Visitors wishing to view some of Jordan’s natural scenery should drive to Ajloun, just 20 kilometres northwest of Jerash. The Ajloun Forest Reserve, a 13-square-kilometre area of beautiful, open woodlands, is a great place to spend a day trekking. The region is covered in spring wildflowers, providing fantastic photo opportunities. Keep an eye out for the neighborhood’s striped hyenas and crested porcupines.
Be sure to stop by Ajloun Castle on Mount Auf’s summit. In ruins of an even older Byzantine monastery, it was constructed in the 12th century to defend against Crusader assaults. The Jordan Valley may be seen in all its glory from the mountaintop viewpoint.
Mount Nebo
The jewel in the crown of Jordan’s biblical landmarks is Mount Nebo. The Old Testament claims that Moses claimed to have seen the Promised Land on this mountain before his death. With some of the best-preserved 6th-century mosaics in the nation, a Serpentine Cross, and the well-known Moses Memorial Church, it is now a popular spiritual destination. Your ticket to the church includes access to Memorial Viewpoint, which has a small museum and views of the Dead Sea and Jerusalem on a clear day. But for more privacy with similar vistas, take a 100-meter walk on the road downhill from Mount Nebo and make a left toward the hilltop. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.…
Wadi Mujib, Jordan’s Grand Canyon, stretches around 70 kilometres from the Desert Highway to the Dead Sea. The river canyon, four kilometres wide and one kilometre deep, allows wildlife enthusiasts to view various animals, including Egyptian vultures, Nubian ibex, striped hyenas, and Syrian wolves, as well as explore unusual landscapes.
If you don’t mind getting a little wet, the Wadi Mujib gorge offers fantastic hiking opportunities. Just an hour and a half from Amman, you may also travel to the Mujib Reserve Biosphere to enjoy picturesque hot springs.
Dessert Castles
The Desert Castles are a collection of archaeological structures in the Zarqa Governorate, stretching from Amman to the Saudi Arabian border. Around the beginning of the seventh century, the Umayyads constructed these ancient Islamic structures. The buildings, which aren’t precisely castles in the conventional sense, also include hunting lodges, forts, military citadels, bathhouses, and rest areas for caravans.
Hire a car and drive the Desert Castle Loop to see the sites. Quseir Al-Kharanah is a fort-like building with dozens of rooms whose original use has been lost to history. Quseir Hallabat, a Roman fort with volcanic basalt rock and a well-preserved mosaic, and Azraq Castle, an old walled fortress famous for being the site where T.E. All of the sights Lawrence sought refuge from in 1917–1918, will be available for you to view.…
While many destinations require you to look up while visiting, Madaba, a former trading city, does not. The “biggest number of mosaics unearthed in their original position world” found in the town, many of which are located on the flooring of churches and other structures.
The Madaba Mosaic Map, one of Jordan’s most notable mosaics, may be found inside the modest St. George’s Church. The 6th-century map displays cartography from the Biblical age and shows the Holy Land during the Byzantine era. Even though some of the two million original tiles are missing, the remaining portions of the map provide a fascinating view of the Middle East’s past.
The two archaeological parks in Madaba have more mosaics. A magnificent geometric mosaic from the Church of the Virgin Mary, a site from the sixth century that was discovered in someone’s cellar in 1887, may be found in the outdoor exhibit at Archaeological Park I. In addition, a stunning carpet-like tile work depicting the four seasons and nature initially in a Byzantine villa can be found together with the earliest mosaic in Jordan, which dates to the first century BC.
At Archaeological Park II, housed among the ruins of an opulent home from the early 6th century, visitors may view other striking mosaics.…
Think you can’t have a seaside vacation in the hot, dry Middle East? Think again. Aqaba, a beach town on the southern tip of Jordan, treats tourists to holidays on the breathtaking coastline of the Red Sea.
Float, swim, snorkel, or dive – you can do it all from Aqaba. You can also get out on the turquoise water on one of the daily cruises offered by local hotels. Enhance your beach vacation in Jordan with a soak in one of the lovely hammams around the resort town.
When you’re feeling peckish, dig into the local specialty of Aqaba: sayadieh, a dish of fish on flavorful rice with onion, tomato, and chili pepper.
Roman Ruins in Amman
You don’t have to go all the way to Petra to see fantastic archeological sites in Jordan. In fact, the capital Amman (where you’ll probably arrive from abroad) is home to a variety of fascinating ruins, many of which are within short walking distance from one another.
Head downtown to see one of the most celebrated ruins: the Amman Citadel. Archeologists have found artifacts around the Citadel that suggest it has been occupied since at least the Bronze Age. Here, you can see the few columns that remain of the amazing Temple of Hercules, a significant Roman structure that was never completed. Look for the stone sculpture of several fingers, which were once part of a Hercules statue that may have been more than 12 meters tall. It hints at just how majestic this attraction was during its height.…
Hadrian’s Arch is the first stop on tourists’ sightseeing tours of the Jerash ruins. While the approximately 11-meter-tall tower is gorgeous, it is even more remarkable when considering that it was formerly twice as large.
If that didn’t impress you, wait until you see what’s ahead. Chariot races were once held as entertainment for tens of thousands of spectators at the Hippodrome, a sports arena built about the second century. Daily reenactments featuring gladiator combat and chariot racing laps bring the antiquated sport back to life.
The Forum is another noteworthy feature of the Jerash ruins. The oval-shaped plaza is bordered by columns that are still intact, which gives the area a regal appearance. For a better view of the colonnaded area, ascend the steps of the neighbouring Temple of Zeus. And consider the performances that were held on the South Theater’s elaborate stage. Discover your favourite ruin in Jerash, which seems to have something unique to offer everyone.
The renowned Hadrian’s Arch welcomed us into the site and provided a wonderfully breathtaking first impression of the Jerash Ruins. Even today, this Arch is stunning many centuries after it was constructed to commemorate Emperor Hadrian’s visit.
Hot tip: In this archaeological site, there is hardly any shade. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and a sunhat to shield yourself from harmful rays.
Jordan is a traveler’s ideal first stop in the Middle East. The destination is safe and welcoming, bringing visitors up close to world wonders and immersing them in world-class hospitality. Once you’ve immersed yourself in the culture of this laid-back country, you’ll feel right at home.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Jordan. Admire the fading frescoes in Quseir Amra’s 1,300-year-old desert castle. Climb red sand dunes and stand in the shadows of weathered sandstone in Wadi Rum’s humbling desert landscape. And plan to spend at least two days exploring Jordan’s crown jewel attraction: Petra. The ancient Nabatean city’s jaw-dropping sites will leave you speechless – and eager to see more.
Jordan, on the other hand, is not solely rooted in the past. Its hilly capital, Amman, is bustling with restaurants and cafés, upscale shopping, and impressive art galleries. Then there’s the Dead Sea, where you can relax your feet after a long day of sightseeing and indulge in some much-needed pampering at one of the many luxurious waterfront resorts.
With our list of the top tourist attractions in Jordan, you can plan your trip to the Middle East and see the best places to visit.
And I just want to thank Jose and the team over at Exponential Construction Corp. They like to travel as well and give great service! Now back to Jordan!
1. Petra
Petra is going to astound you. Since the long-lost city’s rediscovery by Swiss explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt more than 200 years ago, this attraction has wowed modern-day visitors as one of the New7Wonders of the World.
You’ll need at least two days to see everything around Petra, which has over 800 registered sites. If you have more time, you will not be disappointed if you spend it here. Wandering around an ancient city in such pristine condition is an unforgettable experience.
Petra makes no effort to impress visitors. The mysterious Djinn Blocks, imposing stone monuments whose original purpose is unknown, are immediately after the entrance, followed by the Obelisk Tomb. It’s only a taste of the incredible sights to come.
You’ll continue on through the Siq, the famous snaking canyon pathway flanked by tall walls. Look along the walls for the remains of historic water channels that supplied Petra, as well as niches for sacred carvings known as baetyls. These artefacts suggest that Petra may have been a holy city at one time. Keep an eye out for the weathered relief sculpture of two merchants leading camels.
Finally, you’ll come to the undeniable Treasury (also known as Al-Khazneh). This attraction’s Hellenistic facade is one of Jordan’s most enchanting places to visit and is featured in nearly every travel guide book and social media post about Petra. According to legend, the rock-hewn monument, which was built as the final resting place for Nabatean King Aretas IV, was used to hide an Egyptian pharaoh’s treasure during the time of Moses.
It’s a pick-your-own adventure for things to do in Petra after the Siq and the Treasury. Explore the Street of Facades to see dozens of tombs and houses, climb steep stairs for a great view at the High Place of Sacrifice, marvel at the Theater, and stroll down the impressive Colonnaded Street.
Make your way up the 850 rock-cut steps to the legendary Monastery if your feet aren’t too sore. The impressive structure, hidden away in the hills, is well worth the trip.
If you thought Petra was spectacular during the day, wait until you see it at night. Purchase tickets to the Petra By Night show to see the Siq and the Treasury illuminated by over 1,500 lights.
2. Dead Sea
Floating in the Dead Sea is a must-do activity in Jordan. This body of water is 418 metres below sea level and is the lowest point on Earth accessible by road. It practically glows an intense shade of aquamarine, which stands out against the background’s salt-encrusted rock ledges and barren red mountains. The attractions in the Dead Sea region are about an hour’s drive from Amman.
The mineral-rich water of the Dead Sea is well-known. Wellness enthusiasts believe the water has skin-healing properties. But don’t expect to swim laps – the Dead Sea is so dense and salient that all you can really do is float on top of the water.
The Dead Sea can be reached via several routes, including Amman Beach. Spend more money and stay at one of the plush spa resorts on the Dead Sea’s northeast coast. Private wading areas are usually provided, along with buckets of Dead Sea mud. After soaking in this red-brown sludge, your skin will be softer than ever.
Hot tip: At all costs, avoid getting Dead Sea water in your eyes. The intense salinity (10 times saltier than the ocean!) stings like hell.
3. Wadi Rum
If you travel to Jordan’s southern region, you will be treated to one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes: Wadi Rum. This sandstone and granite rock valley, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is an otherworldly experience, with towering cliffs, massive dunes, swirling archways, and caverns. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 after serving as the backdrop for much of the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia.
Eat your heart out, adventurers: The Wadi Rum has been transformed into an ecotourism playground by the Zalabia Bedouin, a local cultural group. Camel or spirited Arabian horses can be ridden through the area, or you can strap on a harness and go rock climbing up the sandstone mountains, hike through canyons, or kick up sand on ATV tours.
Request that your tour guide take you to the Khazali Canyon, where you can see petroglyphs of humans and antelopes dating back to the 8th century BC.
Consider spending the night at one of Wadi Rum’s luxurious “glamping” (glamorous camping) locations. With almost no light pollution, the park provides excellent opportunities for stargazing. It’s no surprise that visiting Wadi Rum is on everyone’s bucket list.
4. Jerash Ruins
Nothing beats visiting the Jerash ruins for a sense of time travel. It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities in the world, with spectacular sights ranging from colonnaded avenues and temples to a massive sports arena with a seating capacity of 15,000 spectators.
