Jordan captivates travelers with its blend of ancient history, dramatic desert landscapes, and warm hospitality. From the rose-red city of Petra to the otherworldly wadis and the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, this Middle Eastern kingdom offers unforgettable experiences. Whether floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea, camping under stars in Wadi Rum, or exploring Roman ruins at Jerash, Jordan rewards visitors with authentic culture and timeless beauty.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Jerash (Gerasa)
Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world, a former member of the Decapolis league with colonnaded streets, temples and two theatres still largely intact. You walk through the Hadrian's Arch, cross the oval forum's limestone paving, and follow the cardo maximus for roughly 800 metres past the nymphaeum and the Temple of Artemis. It's a walking-heavy site with almost no shade, so it rewards a morning visit and comfortable shoes.
Highlights: One of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world · Oval Colonnaded Forum (Oval Plaza) · South Theatre seating 3,000 spectators · Hadrian's Arch and the Hippodrome · Nymphaeum and Temple of Artemis · Roman Army and Chariot Experience show (daily)
Dead Sea
At over 400 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea's extreme salinity means you float rather than swim, and the mineral-rich mud along the shore is collected and sold worldwide as a skincare product. Most visitors go through a hotel beach club along the eastern shore near Sweimeh, since public access points are limited and the shoreline is receding. The experience itself is short - twenty minutes floating and mudding is usually plenty before the salt starts to sting any small cuts.
Highlights: Float effortlessly in the world's saltiest sea (34% salinity) · Free Dead Sea mud from the shore for natural skin treatment · Lowest point on earth (430 m below sea level) · Views across to the West Bank hills · Amman Beach public facility with showers and changing rooms
Madaba and Mount Nebo
Madaba is known as the City of Mosaics, and its Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George holds the 6th-century Madaba Map, the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land, set into the church floor. A short drive further is Mount Nebo, the ridge where tradition holds that Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death, now marked by a modern memorial church and, on a clear day, views across the Jordan Valley toward the West Bank and Jerusalem. Together they make a compact, low-effort half-day combining a specific historical artifact with a genuinely striking viewpoint.
Highlights: St. George's Church with 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land · Archaeological Park with spectacular Byzantine floor mosaics · Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death · Panoramic view stretching to Jerusalem and the Dead Sea on clear days · King's Highway scenic route back to Amman
Ajloun Castle and Forest Reserve
Ajloun Castle (Qal'at ar-Rabad) is a 12th-century Ayyubid fortress built by a commander of Saladin to control trade routes and watch for Crusader movement from the Karak direction; its hilltop position gives views over the forested hills of northern Jordan rather than the desert most visitors associate with the country. The nearby Ajloun Forest Reserve, run by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, protects one of Jordan's few remaining stands of Mediterranean oak and pistachio woodland and offers marked walking trails. It's a green, hilly day trip that feels distinctly different from the rest of the country's itinerary.
Highlights: 12th-century Islamic castle built by Saladin's nephew · Stunning hilltop views over the Jordan Valley and West Bank · Ajloun Forest Reserve with pine and oak forest walking trails · Eco-lodge accommodation available for overnight stays · Traditional village of Ajloun for local produce and crafts
Umm Qais and Yarmouk River Gorge
Umm Qais occupies the site of ancient Gadara, a Decapolis city perched on a ridge in Jordan's far north, and its Roman-Byzantine ruins - including a black basalt theatre - look out simultaneously over the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights and the Yarmouk River gorge marking the Syrian border. It's the most dramatic viewpoint of any Jordanian archaeological site precisely because of that three-country panorama, though the site itself is smaller and less crowded than Jerash. The drive there through the northern hills is part of the appeal, passing olive terraces distinct from the desert scenery further south.
Highlights: Greco-Roman ruins of ancient Gadara with panoramic views of three countries · Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, and Syrian plain visible on clear days · Black basalt columns and Byzantine church ruins · Umm Qais Rest House restaurant with terrace views · Yarmouk River gorge hiking for the adventurous
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Amman guesthouses and hotels: Jerash $35-50/person, Dead Sea $40-60/person, Petra $90-120/person (from Amman) including transport and guide
- Private
- Private driver hire from $80-150/day for Amman region; $200-250 Amman-Petra return with waiting time; arrange through hotel or Jordan tourism apps
- Public
- JETT buses serve Petra (10 JOD/3h), Aqaba (10 JOD/4h), and Dead Sea (limited service); public minibuses serve Jerash ($1.50/45min) and Madaba ($0.50/30min) from Amman bus stations
- Rental
- Car rental from $35-50/day for economy vehicle; best for full flexibility on King's Highway, Dead Sea Road, and Desert Highway routes; International companies at Queen Alia Airport
Multi-day tours from Jordan
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
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Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start day trips from Amman as early as possible (7-8 AM) to avoid midday heat and maximize time at distant sites
The Jordan Pass ($70-80) purchased before arrival covers most major day trip sites including Jerash, Petra, and many castles
Combine nearby sites efficiently: Jerash + Ajloun Castle in one day, Madaba + Mount Nebo + Dead Sea in another
For Petra, a day trip from Amman is possible but very tiring — an overnight stay in Wadi Musa is highly recommended to do the site justice
The King's Highway (Highway 35) is one of Jordan's most scenic drives connecting Madaba, Kerak, Petra, and Aqaba — far superior to the direct Desert Highway