Jordan Travel Guide

1. Visit Jerash

The largest Roman city outside of Italy and one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Jordan, Jerash is often called “the Pompeii of the Middle East.” Though the area has been inhabited since at least 7500 BCE, it was when the Romans arrived in 63 BCE that Jerash started to flourish, remaining an important center through the Byzantine and Umayyad periods.

Walking around the expansive ruins (many of which don’t even seem like ruins at all, they’re so intact) is truly transporting. And the site is huge, so allow yourself time to wander. The main sights include Hadrian’s Arch, built for when the emperor visited in the first century CE; the Hippodrome, a racing stadium that could seat up to 15,000 spectators; and the Oval Forum, unique in its layout (as most forums were rectangular). Admission is 10 JOD, which includes the archaeological site, Jerash Archaeological Museum, and the Jerash Visitor Center (which contains many exhibitions and artifacts as well).

2. Marvel at the Madaba mosaics

Located just 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Amman, this ancient Bronze Age site is known as “the city of mosaics” thanks to its incredibly well-preserved Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, which continue to be found inside churches and homes, and underneath the streets. The most significant is the sixth-century Madaba Map, which is the oldest known map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. It’s located in St. George’s Church (1 JOD admission). Admission to the Madaba Archaeological Park and Museum is 3 JOD.

3. Learn about Bedouin culture

You can’t go to Jordan without learning more about Bedouin culture and their nomadic, desert-dwelling way of life. The word Bedouin comes from the Arabic word bedu, meaning “desert inhabitants,” and they have been living in harmony with this harsh environment for thousands of years. While most aren’t fully nomadic nowadays, there are an estimated 1.3-4 million Bedouin living throughout Jordan today. Hospitality is an integral part of their culture, and many Bedouin are continuing that tradition by welcoming travelers from around the world into their homes. The best way to get to know them is over cups of (very sweet) tea while staying a night — or a few — with them in a desert camp. It’s easiest and most popular to do so at Wadi Rum.

4. Enjoy Little Petra

Siq al-Barid, also known as Little Petra, is a first-century Nabatean site about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Petra itself. Likely a suburb and lodging area for traders traveling on the Silk Road, Little Petra is similar to Petra in many ways. Because of this, most people skip over Little Petra, assuming they’ve seen it all by visiting Petra itself. But it offers some unique sights of its own, like recently uncovered 2,000-year-old restored frescoes in the aptly named Painted House — and all without the crowds of the better-known Petra. Best of all, it’s free to visit.

5. Relax in the Ma’in Hot Springs

People have been coming to these mineral-rich hot springs for their healing properties for millennia (the area and its springs are even mentioned in the Bible). Located just a short drive from the Dead Sea, this lush oasis is home to 63 springs of varying temperatures, though the hottest can get up to 45–60°C (113–140°F). The potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the water are said to relieve sore muscles, so come here to wind down and relax after your desert adventures. You can either stay at the Ma’in Hot Springs Resort and Spa, which now occupies the area, pay for a resort day pass (10 JOD) to access the springs, or visit the public area for free.

6. Go hiking at Dana Biosphere Reserve

Jordan’s most biodiverse area and largest nature reserve, the Dana Biosphere Reserve covers over 308 square kilometers (119 square miles) and contains no less than four different types of environments, from sandy desert to forested mountaintops. Hundreds of species of plants, birds, and mammals call the area home, so keep your eyes peeled while hiking the trails for a chance to spot some of the rarer creatures, like the adorable sand cat (a small wild cat).

This is not a regular stop on the typical Jordan tourist trail, meaning you’ll come across more adventurous and outdoorsy travelers here. The 16-kilometer (10-mile) Wadi Dana Trail is one of the most popular in the reserve, as you can hike it independently, unlike many others in the country that require a mandatory guide. It’s a beautiful, relatively easy walk, with stunning views; it starts in Dana Village and ends at Feynan Eco-Lodge, which was named one of the best eco-lodges in the world by National Geographic. It costs 10 JOD to visit the reserve.

7. Dive in Aqaba

The Gulf of Aqaba at the northern tip of the Red Sea is Jordan’s only access to the open water. While most people think of more tropical locations, the Red Sea is actually one of the best places in the world to scuba dive. The rich diversity of the coral reefs filled with colorful fish, the sunken shipwrecks, the ease of access (you can often dive right from the shore), and the warm waters make this an ideal place to dive or snorkel. A discovery dive is 40-50 JOD, while two shore dives is 50-65 JOD. If you want to just snorkel, it’s 7-10 JOD to rent equipment, or you can go out on a full-day boat tour for 45-50 JOD.

8. Hike Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo is referenced in the Bible as the spot where Moses first saw the Promised Land, and also where he died shortly thereafter. As you can probably imagine, it’s an important pilgrimage site. But whether you’re religious or not, it’s a historically significant place with panoramic views over the surrounding landscape, including the Jordan River Valley and the Dead Sea. On clear days, you can even see as far as Jerusalem! There’s also a small church here, as well as a museum, both with preserved mosaics dating back as far as the sixth century. Visiting the site doesn’t take too long (plan for about an hour), but it’s a worthwhile stop, whether you’re headed elsewhere on a road trip or coming on an outing from Madaba or Amman. Mount Nebo is just a 15-minute drive outside of Madaba; admission is 3 JOD.

9. Wander around the desert castles

Wandering around the empty, dusty red ruins of Jordan’s desert qasrs (meaning palace, castle, or fortress in Arabic) is something that most visitors don’t take the time to do — which is exactly why it’s worth doing. Despite the name, Jordan’s desert “castles” aren’t technically castles, and the jury’s still out on what exactly they were built for in the seventh century, during the Umayyad Dynasty. Most scholars believe that they were a mix of agricultural complexes, military fortresses, hunting lodges, meeting places, and caravanserai (roadside inns) for travelers on the Silk Road. But no matter their original purpose, for the modern traveler, they provide atmospheric adventures.

The most famous castles are Qusayr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with frescoes dating back over a thousand years; Qasr Kharana, potentially a meeting location between Bedouin and Umayyad caliphs; and Qasr Al-Azraq, which T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) used as a headquarters in the 20th century. You can visit them on a guided day trip from Amman. It’s just 1 JOD to visit each one.

10. Go canyoning in Wadi Mujib

Sometimes called “the Grand Canyon of Jordan,” Wadi Mujib is a deep gorge located in Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world (the gorge connects to the Dead Sea). There are several trails here — though “trail” evokes a dry, dusty path, while these are mostly submerged underwater. Hiking them means wading and sometimes swimming through rust-colored slot canyons, making for an unforgettable and epic adventure.

The most popular route is the Siq Trail, as you don’t need a guide (unlike most others here). You’ll hike through the canyon on your own, hanging on to the ropes lining the walls and scrambling up the ladders as you make your way to a waterfall and natural swimming pool. The Siq Trail is 21 JOD, while the more advanced trails cost 30-45 JOD, which includes your guide.

Note that most of the trails are only open from April to the end of October, as the water levels get too high during the winter rainy season to traverse the trails safely.

11. Take a cooking class at Beit Sitti

Taking a cooking class is a great way to bring back a taste of your trip. The best place to learn how to cook Jordanian cuisine is up a winding, hilly street in one of Amman’s oldest neighborhoods. Beit Sitti, Arabic for “grandmother’s house,” is a cooking school run by three sisters out of their late grandmother’s house and created to connect with others over food, pass along their family’s traditional recipes, and empower local and refugee women by employing them as instructors and chefs. You can join a group class for 30 JOD (offered 1-2 times per week) or book a private session (100 JOD for one person, with the per-person price decreasing the bigger your party is).

12. Road-trip the King’s Highway

Thought to be one of the oldest continually used roads in existence, the ancient King’s Highway has connected Africa with the Arabian Peninsula since as far back as the eighth century BCE. Now modern Highway 35, the route was mentioned in the Old Testament and was used as an important trading and pilgrimage route. Because of this, many of Jordan’s important sites and attractions — including Wadi Musa (home to Petra), Wadi Mujib, Madaba, Amman, Jerash, Kerak Castle (one of the oldest Crusader castles in existence), and Dana Nature Reserve — are located along the road, interspersed with stunning views as you meander through Jordan’s valleys. It makes for the perfect road trip, whether you decide to drive the whole length or just a section of it. Just watch out for rogue camels and goats!