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.