A country of UNESCO World Heritage sites, friendly towns and dramatic desert landscapes, Jordan has plenty to experience. On our Jordan adventure holidays , you can experience some of its best-known sights and get a closer look at its landscapes, culture and history. Here are 10 things to do in Jordan.
1. Float in the Dead Sea
Although it goes by the name “The Dead Sea”, this incredible natural wonder is actually a salt lake, located in the Jordan Rift Valley. It is the lowest point on earth at 430m below sea level and its mineral-rich waters have long been associated with wellness and are widely used in skincare and cosmetics.
2. Take a Jeep Ride in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is a vast desert landscape of towering sandstone and granite formations. The area has a long Bedouin history and culture, with communities continuing to live in the region today.
Its dramatic desert scenery has also provided the backdrop for numerous films. After dark, clear skies make Wadi Rum a great place for stargazing.
3. Explore Petra
Best known for the façade of its iconic Treasury, which famously appeared in the film ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’, the “pink city” of Petra is an entire city carved from the desert rock.
Established by the Nabataean people over 2000 years ago, this vast archaeological site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The entrance to the city is through a Siq, or narrow gorge, which stretches over 1km in length. There’s plenty to see beyond the Treasury too, including temples, tombs and colonnaded streets carved into Petra’s distinctive rock.
4. Discover Amman
Built on a series of hills between the desert and the fertile Jordan Valley, the capital city of Amman is a mix of ancient history and modern city life.
It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and its ancient past can be seen everywhere, including its Roman ruins, amphitheatre and the Citadel, which sits on the city’s highest hill.
Elsewhere, modern neighbourhoods sit alongside busy Downtown Amman, where you’ll find markets, mosques and coffeehouses.
5. Mujib & Dana Biosphere Reserves
Mujib and Dana are two of Jordan’s most spectacular nature reserves, with canyons, hiking trails and varied landscapes to explore.
Mujib Biosphere Reserve is the lowest nature reserve in the world, reaching 410m below sea level where the Wadi Mujib gorge enters the Dead Sea. Its complex river system supports over 300 species of plants, 10 species of carnivores, as well as a wide range of birds.
Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest nature reserve and the only one to comprise four different bio-geographical zones (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian and Sudanian). This varied landscape supports a wide range of plant and animal life.
6. Experience a tour of Jerash
Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. Walk through its theatres, colonnaded streets and monumental gateways for a glimpse into the city’s Roman past.
Highlights include the Oval Plaza, the Temple of Artemis, and Hadrian's Arch.
7. Visit Ajloun Castle
Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century fortress, offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and an insight into the region’s medieval history.
Built by the Ayyubids to defend against Crusader attacks, the castle features a complex network of towers, chambers, and galleries.
8. Marvel at Madaba’s Mosaics
Madaba is famed for its intricate Byzantine mosaics, especially the ancient map of the Holy Land housed in St. George's Church.
The city's Archaeological Park and Museum feature more examples of these historic mosaics, offering an insight into the artistry and history of the region. Madaba is also home to a longstanding Christian community, adding another layer to the city’s cultural heritage.
9. Take a Cooking Class
Get a taste of Jordanian cuisine with a hands-on cooking class in Amman. Learn how to prepare traditional dishes such as mansaf, falafel and knafeh while finding out more about the country’s food and culture.
Then sit down together and enjoy what you’ve made.
10. Snorkel in the Red Sea
Head to Aqaba to snorkel in the clear waters of the Red Sea, where colourful coral reefs and marine life can be found just off the coast.
There’s plenty to see back on land too, with beaches and historic sites including Aqaba Fort and the ancient city of Ayla.
Experience Jordan on an Adventure Holiday
We offer small group tours to Jordan that take you through ancient ruins in Jerash and Ajloun, past the mosaics of Madaba and into the heart of Amman, where museums, markets and historic sites reveal different sides of the capital.
There’s plenty of time outdoors too. Hike through the Mujib and Dana reserves, snorkel among the colourful coral of the Red Sea, take a 4x4 jeep tour through Wadi Rum, spend a night in the desert and float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.
Our Jordan adventure holidays give you the chance to experience the country through its people, food, culture, ancient sites and landscapes, with plenty packed into every trip.
