joellebohringerIf you want to plan an trip to Jordan but don’t know where to start, this article is for you. Plan the perfect Jordan itinerary, including all the best things to do.
Home to ancient Nabatean and Arab civilizations, stunning landscapes, delicious food, and incredibly hospitable people, Jordan truly is a must-see destinations.
Having travelled all around the Middle East, Jordan is also one of the most-beginner friendly Arab countries. It is a great choice for both new and experienced travellers.
I’ve been to Jordan three times, and I’ve curated the perfect 5-day itinerary for anyone looking to explore this incredible country.
Jordan Itinerary Essentials
- Jordan uses the Jordanian Dinar (JOD) as currency. 1 JOD is roughly 1.41 USD (as of March 2024). Card payments are relatively rare, so it is recommended that you carry cash everywhere. I found the exchange center at the airport to have a very good rate. Additionally, there are ATMS located inside major cities that accept foreign cards. They may have small withdrawal fees, but otherwise offer a good rate.
- I recommend having an Jordanian Sim card while you travel. If you would like to get an Esim, I recommend downloading the Jordan Esim from the Airalo app. Use the code JOELLE0025 to Amman Airport. I’ve bought physical sims from the Amman airport multiple times. There are three providers: Orange, Zain, and Umniah. You can typical get around 30GB of data for $15-$20 from any of the three carriers, and I recommend asking to see which company is having the best sale when you arrive.
- Jordan uses all kinds of travel plugs – type C, type D, type F, type G and type J, depending on the hotels/family’s preference! I recommend purchasing a universal plug adapter, as you can use it on any trip around the world, and it has easy-to-use USB charging kits.
- It is important to get travel insurance before any trip. I personally use and recommend EKTA travel insurance, as it allows me to purchase both short-term and long-term travel insurance plans, and it allows me to customize my plan based on what activities I will be doing.
Jordan Pass/Visa
Most countries need to obtain either an evisa or visa on arrival to visit Jordan via the Amman Airport. If you are entering via the Aqaba airport (only connected via a few budget Middle Eastern and European carriers), then the visa fee is waived.
The visa on arrival/evisa costs 40 JOD (≈$57). However, if you are travelling to Jordan for tourism, I highly recommend purchasing the Jordan Pass. The Jordan pass includes the cost of your visa, your admission to Petra, as well as almost every other historical site in Jordan. The Jordan Pass starts at 70 JOD, and considering that the visa is 40 JOD and a one-day ticket to Petra is 50JOD, you can expect a savings of at least 20 JOD! Book your Jordan Pass in advance here.
What to Wear in Jordan
While Jordan is a Muslim-majority and fairly conservative country, it is also very used to tourism and is more relaxed than many other Muslim and Arab countries. I recommend that women cover their shoulders and knees in cities and non-beach areas, but shorts are largely acceptable for foreigners in the areas of the dead sea and Petra.
5 Day Jordan Itinerary Overview
- Day One: Arrive in Amman, explore Amman
- Day Two: Transfer to Dead Sea, overnight near Petra
- Day Three: Explore Petra, overnight near Shobak Castle
- Day Four: Shobak Castle, Wadi Rum, Overnight in Wadi Rum
- Day Five: Return to Amman
How to Get Around Jordan
I highly recommend renting a car in Jordan. While Amman can be a bit crowded, overall, it is a fairly easy destination to drive in, and rental cars are very affordable. If you are worried about driving in Amman, you can chose to stay at a hotel on the outskirts of the city, and use Careem (the middle eastern version of Uber), to get between sites in Amman.
I personally have always just rented a small, 5 seat car, as there is little need for a 4×4 car. The roads are fairly good, with the exception of the road from Petra to Wadi Rum. On this stretch, there are a lot of unmarked potholes, so I recommend driving with extreme caution.
Perfect Jordan Itinerary
Jordan Itinerary Day One – Amman
Start your trip by arriving at Amman International Airport. I recommend renting a car at the airport. You can book your car ahead via rentalcars.com, and the rental car kiosks are located at the exit of the airport.
After picking up your rental car, transfer to your hotel in Amman. Personally, I feel comfortable driving in Amman, as I am used to bumper-to-bumper traffic, but if you prefer, you can leave your car at a hotel on the outskirts of the city and use the Careem App to navigate within the city.
Explore the Amman Citadel
This is undoubtedly the most iconic site in Amman. Located atop a hill that overlooks the entire city, the views are possibly as equally stunning to the history.
The Citadel is home to archeological ruins from numerous societies, ranging from the Romans to the early Islamic empire. It is easy to spend 3-4 hours exploring the citadel area.
The citadel is included in the Jordan Pass, and it also includes free access to the Jordan Archeological museum on-site.
Check out Amman’s Roman Amphitheatre
Just below the hill of the citadel lies an impressive Roman Amphitheatre. Unlike many other Roman amphitheatres, this one has been fully restored, and concerts that host up to 5,000 people are even hosted here!
Eat Kunafa at Habiba Kunafa
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I would travel to Amman ONLY to eat Kunafa from Kunafa Habiba. After living in the Middle East for 7+ years and eating Kunafa from hundreds of places, this is hands-down the best Kunafa I’ve ever tried.
What is kunafa? Kunafa is a Middle Eastern dessert made of a mild cheese and shredded or ground phyllo pastry. It is slowly roasted over a fire until the cheese in melted and the phyllo pastry is crispy. It is then dosed with a load of sweet sugar syrup. Even though it sounds a bit strange, it is quite possibly one of the most divine desserts in existence.
The original Kunafa Habiba is located here. I have never been there when there is not a massive line outside the door. To order, join in the line (it moves very fast!). Once you get to the front of the line, you will order from the booth. Kunafa Habiba sells 2 main types of kunafa, both by the kilogram. The names of the Kunafa are Kunafa Na’amameh (smooth kunafa) and and Kunafa Khishnah (rough Kunafa). Kunafa Khishnah is made with shredded phyllo dough while Kunafa Na’amameh is made with ground phyllo dough. Both are absolutely delicious, but I have a slight preference for Kunafa Khishnah. The smallest amount that you can order is 250 grams (to order this amount in Arabic, you can say ruba’a kilo).
If you are looking for lunch, I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at the nearby street food joint Hasham. They have some of the best falafel and hummus in all of Amman!
Go Shopping in Amman’s Al Balad District
The area near Kunafa Habiba is known as the Al Balad District. It is one of the busiest traditional souqs (markets) in all of Jordan. Here you can do some souvenir shopping, and mingle in the crowds.
If you feel up to it, you can even try your hand at bartering!
Enjoy small museums in the Al Balad District
Within the Al Balad District, there are quite a few, small free museums located in the houses above the market.
My two favorites are the Duke’s Diwan and the Old Signs of Amman Museum. The Duke’s Diwan is located in one of the oldest houses in the city and showcases the history of Amman as well as a mid 19th-20th century cosmopolitan Amman home. The Old Signs of Amman Museum is dedicated to exactly what it says it is: old signs of Amman!
Both of these museums give a fabulous look at the modern history of Amman.
Relax in Amman’s Vibrant Rainbow Street
If you are looking for a chill place to grab dinner or lunch, Amman’s Rainbow street is loaded with cute and delicious cafes and restaurants. It is called rainbow street because of the multicolored lanterns that cover the street, and it is a fabulous way to unwind in Amman!
Day Two – Dead Sea
Start Day Two with a drive to visit the Dead Sea.
Overall, there are 3 ways that you can see the Dead Sea. I’ve done all three, and I’ll share my tips below.
- Stay at a Dead Sea Resort (often very expensive and don’t really recommend)
- Enter at one of the free entry points
- Purchase a day pass to a resort
Visiting the Dead Sea for Free
The first time I went to Jordan, I was a broke college student, and we chose to visit the dead sea at one of its unofficial beach entry points. It is important to note that while the beach is free to access, it is absolutely essential to have a shower after getting out of the water or else your skin will burn massively. This site has free entrance, but there is a local man offering showers for 2 JOD, which is definately worth it!
It is also important to note that the free experience is more uncomfortable. The beach is often very dirty, and it can be very painful to walk over salt crystals into the water. There is also not mud pits that you can use to cover yourself in the iconic dead sea minerals, so if this is important to you, it is best to purchase a day pass.
A Dead Sea Day Pass Resort
In the times I’ve gone back to Jordan, I’ve always visited the Dead Sea via a day pass at a resort, as it is overall a much more comfortable experience. However, as I’m still on a budget, I go for the cheapest day pass, which is at the Jordan Dead Sea Spa Resort. The price for a day pass in 20 JOD, which includes access to the beach as well as the resorts multiple pools. There are restaurants on site, or you can go eat a late lunch at one of the restaurants in the nearby Sammarah Mall. Overall, I’ve always been fairly impressed with the Dead Sea Spa Resort, with the exception that the day pass does not include towel rental. Towels can be rented for 3 JOD each, or you can bring your own.
Overnight near Shobak Castle/ Petra
The dead sea to Petra is about a 3 hour drive, so I recommend spending tonight somewhere fairly near to Petra, so that you can get there early in the morning.
My personal favorite place to stay is at the 7 Caves Hotel . It is located directly across from Shobak Castle and about 35 minutes from Petra. The hotel is hands-down one of the coolest hotels I’ve ever stayed at in my life. The rooms are located in literal caves, and it is an amazing experience at an affordable price.
Day Three – Shobak Castle and Petra
If you are staying at 7 Caves Hotel, start your morning with a visit to Shobak Castle. Built in the 12th century by invading crusaders, the ruins of this massive castle on the hill are a little-known gem of Jordan!
Afterwards, head towards Petra. Petra is honestly massive, and you could easily spend 2-3 days here if you want to see everything. However, I’ve never spent more than one day at Petra, primarily because I’m just too exhausted after just one day in Petra! You have to walk into the site, and I always end up walking 20+ kilometers in a day! Plan to spend most of the day (around 10am-6pm) exploring Petra.
In the evening, I recommend staying at a hotel near Petra.
Day Four– Wadi Rum
Today, you’ll head to Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum is a massive natural area inhabited by Jordan’s bedouin community. It is inaccessible by car and is truly like a Martian atmosphere. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site, because there are hundreds of ancient petroglyphs and rock carvings from numerous pre-modern civilizations.
To visit Wadi Rum, you will need to stay and arrange tours with a local guesthouse. I’ve stayed with Wadi Rum Fire Camp twice, and I cannot recommend them enough. The owner Ibraheem and all of the staff is lovely, and they will make your experience unforgettable. Their rooms are very affordable, and they offer daily half and full-day tours of Wadi Rum (usually about 50 JOD for a full day tour) . Be sure to contact them on Whatsapp before your visit to arrange a half-day desert tour for this day. After a long day of enjoying Wadi Rum, the Fire Camp concludes with a nightly communal dinner and stargazing with all of the other guests.
It is important to note that this camp does not have internet connection or cellular service, so it is important to arrange your stay in advance after booking. You cannot drive yourself into the desert area, so Ibraheem and his team will come and pick you up from the nearest local village to transfer you to the camp.
Day Five – Return to Amman
On Day five, you’ll embark on the long journey back to Amman. Plan plenty of time to make the 3.5 hour journey in order to get to your flight in time!
Alternatively, you can also fly out of Aqaba airport if you arrange a one-way car rental.
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