It’s no secret that we had a great time visiting Jordan and that we remember it as one of the best travel experiences to date.
Jordan is a country full of history and this can still be seen and felt throughout the country with its many monuments. But there’s more. Jordan also boasts outstanding nature, plus a very interesting culture. Some places are even inscribed as World Heritage.
For these reasons and more, we decided to put together a list of the top 10 things to do in Jordan! A showcase of some of the best this lovely middle eastern country has to offer, but not in any particular order.
If you’re planning on travelling to Jordan, this is a great list to inspire you to go there as soon as possible.
1 – Amman

Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan and the entrance to the country for the majority of the visitors. A mix of old and new, Amman offers a few interesting things to see and do, namely the Roman Theatre and the Jordan Museum. This hilly city is a good example of a bustling Arab city, worth exploring its hidden corners.
Amman can be used as a base to explore the region on day-trips.
2 – Jerash

The South Theatre
Jerash is the settlement of one of the most well-preserved Greco-Roman sites outside Rome – the ancient city of Gerasa. Jerash lies short of 50 km from the Syrian border and makes a very good day trip from Amman.
Definitely a fully fledged Roman city, Jerash has many monuments in a great state of conservation. We highlight the South Theatre and the Collonaded street.
Find out more about Jerash.
3 – Desert Castles

Qasr Kharana
Scattered in the desert, east of the capital Amman, the desert castles are a group of different early-Islamic structures. These structures are amongst the oldest in Jordan, dating from the 7th century.
Find out more about the Desert Castles.
4 – Dead Sea

Bathing in the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a saline lake and earth’s lowest elevation on land at -429 m. It’s in fact so salty that the only thing one can do there is to float. It’s quite a unique experience!
The best beaches are part of the resorts along the shoreline, but other beaches exist. Once there, you can also try the therapeutic mineral mud.
5 – Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo directions
Mount Nebo offers great panoramic views from the summit towards many important locations. For those familiar with the Bible, this is where Moses saw the promised land.
6 – Madaba

Madaba mosaic
Madaba is best known for its mosaics. The most famous one being a 6th-century map of the middle east containing the Holy Land that is located at the Basilica of Saint George. Many others can be seen at the archaeological park.
The mosaics are so important that a school was created to teach its art.
7 – Petra

Ad Deir, The Monastery
Petra is the main symbol of Jordan and its crown jewel. It’s a major archaeological site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Everyone has heard about Petra and the buildings carved in the red stone by the Nabateans, but seeing them in person is something that one remembers forever.
Don’t forget to add Petra by night to your itinerary for a different and amazing experience.
Find out more about Petra.
8 – Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a valley in south Jordan known for its spectacular moon-like landscape. The highest mountains you can find in the country meet a vast desert and its red sand dunes. It can’t get more remote or isolated than this, yet astonishingly beautiful (and hot!).
Find out more about Wadi Rum.
9 – Aqaba

Private beach in Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city and a gateway to the Red Sea. This is a very popular beach holiday destination due to excellent weather, warm water temperature, and the existence of many resorts. Both public and private beaches are available.
The gulf of Aqaba is home to a rich marine life, making it a world-class destination for water-related activities such as snorkelling and diving.
Jordan’s coastline in the Red Sea is very small at only around 25 km. From Aqaba, you can get to Israel and Saudi Arabia by road, plus Egypt by a short boat ride.
10 – Food

Market
Last but not least, food is the best way to discover the Jordanian culture. Indulge yourself in trying the different local specialities, like the Mansaf, or visit a market to see and buy the local produce.
We found the desserts to be amazing!
Our top 10 things to do in Jordan ends here, but there’s more! You just have to go there and see it for yourself.
Have you been to Jordan? What are your favourites or what would you like to visit?
27 Comments
I would love to float on the dead sea. Was the water warm? Petra looks so amazing and intriguing. Your post has really made me want to visit now.
Hi Mellissa,
It’s a very interesting experience, but also one needs to be careful not to swallow the super-salty water. The water was at a very comfortable warmish temperature.
Petra is otherworldly. If you go there, try to stay more than one day. It’s worth it.
Very cool! I’m hoping to visit Petra while I’m in Israel next year and would love to see more of Jordan too!
There are a day trips to Petra from the bordering countries but too rushed. Jordan has lots more to see, but Petra really is impressive!
Ive been wishing to visit Petra WadiRum and the deadsea. Such an amazing country I want to experience and explore
You definitely should visit Jordan. The places you mention are quite amazing and well worth the trip to Jordan.
I’ve been dying to see Israel and Jordan! Your pictures are amazing, especially from the spice markets!
xx Allison
Thank you, Allison! We haven’t been to Israel, but it’s a place we definitely want to visit. We’re heading to Egypt later this year.
How timely! My son was just talking about visiting Jordan while he’s in Israel – and now I know why! Will have to share this with him!
Great to hear! He should definitely take the opportunity to visit Jordan.
I’ve been obsessed with a trip to Jordan since I went to Lebanon this spring. I’m dying to see the desert castles and Petra. I’m also curious to discover Amman food scene, I’ve heard a lot of good things. Your post brings new places to my list, thank you.
You’re welcome, Zofia!
My friends visited here recently and spoke very highly of it! It hasn’t been on my bucket list but I think it’s going on there now! Thank you for telling me more about Jordan 🙂
Cool! Everyone we know that went to Jordan had a great time as well. You should definitely add Jordan to your bucket list!
Jordan is so high up on my list after reading so many posts about it. Gorgeous pictures and awesome tips!
Thank you, Bethany! Now, you need to make it happen 🙂
The more I read about Jordan bigger is my will to go there!
I`m crazy about middle eastern food and everybody tells me that Amman is a paradise for foodies 🙂
You guys should definitely head there! We thoroughly enjoyed the food there. Boas viagens! 🙂
Jordan has been on the list for years but i’ve never found the right time to go. It’s my dream to go to Petra and see it at night. It sounds so amazing. And i’d love to go to the Dead Sea and just float there all day!
When you do make it there, remember that visiting Petra at night is not available every day, so plan accordingly. Other than that, it’s an amazing experience!
Floating the whole day may be a bit too much!
Thanks for the great tips. I wanted to go to petra while I have been in Israel earlier this year. Unfortunately it was way too expensive. So now I am planning a whole trip to Jordan and can use your tips pretty good.
You’re welcome Tim! It gets quite expensive for day-trips, but since you’re planning to travel to Jordan now, it makes it all easier.
Make it a couple of days if you can. It’s the best way to explore Petra.
I would love to try all the food in Jordan!
You need to convince “The Viking” to head to warmer climates 🙂 Well worth it!
I stayed 1 month and 20 days in Jordan in 2012. I wish I could stay even more. I had an amazing summer there. Jordanian food was too delicious so that I gained 4 kilos. Spending one night in Wadi Rum is unforgetable, it’s absolutely worth it!
Cafe Jafra at Wasat al-balad and Rainbow street (a small and lovely street, it’s like a mix of European and Middle Eastern cultures) were my favorite places in Amman.
Wow! That must have been amazing.
You definitely know a lot about Jordan. Wadi Rum is such a spectacular place 🙂
Thank you for sharing your tips!
Hey guys,
Thanks for the amazing article. I will be visiting Jordan this November and I am genuinely ecstatic about visiting Wadi Rum. 🙂
Safe travels,
Andrey