10 best places to visit in Jordan

Petra

A trip to Jordan would not be complete without a visit to the remarkable lost city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Hidden in a secluded valley surrounded by Jordan’s rugged mountains, Petra was lost from the world for hundreds of years until being rediscovered in the 1800s. It is now the country's leading tourist attraction, reached by a 1.2km walk through the narrow Siq.

The most well-known site in Petra is Al Kazneh (the Treasury), which served as a royal tomb, but got its name from the legend that pirates hid their treasure there. The Treasury famously featured as the Holy Grail's final resting place in the film 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'.

Past the Treasury, the hidden valley widens to reveal the remains of the city proper. This includes dozens of ancient Nabataean tombs and a Roman rock-carved street lined with temples, royal tombs, public buildings and a vast amphitheatre. Petra's most imposing and impressive monument is Ad Deir (the Monastery), which is scenically perched above the city in the beautiful Petra Hills. The steep walk up to the Monastery takes about an hour.

Wadi Rum

Ancient riverbeds, vast pastel-coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jebels form the incredible landscape of Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan. The landscape will have you thinking you've arrived on Mars, with millions of years of geological formation, erosion and evolution on display. The region is home to the semi-nomadic Bedouins who live in goat hair tents, tend to their herds of sheep and goat and preserve a lifestyle that has been practised here in the Arabian desert for centuries. It has also been used as a backdrop for many blockbuster movies. These include Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Martian (2015), and most recently, Dune (2021)!

On visits to Wadi Rum we take an exciting 4x4 desert jeep ride through the heart of the stunning desert and spend a night at a remote desert camp where we watch a beautiful sunset, enjoy a traditional Jordanian meal and camp under the stars in tents.

The Dead Sea

The lowest point on the Earth’s surface, the Dead Sea is a fascinating natural phenomena. Straddling the border between Israel and Jordan, the mineral content of this 75km-long and 10km-wide saltwater lake is 33%, which is about six times as salty as a normal ocean. This incredibly high salt content means the Dead Sea is extremely buoyant, making it impossible to sink or swim in - the only option is to bob around like a cork! It’s called the Dead Sea as nothing can live in it. There are no fish, seaweed or plants of any kind in or around the water. What you’ll see on the shores are clusters of white salt crystals. These salts are mineral salts, which is just like you find in the oceans of the world, only in extreme concentrations. Many believe that these salts have curative powers and therapeutic qualities, and so the Dead Sea is a great place to try out a spot of pampering in the local spas.

Jerash

Second only to Petra in touristic appeal, the 2,000 year-old Graeco-Roman ruins of Jerash are recognised as one of the best-preserved member cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities. When Emperor Hadrian paid a visit in 129 AD, the place was buzzing. The citizens threw up a Triumphal Arch for him which still stands today. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, the town boasts a hippodrome, an old sports field that once held 15,000 spectators and a stunning amphitheatre with amazing amplification abilities. There is also the forum which gracefully links the main north-south axis of Jerash and a colonnaded street paved with original stones and the rut marks of chariots and a nymphaeum replete with ancient fountains trimmed with dolphins and various temples.

Aqaba

Situated on the tip of the Red Sea on the Gulf of Aqaba, the laid-back resort of Aqaba is Jordan’s only gateway to the sea. Renowned for its pristine sandy beaches, clear waters and colourful reefs studded with marine life, Aqaba is just the ticket for sun, fun, diving, snorkelling and swimming. Awaba is also a great place for watersports such as waterskiing, parasailing, jet-skiing and fishing and ideal for a spot of relaxation. Historically, Aqaba boasts sites dating back to 4,000 BC, including the recent discovery of possibly the world’s oldest church dating from the 3rd century AD, the remains of the medieval walled city of Ayla and a Mamluk fort.

Wadi Mujib

Measuring 500 metres in depth and spanning 4 kilometres across, the impressive Wadi Mujib canyon is one of Jordan's most remarkable natural features. Located along the King's Highway and close to the east coast of the Dead Sea, the dramatic canyon features sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways that range from puddle height to depths that are perfect for swimming trails. The canyon is just one feature of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, home to a surprising diversity of wildlife and plant species. With five different trails available, it's an ideal hiking spot especially in the spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) months.

Madaba

A distinctly ancient city presided over by a magnificent mosque, Madaba is famous around the world as the home of some of the most impressive mosaics in existence. These Byzantine-era artistic masterpieces can be found on the floors of buildings across the city, the most famous being the one that covers the floor of St George’s Church. The mosaic takes the form of a map and is believed to be the oldest and most exact map of the Holy Land. Culturally, Madaba is incredibly diverse and enjoys an inspiring harmony between its Christian and Muslim communities. The city is easily walkable so travellers should take advantage of that by spending their time exploring its narrow streets, hectic markets and various holy sites. Madaba also makes an excellent base for exploring some of Jordan’s other famous sites, including the Dead Sea, the Dolmens and Wadi al Mujeb.

Mount Nebo

Rising majestically from the rugged landscape of the region just northwest of Madaba, Mount Nebo reaches a height of around 820m and is of great religious importance due to its biblical associations. It is told that it was here that Moses got a glimpse of the Promised Land before he died and because of this, the mountain has long been a site of pilgrimage for Christians from around the world. Those who take on the challenge of hiking to the mountain's summit are well rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Jordan River, Dead Sea, Bethlehem and various other sites, just as Moses would have had all those centuries ago. Climbers will also be able to visit the Memorial Church of Moses, which includes a Byzantine basilica and Old Baptistery that were excavated in the recent past. Whether you are religious or not, climbing Mount Nebo offers a fantastic and unique way to see Jordan.

Ajloun Castle

Built nearly 1,000 years ago, Ajloun Castle sits atop a hill in the Jabal Ajlun district in northwest Jordan. This Muslim castle presides over the surrounding area and, in its day, protected three different wadis. It was also part of a postal route that was serviced by specially trained pigeons and to this day the rearing of pigeons is common in this area. Just outside of the main gate of the castle is a small explanation of the site in English along with a museum containing some of artefacts that have been found there. The walk to the top is an arduous 3km slog but every drop of sweat is made up for by the views that can be enjoyed from the top. This region sees a lot of rain, meaning that the landscape is lush and cloaked in thick, green swathes of vegetation.

Amman

As the political, cultural and commercial capital of Jordan, it should come as no surprise that Amman is brimming with activity and has no end of exciting things to do. Today, the city is thriving and has been crowned one of the world’s most liberal Arab capitals, making it a very appealing destination for European travellers. A striking feature of Amman is how it has delicately struck a balance between the old and the new. There are all the signs of modernisation, with glistening skyscrapers and busy shopping streets. But the old charm of the city has also been retained, with the ancient Neolithic Citadel still standing proud in the heart of the city. For those looking for an authentic experience, head to the markets, where you will be able to sample traditional Middle Eastern snacks and haggle with vendors over spices, perfumes and jewellery. At the end of the day, retire to one of the numerous Turkish baths for a bit of self-indulgence.