Jordan is a country best known for ancient Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and the Dead Sea, where you can float on the surface almost effortlessly. But this Middle Eastern country is also made for lovers of movement, nature and adventure.
Dramatic mountain scenery, deep canyons, narrow rocky gorges and endless desert landscapes create the perfect backdrop for trekking, climbing, canyoning, running, snorkelling and desert adventures. If you are looking for a destination where history, nature and active travel come together, Jordan may surprise you more than you expect.
Jordan in brief: quick answers for planning your trip
When is the best time to visit Jordan? The best time for active travel in Jordan is spring, autumn and winter. Summer can be extremely hot, which makes hiking, visiting Petra and desert trips much more demanding.
What should you see in Jordan? The top places to visit include Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Amman, Jerash, Wadi Rum and Aqaba. Each place offers a different type of experience – from history and canyons to desert landscapes and underwater life.
What should you wear in Jordan? The most practical choice is lightweight, breathable and comfortable clothing, ideally with longer trousers or sleeves. It works well for trekking, cities, historical sites and more traditional areas.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it? Yes, the Jordan Pass is worth it for most travellers, especially if you plan to visit Petra and other historical sites. It saves time and, if you meet the conditions, can also reduce the cost connected with the visa fee.
When to visit Jordan and what weather to expect?
As a Middle Eastern country, Jordan may first seem like a place where hot and sunny weather lasts all year round. In the summer months, this is often true, but autumn and winter can surprise travellers.
Strong wind is common in many places, and especially after sunset, temperatures can drop significantly. Warmer clothing may therefore be more useful than you might expect.
From my own experience, I would not recommend visiting Jordan in the summer months if your main goal is active travel. Temperatures climbing towards 40 °C can make trips, hikes and exploring rocky landscapes very demanding, and you may not enjoy some places fully.
The best time for an outdoor holiday in Jordan is spring, autumn or winter. The weather is usually more comfortable for walking, sightseeing, canyons and desert activities.
What to wear in Jordan?
For Jordan, I recommend packing lightweight, breathable and comfortable clothing that can handle daytime heat, wind and cooler evenings. Although longer clothing is not required everywhere, I personally recommend it.
In Amman, the capital of Jordan, wearing shorts or a T-shirt is usually not a problem. However, more remote places are still quite traditional, so it is more practical to choose clothing that is comfortable, airy and covers the body a little more.
My gear was prepared mainly for adrenaline experiences, trekking, canyoning and outdoor movement. But I also appreciated pieces that worked well in the city and when visiting historical sites.
The pieces that worked best for me in Jordan were:
- Kilpi BELVELA-W trousers – comfortable, airy and great for trekking and warmer conditions.
- ALEXO-W leggings – they fit well, are flexible and worked well for trekking and climbing in canyons.
- LOS-W women’s cotton T-shirt – pleasant for everyday wear and travelling.
- LISMAIN-W women’s technical T-shirt – suitable for more active days when you sweat more.
- FLANNY-W flannel shirt – a practical layer for the city, evenings and cooler parts of the day.
- Kilpi JUNIE-W women’s sweatshirt – thanks to the zip, it was easy to open in warmer temperatures, and the two zipped pockets were ideal for a phone and wallet.
- Kilpi NIKY-W women’s cotton hoodie – a comfortable layer for travelling and cooler evenings.
- ECROW 45-U backpack – it easily packed my gear for several weeks of travelling.
What to see in Jordan?
The places you should not miss in Jordan are mainly Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Amman, Jerash, Wadi Rum and Aqaba. The country combines history, desert, canyons, mountains and the sea. If you are planning a more active trip, it is worth allowing extra time and not limiting yourself only to the most famous places.
Petra
Petra, known as the “Rose City”, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. It is located in southern Jordan and was carved into the rocks by the Nabataeans around 312 BC. Today, it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and one of the main reasons why travellers visit Jordan.
To explore the whole rock city, I recommend setting aside at least one to two full days. Petra has a lot to offer, and walking through the entire site is definitely not easy. To reach many parts and most of the beautiful viewpoints, you need to climb plenty of hills and stairs.
The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea, whose eastern shore belongs to Jordan, is the lowest point on land in the world. Its extremely salty water has a dense, almost oily texture, thanks to which the body naturally floats.
You can enjoy a unique feeling of almost weightless movement on the surface. It is an experience that feels very different from ordinary swimming in the sea.
Wadi Mujib
Wadi Mujib is located near the Dead Sea and is a true paradise for adventure lovers. The Mujib River has been carving its way through sandstone rocks for thousands of years, creating a dramatic canyon that now attracts brave travellers.
There are several trail options. The most popular are Siq Trail and Canyon Trail, which offer an adrenaline-filled canyoning experience, wading through water and moving through narrow gorges.
Amman
Amman, the capital of Jordan, hides important archaeological sites, cosy cafés and impressive graffiti among its countless hills, giving the city a unique atmosphere.
When visiting Amman, travellers should definitely not miss the Citadel, rising on one of the highest hills in the city, or the nearby Roman Theatre, one of the most distinctive historical landmarks of the capital.
Jerash
Jerash is an ancient Greco-Roman city in northern Jordan and one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. It is about an hour from Amman, making it an ideal day trip.
Wadi Rum desert
Wadi Rum is a famous desert area and protected nature reserve in southern Jordan. It is also known as the “Valley of the Moon” and is listed as a UNESCO site.
The landscape is not made up only of sand dunes, but also of monumental rock formations. Thanks to this, climbing here is world-class. Jeep tours, trekking, sleeping in the desert and camel rides are also very popular.
Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan’s only seaside city and main port, located by the Red Sea. Although the city itself and the beaches may not seem exceptional at first glance, the real beauty of Aqaba is hidden under the surface.
You do not need to dive dozens of metres deep to see beautiful underwater life. Often, goggles and a snorkel are enough. I would definitely recommend Aqaba to lovers of snorkelling, diving and the underwater world.
Other places worth visiting
There are many more places in Jordan worth discovering. These include Ajloun Castle, the ancient site of Umm Qais, historic Madaba, biblical Mount Nebo, Wadi Araba desert and Ma’in Hot Springs.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
Yes, the Jordan Pass is usually worth it when travelling to Jordan, especially if you want to visit Petra and other historical sites. It combines entry to selected attractions and, if you meet the conditions, can also save costs connected with the visa fee.
The basic Jordan Pass package starts at 70 Jordanian dinars. It can be arranged online within a few minutes, so you do not have to deal with paying separately for a single-entry tourist visa at the airport. Before travelling, always check the current price, validity and visa waiver conditions on the official Jordan Pass website.
How to get around Jordan?
The most convenient way to travel around Jordan is by renting a car. It is especially useful if you want to visit several places, stop whenever you want and combine cities, desert, canyons and the Red Sea coast.
Buses and public transport in Jordan are not always ideal. Between some destinations, buses may run only once a day, and tickets often need to be booked in advance. On the day of departure, it may no longer be possible to buy them online.
Even so, many backpackers and low-cost travellers rely on buses. The best-known company operating across Jordan is Jett Bus. You can find the timetable online and plan your journey according to it.
Jordan is a relatively small country, so the longest bus journey from Amman to the seaside city of Aqaba takes around four hours.
Local minibuses can also be an alternative. They are cheaper, but their timetable is not always easy to find and may change. The best option is to ask at your hotel, hostel or camp, where they often have contacts for local drivers and can advise you where and when the minibus leaves.
Why is Jordan worth visiting for outdoor travel?
Jordan is worth visiting because it combines nature, history and adventure. During one trip, you can walk through the rock city of Petra, wade through the Wadi Mujib canyon, sleep in the Wadi Rum desert, float on the Dead Sea and snorkel in the Red Sea.
This variety makes Jordan a great destination for active travellers. It is not only a country of monuments, but also a place where you can experience a different type of outdoor adventure every day.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Jordan
When is the best time to visit Jordan?
The best time to visit Jordan is spring, autumn and winter. During these seasons, the weather is more pleasant for trips, trekking, visiting Petra and desert activities. Summer can be very hot and demanding for active travel.
What should I wear in Jordan?
In Jordan, choose lightweight, breathable and comfortable clothing, ideally with longer trousers or sleeves. Such clothing is practical for cities, historical sites, desert trips and more traditional areas.
Is Jordan good for outdoor activities?
Yes, Jordan is an excellent destination for outdoor activities. It offers trekking, canyoning, climbing, running, snorkelling and desert trips. The best places for active travel include Wadi Mujib, Wadi Rum, Petra and the area around the Dead Sea.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
Yes, the Jordan Pass is worth it for most travellers to Jordan. It makes the most sense if you want to visit Petra and other historical sites. It saves time, simplifies entry to attractions and, if you meet the conditions, can also reduce costs connected with the visa fee.
Is it better to travel around Jordan by car or by bus?
It is best to travel around Jordan by car if you want flexibility and plan several stops. Buses are cheaper, but connections between some places can be limited and often require advance planning.
How many days do you need for Jordan?
For a first trip to Jordan, I recommend at least 7 to 10 days. This gives you enough time to visit Amman, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib and Aqaba without unnecessary rushing.
What should you not miss on a first trip to Jordan?
On a first trip to Jordan, do not miss Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib and Amman. If you have more time, add Jerash, Aqaba, Madaba, Mount Nebo or Ma’in Hot Springs.
