Jordan is an amazing destination for a short and adventurous trip. In Jordan, you can visit Roman cities, hike through rugged nature, explore the pink city of Petra, traverse the desert landscape of Wadi Rum, and float in the Dead Sea. If you’re a fan of snorkeling and diving, you can also do that in Aqaba on the Red Sea. In short, Jordan is incredibly diverse! We have visited Jordan multiple times and based on our travel experiences, we have created the ultimate Jordan itinerary full of tips. This way, you’ll see the most beautiful places in the country!
Transportation for this itinerary in Jordan
Public transportation in Jordan is quite limited, so it’s best not to rely on it during your trip. Almost everyone travels around Jordan with a rental car. The roads are excellent, and outside of Amman, traffic is usually light. Jordan is a great destination for a road trip. If you’re interested in renting a car in Jordan, check out our tips for renting a car in Jordan.
How many days do you need for this itinerary?
We recommend allocating approximately 10 to 13 days for this itinerary. Of course, this depends on your travel pace. For example, you can choose to visit Petra in one day or spend multiple days there. In the Wadi Rum desert, you can stay for one or two nights, and you can skip Aqaba if you’re not interested in diving or snorkeling. You can customize the itinerary based on your preferences and the number of days you have available.
Amman
After your flight, you’ll arrive in the busy capital city of Amman. It’s a good city to acclimate yourself to the culture, traffic, and climate, but it’s not particularly interesting or beautiful. We recommend not staying in Amman for too long and continuing your journey the day after your arrival in Jordan. If you have time to explore Amman, it’s worth visiting the Roman Theater and the Citadel of Amman. The Citadel is located on the highest hill in Amman, and you can find ruins of the Temple of Hercules there. The view from the Citadel, especially during sunset, is breathtaking.
Tip: The best tip we can give you for Amman is to stay your first night or nights at the Nomads Hotel Amman. It’s a cozy and affordable hotel located near Rainbow Street, where you can find many good restaurants and shops. The staff is extremely hospitable, the rooms are great, and the location is perfect. Be sure to book in advance as this hotel tends to fill up quickly. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, Shams Alweibdeh Hotel is highly recommended!
Jerash
Jerash is considered one of the most important Greco-Roman-Byzantine cities in the Middle East. The remains of this ancient city are incredibly impressive, and if you arrive before 10 am, it’s often still pleasantly quiet. Jerash is located 50 km north of Amman, and depending on traffic, it takes about an hour to drive there. You’ll need approximately 2 to 3 hours to explore the city. Afterward, you’ll take the Kings Highway towards Dana, and your road trip through Jordan truly begins.
Tip: Depart early in the morning for Jerash because you have a long drive ahead. From Jerash, it’s about a 6-hour drive to Dana via the Kings Highway. If you want to save time, you can choose the faster Highway 15, but it’s less scenic, and the drive takes about 4 hours.
Dana
The Kings Highway takes you through small villages and towns in the mountains of Jordan. On your way to Dana, you’ll pass by the Grand Canyon, where you’ll have a beautiful view of the surroundings. After a long journey, you’ll finally arrive in Dana, a tiny village and the perfect base for several amazing hikes. Dana is still undiscovered by the masses, which adds to its charm. You can stay in an eco-camp with a fantastic view of the Wadi Dana valley. The next day, you can embark on a short or long hike. Our favorite is the Wadi Ghuweir Trail, which might be the most beautiful trail we’ve ever hiked. If you want to read more about this unique destination, check out our tips for Dana or our tips for the Wadi Ghuweir Trail.
Petra
Today, it’s just a short drive to Petra, but you can make two beautiful stops along the way at Shobak Castle and Little Petra. Shobak Castle is the ruins of a Crusader castle dating back to 1115, and Little Petra is a smaller and free version of Petra with a beautiful viewpoint. The next day (or days), it’s time to visit the famous pink city of Petra. This ancient city was built in the middle of the desert more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabateans. They carved houses, tombs, and temples into the rocks, and because Petra was a key point in various trade routes, the city was incredibly wealthy. Petra is a breathtakingly beautiful place and most likely the highlight of your trip to Jordan. It’s wise to prepare in advance to make the most of your visit. Be sure to read our tips for Petra as well.
Wadi Rum
It’s time to explore the desert, and there’s no desert more beautiful than Wadi Rum. In addition to vast stretches of sand, you’ll find the most impressive rock formations here. Wadi Rum has served as the backdrop for many famous movies. The best way to explore this lunar-like landscape is with a 4×4 jeep tour, where you’ll visit the most beautiful spots while racing through the fine sand. You’ll spend the night in one of the traditional Bedouin camps in the heart of the desert—an experience you’ll never forget! If you want to read more about Wadi Rum, check out our tips for Wadi Rum.
Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan’s only real beach resort, but as Jordan is an Islamic country, women cannot sunbathe in their bikinis on the beach. Therefore, you would visit Aqaba only if you want to spend a day snorkeling or diving. Aqaba is located on the Red Sea, and there are many beautiful diving and snorkeling spots here. For snorkeling, it’s best to join a snorkel tour on a boat for an afternoon, and for diving, there are numerous diving schools to choose from.
The Dead Sea and Wadi Mujib
The Dead Sea is one of the most unique natural wonders in the Middle East. It got its name because no fish or other animals can survive in its water due to its salt content of 33%. What’s truly remarkable is that you can effortlessly float on the water’s surface. Along the shores of the Dead Sea, you’ll also find Wadi Mujib, a beautiful canyon where you can walk through the water between massive orange rocks. The Siq Trail is a great hike of about two hours that you can do without a guide. From the Dead Sea, it’s just a short drive of about an hour to the airport. So, you can head directly to the airport for your return journey and avoid returning to Amman. For the best way to visit the Dead Sea, read our article on tips for the Dead Sea.
Note: Wadi Mujib is closed between November 1 and April 1 due to the risk of flash floods.
Our favorite places to stay in Jordan
During our travels, we always seek out the most beautiful and comfortable accommodations. In Jordan, the hotels aren’t always the most luxurious, but we’ve focused on finding places where you get the best value for your money. Fortunately, we’ve also discovered a few accommodations that are truly exceptional and offer unique locations. For all the destinations on this itinerary, we’ve compiled some great tips for you. These are places where you’ll have an extra special time! Check out the overview of our favorite accommodations in Jordan.
