Jordan is one of the safest and most enchanting countries in the Middle East, where ancient history, natural wonders, and traditional Arab culture create an unparalleled harmony.
It is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the southeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to the southwest, and Israel and the Palestinian West Bank to the west.
Thanks to its strategic location, it has been situated at the crossroads of trade routes for millennia. The country’s territory contains traces of the world’s oldest human settlements, as well as numerous important sites from biblical history. In addition to the diversity of desert landscapes, Jordan’s climate is also extremely varied: everything from Mediterranean climate to desert conditions can be found.
Table of Contents
Best places in Jordan
Petra
The „Rose City” is located in southern Jordan and is undoubtedly the country’s most famous attraction.
The city founded by the Nabataeans in the 4th century BC was located along trade routes and had more than 30,000 inhabitants during its heyday. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, and in 2007 it was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Among the buildings carved into red sandstone, the most famous is the Treasury, which offers a breathtaking sight with its 40-meter-high facade. The entrance to the city is through the Siq, a 1.5-kilometer-long rock gorge, which is an unforgettable experience in itself. At the end of the path, the imposing sight of the Treasury suddenly unfolds, which has served as the location for countless films.
Petra’s area is extremely extensive, requiring several days for complete exploration. The path to the Monastery involves climbing 800 stone-carved steps, but the effort is amply rewarded by the breathtaking panorama.
Amman
Jordan’s capital and largest city is also called the city of seven hills.
The city, known in ancient times as Philadelphia, has a history of more than 9,000 years and today serves as a modern metropolis and one of the safest centers in the region. A significant portion of the city’s population consists of Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
The Citadel is located in the heart of the city, situated on the highest hill and offering a stunning view of Amman. Here you can find the remains of the Temple of Hercules, the ruins of the Umayyad Palace, and the rich collection of the Archaeological Museum. The nearby Roman theater dates from the 2nd century and is still used for cultural events today.
The Abdoun and Jabal Amman neighborhoods offer an elegant environment for visitors, with numerous excellent restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. Rainbow Street is the center of Amman’s cultural life, where traditional coffee houses alternate with modern bars. The King Abdullah Mosque, with its impressive blue dome, is one of the city’s most beautiful architectural masterpieces.
Dead Sea
This unique lake is located at the Earth’s deepest point, 430 meters below sea level.
The lake’s salt content is nine times higher than regular seawater, making life impossible in its waters, but endowing it with unique healing properties. Due to its high mineral content and special atmosphere, the Dead Sea is one of the world’s most sought-after health tourism centers.
Swimming, or rather floating, in the water is a magical experience, as the high density makes it impossible to sink. After the water experience, visitors can get acquainted with the special cosmetic effects of the mud found on the shores. This black mud is rich in minerals and has extremely beneficial effects on the skin.
Wadi Rum
The desert region known as the Valley of the Moon is located in southern Jordan and constitutes one of the world’s most impressive desert landscapes.
The UNESCO World Heritage site offers a unique spectacle with its red and orange rock formations, natural stone bridges, and massive sand dunes. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) also fought here with the Bedouins during World War I.
The protected area of Wadi Rum covers 720 square kilometers and is best explored under the guidance of local Bedouins. During jeep tours, visitors can learn about the desert’s secrets, ancient petroglyphs, and Lawrence’s Spring. Among the rock formations hide naturally formed stone bridges, canyons, and cave temples.
The real magic, however, unfolds at night when the desert’s starry sky is revealed. During overnight camping organized by the Bedouins, visitors can taste the traditional zarb meal, which is prepared in a pit dug in the sand.
Aqaba
Jordan’s only seaside city on the Red Sea coast is also one of the Middle East’s most dynamically developing tourist centers.
The city is strategically located at the border of four countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel) and serves as an important commercial port. Aqaba enjoys pleasant, dry weather year-round.
The Red Sea’s crystal-clear water and rich marine life offer unparalleled experiences for divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. The coral garden in the protected area of Aqaba Marine Park is particularly stunning, where numerous rare marine species can be observed.
The city’s modern part features elegant hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers, while the old town welcomes visitors with traditional bazaars and coffee houses. Aqaba Castle dates from the 16th century and provides insight into the city’s history.
Jerash
The ancient city referred to as the „Pompeii of the East” is located 50 kilometers north of Amman and is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East.
Its history stretches back more than 6,500 years, but it reached its golden age during Roman and Byzantine times. The city was destroyed in an earthquake in 749 and then lay hidden under sand for centuries.
It has several famous attractions. The Roman theater is famous for its stunning acoustics and still regularly hosts performances today. The Hadrian’s Gate stands at the southern entrance to the city and was built to commemorate the emperor’s visit in 129. The main street lined with columns, the Cardo, is still walkable today. Among the city’s religious buildings is the Temple of Artemis, which was dedicated to the city’s patron goddess.
Umm Qais
The ruins of ancient Gadara are located in northern Jordan, at the confluence of the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and the Golan Heights.
The settlement, founded as a Hellenistic city, reached its golden age during Roman times and served as an important cultural center. The city was a member of the Decapolis league and was famous for its philosophers and poets.
Among the ruins are the remains of a Roman theater built of basalt and limestone, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The settlement’s main street, built of black basalt stones, is still walkable today. The decoration of the nymphaeum, or public fountain, represents special artistic value.
Umm Qais’s special attraction lies in the fact that from here you can see three countries – Jordan, Israel, and Syria. The sparkling waters of the Sea of Galilee and the mountains of the Golan Heights create a stunning panorama. The museum displays valuable archaeological finds, including mosaics, sculptures, and coins. Excavations in the area are still ongoing, so new discoveries are expected in the future.
Mount Nebo
According to the Bible, Moses died on this 817-meter-high mountain after viewing the Promised Land.
The mountain is located 10 kilometers from Madaba and has been a pilgrimage site for followers of the three monotheistic religions for centuries. The mountaintop offers an unparalleled view of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and on clear days, the outlines of Jerusalem.
The Franciscan monastery on top of the mountain was built on the foundations of a 4th-century Byzantine basilica. The temple’s mosaic floors date from the 4th-6th centuries and depict biblical scenes decorated with animals and plants. The cross behind the altar is the work of Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni.
The visitor center’s exhibition showcases the area’s archaeological finds and the history of Christian pilgrimages. The monument next to the mountaintop commemorates Pope John Paul II’s visit in 2000.
Madaba
The „City of Mosaics” is located 30 kilometers southwest of Amman and became famous as the center of Byzantine and Umayyad mosaic art.
The city already existed in biblical times and played an important role in the history of early Christianity. Today it is one of Jordan’s most important cultural and tourist centers.
In St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church is the world-famous Madaba Map, a 6th-century mosaic that is the oldest representation of Palestine. This mosaic, consisting of 2 million pieces, depicts the Holy Land from Jerusalem to the Nile Delta. The map was originally 15.7×6 meters, but only a portion remains today.
The city’s other churches and public buildings are also decorated with rich mosaics. The Church of the Virgin Mary, the Church of the Prophets, and the Church of the Apostles all contain stunning artistic creations. In the Madaba Archaeological Park, the mosaic floors of several buildings can be viewed in one location.
Al-Karak
Karak Castle stands on a 1,000-meter-high hilltop along the ancient trade route between the Jordan Valley and the Red Sea.
The fortress built during the Crusades is one of the finest examples of 12th-century military architecture, which played a key role in the region’s history due to its strategic importance. Saladin captured the castle from the Crusaders in 1188.
The fortress’s massive walls, underground corridors, and casemates can still be explored today. The castle area covers approximately 25,000 square meters and includes various building sections: living quarters, storage rooms, kitchen, and chapel. The northeastern tower offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
The city itself also offers interesting sights with its traditional stone buildings and bazaars. Local craftsmen particularly excel in weaving and metalworking. The Karak Archaeological Museum displays valuable finds from the area, dating from various periods.
Dana Biosphere Reserve
Jordan’s largest nature reserve covers 320 square kilometers and runs along part of the Rift Valley.
The reserve combines four different zones: Mediterranean forested areas, steppe grasslands, desert zones, and lowland Sudanese vegetation. This diversity represents unparalleled ecological value in the region.
It is home to more than 800 plant species, many of which are endemic, meaning they are found only here. The animal life is also extremely rich: 38 mammal species, 190 bird species, 36 reptile species, and numerous insect species live here. It provides important refuge for endangered species such as the Nubian ibex and the Syrian wolf.
Ajloun Castle
The fortress was built at the end of the 12th century to defend against the Crusader armies and was completed on the orders of Saladin’s nephew, Izz al-Din Usama.
The castle’s strategic location allowed control of the Jordan Valley and surrounding trade routes. During the fortress’s construction, natural rock formations were utilized, so it organically fits into the landscape.
The square-based castle has seven towers that served different functions: living quarters, storage, watchtowers, and firing positions. The wall thickness reaches six meters in places, providing great resistance against attacks.
The Ajloun Nature Reserve around the castle covers 13 square kilometers and presents a beautiful example of Mediterranean forest vegetation. The area has numerous hiking trails where visitors can learn about the local flora and fauna. From the top of the castle, there is a beautiful panorama of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and on clear days, the Sea of Galilee is also visible.
Wadi Mujib
The natural attraction known as „Jordan’s Grand Canyon” is the world’s deepest nature reserve.
The canyon begins 400 meters below sea level and rises to 900 meters in height. The reserve is located on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, and its central part consists of a deep canyon carved by the Mujib River over millions of years.
Wadi Mujib’s special ecological significance comes from the fact that desert and tropical climates meet here, creating an extremely diverse flora and fauna. The area contains 420 plant species, including many rare and endemic species.
Visitors can participate in water hikes that require passing through narrow sections of the canyon, sometimes requiring swimming. The Adventure Trail offers a particularly exciting experience when visitors rappel down waterfalls with ropes. The Siq Trail circular hike also allows walking on dry paths.
Al-Maghtas
The site known as „Bethany Beyond the Jordan” is located on the eastern bank of the Jordan River and, according to Christian tradition, is where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
The UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015 has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries and plays an important role in the Christian world. Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence supporting the site’s historical authenticity.
The area contains more than 50 archaeological sites spanning from Roman times to the modern era. Among the most important finds are the remains of Byzantine churches, monastic cells, and pilgrim hostels. The cave on Elijah’s Hill is traditionally considered the place of the prophet Elijah’s ascension.
Qasr Amra
The Umayyad desert castle is located 85 kilometers east of Amman, near the Syrian border.
The building, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built in the early 8th century and served as a desert residence for the caliphs. The castle is significant both architecturally and artistically because it combines Byzantine, Persian, and early Islamic stylistic elements.
The castle’s main value is the series of frescoes decorating the interior walls, which is a uniquely well-preserved example of early Islamic art. The themes of the wall paintings are extremely varied: hunting scenes, musicians, dancers, and astronomical representations. The star map visible on the dome is a combined representation of southern and northern constellations.
The castle had a thermal bath complex that followed the traditions of Roman baths. The bathing system consisted of three rooms: cold, lukewarm, and hot baths. The heating system operated with underfloor heating, demonstrating advanced engineering knowledge.