Petra and Wadi Rum are the stars of southern Jordan, but the country is small and well connected, so it is easy to add extra days around them. Most of these trips start from Amman, which is where many visitors begin or end, while the Red Sea trip starts from Aqaba. Here is how to choose.
Jerash: Rome in the hills
About an hour north of Amman, Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world. You walk through Hadrian’s Arch, along a colonnaded street still marked by chariot ruts, past temples, markets and two theatres. It is a manageable half-day trip, and many tours add Ajloun Castle, a twelfth-century hilltop fortress with big views. If you are a history lover, Jerash pairs well with Petra, since the two cities show how different the Nabataean and Roman worlds were. Arrive early for the best light and the smallest crowds, and wear sturdy shoes for the stone paving.
The Dead Sea: float and rest
The lowest point on Earth is a little over an hour from Amman and about three hours from Petra. The water is so salty you float without effort, and the mud is part of the fun. Resort day passes give you clean beaches, pools and showers, while public beaches are cheaper but basic. Keep each dip to fifteen or twenty minutes, do not shave beforehand and keep the water out of your eyes. It is the most restful day on any itinerary, so it is the perfect reward after Petra’s long walks, or a gentle way to start when you are jet-lagged.
Madaba and Mount Nebo: mosaics and a mountaintop view
Half an hour south-west of Amman, Madaba is the City of Mosaics, with a sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land on the floor of the Church of St George. Mount Nebo, a short drive away, is where tradition says Moses looked out over the Promised Land, and on a clear day the view across the Jordan Valley is superb. These two sit on the old King’s Highway, so you can visit them as a half-day trip from Amman or as a stop on a scenic drive south to Petra. Combined with the Dead Sea, they make a full and varied day.
Aqaba and the Red Sea: reef and relaxation
If your route ends in the south, give yourself a day or two in Aqaba. The town sits on the Gulf of Aqaba, an hour from Wadi Rum and two hours from Petra. A morning of diving or snorkelling over the coral reefs is a fine contrast to the desert, and the waterfront and fort give you something to see in the evening. Diving centres run introductory sessions and trips for certified divers, and glass-bottom boats suit non-divers. The weather is mild in winter and very hot in summer, so choose your season accordingly.
Beyond the classics
If you have more time, there are other places worth a day. Shobak Castle is a Crusader fortress on the road between Amman and Petra, and the Dana Biosphere Reserve offers hiking through very different scenery, from the juniper hills to the desert. Local tour operators can arrange these, and they often fit neatly into a drive along the King’s Highway.
How to fit them in
A simple loop looks like this: arrive in Amman, spend a day at Jerash or the Dead Sea, then head south via Madaba and Mount Nebo to Petra, give Petra two days, spend a night in Wadi Rum, finish in Aqaba and fly home from there. If you have only a few days, choose the single trip that suits your taste, whether that is history, relaxation or scenery, rather than trying to do everything.
Practical tips
Day trips from Amman run by private driver, taxi or organised tour, and a tour is a good choice if you want the context of a guide and the convenience of pickup. Check that your Jordan Pass covers the entry to the sites you plan to visit, such as Jerash and Mount Nebo, and carry water, sun protection and a layer for cooler evenings. If you want to visit Petra as a day trip from Amman, remember that it is a long day, and consider an overnight stay instead.
