Jordan is a captivating country with a rich history and an impressive variety of destinations to see. From the stunning ancient city of Petra, considered one of the 7 Wonders of the World, to the breathtaking desert of Wadi Rum and the relaxing Dead Sea, there is something for everyone. Explore the Roman ruins of Jerash, immerse yourself in the cultural life of Amman and discover Bedouin hospitality. With its unique combination of historic wonders and breathtaking scenery, Jordan is a destination that will take your breath away.
In this post we’ll tell you the best tips for visiting Jordan, from the best cities and beaches to see in Jordan, to the local dishes to try and the best way to organise your trip. Read on to discover Jordan with us and start dreaming about your next trip to this marvellous Middle Eastern gem.
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What are the best places to see in Jordan?
1. Petra, the top destination to see in Jordan
Petra, located in the south of the country, is one of the most impressive and best-known archaeological wonders in the world, and is the main place to see in Jordan. It is an ancient city that was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, an Arab civilisation that flourished between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD. Petra was an important trading city and a key point on the trade routes of ancient Arabia.
This impressive city is carved into the rocks and is known for its magnificent buildings and monuments. The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is one of Petra’s most famous landmarks, with its impressive façade carved into the rock. The Monastery (Ad-Deir), another outstanding site, is a monumental structure located on a hilltop offering breathtaking panoramic views.
In addition to these points of interest, Petra is home to a number oftombs, temples, theatres and religious structures that tell the story of the ancient Nabataean civilisation. You can also explore the narrow canyons and trails leading to archaeological sites.
Petra’s historical significance and architectural beauty have made it not only a popular tourist destination, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
2. Wadi Musa, a village to see near Petra, Jordan
Wadi Musa is a village located just 1.6km from Petra, known for being the gateway to the archaeological site and a base for visitors wishing to explore this ancient Nabataean city. Its proximity to Petra makes it the ideal location to stay during a visit to this historic wonder.
Besides being a transit city, Wadi Musa also boasts attractions of its own, such as the Petra Archaeological Museum, which displays artefacts and exhibits relating to the history of the region. There are also a variety of restaurants, hotels and shops to suit the needs of visitors.
3. Wadi Rum, the desert to see in Jordan
Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is a stunning desert in southern Jordan. With its surreal landscape of warm-coloured sandstone mountains, wide valleys and rolling dunes, Wadi Rum is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers. This desert has been the setting for famous films, thanks to its timeless and spectacular beauty, such as Lawrence of Arabia and The Ascent of Skywalker.
The Wadi Rum desert can be explored via jeep safaris, camel rides or even camping under the stars. In addition, the desert offers impressive rock formations to climb and places to hike and enjoy the tranquillity of a unique landscape. The nearest town to Wadi Rum is Aqaba, so it’s easy to book excursions to the desert from here.
4. Amman, capital of Jordan
Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a vibrant, modern city with historical roots dating back to the time of the ancient Romans. Situated in the hills of the northwest of the country, Amman offers a strategic location with panoramic views of the mountains. The city combines its historic past with modern architecture, creating a unique fusion of the ancient and the contemporary.
Amman’s highlights include the Citadel, an ancient fortress housing Roman and Umayyad ruins, including the majestic Temple of Hercules. The Roman Theatre, built in the 2nd century, is another impressive site worth visiting. Amman also offers a wealth of museums, such as the Jordan Museum and the Royal Automobile Museum, which provide an insight into the country’s history and culture. In addition, the city’s socos and markets offer an authentic shopping experience, with a wide range of local produce, handicrafts and spices.
5. Aqaba
Aqaba is a charming coastal city located on the southern tip of Jordan on the shores of the Red Sea. With a history dating back thousands of years and ruled by various civilisations over the centuries, this port city has a rich historical and cultural heritage.
Today, Aqaba has become a renowned tourist centre, thanks to its beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters that are home to an abundance of marine life. It is an ideal destination for snorkelling and diving, with colourful coral reefs and exotic fish that captivate sea lovers. The city also offers a wide variety of water activities such as boating, water-skiing and windsurfing, with some of thebest beaches to see in Jordan, which are discussed below.
Among the highlights to see in this Jordanian city is the Aqaba Fortress, a historic fortress dating back to the 16th century that offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. The Aqaba Archaeological Museum, located in the fort, displays an interesting collection of ancient artefacts and local art. Visitors can also enjoy the lively nightlife, restaurants and shops in the city centre.
If you are planning to visit Aqaba we recommend reading this post for all the things to do in the city: What to see and do in Aqaba
7. Berenice Beach, one of the most famous beaches to see in Jordan
Berenice Beach is perfect for a luxury sun and beach holiday in Jordan and one of the most interesting places to see in Aqaba. The area is home to a number of stunning resorts with swimming pools, spas and all amenities. The beaches are perfectly equipped for tourists looking to relax in the beautiful Jordanian waters. In addition, the resorts themselves have shuttle buses to take you to and from the beach.
There you can enjoy water sports such as jet skiing, diving and more. On the other hand, it is worth bearing in mind that this is a very touristy area designed for beach tourism. So don’t expect to find cosy little coves hidden from the public, but rather the opposite. For more information on the best beaches in Jordan, read this post: What are the best beaches in Jordan?
6. Visit the Dead Sea at Amman Beach
One of the must-do experiences on a trip to Jordan is a visit to the Dead Sea, that huge lake famed for its beauty and high salinity that makes every swimmer float effortlessly.
There are several ways to visit the Dead Sea, bathe in it and enjoy its therapeutic properties. One of the most popular ways to swim in the Dead Sea is to stay at a resort and visit its private beach area overlooking the waters of this great lake. If you don’t want to pay resort prices, another common option is to go to the resort and ask to pay the fee to visit the private beach only.
Lastly, there is the option of going to Amman City Beach, a public beach whose shores are lapped by the water of the Dead Sea. Although it is a public beach, the entrance fee is 25 DJ, or about €32.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to eat in Jordan?
Jordan’s cuisine is a delicious blend of flavours and influences from the Middle East region and its traditional dishes reflect the country’s rich history and culture.
Jordan’s national dish is mansaf, which consists of rice with tender lamb and is commonly served with yoghurt sauce. Another popular dish in Jordan is the famous falafel, fried balls of chickpea dough served in pita bread with various sauces and accompaniments. And hummus, another famous dish made from chickpeas, is also widely consumed. The shawarma, marinated meat marinated and rolled in flatbread with various condiments and sauces, is a delicious option for meat lovers. Finally, we recommend ordering mezzes, a variety of small dishes, such as tabulé, babaganush and mutabal, the best way to try several things in one meal and not be left wanting for anything.
Desserts include knafeh, a delicious cheesecake and filo pastry with sweet syrup, and baklava, a puff pastry with walnuts or pistachios and honey syrup, a delight for those with a sweet tooth.
What should I know before a trip to Jordan?
- If you’re travelling to Jordan for more than 3 days it’s worth getting the Jordan Pass, a pass that includes entry to the main points of interest. The price is 1 day: 70 JOD / 2 days: 75 JOD / 3 days: 80 JOD.
- Petra entry costs 65 for one day, €71 for two and €78 for three days.
- The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian dinar.
- Jordan is an Arabic-speaking country, but you’ll be understood in English at tourist sites.
- Water in Jordan is safe to drink, but we recommend buying bottled water to avoid problems.
- In Jordan the common voltage is 230 V, the frequency is 50 Hz. and the plugs and sockets are of type C / D / F / F / G / J.
- The best time to travel to Jordan is in spring and autumn as winter is quite cold and summer is excessively hot.
- Always bring sunscreen, water and comfortable shoes.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Be wary of lookouts that don’t have safety measures.
- We recommend early mornings for some tourist destinations such as Petra.
How to organise what to see in Jordan?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspiration from other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents.
- Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app to inspire other travellers with your experience and tell them about what to see in Jordan.
- Enjoy your trip to Jordan!
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Jordan
Jordan’s climate is mainly arid and is characterised by hot, dry summers (which can exceed 40°C) and cool, wet winters (between 5 and 10°C). However, the climate can vary depending on the geographical region. In desert areas, such as Wadi Rum and eastern Jordan, temperatures can reach extremely high levels during the summer, while in mountainous regions, such as Amman and Petra, the climate is more moderate, with hot summers and cool nights. Precipitation is generally low, concentrated mainly in the winter months.
The best time to travel to Jordan is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons offer more moderate temperatures, with warm days and cool nights, making it more comfortable to explore the destination.
The most common and convenient way to get to Jordan from abroad is via international flights to Queen Alia International Airport near Amman. This airport receives direct flights from various locations in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. Some of the international airlines offering direct flights or connecting flights to Jordan include Royal Jordanian, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa.
There are a number of options for getting around Jordan, including hiring a car, hiring official or private taxis, using public buses or private transfer services or organised tours, especially to reach remote destinations such as the Wadi Rum desert. However, one of the most common options is car rental, as it allows you to travel independently and is a system that works very well in Jordan.
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