The Best Places to Visit in Jordan
Jordan is a landlocked Arab country in the Middle East, and is becoming somewhat iconic for its political stability in what is such a tumultuous region. It’s home to the Jordanian Desert, part of the Dead Sea, and the world famous Lost City of Petra (the number one reason for tourism in Jordan). The population numbers are pushing 12 million, and the country’s history dates back to forever. In Jordan you’ll find hospitable people, traditional Muslim culture and some pretty cool sights - however it’s still important to exercise caution.
Capital: Amman
Currency: Jordanian Dinar
Language: Arabic
When to visit: March to May, September to November
1) Petra
Petra is the biggest tourist draw of Jordan - It’s an incredible ancient rock-cut city in southern Jordan, carved directly into rose-red sandstone cliffs. It's one of the world's most iconic archaeological sites, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. lies in a remote valley, with the gateway town/homebase being the town of Wadi Musa to the east. It truly is one of the most amazing places on planet earth.
Things to do:
Petra is a lot bigger than a lot of people think, and there is a lot to see as you walk around the ancient ruins. The first part of your Petra exploration is going to start as you walk through Al-Siq, a narrow 1.2km long gorge leading you into the city. It takes you all the way up to the main prize - The Treasury (Al-Khazneh). It' is the spot you see on all the photos, standing at 39 meters high carved into rocks. As you continue walking along to explore, you’ll see Royal Tombs, the Nabatean Theatre, and many more structures down The Street of Facades. You should definitely put some effort in to heading up to where the High Place of Sacrifice is. Not only is it incredible too, but it gives you some great views. In total there are over 800 structures, many off-path, so ask a guide what they recommend too.
How to get there:
You have to make your way to Wadi Musa, which is easily accessible by JETT bus from big cities like Amman and Aqaba.
2) Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum (also known as Wadi Rum Protected Area or the Valley of the Moon) is a vast desert valley and protected nature reserve in southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia. It's one of the country's most iconic landscapes, with massive rock formations and red sand all around. It’s known for being the filming place of some very popular movies, like The Martian, Lawrence of Arabia and Dune.
Things to do:
While it is mainly a picturesque desert area, there are a few points of interests people check out, such as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Khazali Canyon, Um Fruth Rock Bridge, and all the movie filming spots. Most people go on tours or with a guide who take them on experiences like camel riding, sandboarding, and all those kind of adventure activities. It’s also one of the greatest places for stargazing in the Middle East.
How to get there:
You need to get to Wadi Rum Village / Visitor Center to get access to the desert, so your main option is a JETT bus from Aqaba.
3) Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a famous landlocked salt lake (technically a hypersaline lake) in the Middle East, sitting at the lowest point on Earth's surface - about 430 meters. It’s about 10x saltier than the ocean, which creates the amazing effect of buoyancy meaning humans just float in there, and sea life can’t survive inside either (hence the name). There are many resort options across the lakeside in different villages, the main being Swemeh.
Things to do:
Lie in and effortlessly float in the water, cover yourself in the black mineral-rich mud, and also wait for sunset where the pink and orange reflections come out. It’s a great photo place overall, as well an amazing place to relax in your resort.
How to get there:
Find a JETT bus which can possibly take you from Amman to a Dead Sea resort area.
4) Amman
Although the highlights of Jordan come outside the big cities, Amman is a classic lively Middle Eastern capital which you’ll probably find yourself in at some point, so it’s worth it to look around and explore the buzz of the city a bit. The city is massive, and not very walkable (however uber is cheap). Between 4-5 million people are estimated to live in the wider area of the city, and history of Amman dates all the way back to 7000 BC.
Things to do:
The most iconic spot in the city is The Citadel, and the area surrounding it. You have ancient ruins, the Jordan Archealogical Museum, and other old buildings like Umayyad Palace, and the Byzantine Church. You really have to see all the artifacts here. A little south of The Citadel is the ancient Roman Theater, from the 2nd Century AD with over 6000 seats. Further down you can find the Roman Nymphaeum too, which has only a few remaining columns. If you keep walking some more you can make your way to Souk Jara, where you can shop for crafts, food and spices. The Jordan Museum is worth checking out too, and if you run out of things to see - take a day drip to the historic town of Jerash.
How to get there:
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is the gateway into Jordan, there is plenty of flights from around the world.
You can also bus from cities around Jordan, like Aqaba, Al-Karak, etc.
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