Jordan · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Jordan
These are the places worth your time in Jordan, from the hills of Amman and the rose red city of Petra to the sands of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea shore and the reefs of Aqaba. Classics sit beside quiet corners many visitors miss, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Amman
Arts and Culture
- Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a)
The Temple of Hercules and Umayyad Palace sit high above downtown with the best views over the old city. - Roman Theatre (Downtown)
A six thousand seat theatre carved into the hillside, with two small folklore museums tucked into its wings. - The Jordan Museum (Ras al-Ain)
The clearest introduction to the country, home to some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ancient Ain Ghazal statues. - Darat al Funun (Jabal al-Weibdeh)
Contemporary Arab art in restored historic houses with a garden and ancient church ruins. - Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts (Jabal al-Weibdeh)
A broad collection of modern art from Jordan, the Arab world and beyond.
Restaurants
- Hashem Restaurant (Downtown)
A legendary open air spot for falafel, hummus and foul, eaten at shared tables in a downtown alley. - Habibah Sweets (Downtown)
The downtown kiosk where queues form all day for warm, cheesy kunafa. - Sufra (Rainbow Street)
Traditional Jordanian dishes, including mansaf and maqluba, in an old villa on Rainbow Street. - Fakhr El-Din (Jabal Amman)
Refined Levantine dining in a 1950s house with a garden terrace, a classic for special evenings. - Reem Al Bawadi (Tla'a al-Ali)
A big, lively family restaurant serving grills and mezze in a Bedouin tent style setting. - Al Quds Restaurant (Downtown)
An old downtown institution known for mansaf and for its bakery of sweet and savoury pastries.
Cafés
- Wild Jordan Center (Jabal Amman)
The nature reserve organisation's café and shop, with sweeping views and healthy food. - Jafra Café (Downtown)
A busy old style café with shisha, music and Arabic coffee in a downtown building. - Books@Café (Jabal Amman)
A long running bookshop café with a rooftop, popular with students and creatives.
Things to Do
- Rainbow Street (Jabal Amman)
Amman's best known walking street of cafés, shops and old houses, busiest on a Friday evening. - Walk Jabal al-Weibdeh (Jabal al-Weibdeh)
Quiet stone streets, galleries and small cafés in one of the oldest residential hills. - King Abdullah I Mosque (Abdali)
The blue domed mosque welcomes visitors outside prayer times and has a small museum. - Beit Sitti (Jabal al-Weibdeh)
A home cooking school where you learn to make classic dishes with local women. - The Royal Automobile Museum (Al Hussein Park)
A collection of royal cars and motorbikes that tells the country's modern story. - Children's Museum Jordan (Al Hussein Park)
Hands on science and play galleries for families with young children.
Shopping and Markets
- Souk Jara (Jabal Amman)
A summer Friday market of crafts, food and music around Fawzi al-Malouf Street. - Downtown Souq (Downtown)
The gold, spice and vegetable markets around the Grand Husseini Mosque are Amman's busiest bargain streets. - Jordan River Foundation Showroom (Jabal Amman)
Handmade embroidery, rugs and homewares made by women's projects across the country. - Abdali Boulevard (Abdali)
A modern pedestrian street of shops and restaurants next to the new city centre.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ajloun Forest Reserve (Ajloun)
Oak and pistachio woodland with marked trails and cabins, an easy escape north of the city.
Events
- Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts (Jerash)
The summer festival brings concerts and folklore to the ancient theatres of Jerash.
Stays
- Amman Rotana (Abdali)
A modern high rise hotel with skyline views beside Abdali Boulevard.
Places to Visit in Petra
Arts and Culture
- Petra Archaeological Park (Wadi Musa)
The rose red Nabataean city of tombs and temples, one of the great sights of the world. - Petra Museum (Visitor Centre)
A modern museum at the entrance that explains the Nabataeans before you walk in.
Things to Do
- The Treasury (Al Khazneh) (Petra)
The carved facade at the end of the Siq is the moment every visitor remembers. - The Monastery (Ad Deir) (Petra)
A climb of about eight hundred steps leads to the largest monument in Petra and wide mountain views. - High Place of Sacrifice trail (Petra)
A quieter climb to an ancient altar with views over the whole ancient city. - Al Khubtha Trail (Petra)
The trail that rewards walkers with a view down onto the Treasury from above. - Petra by Night (Petra)
The Siq and Treasury lit by hundreds of candles on set evenings of the week. - Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) (Beidha)
A small free site with carved rooms and a painted ceiling, just north of Wadi Musa.
Restaurants
- Petra Kitchen (Wadi Musa)
An evening cooking class where you make and then eat a full Jordanian meal. - Red Cave Restaurant (Wadi Musa)
A simple, friendly place for mansaf and maqluba near the main road.
Bars and Nightlife
- Cave Bar (Petra Guest House)
A bar set inside a two thousand year old Nabataean tomb next to the park gate.
Nature and Outdoors
- Dana Biosphere Reserve trail to Feynan (Dana)
A beautiful walk down a wild valley from Dana village to the lantern lit Feynan Ecolodge.
Stays
- Mövenpick Resort Petra (Wadi Musa)
The closest big hotel to the park gate, with a rooftop terrace. - Petra Guest House Hotel (Wadi Musa)
Unbeatable location at the entrance, with the famous Cave Bar. - Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp (Little Petra)
Simple tents by the rocks near Little Petra, good for stargazing. - Feynan Ecolodge (Wadi Feynan)
A candle lit desert lodge run with the local community, reached on foot or by local transfer.
Places to Visit in Dana
Stays
- Dana Guest House (Dana Village)
Simple rooms on the edge of the Dana valley with dramatic sunrise views.
Places to Visit in Wadi Rum
Nature and Outdoors
- Wadi Rum Protected Area (Rum Village)
Red sand, towering sandstone and the deep silence of the Valley of the Moon. - Burdah Rock Bridge (Wadi Rum)
The highest natural arch in the desert, reached with a guided scramble. - Um Fruth Rock Bridge (Wadi Rum)
A small arch that is easy to climb and great for photos. - Red sand dunes (Wadi Rum)
Climb barefoot and roll down the soft red dunes.
Things to Do
- Jeep tour with a local Bedouin guide (Rum Village)
A day or half day drive to dunes, rock bridges and inscriptions with local guides. - Camel trek at sunset (Rum Village)
Slow, quiet and memorable as the rocks glow at the end of the day.
Arts and Culture
- Khazali Canyon (Wadi Rum)
A narrow canyon carved with ancient Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions. - Lawrence's Spring (Wadi Rum)
A small spring linked to T. E. Lawrence, with views over the valley. - Wadi Rum Visitor Centre (Wadi Rum)
Where you pay entry, meet guides and see the Seven Pillars of Wisdom rock.
Stays
- Sun City Camp (Wadi Rum)
Bubble style tents with skylights for stargazing from bed. - Memories Aicha Luxury Camp (Wadi Rum)
Comfortable domes with views of the rocks and a calm atmosphere.
Restaurants
- Zarb dinner at your camp (Wadi Rum)
Chicken and vegetables slow cooked under the sand, the classic desert supper.
Events
- Stargazing night (Wadi Rum)
Clear desert skies show the Milky Way on moonless nights.
Places to Visit in Dead Sea
Nature and Outdoors
- Amman Beach (Sweimeh)
The public beach with showers and pools, a simple way to float without a resort. - Wadi Mujib Siq Trail (Mujib)
A wet canyon walk through water and waterfalls, open in the warmer months. - Hammamat Ma'in (Ma'in)
Hot springs and waterfalls in a gorge above the sea.
Stays
- Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea (Sweimeh)
A grand resort of pools stepping down to the shore. - Mövenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea (Sweimeh)
A village style resort with a large spa and private beach. - Dead Sea Marriott Resort and Spa (Sweimeh)
Family friendly pools, a water park and beach access. - Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa (Sweimeh)
A newer resort near the shore with calm pools.
Arts and Culture
- Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Baptism Site) (Al Maghtas)
The UNESCO listed site on the Jordan River where Jesus is believed to have been baptised. - Dead Sea Panorama (Dead Sea Highway)
A clifftop viewpoint and small museum explaining the lowest place on Earth.
Places to Visit in Madaba
Arts and Culture
- Church of St George mosaic map (Madaba)
The oldest surviving map of the Holy Land, laid in mosaic on a church floor. - Mount Nebo (Madaba)
The hilltop where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, with fine mosaics. - Madaba Archaeological Park (Madaba)
Mosaics from churches and houses across the old town in one walkable site. - Umm ar-Rasas (Umm ar-Rasas)
A UNESCO listed site with superb church mosaics and few visitors.
Restaurants
- Haret Jdoudna (Madaba)
Jordanian food in a restored old house with a courtyard.
Stays
- Mariam Hotel (Madaba)
A long running family guesthouse near the airport, a calm first or last night.
Shopping and Markets
- Madaba mosaic workshops (Madaba)
Watch artisans set stone tiles and take home a piece of the tradition.
Places to Visit in Aqaba
Nature and Outdoors
- Aqaba Marine Park (South Beach)
Coral reefs a short swim from the shore, ideal for snorkelling. - Japanese Garden reef (South Beach)
A colourful reef close to the beach for beginner divers and snorkellers. - Cedar Pride wreck (South Beach)
A sunken cargo ship covered in coral, one of the Red Sea's easiest wreck dives.
Things to Do
- Glass bottom boat trip (Aqaba Marina)
See the reef without getting wet, good for families. - Berenice Beach Club (South Beach)
A beach club with pools and a house reef.
Arts and Culture
- Ayla archaeological site (Corniche)
The remains of an early Islamic town right on the seafront.
Restaurants
- Ali Baba Restaurant (Downtown)
A long running seafood and grill restaurant in the centre. - Captain's Restaurant (Downtown)
Grilled fish and seafood platters, a favourite with visitors. - Hani Ali (Downtown)
A historic sweets and ice cream shop on the main street.
Shopping and Markets
- Aqaba Souq (Downtown)
Spices, dates and souvenirs in the busy lanes of the old centre.
Stays
- Mövenpick Resort and Residences Aqaba (Corniche)
A seafront resort in the heart of the city. - InterContinental Aqaba (North Beach)
Big pools and a private beach near the city. - Kempinski Hotel Aqaba (North Beach)
A sleek hotel with a lagoon pool by the sea. - Tala Bay (South Coast)
A resort area with calm water and easy reef access.
Places to Visit in Jerash
Arts and Culture
- Jerash Archaeological Site (Jerash)
One of the best preserved Roman cities anywhere, with colonnades, temples and theatres. - Oval Plaza (Jerash)
The great colonnaded plaza that greets you at the start of the walk. - Hadrian's Arch (Jerash)
The triumphal arch built for the Roman emperor's visit. - Ajloun Castle (Ajloun)
A hilltop fortress built by Saladin's commanders with wide views. - Umm Qais (Gadara) (Umm Qais)
Black basalt ruins with views of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan. - Pella (Tabaqat Fahl)
A quiet ancient city in the Jordan Valley with layers from many eras.
Restaurants
- Lebanese House (Um Khalil) (Jerash)
A big garden restaurant famous for mezze, a classic after the ruins. - Jerash Rest House (Jerash)
A convenient lunch spot right by the entrance.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ajloun Forest Reserve trails (Ajloun)
Woodland hikes and village visits run by the RSCN.
Stays
- Ajloun Forest Lodge (Ajloun)
Cabins among the oak trees for a night in the quiet north.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Shams El Balad (Jabal Amman, Amman)
A relaxed café restaurant with seasonal Levantine plates and a terrace with views over the city. - Levant (Abdoun, Amman)
Elegant Levantine and Armenian dishes in a smart setting, good for a celebration dinner. - Rumi Café (Jabal al-Weibdeh, Amman)
A small, bohemian café in Weibdeh loved for its coffee and neighbourhood feel. - Al Rashid Court Café (Downtown, Amman)
A historic balcony café above King Faisal Street, made for watching downtown life. - Copas (Jabal Amman, Amman)
A relaxed tapas and wine bar for an evening that goes slowly. - Cantaloupe Gastro Pub (Rainbow Street, Amman)
A rooftop bar on Rainbow Street with city views at sunset. - Dali's (Jabal Amman, Amman)
A cosy bar with a creative crowd and a homely atmosphere. - Duke's Diwan (Downtown, Amman)
A preserved 1920s house on King Faisal Street that recalls old Amman. - Amman Design Week (Ras al-Ain, Amman)
A design festival of exhibitions and installations held across the city in the autumn. - The House Boutique Suites (Jabal Amman, Amman)
A stylish boutique stay close to the cafés of Rainbow Street. - Le Grand Amman (Al Abdali, Amman)
A long established international hotel with easy access across the city. - Jordan Tower Hotel (Downtown, Amman)
A simple, friendly budget stay facing the Roman Theatre. - Beidha Neolithic Village (Beidha, Petra)
The foundations of one of the oldest farming villages in the region. - Al Qantarah Restaurant (Wadi Musa, Petra)
A busy buffet near the visitor centre that fills hungry walkers. - Al Wadi Café (Wadi Musa, Petra)
A casual place for coffee and a light meal in the town square. - Wadi Musa souvenir shops (Wadi Musa, Petra)
Sand bottles, silver and textiles made locally, best bought from the women's cooperatives. - Petra Marriott Hotel (Taybeh road, Petra)
Sweeping views across the mountains from the hills above town. - Petra Moon Hotel (Wadi Musa, Petra)
A friendly mid-range base a short walk from the park. - Hot air balloon over Wadi Rum (Wadi Rum, Wadi Rum)
A dawn flight over the desert, run by licensed operators in the cooler months. - Bedouin Lifestyle Camp (Wadi Rum, Wadi Rum)
A simple, family run camp with a fire and zarb dinner. - Rahayeb Desert Camp (Wadi Rum, Wadi Rum)
A secluded camp deep in the desert with cave like dining. - Lot's Cave (Museum at the Lowest Place on Earth) (Ghor as-Safi, Dead Sea)
A museum and cave linked to the story of Lot, south of the sea. - Panorama Restaurant (Dead Sea Panorama, Dead Sea)
Sunset views across the water toward the hills on the far shore. - Aqaba Fort (Old Town, Aqaba)
A Mamluk fort by the sea linked to the Arab Revolt. - Rakwet Fairouz (Downtown, Aqaba)
A simple local spot for breakfast and Jordanian staples. - Rovers Return (Aqaba, Aqaba)
A friendly pub style bar for a drink after the beach. - Al Amer Hotel (Downtown, Aqaba)
A simple, central budget stay near the souq. - Roman Army and Chariot Experience (Hippodrome, Jerash)
A show of legionaries and chariot racing in the ancient hippodrome. - Jerash souvenir market (Jerash, Jerash)
Mosaics and crafts sold near the visitor centre.