LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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TRAVEL GUIDE: 11 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN JORDAN.

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For a small country, Jordan packs it in. What do I mean by “it?” Quite simply, everything. Jordan has it all. For nature lovers and outdoor adventurers, there are thru hiking opportunities and deserts so vast you won’t be able to wait to plant your feet down quick enough.

History and culture vultures have one of the 7 new wonders of the world in Petra, Roman amphitheatres, temples and ancient mosaics. In fact, Jordan is also calling all city lovers, food fiends and beach dwellers. Suitable for families, couples, friends and solo travellers. It really is that diverse.

The hardest decision you’ll make when travelling to Jordan is deciding where to visit. Luckily, we’ve put together a guide to the best and most beautiful places in Jordan.

Grab a cup of coffee and climb into your best imagination pants and get ready to transport yourself with our comprehensive guide to what you should visit in Jordan.

11 most beautiful places in Jordan

For Nature & hiking

1/ Jordan Trail Dana to Petra

The Jordan Trail runs from the very North of the country in Umm Qais to the very South in Aqaba. If you’re a fan of thru hiking or looking for an out of this world adventure, then walking the Jordan Trail from Dana to Petra is something you really ought to consider. We did this recently and it was one of the greatest hiking experiences of our lives.

You would need to allow 3 to 5 days for this walk. This may seem like a big chunk of time, but the sights you’ll see will wow you so much, that it’s guaranteed to be worth it. If you’re interested and want to read more, our guide on how to walk the Dana to Petra Jordan Trail is available here.

2/ Hiking in Wadi Rum

The desert of Wadi Rum provides some wonderful hikes, whether you’re looking to do a self-guided walk or join a tour, Wadi Rum has many options. We would advise at least two full days in Wadi Rum if you plan to do some hiking. Perhaps one day to take a self-guided walk around and another to join a tour to conquer Jabal umm ad Dami (the highest mountain in Jordan), if you’re feeling brave. More information here.

3/ Jordan Trail: Umm Qais to Ajloun

If you’re keen to do a stretch of the Jordan Trail but don’t want to pay for a guided tour, or you want to experience something a little different, why not try the first four days of the Jordan Trail? This section is different to the other stretches of the trail as it is all waymarked. This means that you can self-guide on this walk, provided you have a decent GPS and enough water. There are homestays and accommodation options along the way, making this a very feasible option! We completed day four of the first stage and had a blast.

For Swimming and Sunbathing

“All I need is a good dose of Vitamin Sea”

4/ Aqaba

If you’re after sun and sandy beaches, the Aqaba is the best destination for you in Jordan. Aqaba sits on the Red Sea, sharing the same stretch of Water with popular beach resorts in Israel (directly opposite Aqaba) and Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. Famed for diving and snorkelling, the Red Sea is quite literally awash with exotic sea life.

Although westerners wishing to sunbathe will be confined to either hotel beaches or private beach clubs, it is still feasible to enjoy a trip to Aqaba without feeling too restricted. It is also possible to visit Aqaba on a budget – find out more here.

5/ The Dead Sea

Further North than Aqaba, and therefore slightly cooler in temperature, is The Dead Sea. This stretch of water is most famous for the remarkably high salt content, which means that you can float unassisted on the water until your heart is content.

A visit to the dead sea is an opportunity to check in with your health, topping up on dead sea salt or a dead sea mud bath. Both of which, are sited as having significant benefits for your skin and wellbeing.

If you plan to visit the Dead Sea – our guide here explains how you can do so on various budgets.

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In South Jordan

If you plan to fly into Aqaba and visit the South of Jordan only, then these destinations below should be on your hit list.

6/ Madaba

Madaba is found close to the dead sea and makes a great stop off for history lovers. It is a small town with a few quirky cafes and restaurants. The most notable highlight of Madaba is Madaba Archaeological Museum. This showcases some very special mosaics. There’s no entrance fee but you’ll be expected to tip a guide.

We also loved visiting the cafe and bookstore called Kawon once upon a time. A gorgeous space that book lovers will adore. Nose around the store before settling into the garden for a tea or coffee.

Whilst in Madaba, you can also visit Mount Nebo. A renowned biblical site, which also offers spectacular views across the Dead Sea and Jordan valley.

7/ Petra

Visiting Petra on your trip to Jordan is pretty obvious! But you really ought to do it! Located in the South, you will want to ensure you carve out at least a day to explore.

We’ve written a guide on Petra here, which provides all you need to know.

8/ Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, a protected nature park near to both Aqaba and Petra is a must see if you want to get away from it all and camp under the stars. Wadi Rum was our favourite place in Jordan, it felt like total escapism. Gather around the campfire after a day of exploring and enjoy some Bedouin hospitality.

We’ve included this on our list of the best hikes, but you can also visit Wadi Rum and take 4 x 4 rides, or just enjoy the peace and quiet of the area.

More information on Wadi Rum can be found in our detailed guide here.

In North Jordan

“In this village that wakes up to a view of Syria, Israel, Palestinian territories and Lebanon every day, a sense of peace prevails”

Anja Mutic for the Washington Post

North Jordan, oft unvisited by the average tourist, is the Mediterranean region of Jordan. Head North of Amman and you’ll exchange desert heat for dewier temperatures, palm trees for olive trees and crowded Petra for Roman ruins that feel like your own personal playground. In the North, prices are cheaper, local folk are friendlier and there’s an all round different feel. With views out to Syria and Lebanon, if you didn’t know better you’d assume you were in a different country compared to the South of Jordan.

9/ Ajloun

Lesser known Ajloun to the North of Jordan, is a great base to explore the top end of the country. A buzzing town with a market, there are acomodation options in the town itself. Alternatively, there are some great options out of town in the countryside if you have access to a car. The top three sites to visit in Ajloun are:

• The Castle: The Castle in Ajloun is an attraction that you can visit with your Jordan pass. An interesting site to explore, not least because (at least when we visited) you had to guide yourself around the castle by candlelight.
• The Jordan Trail walk: If you’re not able to do an entire stretch of the Jordan trail, but are still keen to see what it’s about, Ajloun has a great option. You can walk from nearby Rasoun to Ajloun Castle – more information here. It’s a tough walk physically with a lot of climbing, but some stunning views of Olive groves and other enjoyable scenery. It’s very well sign posted, but it doesn’t hurt to download the GPS guide from the Jordan Trail website.
• Ajloun Nature Reserve: For something a little more relaxing, you can take a self-guided 6km meander around the Ajloun Nature Reserve. More information can be found here.

10/ Jerash

Jerash, 30km to the North of Amman, is the perfect stop off for history enthusiasts. The centrepiece of this city is the archaeological park within which you’ll find a whole heap of Roman ruins. Visiting the ruins is included in your Jordan pass and you can truly spend hours exploring. There is so much to see, with two Amphitheatres, a Roman Road, temples and even a Hippodrome.

We also visited Lebanese House, a bit of a stalwart of Jerash, this restaurant has been here since 1977 and has hosted numerous famous guests. We were slightly put off by the tourist coaches parked outside, but we found the atmosphere to be far from gimmicky and the food to be excellent. Despite only stopping by for a few bites, we were soon lulled into having a delicious but far too generous meal.

11/ Umm Qais

What is unique about Umm Qais is the integration between community and tourist sites, it is clear that the guides are locals as are the staff working in the restaurants that surround the area. Locals take walks through the ruins, which gives the archaeological site a much more relaxed feeling than when visiting other sites in Jordan. There is nobody trying to sell you anything or get you to ride a horse, in stark contrast to Petra.

The other unique thing that we loved in Umm Qais, was lunch at The Rest House. Even if you have no interest in the history of Umm Qais, travel here just for the view overlooking the Sea of Galilee from this restaurant. If your wheels need greasing any more, take note – The Rest House sells wine and beer to accompany your meal. A rarity in Jordan. Make the trip to Umm Qais and you could enjoy an ice-cold glass of Jordan Valley chardonnay to wash down your mezze.

Although we did not have time to visit, we have heard very good things about Umm Qais guest house. Here you can also do a cooking class, which is part of a community development project in this area.

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Are you looking for more information on Jordan?

For information and guidance about travelling in Jordan, try these:

• Top Tips for travelling in Jordan
• Can I drink Alcohol in Jordan
• What should women wear in Jordan
• Best foods to eat in Jordan and where to find them
• Is it safe to drive in Jordan

For detailed information and guidance about the destinations referenced above, check out the below links:

• Is Aqaba worth visiting
• Where to stay in Wadi Rum
• How to spend 48 hours in Amman
• An idiot abroad visiting Petra
• Hiking the Jordan Trail from Dana to Petra
• Is Jordan a good stag or bucks destination?

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Most of our planning is done using other blogs, but you can’t beat a guide book at the bottom of your case. Find them here on Amazon.

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