Amman Travelers Recommend

The ancient city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is the jewel of Jordan. And, though you could spend days exploring this spectacular sandstone settlement, travelers who are short on time can see the highlights of the ancient city during a day trip from Amman. Find out more below.  

Private Tours

If you’re on a tight schedule but want to see as much of Petra as possible, private tours are the way to go. With private tours from Amman, you dictate the timings. This means you can get your trip underway as early as you wish, or perhaps a little later, with pickup from your hotel. 

Opt for private round-trip transfers from Amman and either explore Petra independently or hire your own local guide. Alternatively, pick a more comprehensive private tour package that includes a guided excursion of Petra. Tours can be tailored to your specific interests, be they art, history, or culture. It’s also possible to add on additional experiences, such as a short horseback or camel ride, as well as visits to Little Petra and the Dead Sea.

Group Tours

Group tours to Petra from Amman offer a good-value and are an efficient and hassle-free way to see the top sights in the ancient Nabataean city. As with private tours, sightseeing experiences vary depending on which tour you choose. Pick a bare-bones excursion that includes transfers from Amman and free time at Petra, or opt for an all-inclusive tour with round-trip transfers, a guided tour of the site, a horseback ride, and even lunch. 

Things to Know

• Petra is about 140 miles (225 kilometers) from Amman. Driving takes 2.5–3 hours. 

• Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat to protect you from the desert sun.

• Some tours include entrance fees to Petra.

• Full-day tours from Amman typically last 8–13 hours. 

The landlocked Dead Sea sits 1,312 feet (400 meters) below sea level in the Jordan Rift Valley, making it the lowest point on Earth. Floating in its warm, mineral-rich waters is an experience that should not be missed. Here are your options for tours from Amman. 

Full-Day Tours

If time is short, it’s possible to visit the Dead Sea Spa Hotel or take a swim in the Dead Sea on a half-day tour from Amman, stopping along the way to visit Bethany on the Jordan River, the believed site of Jesus’ baptism. On a full day trip, you could combine your visit with an Amman city tour; a visit to the sacred Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land; or a tour of St. George’s Church in Madaba, famous for its magnificent Mosaic Map.

Multi-Day Tours

With time to spare, a multi-day tour means you can venture further afield and explore at a more leisurely pace. A 3-, 4-, or 6-night tour from Amman means you can take in Jordan attractions such as the UNESCO-listed city of Petra, the ancient city of Jerash, the Wadi Rum desert, or the Red Sea. 

Things to Know

• The Dead Sea is located 187 miles (85 kilometers) southwest of Amman, a journey of about 1.5 hours by road.

• Day trips from Amman can last between four and nine hours. 

• Be sure to bring your swimsuit, but be aware that the mineral-rich waters can stain fabrics.

• Multi-day tours typically include hotel pickup and drop-off, accommodation, some meals, and round-trip coach transport.

Jordan offers a lot for visitors, but with three days in and around Amman, you'll have just enough time to hit the city's major sites and get out and about to important attractions such as Petra and the Dead Sea—you just have to be strategic about it. Here’s how.

Day 1: Amman

Spend your first day taking in the sights and smells of the Jordanian capital. In the morning, visit popular attractions such as the blue-domed King Abdullah I Mosque and the 6,000-seat Roman Theater. The Citadel is also worth a visit—not only does it offer great views, but it’s also home to the fascinating Jordan Archaeological Museum, replete with ancient artifacts. Other popular museums here include the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, which showcases contemporary art by local and international artists, and the Royal Automobile Museum, full of classic cars, motorcycles, and even a private plane owned by Jordan’s royal family.

Spend the afternoon exploring Rainbow Street, a trendy little area full of cafés and popular shops. If you’re visiting in summer, don’t miss Souk Jara, the night market here, which is a good spot to pick up handicrafts—just remember to bargain.

Day 2: Petra

Devote your second day to Petra, considered one of the New7Wonders of the World and easily the most important archaeological site in Jordan. This ancient city predominantly cut from rose-red sandstone is believed to have been inhabited as early as around 9000 BC and was an important trading hub under the Nabateans. Popular attractions within the expansive complex include Al Khazneh, or the Treasury, at the entrance to the ancient city, named for the funerary treasures it is believed to contain. Just beyond the Treasury is a long expanse full of tombs, caves (many of which are inhabited by Berber people to this day), and other ancient structures. If you have the time, the Monastery toward the end of the complex is a gargantuan Nabatean tomb that dwarfs other sites within Petra, but getting there is a bit of a trek (much of it uphill).

Day 3: The Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, and Madaba

Spend your third day a bit closer to Amman, visiting the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea for a float and potentially a lunch break at one of the area's many stylish hotels, many of which have showers and changing facilities specifically for use by day visitors. From here, you can make your way slowly up to Mount Nebo, an important pilgrimage site—Moses is said to have first seen the Promised Land from here. Not far from Mount Nebo, visit the historic city of Madaba, celebrated for its gorgeous mosaics, the most notable of which is a depiction of the Holy Land dating back to the Byzantine era. Additional mosaics can be found in nearby Umm ar-Rasas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of ruins dating back to the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods.

Many visitors to Jordan barely see Amman, instead using the Jordanian capital as a jumping-off point to explore more popular destinations such as Petra and the Dead Sea. This is a shame, however, as the city offers plenty to do and see even if you have just one day. Here are a few suggestions.

Morning: Historic Amman

With only one day in Amman, you’re best off exploring the city, though ambitious travelers could take a half-day tour out to the Dead Sea and return in the late afternoon to check out a few local attractions. If you wish to stay in town, start your day at the Jordan Museum, known for its myriad archaeological artifacts, including parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, head to the Amman Citadel, where you can get great city views, making sure to visit the on-site Archaeological Museum on your way.

Afternoon: Modern Amman

Head to trendy Rainbow Street, known for its cute shops and ample cafés and restaurants. Stop for lunch here or grab a falafel sandwich to go before heading over to the city's ancient Roman Theater. From here, head over to one of the city's Turkish baths, or hamams, where you can spend the next couple of hours partaking of a traditional exfoliating and massage treatment. End your day with a stop at the King Abdullah I Mosque, known for its beautiful mosaic dome, or visit the Jordan Gallery of Fine Arts to check out an extensive collection of contemporary art from around the world.

Night: Amman After Dark

Amman is full of hip cafés, swanky restaurants, and bars, and when it comes to drinking and partying, it's one of the more liberal, laid-back cities in the Middle East. Many of the city's upscale restaurants have small bars or clubs, though many travelers prefer to go straight to Rainbow Street, with its lively café scene; you’ll also find the bustling Souk Jara night market here if you come during the summer months. Alternatively, for something a bit calmer, book a romantic dinner at one of the many upscale restaurants in the city.

With two days in Amman, you’ll have enough time not only to get a good feel for the Jordanian capital, but you’ll also be able to take a day trip to one of the many interesting historic sites in the area. Here’s one way to go about it.

Day 1: Amman Central

Morning: Devote your first day to exploring Amman, taking in local museums and cultural points of interests as you go. Start at the King Abdullah I Mosque, known for its beautiful blue-hued mosaic dome, followed by a trip through the nearby Jordan Gallery of Fine Arts, which showcases work from across the Middle East and beyond.

Afternoon: Start your afternoon with a traditional lunch of mansaf (lamb) or mezze before continuing your explorations. Popular attractions include the Amman Citadel, offering gorgeous city views and an interesting Archaeological Museum, and the Jordan Museum, full of artifacts from across the Levant, including pieces of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Evening: In the evening, head over to trendy Rainbow Street, known for its charming cafés and vibrant atmosphere—it’s a great place to wander or sit down for dinner and people-watching. If you’re visiting in the summer, check out the Souk Jara, a night market here that’s brimming with locally produced handicrafts.

Day 2: Day-Tripping

Morning: Spend your next day on a day trip. If you plan to check out Petra, expect to get up early and spend a lot of time in a car. If you want something closer, head out for a float in the Dead Sea instead.

Afternoon: If you’ve opted to go to the Dead Sea, you’ll still have time left in the afternoon to grab lunch and make a stop at Madaba on your way back to Amman. The city is known for its mosaics, particularly the Madaba Map, a 6th-century map of the Holy Land on the floor of Saint George Church.

Evening: From Madaba, it's a quick jaunt to Mount Nebo, believed to be where Moses first caught a glimpse of the Holy Land. Even if you aren't interested in religious history, Mount Nebo makes for a nice spot to watch the sunset before driving back to Amman in time for dinner.

Many visitors to Jordan barely see Amman, instead using the Jordanian capital as a jumping-off point to explore more popular destinations such as Petra and the Dead Sea. This is a shame, however, as the city offers plenty to do and see even if you have just one day. Here are a few suggestions.

Morning: Historic Amman

With only one day in Amman, you’re best off exploring the city, though ambitious travelers could take a half-day tour out to the Dead Sea and return in the late afternoon to check out a few local attractions. If you wish to stay in town, start your day at the Jordan Museum, known for its myriad archaeological artifacts, including parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, head to the Amman Citadel, where you can get great city views, making sure to visit the on-site Archaeological Museum on your way.

Afternoon: Modern Amman

Head to trendy Rainbow Street, known for its cute shops and ample cafés and restaurants. Stop for lunch here or grab a falafel sandwich to go before heading over to the city's ancient Roman Theater. From here, head over to one of the city's Turkish baths, or hamams, where you can spend the next couple of hours partaking of a traditional exfoliating and massage treatment. End your day with a stop at the King Abdullah I Mosque, known for its beautiful mosaic dome, or visit the Jordan Gallery of Fine Arts to check out an extensive collection of contemporary art from around the world.

Night: Amman After Dark

Amman is full of hip cafés, swanky restaurants, and bars, and when it comes to drinking and partying, it's one of the more liberal, laid-back cities in the Middle East. Many of the city's upscale restaurants have small bars or clubs, though many travelers prefer to go straight to Rainbow Street, with its lively café scene; you’ll also find the bustling Souk Jara night market here if you come during the summer months. Alternatively, for something a bit calmer, book a romantic dinner at one of the many upscale restaurants in the city.