Jordan attractions

Probably Amman’s best-known road, Rainbow Street runs along the top of Jebel Amman hill. Despite the name, it’s not especially colorful, but the mass of cafés, eateries, and stores make up for it, while jewel-like villas and atmospheric stairways nestle down side streets.

The collections of the Jordan Archaeological Museum, established in 1951 near the Amman Citadel, run from the Stone Age to the Islamic era and include Nabatean and Roman works of art. The museum has lost some of its most important pieces to the Jordan Museum, which opened in 2014, and there are plans to update it.

Azraq Castle is a desert fortress created by the Romans back in 300 AD, although the current structure was built in 1237 by the Mamelukes. Its location in the center of the Azraq Oasis was chosen strategically; this area is the only water source in over 7,000 square miles. The basalt castle’s most striking feature is its black-blue hue.

Once a royal retreat of the Umayyad caliphs, this 8th-century desert castle in northern Jordan is known for its startlingly well-preserved fresco paintings. It’s an impressive feat of early Islamic art and architecture—enough to earn UNESCO World Heritage status. The palace is about an hour’s drive from Amman and Madaba and is often visited alongside Qasr Kharana and Qasr al Alzraq.

With the Roman ruins of Gadara, an abandoned Ottoman village, and sweeping views over Jordan, Israel, and Syria, the little town of Umm Qais (Gadara) has a lot to offer the visitor. The undisputed highlight is the ancient city, Gadara, where the remains of Roman theaters, colonnades, and tombs enjoy a spectacular hilltop location.

Situated close to the Roman Theater, the Petra Royal Tombs are carved dramatically into the cliffs above the city, and their facades reveal many Roman and ancient Greek influences. Notable tombs include the vast Urn Tomb, later used as a church, the three-story Palace Tomb, and the Silk Tomb, with its natural swirls of color.

The Royal Automobile Museum is a permanent showcase for 80 of King Hussein’s private vehicles—the only one of its kind in the Arab world. You’ll find everything from vintage Rolls-Royces and sportscars to motorcycles and racing cars, some dating back to 1909. The museum uses the collection to illustrate modern Jordanian history and revisit critical events from the king’s 47-year reign.

Dating back to the early 8th century, this imposing desert ruin in eastern Jordan offers a remarkable glimpse of early Islamic architecture under the Umayyad Caliphate, the first Muslim dynasty. Easily reachable as a day trip from Amman, it remains a popular (and famously photogenic) stop for tourists and photographers in combination with nearby Qasr Amra and Qasr al Alzraq.

Set in the hills above Petra, the Monastery (also known as Ad Deir or al-Deir) is this ancient city’s most recognizable monument after the Treasury. Carved out of sandstone during the 3rd century BC, the Monastery was built as a Nabatean tomb, but takes its name from the crosses etched into its walls during Byzantine times. It’s 148 feet (45 meters) high.

A literal desert oasis, Azraq Wetland Reserve is a lush marshland located among eastern Jordan's rugged plains and sandy steppes. While only 10 percent of the original wetland area remains, this scenic reserve known for its glittering blue pools is one of the best areas in the region for wildlife spotting: around 300 species of migratory birds pass through here en route between Europe and Africa.

One of Jordan’s most important archaeological landmarks, the ruins of Pella date back over 6,000 years and span multiple eras of history—from Stone and Iron Age-era settlements to Byzantine Churches and an excavated Islamic Quarter. Despite all this (and Pella’s proximity to Jerash and Irbid and driving distance from Amman), this off-the-tourist-track gem remains surprisingly overlooked.

Despite its name, Petra Roman Theater was actually built by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago. This massive and impressive theater in the ancient city of Petra was carved out of rock into the side of a mountain, destroying existing caves and tombs in the process, though you can still see some tombs above the theater.

Home to some of the world’s most northerly tropical coral reefs, Coral Beach Nature Reserve offers Eilat’s—and likely Israel’s—best snorkeling. Seagrass patches draw hawksbill turtles, seahorses, and more; hundreds of different coral species lure aquarium favorites including lionfish, angelfish, and clownfish.

Winding through some of Jordan’s most stunning scenery, this ancient trading road runs south from historic Madaba to Wadi Musa, your base for exploring Petra. While faster routes exist, the King’s Highway offers majestic crusader castles at Karak and Shobak, the spectacular Wadi al-Mujib canyon, the Dana Nature Reserve, and more.

A small and charmingly quirky museum containing life-sized dioramas, La Storia Tourism Complex depicts Jordan’s history and heritage in a series of themed displays. Visitors can see recreations of scenes from the Old and New Testaments, replicas of Islamic sites, and even mock portions of a historic Bedouin village with animatronic villagers. The museum is located 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from Mt. Nebo.

Located within the ancient city of Petra, the Byzantine Church (or Petra Church) was first constructed in the fifth century AD, on top of Nabataean and Roman ruins, and expanded in the sixth century AD before being destroyed by fire and earthquakes. It’s still being excavated, but visitors can view its well-preserved mosaics.

The Red Sea channel draws tendrils of Indian Ocean water up through Africa and Arabia to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. Divers and snorkelers appreciate the Red Sea’s clear waters and colorful coral and marine life, while sandy beaches lure sun worshippers from around the world.

Running from the shores of the Dead Sea to the mountains of Karak and Madaba, the Mujib Biosphere Reserve centers on Wadi Mujib, a dramatic gorge that locals consider Jordan’s answer to the Grand Canyon. The landscapes range from rugged desert to tumbling falls, and hiking and ziplining are just some of the ways to explore them.

As Amman’s oldest quarter, and most would say its liveliest, bustling Downtown Amman (Al-Balad) offers souks, stores, and cafés aplenty, not to mention the Amman Citadel, home to the city’s best Roman ruins. With the call to prayer undulating and car horns beeping, it’s an atmospheric contrast to the more modern areas further west.

The Dead Sea Museum, nestled within the Panorama Dead Sea Complex, features informative displays covering the iconic salt lake’s archaeology, geology, and ecology. The lake is receding at a rate of almost 4 feet (more than 1 meter) every year, and the museum highlights attempts to conserve it.

One of Jordan's largest malls, Amman City Mall offers an array of international brands, including Levi’s, Calvin Klein, Mango, and Ted Baker. It also offers home decor, toys, a supermarket, a wide range of food options, and a multiplex cinema with an IMAX screen. The sleek interior with its glass roof is more stylish than it looks from the outside.

The RestHouse Dead Sea is an ideal spot from which to explore the lowest point on earth. Offering access to Jordan’s public Amman Beach, it’s the most affordable way to experience the unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea’s ultra-salty waters. After a sea dip, take a swim in the resort pools or bathe in the mineral-rich black mud.

The first palace built by King Abdullah I of Jordan, Raghadan Palace features an ornate Islamic architectural style. Located within the Royal Court Compound of Al-Maquar, and formerly the royal family's residence, the palace is used today for state functions.