The 13 Most Beautiful Places in Jordan

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Jordan is one of those countries that speaks to the imagination of a lot of people, yet it still slips underneath the radar a lot of times. And it truly is a shame cause Jordan is home to some of the most beautiful places in the entire world.

From the red sand dunes in Wadi Rum to the hand carved facades of Petra and the ancient ruins of Jerash. Jordan is a country that will surprise you on the most positive note every step of the way.

And this list is perfect to keep with you when you’re planning your trip. Easy to read, enough information to help you plan an itinerary but you won’t drown in all of the information!

If you want a more detailed guide and more information on what it’s like to actually travel through Jordan I advise you to take a look at this detailed travel guide of mine – The Perfect 7 Day Road Trip in Jordan.

The 13 Most Beautiful Places in Jordan

Honestly, I can’t wait to go back to Jordan one day. It’s one of those countries where I truly feel that I didn’t see enough. I want to go hiking through the many valleys and canyons in Petra and I want to explore the area around Wadi Mujib even further. In this post I will talk about some of the most famous sights in Jordan, the most beautiful cities and some stunning historical places.

One of the smartest things to do before traveling to Jordan is to buy the Jordan Pass. This is honestly the best advice I can give you and I wish someone would have told me when I was planning my trip cause once you’ve arrived in the country you can’t buy it anymore. This is something you have to purchase from before when you’re still at home.

The Jordan Pass is one digital ticket which allows access to over 40 top attractions in Jordan including the Citadel in Amman, Jerash and Petra. If you’re staying more than 3 nights in the country you’re tourist entry visa fees are also included and you’ll save another 40 JOD.

1. The Temple of Hercules, Amman

The Temple of Hercules is one of the most beautiful places in Jordan and can be found in the heart of its capital Amman. The Temple of Hercules is part of the Amman Citadel which can be found on the highest hill in the city. It’s from here that you’ll have an astonishing view over the sandstone houses of downtown Amman and where you can catch a glimpse of the Roman glory days a long time ago.

• Opening hours – The Amman Citadel is open from 8 am until 7 pm on Saturdays to Thursdays between April and September and until 4 pm between October and March.
• Entrance fee – 3JOD, free with the Jordan Pass

2. The Umayyad Palace, Amman

The Umayyad Palace is a large palatial complex from the Umayyad period, located on the Citadel Hill of Amman, Jordan. It’s a striking historic building with a beautiful dome perched on top. Inside you’ll find beautiful archeological artifacts and it’s another top attraction on the Amman Citadel.

• Opening hours – The Amman Citadel is open from 8 am until 7 pm on Saturdays to Thursdays between April and September and until 4 pm between October and March.
• Entrance fee – 3JOD, free with the Jordan Pass

3. Amman Citadel Wall

The historic site of the Amman Citadel comprises of a 1700 meter long wall from where you’ll be treated to an amazing view over the sandstone colored houses of Amman itself. This specific spot is located behind the Umayyad Palace and is definitely the ideal spot to have a look over the city.

• Opening hours – The Amman Citadel is open from 8 am until 7 pm on Saturdays to Thursdays between April and September and until 4 pm between October and March.
• Entrance fee – 3JOD, free with the Jordan Pass

📖 I WROTE AN INCREDIBLE GUIDE ON VISITING THE AMMAN CITADEL INCLUDING A LOT MORE DETAILS & PHOTOS – THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO VISITING THE AMMAN CITADEL

4. Roman Theater, Amman

Amman’s Roman theater is a true masterpiece and located in the middle of the centre of Jordans capital, at the foot of a hill opposite the Amman Citadel. It’s the ideal place to attend a musical event cause the Romans were true geniuses when it comes to acoustics. On the side of the stage, a small door opens to the Jordan Museum of Popular Traditions, in which dozens of ceramics, traditional Bedouin clothing, jewelry, and trinkets sit on display.

• Opening hours – From 8am until 5pm, closed on Fridays.
• Entrance fee – 2JOD, free with the Jordan Pass

5. The Arch of Hadrian, Jerash

The Arch of Hadrian is one of the most impressive archways I have ever seen. It measures 11 meters high from top to bottom and consists of 3 major archways, all with beautiful and intricate detailing. It’s the entry point to the ancient city of Jerash and a wonderful preview of what’s next.

• Opening Hours – From 8am until 4pm (Winter) or until 8pm (Summer)
• Entrance fee – 12 JOD, free with the Jordan Pass

6. The Oval Plaza, Jerash

The Oval Plaza is one of the most impressive sights in the old city of Jerash. It’s completely surrounded by columns and you’ll get the best view over this beautiful place in Jordan from the top.

• Opening Hours – From 8am until 4pm (Winter) or until 8pm (Summer)
• Entrance fee – 12 JOD, free with the Jordan Pass

📖 WHEN PLANNING YOUR TRIP MAKE SURE TO READ MY DETAILED GUIDE ABOUT JERASH, INCLUDING A LOT MORE PHOTOS – ROMAN RUINS OF JERASH, THE PERFECT DAY TRIP FROM AMMAN

7. Wadi Mujib

Wadi Mujib is an enormous canyon with a river streaming through it close to the Dead Sea. It’s the perfect place to go for an excursion where you’ll go swimming in the river and even climb a couple of waterfalls in the back. Do know that if you do this activity you can’t take your camera equipment with you. You’ll have to leave all of your belongings in a locker at the visitors’ centre.

My advice would be to first go in with your camera cause all of these photos where taken at the start of the canyon and afterwards you can still go and get changed.

• Opening hours – The hiking season at Wadi Mujib is generally from April 1 – October 31 and the Siq Trail opens at 8am and closes at 3pm.
• Entrance fee – 21 JOD

8. Ma’in Hot Springs

The Ma’In Hot Springs, also known as Hammamat Ma’in are one of those hidden gems in Jordan. There a series of hot mineral springs and waterfalls located between Madaba and the Dead Sea. If you fancy a refreshing feeling of hot water bubbling from the Earth’s core, the invigorating therapy of the Ma’in hot springs is sure to do the trick. Seated 264 meters below sea level the tranquil oasis is the perfect treatment from the bustling streets of Amman.

The Ma’in Hot Springs are part of the Ma’In Hot Springs Resort & Spa which has four waterfalls in the public area and two other waterfalls in the resort area with temperature vary from 30 – 37 C.

If you’re staying at the resort, which is one of the most unique hotels in Jordan and where you’ll have breakfast overlooking the waterfall, entrance to all of the hot springs and the waterfalls is free.

🏨 Click here to check for current rates and availability.

• Opening hours – From 9am until 9pm
• Entrance fee – A day pass to Ma’in Hot Springs Resort and Spa costs 10 JOD

9. The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west and one of the most beautiful places in Jordan. The Dead Sea is particularly known for its floating capacities and for it being the lowest point on earth.

Some tips for visiting the Dead Sea

• If you’re set on getting into the water don’t shave the day before. It will be extremely painful due to the high concentration of salt.
• Don’t go in if you have an open wound or sores, again it will be extremely painful.
• Don’t stay in for longer than 10 minutes at a time.
• Try to not get your hair wet. The water is so salty your hair will be extremely dry for weeks on end.

10. Petra Marriott, Wadi Musa

Petra Marriott is one of the most beautiful hotels in entire Jordan, especially because of the view it offers over the Petra Valley. It’s the ideal place to stay when you’re visiting the Lost City of Petra and in the evening you can even taste a delicious and authentic bedouin dinner. All while overlooking the most beautiful landscape in Jordan.

🏨 Click here to check for current rates and availability.

11. The Treasury, Petra

The Treasury is for a lot of people the main reason that they’re visiting the Lost City of Petra. It’s original function even now is still a mystery. Some believe it to be a temple but recent excavations unearthed a graveyard beneath it. And yes, the first time you see it it is as impressive as you would have imagined. Its scale is honestly overwhelming when you’re standing right in front of it and the intricate details are absolutely mesmerizing.

• Opening hours – From 6am until 6pm in the Summer and until 4pm in the Winter
• Entrance fee – 50JOD for a 1 day ticket, free if you have the Jordan Pass

12. The Monastery, Petra

This was one of my personal favourites and I actually found this beautiful carved out building even more impressive than the treasury. To get to the Monastery you have to hike up a lot, and I really mean a lot of stairs. Not that I would know cause I was chilling on a donkeys butt due to my sprained ankle. But I saw a lot of people turning different shades of red and sweating out liters of water before they reached the top.

The Monastery is one of the top sights to see in entire Petra and one that you really shouldn’t miss, even if you only have 1 day to explore the entire site! It’s without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in entire Jordan!

The road up to the Monastery is lined with souvenir shops and at the top you’ll even find a small restaurant where you can have a snack and drink something.

• Opening hours – From 6am until 6pm in the Summer and until 4pm in the Winter
• Entrance fee – 50JOD for a 1 day ticket, free if you have the Jordan Pass

📖 PLANNING A TRIP TO PETRA? MAKE SURE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE INCLUDING A LOT MORE DETAILS AND PHOTOS – THE MOST AWESOME PETRA TRAVEL GUIDE

13. Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is by now probably one of the most famous deserts in the entire world and rightfully so! It’s been the backdrop for many movies including the live action remake of Aladdin and the latest Star Wars movie The Rise of Skywalker.

It’s one of the most beautiful places in Jordan and you’ll have the feeling like you’ve set foot on the planet Mars due to its dramatic sandstone and basalt mountains jutting out of its sandy floor. Enjoy this vast desert from the back of a jeep, on top of a camel or in one of the many bedouin camps. Wadi Rum will leave you speechless from the moment you arrived and advise you to spend at least one night in this stunning desert!

Charlotte

Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.