The Middle East might be one of those places that people don’t think of traveling to due to the civil discord and unrest in some areas. But Jordan is one of the safest and most stable areas in the region! Visiting the must-see places in Jordan is really very easy! Jordan has a rich heritage spanning multiple civilizations, religions, and peoples from all over the ancient world. It is becoming more modern while still maintaining it’s cultural and rural roots.
This country that was once a part of the Ottoman Empire has a distinct beauty all its own. Full of rich cultural sites, natural vistas and views, and an identity all its own. There are so many must-see places in Jordan to go to so where do you start?
I have complied a list of 10 of the most popular and amazing places to see in this magnificent country! I have been there myself, so I can say from first-hand experience that this is somewhere you’ll want to see at least once in your life, for sure! I hope you find this guide useful and informative! Let’s see what Jordan has to offer!
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1. Wadi Rum
One of the must-see places in Jordan that comes to mind right away is Wadi Rum. Also called, “The Valley of the Moon”, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located in the far south of the country, just north of the border with Saudi Arabia. There are many reasons to visit Wadi Rum. The sandstone landscape has been shaped by nature over eons and created the perfect backdrop for the 1962 classic film, “Lawrence of Arabia”, which filmed there on location. There’s even a watering hole there named after Lawrence called Lawrence’s Spring!
But the history of the area goes back further than that, to ancient times, with the Khazali Canyon. You’ll find the petroglyphs and markings of ancient humans in the canyon. For the more adventurous types, try your hand at rock-climbing or camping with an unparalleled view of the night sky! There are several tours to Wadi Rum and other areas in Jordan on this list. Ones to consider include a 2 day trip from Amman, a single day tour from Amman, and a 3-day tour!
Looking for some hotels in the area? Here are some to consider: Wadi Rum UFO Luxotel (High-end option), Memories Aicha Luxury Camp (Mid-range option), Wadi Rum Star Wars Camp (Budget option)
2. Dead Sea
Known in Arabic as Al-Baḥr Al-Mayyit or “The Sea of Death”, the Dead Sea is named this because of its high saline levels (levels of salt concentration). This prevents anything from living in it outside of bacteria…no fish or plant life. But humans can enter the water and float in the water, due to this high salinity! It allows anyone to float on the surface with ease and is something you have to try when visiting!
Although Jordan only borders half of the Dead Sea, the Jordanian side has beaches and resort hotels. Some recommended hotels to stay at would be the Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa, the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea, and the Crowne Plaza Jordan – Dead Sea Resort & Spa. Even if you’re not planning to stay, the Dead Sea is just one of the must-see places in Jordan that you can’t afford to miss!
3. Petra
This is often on the top of people’s lists of must-see places in Jordan and with good reason! Considered to be one of the best preserved archeological sites in the country and most magnificent to see! The main attraction is without a doubt the Al Khazneh or Treasury, which is always seen in photographs. It’s a 45 meter (148 feet) tall Greek-style temple carved out of the rock face! Naturally there is much more to see in Petra beside Al Khazneh. The Siq is a thin narrow canyon entrance leading to Al Khazneh and is beautiful unto itself!
Also at the site you will see the Djinn Blocks and the Obelisk Tomb! This “Rose City” is something you have to visit – it is thee pinnacle of the must-see places in Jordan without any shadow of a doubt! You can be sure to experience all Petra has to offer with tours like this private one from Amman, or this one that also includes Wadi Rum.
Looking for some hotels in the area? Here are some to consider: Petra Marriott Hotel (High-end option), Petra Moon Hotel (Mid-range option), Silk Road Hotel (Budget option)
4. Amman
The capital city of Jordan and the largest city in the country, Amman is a mix of old and new! In the new areas of the downtown sector you’ll find coffee shops, souks and mosques. If you come in by plane you’ll most likely arrive in Amman through Queen Alia International Airport, which is actually located 30 kilometers (20 miles) south in the city of Zizya, but still acts as the main airport for the country. Also check out Rainbow Street and the many malls they have for a touch of modern life in Amman!
Due to Amman actually being the ancient Roman city of Philadelphia, you’ll find a large number of ancient Roman sites within the city! Some of the main ones include an amphitheater called the Roman Theater, the Amman Citadel, and the Nymphaeum. There are a few other ancient Roman sites there like the Odeon and Temple of Heracles that are worth checking out in the city too!
Looking for some hotels in the area? Here are some to consider: W Amman Hotel (High-end option), La Casa Hotel (Mid-range option), Beirut Hotel (Budget option)
5. Jerash
Another ancient Roman city makes this list of must-see places in Jordan with Jerash! Sometimes called, “Pompeii of the Middle East” due to the level of preservation there, you’ll find a bunch of ancient Roman sites in Jerash. Some of them include the Forum, Hippodrome, Temple of Artemis, Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch. You can explore Jerash with this tour as well!
Known as Gerasa in ancient times, Jerash’s claim to fame really is the ancient Roman ruins through out the city. Besides the aforementioned ones, you can also find the Oval Plaza, Southern Theater, and the Archaeological Site of Jerash there as well. If you are looking for something more natural, there is the Dibbeen Forest Reserve, which is full of hills and pine trees.
6. Ma’in Hot Springs
One place you won’t see often mentioned when talking about Jordan is the Ma’in Hot Springs area. Also called Hammamat Ma’in, the hot springs are located in a region between the Dead Sea and Madaba.
Being a hot spring resort, it naturally has a hotel there called the Ma’in Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Surrounded by mountains and waterfalls, this offers an experience hard to find in the Middle East region. Be sure to add this oasis in the desert to your must-see places in Jordan list!
7. Aqaba
Jordan is not a landlocked country; having a coastline along the Red Sea. There is a small inlet there called the Gulf of Aqaba, which is named after Jordan’s port city of Aqaba. You can still find ancient Roman ruins here even, with the Tall Hujayrat Al-Ghuzlan…but that’s not what most people go to Aqaba for.
To get a real flavor of modern day life in Jordan, you have to go to Aqaba! There are beaches and resorts and seaside promenades everywhere there! You can find cruises, scuba diving and even the world’s first underwater military museum there! It’s definitely a place to kick back, relax, and unwind!
Looking for some hotels in the area? Here are some to consider: InterContinental Aqaba (High-end option), Lacosta Hotel (Mid-range option), Taj Hotel (Budget option)
8. Wadi Mujib
One of the rivers that flows into the Dead Sea is the Arnon Stream, which created the canyon known as Wadi Mujib. This is a long canyon carved out by the once mighty river, full of beautiful carved walls and breathtaking views. It can be easily found along The King’s Highway, a 280-kilometer (174 miles) historic route in Jordan.
But the main thing to see at Wadi Mujib is the wildlife! If you go to the Mujib Biosphere Reserve you’ll see a lot of rare wildlife such as the Caracal Mountain Cat, Syrian Wolf, Nubian Ibex, and the Egyptian Vulture, just to name a few. Only about 1 hour, 20 minutes away from Amman, this is something to behold for sure! Check out Wadi Mujib with this full-day tour or this hiking tour!
9. Desert Castles
While not technically “castles” by definition, these Desert Castles are still imposing and among one of the must-see places in Jordan to behold! Located from Amman all the way to the Saudi Arabian border, there are a lot of these buildings! You’ll have to have a car in order to go see them all, as they cover quite a distance.
Some of the Desert Castles include Qasr al-Mshatta, Qasr al-Azraq, Qasr al-Hallabat, Hammam al-Sarah, Qasr al-Kharana, and Qusayr Amra. Most of these are just resting houses and lodges, but some are more militaristic and fortified.
10. Ajloun
Last but not least on this list of must-see places in Jordan is Ajloun. A smaller town in northern Jordan, Ajloun is more of a natural and historic site than a modern city, but it is still worth visiting! You can see Ajloun Castle, the most famous landmark in the city! Built to ward off Crusaders, this castle now houses the Ajloun Archaeological Museum.
Also in Ajloun you’ll find The Prophet’s Trail, named after Prophet Elias (Elijah). There is also the Ajloun Forest Reserve, which has orchards and plenty of wildlife. And the Ajloun mountains are famous hiking spots for locals and tourists alike! Enjoy Ajloun fully with this tour here!
That’s it for Jordan! I hope you enjoyed this guide to all of the must-see places in Jordan! There’s so much to see, do, explore, and enjoy! You have so many options…what will you choose? Have you been there before? What excited you most? Please tell me in the comments!
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