So keep reading for 20 ideas of what to see, do and eat in Jordan!

Mysterious, captivating, and irresistible, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a dream.

This is a country that seamlessly combines a rich history and urban modernism.

It equally and easily caters to all travelers; from families, to couples and from the humble backpacker to the luxurious traveler.

Located in Asia, Jordan is the safest country in the Middle East and a country of incredible generosity and kindness.

To learn more about Jordan’s geographical position and other important information, please read my Jordan Guide

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My Jordan experience

I visited Jordan in July, as part of a press trip with my trusted agency Travel Pass.

A press trip is a sponsored trip, in which a travel blogger is sent out to explore a destination.

Upon return, we come back with articles and guides such as what you are about to read. Think of me as a better, more personalized version of Google!

I spent 5 days in Jordan and while they went by very quickly, and did not want to leave!

It was almost the perfect amount of time I needed to really see the country, although I kept my pace pretty fast!

I traveled from the Urban and Modern Amman to the vast desert of Wadi Rum.

Then, to the archaeological sites of Jerash and Um Qais to the breathtaking beauty of Petra.

I finished off by exploring the holy grounds of Mount Nebo and the healing properties of the Dead Sea.

Below, is my itinerary for the best things to do in Jordan, and all my recommended places to visit. Yalla!

1. Spend Time in Amman

The Difference between New Amman and Old Amman

Amman is the capital of Jordan and a city that is divided into 2 parts: New and Old Amman.

New Amman is an urban, modern city, with high-end hotels and malls, rooftop bars, clubs, and large chains cafes like Starbucks and Mc Donalds.

The airport is about a 40 minutes drive from here.

Old Amman is entirely different in the sense that it feels and looks like the authentic Middle East. There are large markets that sell everything- from clothes and souvenirs to books and vintage house memorabilia.

There are also dozens of ice cream shops (wow) and the most colorful food market I have seen!.

Once there, expect to walk past local bakeries, stores dedicated entirely to spices, local restaurants, cafes, and more.

2. Visit the market in Old Amman.

You will need a minimum of 2-3 hours, depending on your pace and mood for shopping.  Most shops in that area will stay open until 10 pm. Make sure you walk through the food market! it’s packed to the brim with fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, and nuts!

3. Experience the Gold Market

The gold market is a must for all jewelry lovers. All the gold your heart desires and at reasonable prices too!

Be sure you bargain for everything you get – this is the way things are done in all markets, from Thailand to China, Istanbul, and Jordan!

4. Eat Falafel

And specifically, at Hashem Restaurant.

Falafel and hummus are a billion-dollar industry in Jordan, and this place in Downtown Amman does them the best! Try the falafel, and pair it with a variety of salads, pitta, and hummus.

If you are a Vegan or Vegetarian In Jordan you will enjoy eating your way through the falafel heaven in this country! Make sure you read the guide for more vegan food options in Jordan.

5. Shop till you drop in one of the beautiful malls.

My favorite: the Taj Mahal and City Mall –where you will find all your favorite brands and then some!

The Clothing stores at the mall stay open until 12 am.

6. Smoke Shisha.

The Middle East is the King of Shisha and the quality of smoking Is incredible.

Choose any café with a terrace and enjoy the pure shisha blends of Amman

7. Try some traditional desserts

And specifically, at Habibah Sweets and Zalatimo Sweets. Both establishments are located in New Amman!

Expect to find beautiful desserts – from traditional mpaklava to delicate macaroons.

Ramadan Side Note

If you are traveling during Ramadan, some restaurants may operate at different times than normal.

To see if and how Ramadan will affect your journey please read my guide for traveling through Ramadan

8. Visit the Citadel

Standing tall since the Bronze age, on the highest hill of Amman, sits the Citadel, the site of the ancient Rabbath-Ammon.

There’s plenty to see here –with the temple of Hercules, the fortress, and ‘’agora’’ being only a few.

You should check out the Umayyad Palace that once housed the governor of Amman.

Also, observe its domed audience halls, then stroll through its archaeological museum. There are guides you can hire to fully explain everything you are seeing.

9. Marvel at the Roman Theatre

This beautifully restored theatre is yet another example of the heavy Roman influence in Jordan.

It is grande, impressive and one of the highlights of Amman.

Built-in 3 tiers to sit the rulers, military, and common folk, it has a capacity to seat 6.000 people!

You will also witness a small shrine at the very top that once housed the statue of the goddess Athena.

You’ll find two museums on either side of the theatre, displaying beads, traditional clothing attire, swords, knives, and more.

 10. Visit the King Abdullah Mosque

If you’ve never visited a grande mosque ( like the Blue Mosque in Istanbul), you should definitely visit this one.

This enormous mosque fits 7000 worshipers with room in the courtyard for another 3000. There is also a dedicated women’s area (far smaller than the men’s).

It is important to say that this is the only mosque in Amman that openly opens welcomes non-muslim visitors.

It was completed in 1989 by the late King Hussein in honor of his beloved grandfather. Once inside, you’ll see a spectacular 35m blue done and a built-in museum.

Mosque Tip For Women

Women are required to cover their hair to enter. At the entrance, you will find headscarves you can borrow if you don’t have any.

You’ll also need to wear an abaya – a full-length black dress that covers the entire body from the neck down.

My packing list is a great guide to follow if you are wondering what to wear in Jordan

Important Note for Food Allergies

If you are an iced coffee lover – or want dairy-free milk with your coffee, the only place you’ll find that is in Starbucks.

We hardly found any coconut, soya, or almond milk elsewhere! My friend is vegetarian and I have lactose intolerance.

Locals mostly drink Turkish Coffee which is a grainy blend or strong coffee like Cyprus coffee or Espresso. You may request an espresso with ice in some local cafes. 

Transportation advice for great road trips

After taking a few days to discover Amman, venture out of the city, into the real local scene.

Now, you have two ways of going about it; you either stay in the city and travel from there each day, or you pack up and change hotels.

I personally did the latter! I spent 3 days and two nights in Amman. Then I then moved to the Hayat Zanan Hotel in Petra and the Dead Sea Resort for another night.

This ensured I didn’t waste precious time in the car which I hate.

There are large distances to cover (like Petra for example which is a 4 hours drive from Amman).

Driving in Jordan vs Hiring a Driver

 The only thing that’s for certain is you need a car – or a driver. Driving in Jordan isn’t terrible, and definitely doable.

Make sure you are used to Middle Eastern roads and driving on the other side of the road of course.

I chose not to rent a car – and have a driver instead. Honestly, this decision shaped my trip!!

Ryatt was the best thing about Jordan and a person I can now call my friend in this wonderful country. He picked us up from the airport and didn’t leave our side, catering to all our needs.

He introduced me to local secrets and markets and drove us absolutely everywhere!

 I can’t say enough to praise this hard-working wonderful man. Ryatt went above and beyond his duty to ensure I fell in Love with ‘’His Jordan’’.

Apart from safe driving, a clean car, and vast knowledge of Jordan, Ryatt also took care of the small things.

Ice-cold water before we even needed it and local snacks after a long day under the sun.

He even lend us Local currency when we stupidly forgot our bank card at the hotel and went as far as to arrange discounts for camel riding!

Thank you Ryatt, you have a place in my heart forever!

Either way, let’s continue with places to visit in Jordan that will leave you breathless. The places mentioned below are day trips recommended by me:

11. Take A Day Trip to Petra : Things to do in Jordan

Petra – The Lost City.

(4 hours drive)

While there are Petra Tours from Amman, the number of hours on a crowded bus is not my idea of fun! Your best bet is a private driver that will drive you there and arrange for a tour.

 Visiting Jordan, and not seeing Petra is like Athens without the Parthenon. Rome without the Colosseum or Paris without the Eiffel Tower… you get my point.

Petra is utterly mesmerizing, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, and a Unesco Heritage Site.  

It is far more impressive than the Egyptian Pyramids or the Macchu Picchu ruins.

Petra is the real jewel of Jordan and one of the great ancient cities in the world that seriously lives up to its name.

It is famous for its rock-cut architecture and ingenious water conduit System.  

Hiring a guide to walk with you and explain everything is advisable, as there is so much history and meaning behind everything you see!

It’s actually easy to miss out on a lot if you just walk straight to the treasury.

There is fascinating history and stories to be told behind every cliff and corner of this city!

The Treasury of Petra

After the initial 2km walk of towering cliffs, symbols, and burial sites, you will reach the Treasury.

My advice? Stop. Breath. Take it all in. 

Personally, I was so blown away by what I was seeing that I got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

Through the deep and narrow gap of the Siq and the dust of the desert, you will see the 2000-year-old Treasury standing tall in all its glory.

And for a second… it will take your breath away.

I felt like I had transferred back in time like I was the one discovering this city again.

The city was once a popular Silk route –  for carriages traveling with spices to India and China.

It was abandoned around the 12^th century, and remained hidden, seemingly lost for 5 centuries.

The city slept, hidden from everyone, until Swedish traveler and geographer, Jean Louis Burckhardt discovered it in 1812.

If you want to find out more fascinating details, read this great article

Helpful Tips about Visiting Petra: costs and info

• Tickets: A Single Entry ticket costs 50 JD. You can choose to enter on multiple days to cover all the trails etcetera. You can find tickets at the entrance.
• Toilets: There are toilets at 3 points along the main trail. There is also a restaurant at the end of the main trail that serves a buffet lunch.
• Shoes: Wear running shoes or hiking boots, Sunblock, a hat, and light breathable fabrics! You will be walking for hours under the scorching hot sun.

Helpful Tips about Visiting Petra: The trails

• Trail: The main trail is the hiking trail most people go through. It covers 60% of Petra and has the least amount of climbing. It is 4.2 km long- and you will find the Treasury halfway. There are 22 different hike trails so you can take days exploring! The most popular one being the High Place of Sacrifice, the main altar of the City.
• The Monastery: is a further 900 steps – 2.4 km each way- after the end of the main trail. The views and scenery are out of this world- so if you are in good physical condition don’t miss this! You can also choose to ride horses or donkeys there for 20-30 JD, and save yourself the trip! Make sure you bargain with the Bedouins for prices but be polite! Lastly, remember the only way out is back through the main trail. This means you will have another 2.4 km to do before you are out of the city. If you find yourself unable to walk any further, you can rent a horse carriage to take you out!
• Camels: You can ride a camel from the treasury to the temple to save 2km walking. The cost is 30-50 JD round trip. I walked the entire way, and back!

Petra Culture Tip

Bedouins run Petra. Camels, horses, donkeys, and tourist shops are all run by the Bedouins.

You will notice their long black hair and Bedouin makeup (black kohl around their eyes). You’ll also notice their outfits, which truly resemble the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Apart from being fascinated by how different they look through, I urge you all to talk to them.

They are lovely people that will gladly tell you about their way of life providing inside information on the culture.

12. Explore Umm Qais, Jerash, and Madaba – Things to do in Jordan

Simply a 2-hour drive from Amman, and you can unfold all the magic of the North of Jordan.

You can combine a few cities in a single road trip, and each one has something unique to offer.

13. Umm Qais And The Greek City Of Gadara

Traveling through North Jordan to Um Qais, you’ll see the borders of Israel to your left and Syria to your right.

Umm Qais is the meeting point of these three countries. Here, you’ll find the ancient Greek city of Gadara.

Gadara is a dramatic and large antiquity site with views of the North Valley and the famous sea of Galilee.

Expect to see tombs, ornaments, and Greek Inscriptions. Expect also facades and two large amphitheaters amongst hundreds of other ruins that have not yet been fully excavated. 

14. Jerash And An Incredibly Preserved City

Jerash is the city in which you will find the most well preserved Roman City outside of Italy.

Dating back 6500 years, this city remained hidden and untouched for centuries. Excavations in 1925 unveiled incredible beauty and an amazing well-preserved city.

It really is one of the greatest Roman Architecture examples I have seen outside of Rome

15. Madaba And The Mosaic Workshop

In this little city, hides a mosaic workshop called ‘’The Flower of Jordan’’. This workshop was created to give work to locals and provide them with new skills.

Here, you will find over 37 employees, some of whom have disabilities working hard to create beautiful mosaics.

The work is sold on a number of surfaces, from paintings to coffee tables, real ostrich eggs, and jewelry.

You can choose a set design or custom make your own then order it down to the last detail. Then have it sent back to your country via DHL. 

The stones used are from the mountains of Jordan and are then cut by hand. Lastly, they are glued with glue made from wheat flour and water.

The design is then transferred to your chosen surface and finished off in a demi or full gloss finish. The designs are beautiful, and perfect for stylish home decoration.

Approximate prices:

Coffee tables: 1800-3000 JD.

Ostrich Eggs: 200-500 JD.

Interesting fact: More than 8% of the Christian Population of Petra leaves in Madaba.

Things to do in Jordan: Safari, Spirituality, and Bedouins

Get ready to explore the Wadi Rum Desert, Mount Nebo, and sleep in a Beduin Camp.

(2 hours Drive)

16. Wadi Rum

I lived out every Laurence of Arabia fantasy I had in the desert of Wadi Rum.

This incredible desert valley full of towering cliffs and stones is home to the Bedouins. Bedouin have inhabited the land for over 12.000 years!

Start exploring by taking a camel ride through the desert – then continue on with an exhilarating Wadi Run Jeep Tour.

We caught the sunset, got off the jeep, and sat in the desert in utter silence admiring the view.

It was the most peaceful awe-inspiring moment of the trip.

More things you can do in Wadi Rum

You can fly in a hot air balloon through the desert of Wadi Rum Camp  (hello marriage proposal goals!).

You can also arrange rock climbing which I’m definitely doing next time! Your driver will be able to arrange those for you.

Bear In mind that bookings must be made In advance!

17. Find Spirituality at Mount Nebo

I loved my spiritual visit to Mount Nebo – where Moses saw the Promised Land before he died.

The views from the valley are spectacular and the active Christian Monastery and church land are beautiful. Be sure to check out the mosaics inside the church too!

If you are lucky like us, there might be a mass when you go there! It was in Polish so I didn’t understand a word they were saying but lovely nonetheless.

18. Sleep in a Bedouin Camp

Experience a true Bedouin night of sleeping under the stars; in luxury of course!

This luxury private tent in the heart of Wadi Rum offers comfortable beds, a sofa, mirrors, lamps, and many more!

Each tent has a private terrace with breathtaking views of the desert enhanced by candlelight.

The camp offers a restaurant, lounge, toilet, and shower facilities. A once-in-a-lifetime experience! Find the booking details at the end of the post!

Things to do in Jordan: Float in the Dead Sea

The healing properties of the Dead Sea and the mud of the Dead Sea are known all around the world.

19. The Dead Sea.

At 431m below Sea Level, the Dead Sea salts and minerals have long been exploited for their skin-friendly properties. The biggest fun though is attempting to swim in the Dead Sea.

With the extreme salinity of the water, (10x that of the sea), you will float instead of swim.

Lay back, read a book or newspaper, and simply enjoy life. After that, lather yourself with the famous Dead Sea Mud and let it dry for 20 minutes.

Rinse off to reveal baby smooth, bright skin and revitalized soothed muscles. Bliss.

20. Go Canyoning!

Hike. Climb, swim, jump!

Experience Jordan’s Natural wonders by Splashing around the beautiful waters and spectacular cliffs of Wadi Mujib.

Wadi Mujib is only a 30 minutes drive from The Dead Sea. Once there, you can join a guide and start trekking!

Swim through pools, slide down natural waterslides and use a rope to climb down (abseil) into waterfalls!

This is an adventurous day packed with fun and plenty of laughs.

Thank you for reading through this ultimate guide of the 20 Best Things to Do in Jordan!

I sincerely hope you have the most incredible time in a country that will forever hold a piece of my heart!

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Also, join my travel family on Instagram, and let’s stay connected.

Love, Tia x

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Other Jordan Articles

Jordan Travel Guide – All The Information you need to know before you visit.

The Best Things To Do In Jordan – A guide to the best activities in Jordan

Vegan Jordan – A vegan and vegetarian restaurant guide in Jordan

What to wear in Jordan – The ideal packing guide

Jordan In Ramadan – Tips for Visiting the country during Ramadan

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