A recent trip to Jordan reminded me how much the travel industry needs to change. Too often, we see only the highlight reel of a destination. In Jordan, the highlight is the beloved ancient rose city of Petra.
I expected a quieter experience these days, given that tourism in Jordan has dropped by more than 60% amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet when I finally arrived at this world wonder, even with reduced crowds, visitors still jostled for the perfect photo in front of the Treasury: the iconic façade that defines Petra in postcards and social media feeds.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the thrill of standing before the incredible site you read about in history books. It’s easy to romanticize a place through the narrow lens of what we see online. But Petra is far more than a single image. It’s a sprawling and massive ancient city carved by the Nabataeans. The ancient site is filled with marvels like the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Petra Theatre, and the Monastery. As our local guide from G Adventures put it, “It takes at least two days to explore Petra properly.”
Still, most travelers plan their entire trip to Jordan around Petra. A friend recently told me she’d love to visit the country but wasn’t sure what there was to do beyond Petra. After spending eight days exploring Jordan — and realizing it wasn’t nearly enough time — I discovered just how much awaits outside the sandstone walls of Petra.
Don’t Skip Out On Jordan’s Capital City, Amman
@mittimegantv Petra is iconic but wait until you see the rest of Jordan 🇯🇴 #VisitJordan #jordanadventure #traveltok #fypシ #blacktravelfeed ♬ original sound – Mitti
It’s not uncommon for visitors to skip Amman and head straight to Petra, but Amman is not a pass-through city. With its rich history, diverse culture, and incredible food scene, Amman is a cultural gem with a surprisingly thriving arts scene.
Give Amman at least three days. Your first stop should be the Amman Citadel, the historic archaeological site on a hill in downtown Amman. Not only does it offer the best panoramic views of Amman, but it also provides insight into the city’s unique history. The Amman Citadel features historical remains from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods. There’s the Roman Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.
From there, head to the Amman Ampitheatre. The ancient site was built between 138 and 161 AD. With more than 6,000 seats, the well-preserved structure is still used for concerts and events today. Shopping in Amman is fun, from the souks and local shops in markets to the malls. Don’t miss visiting cafes on Rainbow Street and the Roman Nymphaeum, and enjoy a falafel sandwich from Al Quds Falafel 1966. Locals say it’s a favorite among Jordanian royalty.
Jerash: Pompeii Of The East
Just an hour north of Amman lies the ancient city of Jerash, which dates back more than 6,500 years. Its golden age came under Roman rule, from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD, a period of great prosperity and extensive construction of its spectacular architecture, which still stands today. Jerash, once known as Gerasa, is one of the ten cities of the Decapolis and is considered one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world.
Nicknamed the Pompeii of the East, Jerash was hidden beneath sand for centuries before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years. In Jerash, visitors will find paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, grand theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, city walls pierced by towers and gates, and more.
Visit Wadi Rum The Correct Way
If Petra is Jordan’s most popular attraction, Wadi Rum is a close second. Wadi Rum is a protected desert wilderness known for its grand landscapes of sandstone, granite mountains, narrow canyons, and reddish-orange sand, near the border with Saudi Arabia.
Also known as “Valley of the Moon,” the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the traditional home of the Bedouin people. There are widespread petroglyphs, inscriptions, and archaeological remains that testify to 12,000 years of human occupation and interaction with the natural environment.
The best way to experience Wadi Rum authentically is to stay overnight in a local Bedouin camp, where you can enjoy traditional meals, music, and storytelling around a communal fire. The best experience is learning about traditional cooking and understanding how the Bedouin culture navigated the stars.
Visit The Seas: Dead Sea And Red Sea
The Dead Sea
At around 1,443 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest land-based elevation on Earth. You can reach the Dead Sea in about an hour, heading south from Amman. People visit the Dead Sea for its health and wellness benefits, especially those seeking relief from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and from joint pain from conditions like arthritis. The Dead Sea is ten times saltier than the average ocean. With its low altitude, people can spend longer times in the sun without the usual risks of sunburn.
The first thing you will do is put mud on your body from the sea, which is filled with minerals that are good for your body’s health. Pack water shoes and a swim cap to limit your hair’s exposure to salt. You naturally float in the Dead Sea because of its salt content. Pack goggles or eye protection. Getting the water in your eyes is not a pleasant experience. Note that it’s advised to spend no more than 15 minutes at a time in the Dead Sea.
The Red Sea
The Red Sea is located in Jordan’s only coastal city, Aqaba, which has a history that stretches back 4,000 years. In addition to visiting historical sites such as the Aqaba Castle and the third-century historical marvel, the Aqaba Church, don’t miss the incredible marine life found in the Red Sea.
The water is exceptionally clear and calm. The Dead Sea is home to approximately 1,200 species. At least 10% of its sea life consists of endemic species, meaning they aren’t found anywhere else in the world.
A Homestay Experience
One of the most fulfilling experiences during my time in Jordan with G Adventures was the homestay experience with Beit Al Baraka. Muna Haddad created the homestay to bring travelers and locals together for an authentic blend of daily Jordanian life. Beit Al Baraka is located in Umm Qais.
Umm Qais is the modern name for the ancient Decapolis city of Gadara. It offers views of several key areas: the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Jordan Valley.
We spent time with local beekeeper, Yousef, and later enjoyed a home-cooked dinner with a local family host.
We visited the Qais Archaeological Museum, which houses a restored Ottoman-era building, before joining women of the village for a hands-on cooking experience. This experience was a reminder of what travel is about: getting to know people and cultures beyond the surface-based highlight reels, images, and videos.
