Come for the ancient history, stay for swims in the Dead Sea.
The country of Jordan isonly about the size of Indiana — but boy , does it take a punch . Home to some of the well - preserved ruin on the satellite and one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern World , it brims withbucket list itemsand unexpected experience likewise : you could magically be adrift in the lowest place on Earth , embark on thrilling desert Jeep safaris , and snorkel breather above a sunken airplane .
For anyone who has n’t yet made it to the Middle East — a seriously underrated part of the world — Jordan is a fabulous place to startle . Not only will you find the food , music , culture , and customs the region is celebrated for , but quotation cards are widely accepted , apps like Airbnb and Uber work well , and skillful infrastructure and transportation make it well-heeled to explore .
My first trip to Jordan was in 2016 when I spent two hebdomad solo adventuring around the country . I hang out with masses I meet onCouchsurfing , hitched rides in share taxis with local anesthetic , gorged on some of the good street falafel I ’ve ever had in my living , and learned many of the tips and tricks that most first - time visitors rarely experience .
Chances are you’ve laid eyes on Petra—but that’s just one wonder that awaits in Jordan.|Truba7113/Shutterstock
I loved the land so much that I set about leadingsmall mathematical group tours to Jordanin 2019 so I could help other travelers go beyond the guidebook and have unequalled experiences with the extraordinarily welcoming residents of what chop-chop became one of my favorite nation . As of April 2022 , I ’m tickle pink to report that the borders are open , everything is up and running , and now is THEtime to visit since the crowds are still small . Here ’s how to design your first trip .
What to know before arriving in Jordan
AsJordan is extremely safeand is consistently range as one of the safest body politic in the world , women , LGBTQ+ , and solo traveler can also feel secure explore on their own . It ’s worth noting , however , that even though Jordan might be the most reformist country in the Middle East , public displays of affection ( in particular among same - sexuality couples ) is frowned upon and fair sex should keep off wearing excessively forgetful , tight , or reveal wear .
On the distinction of COVID-19 , Jordan has been enjoying very grim infection and hospital care charge per unit , and traveller do not need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test upon comer and the country recently move up indoor masking requirement .
That said , all visitant to Jordan must fill out theTravel Declaration Form , which takes about three minutes to fill out , before their flight . After filling it out , you ’ll receive a QR codification by electronic mail , which you ’ll require to show air hose stave before boarding your flight and again when you arrive in Jordan .
Petra dates back to 300 B.C.|silky/Shutterstock
traveler visiting for more than a few Clarence Day ( which is highly recommend since there ’s so much to do ) should consider buying aJordan Pass . Jordan requires a visa , which is include in the Jordan Pass , so buy the crack simplifies the drome arrival process .
It also includes entrance fee to all the country ’s popular attractiveness , so buy the pass is typically much cheaper , well-off , and quicker than pay separate admittance fees at each site . let in attractions rate from small museums and archaeologic sites to vast castles and the state ’s top attraction , Petra ( there are several version of the straits bet on how many days you need to spend in Petra alone ) .
Make time for the capital city of Amman
The huge majority of flights into Jordan arrive at Queen Alia International Airport inAmman , so this is where most people begin their journeying . Instead of like a shot leaving townsfolk to start ensure items off your bucket listing , consider spending a couple days explore the capital city while you get over your jetlag .
Sitting high above Jebel Al Qala’a , Amman ’s high mound , is the stunningAmman Citadelarchitectural site , which has been occupy by humans since the Bronze Age . Take in the ancient synagogue , castle , and on - site archeological museum , then saunter around the surrounding downtown surface area , which is the best place to discover food markets and teatime and spice shops .
In the evening , capitulum to the female - run preparation schoolBeit Sitti , where you’re able to learn to make traditional Jordanian dish like baba ganouj and maqluba , an upside - down poulet and Elmer Leopold Rice dish ( Beit Setti also ready a vegetarian version ) .
Begin your ancient history lesson at Jebel Al Qala’a.|Cristi Croitoru/Shutterstock
Float like a feather and pamper yourself with a mud treatment in the Dead Sea
The blue place on Earth is n’t some large , bare hole — it ’s the coolheaded , clear waters of theDead Sea . Since the uttermost saltiness of the water prevents any fish or plants from surviving in the sea , this is not a full place for snorkel diving or scuba diving , so exit your gear at home .
However , the high salt does the water slow , realise your consistence lighter and causing you to blow along with repose . Have you ever visit a moving picture of someone reading a newspaper while floating in the H2O , as though there were an invisible recliner under them ? Well , the Dead Sea is where you may do just that .
Just an time of day Occident of Amman , you’re able to easily claver the Dead Sea on a day tripper . But if you ’re in the mode to be pampered with a Dead Sea clay treatment or enliven saltiness massage , consider overnighting atone of the waterfront resorts and watering place .
How we wish that were us right now.|MstudioG/Shutterstock
Visit some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world
About 90 mo northerly of Amman is Jerash , thebest - preserved example of a Greco - Roman provincial metropolis in the integral Middle East . Sometimes referred to as the “ Pompeii of the Middle East , ” this is a massive ingathering of brow temples , soaring pillars , ancient bathroom , mall , shops , and amphitheater that require at least a few 60 minutes to explore . The site is also home to one of the old unbroken chains of human moving in , dating back over 6,500 years .
While you ’re in the Frederick North , head 30 minutes west of Jerash toAjloun Castle , which was in the beginning built to guard off Crusader armies and then served as a key trade and pilgrim’s journey Cartesian product between Mecca , Jerusalem , Cairo , and Damascus . For a quick raciness to eat up in Ajloun , swing bySummaga Café , a female - run farm - to - mesa eating house that creates employment chance for women in the region and sources organic green groceries from 25 local farms .
Go on a wild ride in the Wadi Rum Desert
It ’s very potential that you ’ve seen Jordan ’s famousWadi RumDesert on the enceinte concealment without even take in it . The out - of - this - world , Martian - like landscape has appeared in unnumberable blockbuster movies includingDune , Star Wars , Aladdin , andThe Martian , and the thoroughgoing way to explore the desert is through a Jeep spell lead by local Bedouin guides .
On 4x4 jeep , you ’ll power through the endless sands past reverence - inspire cliffsides , travel along in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia . Within this UNESCO World Heritage Site , Jeeps stop frequently so you could climb the dunes , scramble across careen bridges , strike rock inscriptions and narrow gorges , and pose for selfies with impossibly photogenic camel .
Snorkel above sunken airplanes in the Red Sea
The Dead Sea might be the most notable sea in Jordan , but it definitely is n’t the only one deserving visiting . Jordan ’s part of the super piquant Red Sea is site inAqaba , about an hour sou'-west of Wadi Rum . As one of the spicy region in the country , it ’s the perfect piazza to relax on the beach and swim , snorkel , or scuba plunge to escape the extreme hotness that generally tops 90 degrees by April .
Scuba plunger will be treated to countless eel - occupied ship wrecks and coral Witwatersrand , but even snorkelers can watch the recessed airplane at theHercules dive web site . However you get out in the water , you ’re sure to run across a huge mixture of brightly - discolor fish darting past tense .
Explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World
By far , Petrais the most pop attraction in Jordan . It ’s so brilliant that some traveller even visit during a ( very long ! ) twenty-four hour period trip-up from neighboring Israel and Egypt . Given how much there is to see and do in Jordan , a mean solar day trip just does n’t do the country — or Petra — justice but the fact that so many traveler are unforced to expend 10 hours on a bus just to have a few hour in the ancient crimson rose metropolis speaks to how truly breathtaking it is .
Enter through theSiq(Petra ’s main incoming ) , which guides you through a narrow , ¾-mile gorge to the majesticTreasury , made world - famous by Indian Jones movies . More adventuresome traveler may want to hike in through Petra ’s “ back door ” , which offer impressive views of hang glide canyons , tree - topped heap , and deep valleys before arriving at the Monastery .
The Treasury and Monastery are the two most impressive buildings in Petra ( organize to walk at least seven or eight Roman mile to visit both ) but one could easily spend several Clarence Day exploring the lesser - known remnants of this Nabatean masterpiece .
All roads lead to Rome…except this one, which leads to Jerash.|Kristof Bellens/Shutterstock
As if things couldn’t get more romantic, this part of the desert is called The Valley of The Moon.|kamnacestach/Shutterstock
Ping pong between sea and sand.|Boris-B/Shutterstock
Ad Deir is just one of Petra’s many ancient sites.|tenkl/Shutterstock
