The Perfect Jordan Itinerary and Best Things to Do in Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
This is the Perfect Jordan Itinerary, Filled with All The Best Things to Do and Places to Stay While You’re in Jordan!
For my first international trip of 2021, I chose to visit the amazing country of Jordan. I had such a fantastic time and I couldn’t wait to share it with all of you, in full detail.
Best of all, I felt super safe in Jordan; enough so that I would be comfortable renting my own car next time I visit.
If you were inspired by my Instagram stories and posts and want to plan your own trip to Jordan, I want to share my ultimate Jordan itinerary with you! If you want a place where adventure and luxury can come together in the most magnificent way...Jordan is it.
I recommend spending at least ten days in Jordan, especially if you want to visit all of these places that I went to. There’s a lot to see, and you don’t want to rush. I spent six or seven days and I wish I had stayed longer!
Amman, Jordan has spectacular Roman ruins that you must add to your Jordan Itinerary!
Jordan Itinerary Part I: Amman
Amman is the capital city of Jordan, with a population of just over four million residents. It is a modern city built atop ancient Roman ruins, so there are many different types of things to see in Amman, from ancient to modern and everything in between.
Best Things to Do in Amman
With so many great things to see in Amman, you really have to be efficient with your time and plan out your Amman itinerary meticulously. Better yet, hire a guide who can whisk you around to see as much as possible. These were a few of my favorite things to do in Amman, Jordan.
Visit the Amman Citadel which sits on a hill overlooking the city. It contains a Roman temple, a Byzantine church, and an Umayyad palace.
Shop for 21k gold jewelry at the market
Eat falafel
Take a day trip to Jerash, Jordan to see the walled Greco-Roman settlement which includes Hadrian’s Arch which dates back to the 2nd century.
Take a day trip to the Baptismal Site of Jesus, where you can visit the actual site on the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized. It’s definitely touristy, but a pretty important place in history.
Where to Stay in Amman
I stayed at the W Amman and it was amazing! I hadn’t stayed at a W Hotel in so long; I forgot how fun they are. Before you even get to the front desk, you’re already enveloped in the welcoming embrace of the W Amman.
The entrance was inspired by the slot canyons of Petra and it feels very similar to walking through Arizona’s Antelope Canyons.
The iconic entrance at the W Hotel Amman, Jordan is designed like the slots in Petra.
My room at the W Amman had gorgeous views over the city, and of course, easy access to the W’s Whatever/Whenever amenity. Yes, they will get you whatever you need, whenever you need it, as long as it’s not illegal! I used the service for a fast turnover of laundry; super useful service on a whirlwind trip like this!
Jordan Itinerary Part II: The Dead Sea
You can’t visit Jordan without a trip to the Dead Sea. Although you can easily visit the Dead Sea on a day trip from Amman, I wanted the full experience, so I stayed overnight at the Dead Sea. Floating in the Dead Sea is the therapy I didn’t know I needed. (even if I did break out from the mud later!)
Visiting the Dead Sea is a must on an Jordan Itinerary!
The Dead Sea is bordered by Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. This is where you come to relax and experience the unique feeling of floating in super salty water. The salt and minerals in the water make your skin super soft, although if you have any open cuts, it’s going to sting!
Where to Stay at the Dead Sea
One of my favorite properties on the planet— The Kempinski Ishtar at the Dead Sea in Jordan
I stayed at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea. I was really looking forward to this hotel, and when I arrived after dark, I couldn’t wait to wake up and see the whole resort!
Inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon, this hotel quickly became one of my all-time favorite hotel stays ever! My villa came with a huge soaking tub, and a large outdoor seating area so I could enjoy the poolside view.
Floating in the Dead Sea is one of the best things to do in Jordan. It’s a must-do on any Jordan Itinerary!
The spa at the hotel is fabulous, too! This was hands-down one of the most relaxing properties I’ve ever stayed at.
I definitely recommend you float in the dead sea and cover yourself with all of the mud. it will make your skin feel softer than ever before. If you have any cuts during your visit, the water is so salty it may sting a bit.
Jordan Itinerary Part III: Petra
The Treasury at Petra is the most recognizable sight you will see on your Jordan Itinerary
What to See in Petra
Petra is probably the most well-known destination in Jordan and, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a huge reason why many people visit this part of the Middle East.
Petra is huge a bucket list item for most travelers, and let's be honest-- it's probably the reason you are reading this guide to Jordan!
While the Treasury is the most iconic scene of Petra, there’s way more to this ancient city. It would take days to explore is all, but you can see a lot in a one-day visit to Petra. However, be prepared for the massive size of Petra.
People actually lived in the caves in Petra until the 1990s! The people from this area are called Bedouins and after 1985 when Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they were kind of forced to move out to a nearby area that was built for them.
Many Bedouins are working in tourism now. My Petra tour guide actually lived in a cave until he was 14. At 14 his father decided to move the family to a nearby town.
Your Jordan Itinerary may have some surprises in store for you when visiting Petra. Petra has ancient Roman ruins!
What to See in Petra
Of course, the Treasury is the most well-known and awe-inspiring part of Petra. It is immensely beautiful and the craftsmanship is crazy impressive, especially once you realize it was all carved out of the rock. It’s all one piece; the columns were not carved and installed; they are actually part of the rock wall!
The Monastery is another impressive building in Petra. It’s much bigger than the treasury, and it’s much less crowded It’s a bit of a hike, which helps keep the crowds down.
Hike the Treasury Viewpoint trail for Instagrammable views of the Treasury from above. It’s a fairly steep 45-minute hike, but the views are totally worth it. If you’re not up for hiking, there are often donkeys you can hire to give you a lift around Petra.
Visit Little Petra, another settlement north of Petra with smaller buildings carved out of stone. It’s thought to have been an overnight stop for those traveling to Petra.
Grab a drink at the Cave Bar, which is just outside the entrance to Petra. Like the buildings of Petra, this one is also carved out of a rock wall.
Petra by night is another bucket list experience. On Monday and Wednesday nights Petra is lit up by candles and is an experience you must not miss on your visit. You will want to plan your Jordan itinerary accordingly to be in Petra on a Monday or Wednesday night!
Petra Travel Tips
There’s a lot to see in Petra, so it’s important to plan ahead and organize your day to get the most out of your visit. My tips for visiting Petra include:
Plan to spend a full day, if not two days, at Petra. Do not plan to rush in and rush out, as you’re going to want to linger at every building. As the light changes, you’re going to want to go back and revisit some buildings.
Get a guide. Especially one like mine who can speak to the area from personal experience.
Definitely wear hiking boots and layers because it goes from chilly to hot pretty quickly.
Light is better in the afternoon, buildings are more orange later in the day and more sun-washed in the morning.
Get there early. I was the first and only person there for over 2 hours... but that’s because I was there during a pandemic and I was the only foreign tourist everywhere I went. You can still have it to yourself if you get up before the sun comes up, however!
If you are getting up early and you’re someone like me who needs a coffee in the morning, make an arrangement with your hotel the night before, or find a canned iced coffee situation from the gas station the night before. The coffee they sell at Petra (at least by the Treasury) is pretty much undrinkable, it’s so bad.
Where to Stay in Petra
Not to be confused with the famed Treasury, the Monastery is a little further of a hike but you shouldn’t miss it when you visit Jordan. Be sure to save this instagrammable spot in Petra for your trip to Jordan
For this leg of my Jordan trip, I stayed at the Marriott Petra. It was by far, one of my favorite Marriott hotels I’ve ever visited. I really felt like I was in Jordan, with the amazing design elements that incorporated local culture.
This lush oasis sits just outside the entrance to Petra, making it easy to be one of the first travelers to arrive in the morning. The staff was amazing, and the mountain views were killer, especially at sunset!
There isn't much to do in the surrounding city of Petra, so I recommend taking it easy and relaxing at the hotel for dinner, where there are still plenty of traditional Jordanian dishes to try.
Jordan Itinerary Part IV: Wadi Rum
Besides Petra, a visit to Wadi Rum is probably the next most popular place to go in Jordan. The Wadi Rum desert is unlike anyplace you have ever been.
This valley in Southern Jordan was cut into the surrounding sandstone, leaving a magical landscape that looks like Mars. It’s even where The Martian was filmed! Star Wars, Aladdin, and Lawrence of Arabia were all filmed here, too.
This place is definitely high on the list of most incredible places I’ve ever stayed, it's highly recommended to stay in a bubble tent at least once in the Wadi Rum desert!
Wadi Rum 4x4 Tour
Exploring Wadi Rum, Jordan
Visitors to Wadi Rum will typically stay in a Bedouin camp in the desert. It’s more of a wilderness experience, but totally unique to this area.
I spent the day racing through sand dunes in the back of a 4x4. This jeep tour (or, it's actually more of a truck tour as it's more like sitting in the bed of a pickup on benches) was one of my favorite experiences in Jordan; It was so freeing to chase the golden sunset across the vast desert.
This is easily arranged by the camp once you arrive. It’s not something you generally have to plan in advance.
Although, I recommend sending an email about these things in advance just to double-check. Driving through Wadi Rum was the break I didn’t know I needed. It felt so free!
Camel rides are also a common part of visiting Wadi Rum; I wanted to do one, but sadly with the state of tourism at the moment, there were no camel rides to be found.
Of course, the stargazing at night in the desert is beyond compare. I had the chance to visit Rum Sky Stargazing during my trip to Wadi Rum, and it was incredible.
Without nearby light pollution, you can see so many stars with your own eyes. Of course, we also explored the night sky through telescopes.
The experience was fun and educational. I learned so much about our stars, planets, and universe! We looked at some “new” stars in a nebula through the telescope.
Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
I stayed at the Sun City Camp in one of their Martian Domes. They also have traditional Bedouin tents, royal tents, and family suites.
Staying in a Martian Tent at Sun City in wadi Rum was a highlight of my Jordan Itinerary
The Martian Domes are geodesic domes that offer the most incredible “glamping” experience. One side is clear material (with curtains for privacy) that allows you to look out at the night sky from your bed.
Although it looks like a tent or a yurt, you do have a real bathroom and shower inside. It’s a little hard to regulate the temperature in the room because it is, after all, a tent! It comes with a heater/AC — but it’s not perfect. Still, it’s great for 1-2 nights.
On of the best and most unique experiences you can add to your Jordan Itinerary is a night in a bubble tent or Marian tent in Wadi Rum.
The tent allows you some epic views, and it’s super private (although, given the current climate of the world— I was LITERALLY the only traveler— they opened up just for me. The food for dinner and breakfast was excellent!
Jordan Itinerary Part V: Aqaba
One of the most marvelous places to stay in Jordan was right on the Red Sea in Aqaba. From the Penthouse terrace at the Al Manara Luxury Collection you can see 4 countries and the breathtaking blue hues of the Red Sea. A must on your Jordan Itinerary.
For the last stop on my Jordan itinerary, I headed to Aqaba on the Red Sea. Lined with beach resorts, this is a popular place for windsurfing, water sports, and SCUBA diving. I couldn’t travel all the way to Jordan without diving in the Red Sea!
This was my first dive in three years, but I was in great hands with Essam at the Sinbad Dive Center. He was amazing, my favorite dive master ever!
I can confidently say that diving in the Red Sea was the best dive of my life! I had previously been on 19 dives and only saw sea turtles once. I was diving all over the world and never encountered them; it started to feel like a cruel joke.
One of the best things to do in Jordan is go for a dive in the Red Sea in Aqaba! Be sure to copy my experience for your own Jordan Itinerary!
I finally saw two on my 19th dive, but they were gone in a flash. Finally, on dive # 20, in the Red Sea, I got some quality swim time with a gorgeous sea turtle. She was as big as me, and totally relaxed swimming alongside me.
We swam together for quite a while, and she wasn’t scared of me at all. It was the most incredible experience.
Where to Stay in Aqaba
For my time in Aqaba, I stayed at the Al Manara Aqaba.
They gave me the penthouse suite, which had a beautiful balcony AND a private rooftop terrace overlooking the Red Sea. I had a view of four countries from my own private rooftop! Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia all sit on the Red Sea.
Enjoying breakfast on the terrace was definitely the perfect way to end my trip to Jordan.
Getting to Jordan
As you can imagine, getting to Jordan from the United States isn’t always fast, but that makes it all the more worthwhile!
There are some direct flights on Royal Jordanian, from certain cities, but not from Los Angeles, where I departed for my trip.
There are many ways to travel to Jordan from Los Angeles, but I chose the fastest route, on Qatar Airways, with a stop in Doha. It’s one of my favorite airlines, and the Qsuites are incredible!
Flying Qsuites on Qatar Airways is the best way to Jordan.
Another fast route is to take Turkish Airlines through Istanbul. I was in the air for about 24 hours, and all told, spend 30 hours in transit. However, the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge in Doha is a great spot for a layover!
Things to Know About Jordan
If you want to plan your own trip to Jordan or join one of my Trusted Travel Girl curated trips to Jordan, there are some things you might want to know ahead of time.
As I mentioned, I felt very safe in Jordan and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a solo destination for other female travelers.
While you can book an entire tour of Jordan, including my tour, I chose to travel independently and book individual excursions from several different vendors.
You do need a visa to enter Jordan, but they are issued at the airport, so it’s not anything you need to do ahead of time.
The food in Jordan is extraordinary! I had hummus pretty much with every meal, several times a day. I had a lot of great falafel as well and enjoyed some traditional Jordan dishes as well.
Depending on where you stay, Jordan can actually be an affordable travel destination. I didn’t find the prices in Jordan to be outrageously expensive. Of course, accommodation in Jordan can run from a basic backpacker hostel to luxury suites, so it’s easy to plan a trip you can afford.
Hiring a driver is the best way to get around Jordan. It allows you to be more efficient with your time, and you will probably learn a lot from your driver.