Planning tip: The Red Sea resort city of Aqaba is an hour’s drive away and the perfect place for an indulgent spa treatment and a luxury beach stay after working up a sweat in Wadi Rum.