It’s a place to explore nature and the rich multicultural history and to discover the stories behind the numerous ancient remains.
Indulge in self-care with a mud bath at the Dead Sea, and see the incredible Lost City of Petra (right out of ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’) — these are just some of the unique experiences to choose from when visiting Jordan.
Cities to visit in Jordan
Jordan’s modern and ancient cities have been settled for centuries and this is reflected in the depth of culture and tradition that informs modern life. Here are the cities and sites to see in this stark and beautiful country.
Amman
Amman is Jordan’s capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its most famous tourist destination is the Amman Citadel, at the very top of one of the highest hills. This ancient site dates back over 2,000 years and now overlooks the bustling modern metropolis with panoramic views across the city from the top of Jabal Al Qal’a.
Rainbow Street, in the historic district of Jabal Amman, is lined with trendy cafes, boutiques, and places to sample the delicious local cuisine. The King Abdullah I Mosque, Roman Amphitheater, and the modern art scene at Darat Al Funun provide a juxtaposition that epitomises the city.
See ancient ruins, explore current religious practices, and enjoy diverse contemporary art in a day in Amman.
Amman, Jordan by Erin Clifford
Jerash
Jerash is one of the largest and most well-preserved archaeological sites of Roman and Greek architecture, outside Italy. It’s only 50 minutes north of Amman and it’s well worth a visit to explore the Roman history here.
Archaeological evidence suggests that this area may have been inhabited as early as the Neolithic era, with peak power during the Roman period. By the third century AD Jerash was a thriving centre of trade, with up to 20,000 residents. The ancient city of Jerash originally had more than 1,000 columns, and there are 56 still standing today.
Landmarks to look for include the South Theatre, a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre for 3,000 spectators that is still functional today. The Arch of Hadrian, built in 129 AD and the Oval Forum, an impressive plaza in the shape of an oval rather than a square or rectangle are two other iconic landmarks to seek out.
Jerash, Jordan by Gary Hayes
Dana
The village of Dana is on the edge of the Wadi Dana, a large canyon with towering, orange cliffs, and views over Wadi Araba. Dana is a 15th-century stone village built by the Bedouins from Hebron, Palestine when they settled here during the Ottoman period. Today, Dana’s township is rustic and sleepy after the bustle of Amman.
The Dana Biosphere is Jordan’s largest nature reserve and home to hundreds of animals and plants. This national park is UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Several trails lead out from the town, with one or two tracks providing a glimpse into the nomadic Bedouin lifestyle, tending goat herds and conversing with passersby.
Madaba: city of mosaics
Mosaics in Madaba, Jordan by Pamela Frisari
Madaba is best known for the Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics that are thousands of years old. The most famous mosaic is inside Madaba’s Greek Orthodox Church of St George, a map of the Holy Land consisting of millions of pieces of vividly coloured stone depicting hills, valleys and villages of Jerusalem during the sixth century.
There are stunning mosaics all over the town inside different churches and sites.
Aqaba: by the Red Sea
Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city, on the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba. It’s Jordan’s only port city, with populations living here since 4000 BC. Now Aqaba is a popular resort location, with windsurfing, water sports and fascinating marine life that attracts scuba divers and tourists.
A midday or afternoon cruise through the port in a glass-bottomed boat provides glimpses of life below the ocean’s surface. Enjoy a delicious lunch and marvel at the beauty of this coastal city’s underwater world.
Petra: The Rose City
Petra, Jordan by Dennis Bunnik
The backdrop of famous films, from Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989 and more recently, the 2021 film Dune, Petra is an archaeological site that inspires the imagination.
Petra is Jordan’s most-visited tourist attraction and it’s easy to see why. This ancient city, 1500m above sea level, was the centre of an Arab kingdom in Hellenistic and Roman times. This archaeological site shows how ancient Eastern traditions blended with Hellenistic architecture.
Explore the famous landmarks like the Treasury, an ancient temple familiar from many film sets; Ad-Dyr, an iconic monastery carved into stone in 3 BC and Al-Siq, a narrow walkway through rock walls. Petra is truly one of the highlights of a trip to Jordan.
Entering Petra, Jordan by Dennis Bunnik
What else to see in Jordan
Leaving the cities behind, the protected wilderness of Wadi Rum offers breathtaking scenery and the opportunity to experience the wild beauty of Jordan’s desert.
Wadi Rum
The best way to experience Wadi Rum is by taking a 4WD tour to see the towering, rose-coloured dunes and natural rock formations of the ‘Valley of the Moon’, as Wadi Rum is known. Around the rocky caverns and steep traverses are prehistoric inscriptions and carvings.
The dramatic sandstone mountains provide a remarkable backdrop at sunset, and it’s well worth camping overnight to see the stars sparkling in the unpolluted desert skies above, after the golden sunset.
4WD tour in Wadi Rum, Jordan by Bailey Bunnik
Best time to travel to Egypt and Jordan
The best time to travel to Egypt and Jordan is from February to May or September to early November. The spring and the autumn have the most temperate weather and allow maximum enjoyment, with sunshine during the day and cool evenings,
How to get around Jordan
Getting around Jordan means finding the transport that connects each city and sight conveniently, allowing a seamless experience of the country. The extensive road network is well-maintained, making buses, taxis and rental cars practical options.
Public transport in Jordan tends not to follow a schedule, with vehicles leaving once they reach capacity. Away from the capital of Amman, signs might be in Arabic, with no English translation. Planes fly between Amman and Aqaba, but not every location has an airport.
For a hassle-free experience, a guided small group tour of Jordan connects a spacious private coach to other modes of transportation like planes, boats, 4WDs and sailboats. There is plenty of space to stretch out on a full-size bus and an expert local guide will explain the sights along the way. This is by far the most recommended way to discover Jordan.
How to get to Jordan
International flights to Jordan land in Amman. Combining a trip to Jordan with Egypt makes a long journey well worth it — it’s an opportunity to see the world’s oldest civilisations and experience the Middle East’s rich culture.
What language is spoken in Jordan?
Arabic is the official language in Jordan and is spoken widely. English is the most common foreign language, due to British colonisation in 1946, and there is a small French-speaking population.
Jordan’s culture
Vibrant culture in Jordan by Deborah Smith
Jordan is the country at the intersection of three continents that comprised the ancient world. Arabic and Islamic influences dominate, with traditional music and clothing, cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Muslim holidays include Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, First of Muharram and Mawlid An-Nabawi.
Today Jordan is predominantly Arab, with over 95% of the population belonging to this ethnic group. There are also a small number of Circassian, Chechen and Armenian citizens. The most common religion is Sunni Islam, with Christianity, Druze, and Baha’i forming a minority. Friday and Saturday are considered the ‘weekend’ and Sunday is the first day of the working week.
Family and hospitality are central values of the Jordanian people, with major holiday celebrations offering a chance to come together. Extended families often share a home and visitors are welcomed with open arms.
Jordan also boasts a vibrant pop music scene, influenced by Egyptian, Lebanese and Gulf music, with singers achieving national and international success.
Jordan’s cuisine
Spices in Petra, Jordan by Priscilla Aster
Like many cultures, food brings people together in Jordan. Cuisine varies from slow-cooked Bedouin feasts to on-the-go snacks grabbed at street vendors in Amman.
Different dishes blend Arabic, Mediterranean, North African and Persian influences, such as tabbouleh, falafel, hummus and baklava. Here’s a taste of what to eat in Jordan.
Mansaf: national dish of Jordan
One traditional dish to try is ‘mansaf’. This dish is made for special occasions and celebrations, combining chunks of tender lamb with yoghurt sauce, pine nuts and herbs. It’s served with rice and ‘kishk’, a dough made of flour, yoghurt and salt.
The preparation of ‘mansaf’ is ceremonial and specific. A layer of paper-thin shrak bread forms the base, piled with golden rice flavoured with jameed and yoghurt sauce, topped with boiled lamb and garnished with toasted pine nuts and laban jameed sauce.
For auspicious occasions, the dish may be crowned with a whole sheep’s head to demonstrate the freshness of the meat inside. ‘Mansaf’ is eaten from a communal platter using the right hand and embodies Jordan’s social codes of equality, generosity and compassion.
Zarb: the Bedouin barbeque
Zarb is a meal prepared by cooking meat, usually goat, lamb or chicken, slowly over low heat from smouldering coals buried in the earth. It’s often prepared during the rest period in the heat of the day, then left for hours to develop the smoky and tender flavours of the meat and vegetables.
This one-pot dinner is full of flavour and fits neatly into the Bedouin lifestyle. Preparing the meal early in the day frees up precious sunset hours to shepherd grazing livestock home, before enjoying a convenient, nutritious one-pot meal at the end of the day.
Appetisers and desserts
Appetisers to try in Jordan include hummus, ful medames, baba ganuj served with pita bread and locally grown olives.
Aqaba is the perfect city to take a cooking class to learn the traditional process for making Hooh in a family-like atmosphere. This local dessert consists of several layers of dough, interspersed with nuts, butter, honey, condensed milk, molasses or cream.
Why visit Jordan?
Jordan is a small country in the Middle East where ancient and modern cultures converge. This fascinating and diverse country provides a window into ancient times and customs and offers spectacular natural beauty alongside must-see ancient ruins. Visitors can enjoy Dead Sea pampering, and see numerous holy sites. The diverse blend of new and old cultures provides a melting pot for art, music and new experiences.
Experience Jordan up-close-up: travel to the fascinating heart of the Middle East
For a safe, seamless and enlightening experience in Jordan, a small group tour with Bunnik Tours is a clear choice for first-time or experienced travellers. Tick off a bucket-list item by visiting Petra, seeing the ancient Roman ruins of Amman and camping under the stars at Wadi Rum. Why wait? Start planning a trip to Jordan with Bunnik Tours this year.