Putting together a Jordan itinerary doesn’t have to be a hard task. With a fantastic mix of desert landscapes, ancient archaeological sites and stunning coastline, there’s something for everyone.
To really see the best that Jordan has to offer, you’ll need a full 10 days. This will give you enough time to see all the top sights, such as Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum and still spend a few days unwinding on the beach too.
If you don’t have that much time, we will outline shorter itinerary ideas for 5 days and 7 days too.
Even with a shorter amount of time, you can still tick off Amman, Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum, you just won’t have downtime on the Red Sea.
Want to visit Jordan? We took this tour 8 Day Jordan Explorer
Putting Together a Jordan Itinerary
Table of Contents
Best Time to Visit Jordan
Jordan has two high seasons, when the weather is perfect for traveling, especially out into the desert. The first is between March and May when things get busy around Petra and Wadi Rum.
The second is September and October before things start to get cold in Amman, which is at high altitude.
Aqaba can be visited all year round, but it becomes swelteringly hot in the summer months and busy with package holidaymakers from Europe.
Still not sure when you want to go? Read Best Time to Visit Jordan: Month by Month Breakdown
Getting Around Jordan
Jordan’s major cities and tourist destinations are well connected by public transport, however many of the smaller towns and historical sights are not easy to see without a car.
If you can afford to hire your own vehicle or join a multi-day tour, then your Jordan itinerary will be so much easier.
The King’s Highway, which connects Amman to Petra, takes you past old Crusader Castles and through desert landscapes, but it’s a trip that has to be done by car or through a tour company.
If you can hire a four-wheel drive, then you can head offroad into the wadis and desert for a real adventure.
Costs and Budget
The Jordanian Dinar is the local currency, and you can easily exchange money at the airport, in Amman at tourist destinations.
ATMs are everywhere though, so you might well be better off withdrawing money using a bank card.
You can also pay directly on card in most parts of the country, unless you end up really remote, which might save you on hefty cash withdrawal fees.
Jordan can be as expensive as you want to make it. If you’re on a budget, then you can get away with spending up to USD 50 a day and still have a great time.
Spend more than USD 100 a day and you can hire out luxury glamping tents in the desert and enjoy private tours or car hire.
Safety in Jordan
Jordan might have an unfortunate location in the center of the Middle East, surrounded by political hotspots such as Syria, Israel and Palestine, but it experiences very little unrest or terrorism in comparison to its neighbors.
In fact, Jordan is a beacon of stability in an otherwise volatile region and the country itself is perfectly safe to travel around. Jordanians are welcoming to foreign tourists and are incredibly hospitable to their guests.
Crime is rare and punished heavily by Islamic law. Jordan is one of the safest countries we have visited in all of our travels.
Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Jordan (Travel Guide)
Ideal 5 Days in Jordan Itinerary
While Jordan seems like a small country, many people are surprised at how spread out the best sites of the country are. This means that you need some time to see the best of Jordan.
If you’re combining your visit to Jordan with Egypt or Israel, chances are you will probably only spend 5 days in Jordan. This is the absolute least amount of time you need to hit the highlights.
5 Day Jordan Itinerary Overview:
- Day 1: Arrive in Amman
- Day 2: Petra
- Day 3: Dead Sea
- Day 4: Wadi Rum
- Day 5: Depart Amman
I will not lie, this is going to be a rushed and shallow overview of what Jordan has to offer. However, you will get a good taste of what Jordan is famous for.
Sadly, you won’t have time to see much of Amman, nor make the trip to Jerash. You will be able to see the famed Petra, float in the Dead Sea and spend a night camping in Wadi Rum.
Petra: 1 Night
The most famous site to add to your Jordan itinerary is Petra. This ancient city was carved by hand from the red rocks in the desert and today is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.
DON’T MISS IN PETRA:
- Siq: The spectacular entranceway to Petra is known simply as the Siq. It’s a beautiful, hidden cack in the tall canyon that you have to walk through.
- The Treasury: Also called Al-Khaznah, the Treasury is the most famous temple in Petra. Carved from the rockface, this is the structure that was made famous by its appearance in Indian Jones.
- Little Petra: Just up the road from Petra, you can find the much smaller but much quieter neighbor, Little Petra.
- Petra by Night: This is something everyone visiting Petra must do. Petra by night is just simply magical. Just imagine the treasury lit up by candlelight with traditional music playing.
Tours we recommend in Petra, Jordan: Classic Turkish Bath in Petra
Hotels we recommend in Petra, Jordan:
Dead Sea: 1 Night
The Dead Sea is one of the best places to include on your Jordan itinerary. This huge salt lake sits on the border with Israel and Palestine and is one of the lowest places on earth.
The lake sits 400 meters below sea level, making this a unique place to visit.
The refreshing qualities of the saltwater and the mineral-rich mud that’s found here have been known for thousands of years and today, the Dead Sea continues to be a popular place to relax and unwind.
There’s not much else to do but lie back in the buoyant water and float around, before smearing yourself in the mud!
The Dead Sea is enormous, and you can visit it as a day trip from many different locations in Jordan, with the most popular being from Amman or from Madaba.
Read more Swimming in the Dead Sea in Jordan
Hotels we recommend on the Dead Sea, Jordan:
Wadi Rum: 1 Night
Wadi Rum is a must-see on every Jordan itinerary. This beautiful area is starkly rugged and spectacularly otherworldly, being home to a wide valley surrounded by rugged, red sandstone.
This is a special place for the Bedouin, who have passed through for centuries.
Read more Wadi Rum in Jordan: Best Camps & Ultimate Planning Guide
DON’T MISS IN WADI RUM:
- Glamping: Camp out under the stars in style, by spending the night a Glamping site in the desert.
- Four-Wheel Driving: Head off-road into the sand dunes and explore in a four-wheel drive.
- Bedouin Experience: Learn first hand about the Bedouin way of life by joining guided tours through the wadi. You can camp and feast with the Bedouin and stay out under the stars.
Tours we recommend in Wadi Rum, Jordan:
Hotels we recommend in Wadi Rum, Jordan:
7 Days in Jordan Itinerary
A 7 day Jordan itinerary is kind of the sweet spot for the country. While I would recommend you give it 10-14 days if you want to spend more time in places, you will see some great highlights with one week in Jordan.
I should mention, though, that I am outlining 7 nights for this itinerary, with you flying out the morning of day 8.
7 Day Jordan Itinerary Overview:
- Day 1: Arrive in Amman
- Day 2: Amman
- Day 3: Madaba/Crusader Castles
- Day 4: Petra
- Day 5: Dead Sea
- Day 6: Aqaba
- Day 7: Wadi Rum
- Day 8: Depart Amman
You’re not going to have time to do any hiking on the Jordan trail, explore the corners of Wadi Rum or head to the Dana Biosphere Reserve with one week in Jordan.
My biggest tip for this 8 day/7 night plan is to book as many day tours as possible to maximize your experience.
Amman: 2 Days
Amman is the bustling capital city of Jordan and the gateway to the rest of the country.
Many travelers pass quickly through on their way to Petra or Wadi Rum, but if you have the time then you can easily spend 2 to 3 days exploring the city and using Amman as a base to reach some ancient cities too.
Enjoy the great food and multicultural districts, and be amazed by the depth of history that’s waiting for you on every street corner.
Read more 15 Interesting Things to Do in Amman (For First Time Visitors)
DON’T MISS IN AMMAN:
- Amman Citadel: Rising high above Amman, the Citadel is the first place you’ll see when you arrive in the city. This hilltop is where humans have lived for thousands of years and it’s one of the oldest, continually inhabited places in the world. Visit the Archeology Museum and the ancient Temple of Hercules, amongst many other ruins.
- Jordan Museum: When the Archeology Museum couldn’t fit any more artifacts, the Jordan Museum was built to house the wealth of objects collected across the country. The highlight of the museum is the Copper Dead Sea Scroll.
- Rainbow Street: Multicultural and historic Rainbow Street is where Amman comes to life, where old meets new and where you can find the best beers and the best falafel in the city.
- Jerash: Just one hour to the north of Amman, you can find the spectacular Roman-era city of Jerash. This is one of the best-preserved, ancient cities in the world, where you can take a stroll back in time through forums and temples.
Tours we recommend in Amman, Jordan:
Hotels we recommend in Amman, Jordan:
Madaba: 1 Day
Located one hour from Amman, the biblical city of Madaba is usually the next stop on a Jordan itinerary heading south from the capital.
You can call in as you head along the famous King’s Highway towards Petra, but it’s worth spending at least one night here to really soak up the history.
DON’T MISS IN MADABA:
- Madaba Mosaic Map: the most famous piece of history awaiting you in Madaba is the Mosaic Map. This ancient mosaic is perfectly preserved and dates back to the Byzantine era hundreds of years ago. The mosaic is a detailed map of the Holy Land, as it was in a long-gone century.
- Mount Nebo: Not far from the city is the biblical peak of Mount Nebo at 800 meters high, the mountain offers spectacular views across the Dead Sea and deep into Israel and Palestine. It was here where Moses is said to have first laid eyes on the Holy Land.
- Churches: Madaba is home to wonderfully preserved Christian churches, many dating back to the late Roman and Byzantine eras.
Tours we recommend in Madaba, Jordan:
- Private Tour Madaba, Mount Nebo, and The Dead Sea Day Trip with Amman Sightseeing
- Private Day Tour from Amman to Bethany, the Dead Sea, Mt.Nebo and Madaba
Hotels we recommend in Madaba, Jordan:
Aqaba: 1 to 2 Days
Located on the Red Sea, Aqaba is Jordan’s coastal resort city. This is the place for sun, sea and sand. Enjoy the beaches and resorts and dive or snorkel the underwater world.
With only 7 days in Jordan, you won’t have time to relax at a Red Sea resort, but don’t let this deter you from taking a snorkeling trip. The Red Sea has stunning coral reefs and is worth the effort.
Also, make sure to get out and walk around the city. It has a beautiful seaside promenade with local artisans and food carts. It’s a great atmosphere to explore in the evening.
Read more 15 Best Things to Do in Aqaba (For First Time Visitors)
DON’T MISS IN AQABA:
- Diving and Snorkelling: This is the main reason to visit Aqaba because the marine park here is brimming with coral, marine life and shipwrecks.
- Aqaba Bird Observatory: As well as underwater life, Aqaba is also a renowned bird-watching destination. At the Bird Observatory, you can see a huge array of different species as they stop here on migrations between Africa and Europe.
- Aqaba Fortress: Learn about the history of Aqaba and its importance to nations and empires through history at the remarkably well preserved Aqaba Fortress.
Tours we recommend in Aqaba, Jordan:
Hotels we recommend in Aqaba, Jordan:
10 Days in Jordan Itinerary
A 10 day Jordan itinerary will build on the classic 7 day route, adding in extra time in Wadi Rum and adding the Dana Biosphere Reserve. To be honest, if you’re going to look at 10 days, just push it to two weeks.
Then you can add more days in Amman and some relaxation in Aqaba, which compared to Sharm el Sheik in Egypt is quiet.
10 Day Jordan Itinerary Overview:
- Day 1: Arrive in Amman
- Day 2: Amman
- Day 3: Madaba/Crusader Castles
- Day 4: Petra
- Day 5: Dead Sea
- Day 6: Aqaba
- Day 7: Wadi Rum
- Day 8: Wadi Rum/Dana
- Day 9: Dana
- Day 10: Depart Amman
Of course, this is a great plan if you want to see the highlights and head off the beaten path a little. Alternatively, you could spend some time hiking on the Jordan Trail too.
Dana Biosphere Reserve: 1 to 3 Days
Dana is a small, sleepy village in the Jordanian wilderness. It’s quiet and it’s peaceful, and the main reason to include Dana on your Jordan itinerary is to visit the excellent Dana Biosphere Reserve.
Here you can enjoy hiking, canyoneering and wildlife viewing. It’s remote and sees few visitors when compared to other parts of the country.
DON’T MISS IN DANA:
- Dana Biosphere Reserve: This is the largest protected area in Jordan, and it’s home to a wonderful array of endangered animals that you might just be lucky enough to see.
- Shobak: Not far from Dana, you can find the historic Crusader Castle of Shobak, once one of the mightiest fortresses in the Holy Land.
Tours we recommend in Dana, Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek (Voted one of the treks hikes in the world)
Hotels we recommend in Dana, Jordan:
Putting It All Together
The biggest thing is to make sure that you have given yourself enough time to truly see the best of Jordan. As I’ve pointed out, it can be done in 5 days, but 8 days is definitely the sweet spot.
Where you go and what you do will have a lot to do with how much time you have and your budget. It is possible to experience Jordan as a backpacker on a budget, in a high-end luxury way and everything in between.
Feel free to share your Jordan itinerary ideas and questions below!
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More on Jordan:
- Is Jordan Safe to Visit?
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Thanks for the itinerary. I didn’t realize there was so much to do in Jordan. And I love the fast pace.