JORDAN

Jordan, located in the Middle East on the east bank of the Jordan River, is home to many amazing places.

Places such as the famous UNESCO site Petra, Wadi Rum desert, Jordan Valley, Baptism Site Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Dead Sea, Kerak Castle, Jerash Ruins, and Amman Citadel are definitely worth visiting.

The capital city of Jordan is Amman, and with more than 4 million inhabitants, it is also the most populous city in the country.

Jordan, the Hashemite Kingdom in the Middle East, is an Arab country with a long and rich history and one of the most welcoming countries for tourists in this region.

Plan a Trip to Jordan

Planning a trip to Jordan is fairly easy and straightforward. The first question you should ask yourself is how long you should spend in Jordan.

A road trip to Jordan can be an amazing way to see the country, and we recommend planning for about a week to get a feel for everything.

Our 1-week Jordan itinerary includes all essential stops in Jordan.

When it comes to transport, Jordan is one of those countries where having your own car is a huge plus as it allows you to visit as many places as possible at your own pace.

Driving in Jordan was surprisingly easy, and we couldn't be happier with our decision.

Even though you can visit Jordan year round, every season has its pros and cons.

Therefore, it's essential to find as much information on when is the best time to visit Jordan to make an informed decision.

One of the most burning questions most of you will ask before you go is whether the Jordan Pass is worth it or not. We believe it is as it saves money and makes your travels easier.

Getting from Amman Airport to Amman is easy, but we decided to travel from Amman Airport to Madaba as it made more sense for us.

Top Things to See and Do in Jordan

King's Highway

One of the most scenic drives in the Middle East, the iconic King's Highway connects top attractions in Jordan nowadays.

The ancient trading route connected Jordan with Syria and Egypt and later was modernized by Romans and known as Via Traiana Nova.

Today, the first stop on King's Highway is Madaba, known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics.

While there are more things to see and do in Madaba, the centuries-old mosaics are the main attraction here.

The most-visited place in the city is the Greek Orthodox church of Saint George. The church is also known as the Church of the Map and is home to a floor mosaic containing the oldest map of the Holy Land with Jerusalem.

Mount Nebo is one of the best short trips from Madaba, only a quick drive from the city.

It's mostly known for the story of Moses, who first saw the Promised Land from there after leading Israelites through the desert for forty years.

Today, the site offers spectacular views of the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Bethlehem or Jericho, and a church with beautiful Byzantine mosaics.

Mukawir, also known as Machaerus, was a hilltop fortress and palace. According to historian Josephus, John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed here. Today, the site offers spectacular views of the Holy Land.

If UNESCO sites are your thing, then Umm ar-Rasas should be your next stop on King's Highway.

Most of the site is still not excavated, though the sheltered area features some stunning mosaics.

One of our favorite places on King's Highway, the 12th-century Kerak Castle, was the most formidable Crusader fortress in this area.

Now it's time to visit the crown jewel of King's Highway, the city of Petra.

Petra

The UNESCO site Lost City of Petra is not only one of the most incredible places to visit in Jordan but in the world.

The capital city of the Nabataean empire was also a major trading hub on incense trade routes and features rock-cut architecture and ingenious water control.

Today, Petra is a top attraction on King's Highway and also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Be prepared that Petra is huge, and you can easily spend there a full day. Therefore, it's essential to know what to pack for Petra to be prepared.

While the former 4th century BCE Nabataean city is the main reason to visit this area, you should also know that the smaller nearby Little Petra is also worth visiting.

Wadi Rum

Also known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places we've ever visited.

Taking a tour and staying overnight in a traditional bedouin camp is an experience we'll never forget.

Due to its otherwordly scenery, Wadi Rum was used as a filming location in movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, Rogue One, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, or Dune.

Dead Sea

Sandwiched between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is unlike any other place in the world.

The best way to explore the lake's eastern shore is via the iconic Dead Sea Highway, which allows you to access the lake from the Jordanian side.

This hypersaline lake is the lowest place on Earth, with an elevation of 430 meters below sea level. Here you will find more fascinating things you should know about the Dead Sea before you go.

Free swimming in the Dead Sea in Jordan is possible, though finding a suitable spot is not as easy as you would think, as the lake is fairly hard to access.

The lake is known for its healing benefits for skin and respiratory issues and is a popular destination for health tourism.

We rounded up these helpful tips for swimming in the Dead Sea for first-time visitors to get the most out of the trip.

North Jordan

Visiting the capital city of Jordan is an electrifying experience. Amman has more than four million inhabitants, but the city center is tourist-friendly.

There is plenty of things to see and do in Amman.

Admire the stunning Roman ruins and hilly scenery, walk through the narrow streets of busy souks, enjoy the artsy neighborhood, or have hummus in a local eatery.

Roman Ruins of Jerash is an extensive archaeological site that features a hippodrome, temples, forum, colonnaded street, theaters, and much more.

Simply put, Jerash Ruins are one of the best Roman Ruins not only in Jordan but in the Middle East.

Located on the steep hills, As-Salt, was one of the biggest surprises of our road trip.

The city is a UNESCO site with minarets, churches, lively souks, hidden alleys, cafes, and historic limestone buildings and is known for the hospitality of the locals.

If you decide to stay more days in the capital city, then you should definitely check our guide on the best day trips from Amman.

Desert Castles Loop is one of the fascinating scenic drives in Jordan, featuring three unique desert castles.

Driving through a barren and arid desert is an experience on its own and allows you to see Jordan from another perspective.

Qusayr Amra is a small bathhouse that's easy to miss when driving across the desert. Still, it has unique 8th-century frescoes and was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you expect to find a walled-off fortress in the desert after hearing the term desert castle, you should head to Qasr Azraq. It has a long history, and today is mostly known as a place where T.E. Lawrence stayed.

While the purpose of Qasr Kharana still remains a mystery, it's one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in this region.