Best 10 Places To Visit In Jordan - Updated 2024

Isha
Isha 
Updated
| 4 min read

Situated in the volatile region of the Middle East, Jordan is a peaceful and beautiful country surrounded by warring neighbours like Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq. Influenced by the numerous civilizations that have settled here over the ages, Jordan is now a modern Arab city which still maintains its connections with the past. With its spectacular natural landscapes, historical ruins, and mesmerising culture, the country attracts millions of tourists each year. From the other-worldly landscapes of Wadi Rum through the historical ruins of Petra to the capital city of Amman, Jordan offers the perfect Arabian adventure to visitors. And for the lowdown on all the places to visit in Jordan, simply scroll down and learn more.

Tip from Content Creator

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Jordan truly is an incredible destination. Here’s my suggestion for a week-long itinerary with the best places to visit!

Day 1: Arrive in Jordan and settle into your accommodation in Amman.

Day 2: Dive into the adventure with a thrilling desert safari in Wadi Rum! Explore unique rock formations and stay in an enchanting bubble hotel. Or, consider camping under the stars for an unforgettable desert adventure.

Day 3: Go to Aqaba for a day of snorkeling or simply relax on the beautiful Red Sea beach.

Day 4: Explore the ancient city of Petra. Wander through the Siq, the iconic Treasury, and the Monastery.

Day 5: Experience the extraordinary sensation of floating in the mineral-rich Dead Sea.

Day 6: Immerse yourself in history at Jerash, a preserved ancient Roman city.

Day 7: Fly back home.

1. Wadi Rum (from USD 192.0)

Take a walk through the sands of time as you visit the majestic Wadi Rum meaning ‘Valley of the Moon’ in Arabic. It is a valley with towering sandstone and granite formations and is the largest valley in Jordan. Visitors to Wadi Rum can see signs of human habitation from prehistoric times in the rock paintings, petroglyphs etched into the cave walls, temples, etc. It is also the home of Bedouins who are legendary for their outstanding hospitality and culture. Wadi Rum is popular for eco-adventure tourism, which includes rock climbing, trekking, camel and horse safaris, and luxury camping retreats.

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Private Full Day Trip to Wadi Rum Valley of Moon Martian Desert from Dead Sea

Duration: 12 hours

1 review

2. Madaba (from USD 65.0)

best places to visit in jordan | madaba

Most popular for religious tourism, Madaba has become a significant travel destination in Jordan, especially due to its proximity to the country’s capital, Amman. Madaba has been nicknamed as the ‘City of Mosaics’ and rightfully so, for there are a plethora of Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics to be found in and around the city. Most mosaics depict religious scenes and are located in the Archaeological Park of Madaba. The best-known mosaic is the expansive Byzantine-era mosaic map of the Holy Land. Besides mosaics, Mt. Nebo, St. Geoge Church, Church of the Apostles, Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, etc. should be visited, too.

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Half-Day Tour to Madaba and Mount Nebo

Duration: 5.0 hour

34 reviews

3. Petra (from USD 100.0)

Petra, an ancient city whose inhabitation has been recorded as far back as 9000 BCE has been home to many cultures including the Nabataeans, Bedouins, and Arabs. The significance of Petra as an ancient trading hub can be seen in the magnificent Khazneh (The Treasury), an imposing structure cut into the sandstone rocks. Take a walk through the majestic Bab al Siq, admire the amazing Royal Tombs, the Great Temple of Petra, the Theatre, and the monastery, and learn about the history of the remarkable people who built this stunning rock-cut city.

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Petra From Amman Full-Day Private Tour

Duration: 9 to 11 hours

14 reviews

4. Jerash (from USD 87.5)

A scene of another ancient human settlement, Jerash is a city with many layers. Its historical structures, landmarks, and ruins clearly depict the Greco-Roman, Arab, Ottoman, and other influences of the people who lived here over the ages. Is it any wonder then that Jerash is the second-most popular tourist attraction in Jordan? On your visit, you can explore the many archaeological ruins like The Oval Forum, Cardo Maximus, Colonnaded Street, Temple of Artemis, North Theater, the hippodrome, etc. The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is also worth a visit here.

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Ancient Jerash - Tour from Amman

5. Dead Sea (from USD 75.0)

dead sea

Shared by Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, the Dead Sea needs no introduction. It is almost 10 times saltier than the ocean and rich in many minerals and salts like potassium, magnesium, bromine, etc. It is considered to be one of the world’s first health resorts, renowned for its soothing mud and healing water. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities at the Dead Sea, like effortlessly floating in the warm water, applying the mineral-rich mud, or soaking up the pleasant sunshine.

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Private Tour to Dead Sea and Baptism Site

Duration: 8.0 hour

33 reviews

6. Ma'in Hot Springs (from USD 107.0)

ma'in hot springs

Famous for their healing properties, Ma'in Hot Springs are a series of hot mineral springs and picturesque waterfalls in the region between the Dead Sea and Madaba areas of Jordan. The springs originate from a mountain and are loaded with calcium, hydrogen sulfide, sodium, radon, chloride, etc. which help in curing myriad ailments and diseases like chronic respiratory diseases, skin issues, muscular pains, circulatory diseases, bone and joint ailments, psychological stress, chronic rheumatism, and more. Ma'in Hot Springs are also popular for medical or therapeutic tourism.

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From Amman/Dead Sea: Half day tour to Ma’in Hot Springs

Duration: 6.0 hour

4 reviews

7. Dana Nature Reserve (from USD 238.0)

Spread across 308 sq. km (119 sq. mi), Dana Nature Reserve is Jordan’s largest such reserve. Also known as Dana Biosphere Reserve, this area has brilliant rock-cut formations and staggering sand dunes. It is also home to 38 mammal, 703 plant, and 215 bird species, a few of which are unique to the region. Such a diverse ecosystem makes the reserve a perfect place for wildlife photographers and bird-watchers. Hiking, trekking, camping, and stargazing are also popular activities here.

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Private Tour: Dana Nature Reserve Hike and Dead Sea with lunch

Duration: 11 hours

1 review

8. Amman (from USD 153.33)

amman

As the capital of Jordan, Amman is the gateway for most tourists to other attractions in the country. But it would be worth your while to spend a day or two exploring the sights and sounds of this capital city. Amman is home to the world-class Jordan Museum, which contains many of the country’s archaeological treasures like Neolithic limestone statues of ‘Ain Ghazal, some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, etc. Spectacular Roman ruins like Temple of Hercules at Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre alongside the Islamic-era Umayyad Palace and Qasr Al-Abd are also to be found here. Cap off your visit by wandering through the maze of mosques, souks, narrow streets, shops, and cafes of old Amman.

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Amman Sightseeing Private Tour with Additional Options

Duration: 4.0 to 8.0 hour

37 reviews

9. Mount Nebo (from USD 113.33)

mount nebo

Mount Nebo in Jordan is a place of significant importance in many religions including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is said to be the place from where Moses was shown the Promised Land and many also believe that Moses was buried here. The mountain top provides panoramic views of the surrounding lands including the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, the West Bank, and even Jerusalem, on a clear day. The Moses Memorial Church at the summit displays many ornate Byzantine mosaics. The Brazen Serpent statue is another popular attraction here.

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Private Half Day Tour to Madaba and Mount Nebo from Amman

Duration: 6.0 hour

10. Bethabara (from USD 106.67)

bethabara

Also sometimes known as Bethany, Bethabara is another place of immense religious importance. It is believed to be the location where John the Baptist baptised Jesus and also the spot where God parted the River Jordan for the Israelites. The baptismal site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan can be visited in Bethabara. Several Roman and Byzantine era sites can also be explored here, including baptismal pools, caves, wells, ruins of churches, etc.

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Bethany Baptism Jordan River Site Visit from Amman

Duration: 4.0 hour

7 reviews

Explore the jewels of Jordan

From spectacular desert landscapes, to ancient rock-cut structures, to traditional souks, Jordan has a plethora of attractions to delight visitors of every kind. And to make the most of your time in this amazing country, just arm yourself with our list of the best places to see in Jordan and have a jolly good time!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Isha is a former corporate employee who now leads a tranquil life centered around travel, writing, and minding her own business.

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