Top things to do in Jordan

Cook at Beit Sitti, Amman

Olive oil, herbs, garlic, onion, tomato and lemon are typical flavours in Jordanian cuisine. Mansaf is the national dish, made with lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yoghurt and served with rice. The Beit Sitti restaurant is a unique way to experience true Jordanian culture, situated in one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the heart of Amman. Learn how to cook a four-course Arabic meal and then sit back and enjoy your mezzas, main course and dessert, the sounds of the city, dazzling views, and stories of old Amman.

Explore Madaba & Mount Nebo

Travelling from Amman to Petra along the King’s Way, stop at Madaba, a settlement dating back to the bronze age. The present-day city is known for the many mosaics found in the remains of floors of private homes and public buildings, and is the site of the famed Byzantine mosaic map of the region. Nearby are Mount Nebo, from where Moses is said to have stood and looked to the Promised Land, and the crusader castle of Kerak.

Hike in one of Jordan’s nature reserves

Experience the wilder side of Jordan in Dana Biosphere Reserve or Ajloun Forest Reserve. Both offer excellent flora and fauna with scenic walks. The Dana Biosphere Reserve is the largest and is great for birdwatching enthusiasts. The Ajloun Forest Reserve is best enjoyed by walking the 7-kilometre Soap Maker’s Trail and enjoying the panoramic views. You can also visit a co-operative, where local women produce soap from olive oil.

See Petra by candlelight

Return to Petra after sunset to experience the magic of the immense ruins by candlelight when the Siq (the narrow entrance gorge) and forecourt of the Treasury are lit with thousands of candles.

Watch Roman chariot performances

Jerash is the only place in the world where Roman chariot performances can be experienced in a genuine Roman setting. In the huge hippodrome, there are displays of Roman army drills and battle tactics featuring legionaries in full armour, as well as re-enactments of chariot race. Sit back for an hour during your tour of the ruins and watch the action.

Visit desert castles

To the east of Amman lie several qasrs (castles), most built between the seventh and eights centuries under the Umayyad Caliphate. These important examples of early Islamic architecture contain fine frescoes and mosaics, and stand isolated amidst sun-beaten sands. UNESCO-listed Qasr Amra is among the smallest but best preserved. Enter the domed interior and you’re greeted by ceiling frescoes that are over 1,000 years old. The artwork depicts hunters, kings, nude women, heaven, constellations and the zodiac.  

Located just off the King’s Highway, the 12th-century castles of Shobak and Kerak are stunning examples of Christian Crusader fortifications, built atop rocky outcrops with commanding views across the countryside.