Jordan is a wonderful travel destination in the Middle East. It has a nice mix of nature and culture and it is also a country with a long history. Cultural destinations include: Jerash, Madaba, Mount Nebo and of course Petra. In this article I take you along 8 special places and must-sees in Jordan. Currently (end of 2024) the country is rarely visited due to the conflict between Israel en Gaza. There was no sign of this conflict in Jordan during our visit. As always, this country is a beacon of peace in a troubled region.
Also read: Jordan from the air with a drone (and how it got me in trouble)
Be enchanted by a fairytale world during a holiday in Jordan. From the beautiful, mysterious and deserted Wadi Rum desert to the Magnificent desert city of Petra.
But also the lively center of Amman, majestic ruins and the impressive underwater world of the Red Sea.
- Unique destination
- Beautiful nature and culture
- Very affordable
- Individually or with a group
1. Jerash
The ruin complex Jerash is known for its Roman excavations, some of which are well preserved. There are churches, city gates, cathedrals, theaters and a horse racing track. In between there are some souvenir stalls whose sellers remain very friendly even if you don't want to buy anything from them.
2.Madaba
Madaba is known for its mosaics. The oldest and best-known mosaic is one of a map of the region from the 6th century. Personally, we find other mosaics just as impressive as this one, but most people come to Madaba specifically for this one. Furthermore, Madaba has something you will find in few Jordanian cities, namely a small and attractive center with many souvenir shops and terraces.
3. Mount Nebo
Mount Nebo is the place where Mozes looked out on the promised land. Moses climbed this mountain at the end of his life Holy Land to be able to see. When he stood on top the Lord granted him that view too. After seeing the promised land, Moses died. At the viewpoint there is a church and the cross on which Jesus hangs. From here you have a view of the surroundings and you can even see the Dead Sea seen in the distance.
4. Petra
Petra is the most famous and largest tourist attractions in Jordan. Normally about 1500 to 5000 people visit Petra every day, depending on the season. At the time we were there, only a few hundred left.
About Petra
Petra is an ancient and unique city created by a relatively unknown people; The Nabataeans. Centuries ago they built a city hidden in the mountains. There they carved a unique city with houses, tombs and temples from the red and orange rocks. They were inspired by the Greek, Roman and Egyptian architectural styles. Because the Nabataeans also constructed an ingenious water system, the city was able to flourish for a long time in a remote location. Ultimately the city was ranked 8th century abandoned after major earthquakes.
The function
To this day, there is no agreement about what Petra's function was. One says it was a holy city where the most important inhabitants were buried. The other says it functioned as a prosperous trading center. The fact is that it is now on the list of 7 modern wonders of the world. In 1812 the city was rediscovered by a Swiss and from then on it has become a tourist attraction. By the way, only 20% of the ancient city has been discovered to date.
Also read: Top 10 tips for bucket list destination Petra in Jordan
Little petra
Where Petra is the large complex with monasteries, temples, tombs, the remains of the church, the theater and the treasury, Little petra in her shadow. We don't think a visit to Petra is complete without a visit to Little Petra. This complex is much smaller than the large Petra and therefore less impressive.
What we also really enjoyed during our visit to Petra and Little Petra are the beautiful structures in the sandstone formations that you find everywhere.
5. Of course Jordan
Wadi Numeira
In terms of nature, Jordan is diverse; from wadis and the Dead Sea to deserts. Despite their shared name wadi, the comparison ends there. The first wadi we visited was Wadi Numeira. A beautiful slot canyon, a gorge with high vertical walls that are very close together.
Wadi Bin Hammad
The next wadi we visited was Wadi Bin Hammad. This gorge is initially wide and beautifully vegetated. After this it changes into a narrower gorge with striking shades of green and orange and dripping walls. You can easily visit both gorges independently and without a guide.
Wadi Ghuweir
The gap that impressed us the most is Wadi Ghuweir. It consists of three parts; the red canyon, then the wet and green part and finally the black canyon. We enjoyed what we saw, but we also regularly faced challenges. We regularly had to overcome obstacles, jump from great heights or wade through deeper stretches of water, but it was absolutely worth it. How we enjoyed what we saw here!
We needed 2 attempts for this wadi. The first time could not take place due to the bad weather. If you walk through a gorge during or just after (heavy) rainfall, 'flashfloods' can occur. A flashflood is a sudden flood in which the water level rises extremely quickly. The water turns into a raging, swirling stream that sweeps away everything in its path. The speed and force of the water often leaves little time to escape, meaning people and objects can easily be swept away by the current. This can lead to (serious) injury, but in the worst case to death. No matter how beautiful the location is, nothing is really worth such a risk.
With guide
We did this excursion led by a guide and highly recommend it. He knows the area well, knows how to approach certain obstacles and knows where there are additional risks on the route. He can also offer you a helping hand if necessary. It is always a surprise for the guide how he will find the canyon. Sometimes the water is much higher or lower than at other times or certain boulders have shifted due to the force of the water. Because you often walk through the water, water shoes are absolutely recommended.
6. The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is also one of Jordan's famous tourist attractions. It is the lowest point on Earth and is 430 meters below sea level. In 40 to 50 years, the sea will probably dry up completely, because there will not be enough fresh water. This means that the water that is still there becomes increasingly salty, meaning it will evaporate more quickly due to the heat. In the area you will find several viewpoints where the blue sea, with the white deposits of salt on the edges, can be clearly seen. A beautiful sight to see, especially when the sun illuminates the colors of the water even more.
To conduct
The Dead Sea is known for making you float in it. All tourists want to try that out, and of course we do too! It seems to have a healing effect if you rub yourself completely with the dark clay mud beforehand. We did this and then we walked quietly into the water, wearing water shoes. The water shoes are definitely necessary because of the sharp salt crystals. When we slowly lowered ourselves back, we immediately felt that we were heading towards the surface again and therefore floated without difficulty. In the evening we turned out to have very soft skin indeed!
7.Aqaba
Aqaba is a tourist attraction where the seaside resorts are usually packed during the peak season. However, early in the season and because of the conflict, it is now very quiet. We actually think that's a shame, because it creates a completely different atmosphere. Most tourists visit Aqaba for its underwater world. Here you can snorkel, dive, enjoy the sun, the sea and the beach, in other words; relax.
8. Wadi Rum
An attraction that you should definitely not miss during your trip Wadi Rum. When you think of a desert you quickly think of large expanses of land with lots of sand. Wadi Rum is quite different. The sand is certainly there, in many different colors, but there are also many (gigantic) sandstone rocks in the landscape.
You can explore the landscape in a jeep during an excursion. You will be taken to the most beautiful places and you can enjoy the landscape that passes you by in the open truck. You often spend the night in the desert and if you are lucky you will get to see a beautiful starry sky in the evening as a bonus.
Also read: Bucket List Destination: Jordan's Wadi Rum Desert
Closing comments
Jordan is a beautifully versatile country in terms of both nature and culture. From the ancient ruins of Jerash to the heights of Mount Nebo, from the red rocks of Petra to the waters of the Dead Sea. It is not only a journey through beautiful landscape but also a country with a rich culture and history. Moreover, the people are friendly and the food is delicious. This journey will stay with us for a long time. Are you going to discover beautiful Jordan yourself?
Be enchanted by a fairytale world during a holiday in Jordan. From the beautiful, mysterious and deserted Wadi Rum desert to the Magnificent desert city of Petra.
But also the lively center of Amman, majestic ruins and the impressive underwater world of the Red Sea.
- Unique destination
- Beautiful nature and culture
- Very affordable
- Individually or with a group
