Things to Do in Jordan

Visit Jordan: Home to the Holy Land!

Jordan's stunning Mount Nebo overlooks the famous pilgrimage destination called the Holy Land. It is also a great place for history buffs who want all things ancient and fascinating. It also has plenty to offer those seeking adventure. Any traveller will find enough to enjoy in this country, whether for an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride or a physically demanding experience to remote locations.

However, travelling to Jordan is no more dangerous than travelling anywhere else on the globe these days. The best way to secure your trip is with International travel insurance for Jordan so that you’re stress-free and safe from troubles.

Jordan Travel Facts

Every year, over four million tourists visit the nation, drawn by its vast desert panoramas, welcoming cities, and the magnificent Dead Sea. Here are some of Jordan's most popular tourist sites and things you can do here. Here are some essential facts about Jordan:

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As you prepare for your trip to Jordan, make sure to get all your passport, visa and trip insurance documentation in order. When travelling to a new country, one important thing that needs to be remembered is travel insurance. While visiting such a faraway place like Jordan, it is indeed a necessity to be insured from any unexpected situations.

Best Things to Do in Jordan

You can do many memorable things in Jordan, which will definitely leave a lasting impression. You can pick them as per the number of days you are planning to stay in Jordan:

• Go Snorkelling or Scuba Diving in the Red Sea - Jordan's Red Sea shoreline is only approximately 17 miles long, yet those 17 miles offer some of the best diving and snorkelling in the region. This ocean area is recognised for its vast, colourful coral reefs, which attract various colourful fish and other marine life. There are even a few wrecks dives in the region, including an American M42 Duster tank sunk to the seafloor.
• Explore Petra - More than 200 years ago, since Jean Louis Burckhardt rediscovered this city, this destination has stunned modern-day visitors as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
  It's a choose-your-own-adventure for things to do in Petra after the Siq and the Treasury. On the Street of Facades, see dozens of tombs and residences, ascend steep stairs for a spectacular view at the High Place of Sacrifice, be amazed at the Theater, and wander through the majestic Colonnaded Street.
• A Photo Session in Wadi Rum - Wadi Rum is a spectacular red desert environment with numerous rock formations frequently appearing on the big screen, most notably as the romantic backdrop to David Lean's epic Lawrence of Arabia. Due to the vivid red sands, it is also a favourite location for filmmakers to recreate the surface of Mars.
  Sunsets are very colourful here and are best enjoyed after an off-road trip through the desert and a night spent as a tenant of semi-nomadic Bedouins in black tents.
• Time Travel to the Ruins of Jerash - Nothing compares to viewing the remains of Jerash for a sense of time travel. It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities globally, with breathtaking sights ranging from collonaded streets and temples to a vast sports arena that once held 15,000 people.
  If that needed to be more impressive, wait until you head to the Hippodrome, a sports field built around the second century, used to stage chariot races for thousands of spectators. Daily re-enactments with warring gladiators and chariots racing laps bring the ancient sport back to life.
• Have a Beach Holiday at Aqaba - This one is for those wanting a beach holiday in the Middle East because when it's hot and dry. Aqaba, a seaside resort on Jordan's southern edge, offers visitors vacations along the Red Sea's magnificent shoreline.
  Visitors can float, swim, snorkel, or dive right from Aqaba. They can also take a daily cruise on the turquoise water, which local hotels offer. A dip in one of the gorgeous hammams around the resort town will enhance every traveller's beach trip in Jordan.
• Explore Amman's Roman Ruins - If you don’t have time, visit Petra to see Jordan's unique archaeological monuments, Amman. Jordan’s capital (where you'll most likely arrive from abroad) is home to several fascinating ruins, many of which are within walking distance.
  Tourists can also visit the nearby Nymphaeum, a Roman fountain erected about the same time as the theatre and the Odeon, a smaller 500-seat theatre.
  After visiting the ruins, tour modern-day Amman's lively culture on Rainbow Street, the renowned promenade features cosy cafés and a souvenir shop.
• Visit the Dana Nature Reserve - This broad swath of cut valleys and rock-ribbed hills, scrub-dressed slopes, and chiselled peaks capped with crumbling rocks is not only Jordan's largest protected area but also offers a glimpse into the centuries-old lifestyles of the Middle Eastern immigrants. It's excellent for outdoor adventurers.
• Stay in a Bedouin Camp for the Night - The desert can be hot and dusty during the day, but it cools down at night, with millions of stars visible overhead. Guests at the Bedouin camp are treated to a traditional supper and captivated by local traditions and stories about the desert and its inhabitants. When they're ready to call it a night, individual tents will be prepared to ensure a comfortable night's sleep.
• Float in the Dead Sea - The Dead Sea is genuinely salty, and one can float around to the heart's content. Make a reservation at a hotel immediately on the beach to take a daily dip. The mud near the Dead Sea is believed to be very therapeutic and relieves back and other chronic aches. The minerals in the Dead Sea offer medicinal properties, and many people visit them for health reasons. Take advantage of the spas that use the Dead Sea's curative waters to provide a luxurious vacation. People have been known to lie on their backs in the Dead Sea reading a newspaper, and it's true!
• Wadi Mujib Canyoning - From a rappel down a waterfall into fast-flowing water, canyoning in Jordan is a tremendous experience. Tourists can swim in pools, slide down natural waterslides, and slide through small gorges while wearing a PFD (life jacket). It is a fantastic way to beat the heat and start on vacation.
• Hike Through the enthralling Dana Reserve - It's beautiful to see Jordan taking steps to safeguard its natural wonders, the most beautiful of which is the Dana Biosphere Reserve. This terrain of deep valleys and Desert Mountains is ideal for getting off the beaten path in Jordan, and with ecolodge trees strewn about, hiking here for a few days is more than conceivable and more than exceptional.
• Go on a Road Trip along The King's Highway - This has to be one of the top things to do in Jordan since the vistas are breathtaking from beginning to end! Travellers will also get to see the spectacular Crusader Castles of Karak and Shobak as part of this day excursion and receive a fair share of insta-worthy moments!

Things to Do in Jordan for Foodies

While most visitors come to Jordan with Petra at the top of their list, spending a few days in the cosmopolitan metropolis of Amman is a fantastic idea. There's much more to this city than cafe-hopping down Rainbow Street for the creamiest hummus one has ever had or developing a cardamom-spiced coffee addiction; it's a foodie’s paradise.

• Visit the Souqs and Tourist Attractions - Downtown Amman is the place to be if one wants to be immersed in all of their senses. The profusion of exotic spices and colours on show at the souks will thrill any foodie (markets of indoor and outdoor stalls). They're alive with energy, with vendors vying for attention to sell their wares. All of the vegetables, as well as the majority of the fruit, are cultivated in Jordan.
• Start the day with a Typical Jordanian Breakfast - Eating what the locals eat for breakfast, full medames is the fastest way to feel like assimilating in Jordanian culture. You can order it at most Middle Eastern eateries. Still, most buffets will feature a copper contraption complete with warm fava beans beside a variety of toppings so you can customise meals too.
• Take a bite out of Amman's Unique Culinary Heritage - Forget about the dips bought at the grocery or tasted in a decent restaurant. Amman's hummus is quite impressive: rich, creamy, and faintly smoky chickpea nirvana. Try it warm to kick it up a notch: The Jafra Café's Hummus Fatteh is a velvety, comfort-food hummus fantasy.
• Is it Better to Drink Coffee or (Mint) tea? - Accepting a hot drink is a primary Bedouin practice indicating hospitality and gratitude. Amman's traditional coffee is thick, robust, bitter, and cardamom-flavoured. Sufra Restaurant has one of the smoothest tea served with rose Turkish delight biscuit sandwiches to complete the package.
• Take a Meal with the Locals - Eating at traditional eateries frequented by the locals is a great way to get away from the beaten path and feel the heart of Jordan. Mansaf is the national cuisine, a big platter of tender beef smeared in yoghurt and garnished with fried pine nuts and fresh cilantro. Mansaf is meant to be shared, so dig in and eat it traditionally - by rolling the rice into beignets.

Planning for Jordan Itinerary

With so many things to do in Jordan, it can get confusing to plan your itinerary. Jordan’s excellent infrastructure and welcoming people enhance the beauty of the country. Jordan can be visited in a few days and combined with a trip to surrounding countries or explored for two weeks or more. 5-7 days are ideal for visiting Jordan’s best places. However, if you have a bigger budget and more time, spend at least ten days to have a memorable time without any rush.