Here is the 10 day Jordan Itinerary that I did myself, with all my best recommendations for adventures, luxe OR budget stays, places to eat and even some contacts for tours and drivers I loved!
Jordan is an absolutely incredible country in every way – from the landscapes to the hospitality to the culture and history. I advise you to spend as much time as possible exploring the country – 10 days in Jordan is a good amount to squeeze all the good bits in and have enough time to properly enjoy it all.
I did this Jordan itinerary traveling solo, but you can complete this Jordan trip with your family, partner, or solo as well – it works for everyone! I honestly felt very safe the whole time while traveling Jordan solo, and found the people of Jordan to be exceptionally welcoming and helpful.
I also have an article about Jordan solo travel tips, or see my Jordan Tiktok Playlist for info via video.
What to Know Before Traveling to Jordan
Jordan is a welcoming country with incredible hospitality and rich culture. Here are some quick tips:
- Jordan is not as cheap as you think it is! The currency (Jordanian Dinar) is equal to over 2AUD or 1.4USD. It’s more expensive than some other surrounding countries so prepare for this.
- Jordan is well-connected by public busses, but many travelers prefer to book private transfers between locations or rent a car.
- As long as you remain vigilant, Jordan is a safe country to travel in.
- Beware of overcharging, which is the most common scam. Check prices online before agreeing to anything.
Amman + Jerash: 3 Days
Assuming you will be arriving at Amman international airport for your 10 Days in Jordan, I’ll start here. It’s possible to do this itinerary in the opposite direction as well (I actually arrived into Aqaba from the ferry from Egypt so I did it the other way).
Day 1-2: Arrive + Explore Amman
The first place to explore is, of course, Jordan’s capital! This will be a stark contrast to the deserts in the rest of this 10 day Jordan itinerary, so soak up the hustle and bustle while you can.
Amman is known as the city on seven hills. It’s VERY hilly and has many different areas to explore, from the more grungy downtown alleys and souks to super cute hilltop neighborhoods to massive modern malls.
There are also plenty of historic sites to explore in Amman; it’s one of the oldest cities in the world with quite a story to tell! So, you will want to have plenty of time to hit all these sights.
Things to Know About Amman on a 10 Day Jordan Itinerary
- They have uber! Which is the safest way to get around
- There are LOTS of hills. Put on your walking shoes!
- Most of the main city is walkable
- Balance your time between historic sites + cute neighborhoods
Things to Do in Amman
- Amman Citadel, Temples, Towers, + Mosque: This historic landmark looks out over the whole city and has a LOT of fascinating history within it. Spend a few hours here exploring the ruins and learning new things at the museum.
- Roman Theater: Huge, historic amphitheater with roman ruins and museums bordering it.
- Explore Rainbow Street + Surrounding Neighborhood: This hilltop neighborhood has some of Amman’s best cafes, street art, restaurants, viewpoints, and galleries.
- Check Out Jabal Al Lweibdeh Neighborhood: Another hilltop area, this is a trendy place to visit in Amman with cute coffee shops and restaurants. See below for recommendations!
- Downtown + Souks: The more rustic part of Amman with tons of markets, food stalls, cheap shops, and souks
- Grand Husseini Mosque: Historic mosque in downtown
- King Abdullah Mosque: The biggest mosque in Amman that is quite the spectacle in terms of architecture and design
- Abdali Mall + Boulevard: The Abdali Mall is a HUGE massive modern mall in Amman with standard, international brands. The Boulevard is a great, equally modern walkway bordered by more shops and some great restaurants and cafes.
- The Jordan Museum: HUGE museum with historic artifacts and information about Jordan
Places to Eat/Drink in Amman (and Cowork)
I am a cute cafe and delicious food hunter EVERYWHERE I travel. Here are some spots I checked out in Amman (after having to stay a few extra days) from coffee to later on in the evening, from Jabal Al Lweibdeh to Rainbow Street to Downtown. I also coworked in Amman from many of these spots and cafes.
- Rumi Cafe (Jabal Al Lweibdeh): Cute boutique coffee shop with fantastic coffee – takeaway or drink in (plenty of space)
- Dimitri’s Coffee: (multiple locations) great local coffee
- Esquires Coffee House (Jabal Al Lweibdeh) Another specialty coffee house
- The Fries Shop (Jabal Al Lweibdeh): Select from 10+ different kinds of loaded fried. This was a DREAM after walking up and down hills all day, haha.
- Dali (Jabal Al Lweibdeh): FANTASTIC, MASSIVE space with wifi, happy hour, shisha, great food, coffee, and a bar. I coworked from here for a few hours with shisha and a halloumi sandwich.
- Locals House (Turtle Green) (Rainbow Street): Great coffee and laptop friendly
- Bus Stop (Rainbow Street): fun restaurant and are where you can get food from a bus
- Shams El Balad (Rainbow Street): High end, locally sourced restaurant with fantastic seasonal menu inspired by traditional foods
- Books@cafe (Rainbow Street): Amazing restaurant, gallery, AND bookshop with a view and diverse menu from mezze platter and shisha to coffee and beer
- Hashem Restaurant Downtown (Downtown): a MUST in Amman for a quick, cheap local falafel meal
- Wild Jordan Cafe: The Wild Jordan Center is an educational center with a library, meeting rooms, hotel rooms, and more, but their cafe overlooks the city and has fantastic local-inspired fresh food and many students/digital nomads around.
- Zghairon Cafe (downtown): tiny and colorful stairway cafe
- Habibah Sweets (Downtown): Tried and trusted place to get local sweets
Where to Stay in Amman
Here are options for where to stay in Amman for your Jordan Itinerary, depending on budget.
Mid-Budget: Sydney Hotel Amman
I was on a budget on my trip (or clearly spending all my money on food in Amman, ha) so I stayed here. They have options for super cute private rooms and also dorms/singles for varying prices in a very central location between downtown and Rainbow Street – walkable to pretty much everywhere! The staff were helpful and friendly (although the big white cat sometimes wasn’t :P) and the community was good too.
Splurge: Nu Fifty Two or Hotel Philosophy
Take the word ‘splurge’ with a grain of salt here; the awesome and stylish properties below are more expensive for this part of the world but are still often under $100 a night.
Nu Fifty Two is great for those looking for a stylish apartment with a kitchen and a great view.
Hotel Philosophy is perfect for those who enjoy artsy boutique hotels with plush rooms and interesting decor.
Day 3: Day Trip to Jerash/Other North Jordan Attractions
After exploring Amman fully, it’s time to check out one of the most significant and well-preserved Ancient Roman cities in the world: Jerash. It’s only about 30 minutes outside the city and is definitely worth seeing on your 10 Day Jordan itinerary as some call it ‘the Pompeii of Asia.’
You can experience so many different parts of Ancient Roman life here, from the hippodrome where they held chariot races, old market stalls, an olive oil press, the city Forum, temples, a colosseum and theater, well-preserved streets, and more.
As well as Jerash, the sites of Umm Qais and Ajloun Castle are sites many like to see. To see them all in one day you should take a tour, but if you are on a budget you can take the bus.
Getting to Jerash
To visit Jerash you can take a public bus or sign up for a tour.
Taking the bus: I took the bus to Jerash thanks to helpful directions from the staff at Sydney hotel. The bus left from the North Amman bus station, which I took an uber to. I can’t remember the number but if you ask your hotel or ask ‘Jerash?’ locals at the station will point you in the right direction (and confirm with the driver of course). The cost is only a few pounds.
Day Tour to Jerash, Umm Qais, and Aljoun Castle: If you are traveling solo, prefer to opt for more organization, and/or want to see all the sites possible on your trip, this day tour is a great option for you. It allows you to see all three of these historic sites in one day with a group and guide for extra information.
Dead Sea: 1 Day
You can’t visit Jordan without seeing the famous Dead Sea! The Jordanian side of the Dead Sea is home to plenty of luxury resorts as well as tiny roadside stands where you can pay a few pounds to go swim and use their shower.
Day 4: Float in the Dead Sea
You don’t need long at the Dead Sea as long as you can experience it. I stopped here just as a day trip stopover, so it’s an option to simply stop here on the way to Petra.
The best way to get here from Amman is by car, taxi, public bus from Muhajireen station, or booking a private transfer.
Things to Know About Visiting the Dead Sea
- There are hardly any places to swim in the sea for free. Even at ‘Dead Sea Beach’ you must pay 20JOD.
- You must normally enter through a beach club, or a small roadside stand can even charge you 5JOD.
- Fees for beach clubs vary (Expect 20-50JOD), but it is a necessary expense to use a shower, try Dead Sea mud, and experience it.
- BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES. The saltiest sea in the world is obviously very salty.
- Hotels here are pricey. The best and most populated area to stay in is near the Marriott and Movenpick, both of which have their own beaches and facilities.
Where to Stay on the Dead Sea
Budget: If you are on a budget, my top recommendation is to get a day pass to a beach club like the Dead Sea Beach Club or see a great list here with entry fees. There aren’t many budget hotels but the cheapest is usually the Dead Sea Spa Hotel.
Splurge: If you have the budget, stay in one of the hotels with its own beach and facilities, such as the Movenpick or Kempinski for a lush splurge spa experience.
Petra: 2 Days
Petra is an absolutely mind-blowing ancient city – one of the oldest in the world – where the majority of dwellings, churches, and buildings are carved out of vertical rock. It was carved by an ancient bedoun tribe called the Nabateans, held 20-30k people at its best, and was actually abandoned for centuries until it was rediscovered in the 1800s. It’s a MUST on your Jordan itinerary 10 days.
Many people think Petra is just the Treasury (the most famous viewpoint), but it’s so much more than that. There are dozens of miles of trails to hike and mountains to climb. You couldn’t possibly see it in one day, which is why I recommend two (FULL) days in Petra.
Day 5: First Day in Petra: Treasury + Viewpoints
On your first day in Petra, purchase a ticket for 2 or 3 days of entry (I purchased three as it’s cheaper, but I was so exhausted after two that I was done). Today, make it to the treasury and to a few of the viewpoints above it.
This day is shorter and can be started later. Walk through the Siq (gorge) to check out the Treasury. Take photos but don’t pay anyone money to take you to any viewpoints (except maybe 2JOD for a tea at the first viewpoint to the right).
Walk around the tombs to join the Al Khubtha Trail to reach the HIGHEST viewpoint over the treasury. This hike is HARD but rewarding. Make friends with some local Bedouins along the way and make sure to be back for sunset as it’s al long walk out.
Day 6: Second day in Petra, Hike to Monastery and High Place of Sacrifice Viewpoint
On your second day, start with the loop trail to the high Place of Sacrifice (starting just before the Nabatean Theatre). Enjoy this view and hike back down past more caves, tombs, and the lion fountain to the main area of Petra. Stop for lunch.
Check out the Great Temple, Qasr al-Bint, Byzantine Church and more before heading up on the hike to the Monastery via the Ad-Deir Trail. Stop for some shopping along the way and make sure to haggle well for a souvenir from your journey!
Things to Know about Petra:
- It takes a 30 minute walk from the entrance to reach the BEGINNING of Petra. This is a LOT of walking.
- You can pay for a horseback ride if you want but beware of overcharging and think about the animals.
- PETRA IS HUGE!! There is so much to see so plan accordingly.
- Visit Petra by Night if your days work.
- MANY people will try and overcharge you in Petra. Here are the ground rules:
- You do NOT need to pay to see ANY viewpoints. You can reach them on your own with a map.
- However, you can donate a few JOD for some tea to the guys at the first smaller viewpoint on the right side when you reach the treasury, and they can take great photos of you (like one above).
- Haggle for everything and try to know a normal price before you buy anything.
- Bedouins are a kind and hospitable people for the most part, but will generally try and overcharge you.
- The biggest scam Petra bedouins are known for is love scams. But if you refrain from sleeping with/falling in love with a bedouin and DEFINITELY refrain from sending them money, you should be okay. They are not known to be violent but be vigilant. I had a fantastic experience with some bedouins at Petra and had dinner with them on the mountain.
- If you are not interested in buying something, silence is the best way to get rid of sellers.
- See my tiktok below for everything you need to know about where to go in Petra:
Where to Stay in Petra:
The town just outside Petra is called Wadi Musa, and it has plenty of accommodation options. Here are my recommendations:
Mid-Budget: Nomads Hotel Petra
I LOVED THIS PLACE. It’s like a boutique hotel meets a hostel with a great comunity, awesome breakfast, cool decor, good wifi, a terrace with a fantastic view, and lovely friendly staff. You can book dorms or private rooms and I enjoyed my private room.
Splurge: Movenpick Resort Petra
Usually I prefer boutique hotels, but the Movenpick Resort Petra is one of the most beautiful properties in the area with a great pool, rooms, and views.
Where to Eat in Petra:
Inside Petra there are a few restaurants and stands. But in Wadi Musa there are more options for food. Check these out:
- Al Wadi Restaurant: AMAZING traditional food restaurant in the center of town.
- Zawaya Restaurant: Another great restaurant
- Bahia Rooftop & Restaurant: Rooftop view with traditional food
- The Cave Bar: Super cool bar newr Petra entrance with tables and rooms carved into rock like Petra. Has wine/beer available and bar snacks. A great reward after a day walking around Petra.
Wadi Rum: 2 Days
Wadi Rum is surely one of the most incredible deserts on earth, with red sand and rock formations to wow anyone. People visit Wadi Rum to experience other-worldly desert landscapes and stay in camps during their 10 days in Jordan.
Day 7: Get to Wadi Rum Camp
I advise booking a bus or private transfer to Wadi Rum from Petra. Contact your Wadi Rum camp ahead of time to organize a driver, or ask your Petra hotel. Once you arrive in Wadi Rum your camp will pick you up from the main town, Wadi Rum Village.
Today you will likely need to rest after all the walking inside Petra. So sleep in, get to Wadi Rum, and relax around your camp for the evening. Indulge in some food, climb to a viewpoint, or nap in your room. Make sure to catch the sunset and if you have more energy, ask your camp what half day adventure tours they have.
Day 8: Wadi Rum Sights Tour
Today it is time to explore Wadi Rum. Most people do this on a full day Wadi Rum Tour where your driver will take you to many of the main desert sites, including the Khazali Inscriptions, Red Sand Dune, many Rock Bridges/Arches, Ckocken/Cow Rock, and more. You will have lunch (maybe with a family), drive all around, and finish with tea and sunset.
How to Book a Wadi Rum Tour: Most people book a tour through their camp, which is the easiest option. That is what I did. But for more luxurious camps, they may try and overcharge you, so you might want to book on Viator (or at least compare prices they quote you to Viator prices, which is about $91USD).
Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum has TONS of camps – some with super luxe domes and some with standard square tents. They should all include food and board.
Budget: Wadi Rum Fire Camp
I booked this camp in Wadi Rum, which was literally the cheapest one I could find online, as a bit of an experiment because I thought all the camps looked similar. I was right. Any non-luxury camp will probably have the same exact black and white tents and similar food cooked and served family style. I enjoyed this camp and the desert tour (and transfer) I booked through them (with Suleiman) and even met some new friends.
Splurge: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
PHEW This will be a splurge you won’t forget for the rest of your lifetime! This is one of the BEST hotels in maybe the world, but definitely Wadi Rum, and it looks like a space station from the sky. This would be an awesome spot to have a rest day and adventure day.
Aqaba: 2 Days
Aqaba is Jordan’s little slice of the Red Sea to finish your ten-day Jordan itinerary. The Gulf of Aqaba has some of the BEST scuba diving in the whole world, some of which you can take part in from right here in Jordan. With Saudi Arabia on your left, Israel on your right, and Egypt in front of you, this sea connects countries and has some incredible scenes.
Day 9: Arrive into Aqaba, Scuba Diving
If you want to do any scuba diving in Aqaba, this would be the day to do it if you are flying out tomorrow. Dives are often in the morning but see if you can book an afternoon dive or stay an extra day to make sure you’re safe to fly. Aqaba has some awesome wreck diving (including a plane). To book ahead check this tour.
Other than that, people generally love these things to do in Aqaba: relax, hit the beach or beach clubs, explore restaurants, check out the Aqaba Fort, the main mosque, old town, Ayla, souks, and beach boardwalks.
Day 10: Hit the Beach Before Saying Goodbye!
Finish the last of the Aqaba sights you missed before you leave – you can fly out of Aqaba or you can jump on the ferry from Jordan to Egypt which takes you to Nuweibaa, Egypt (near one of my favorite places in the world, Dahab).
Where to Stay in Aqaba:
Budget: Relax House for Hotel Rooms
I’m always one for a great location! This hotel, while extremely basic, covers all the bases with good staff and amenities for a good value and is right next to the beach, bus station, and Main Street. You can’t ask for much more than that. Book it here.
Splurge: Al Manara
If you want proper luxury, ocean views, spacious rooms, and a beach right outside, Al Manara hotel is your boutique luxury pick in Aqaba.
Where to Eat in Aqaba:
- Captain’s Restaurant: to try Aqaba’s famous fish didh
- Al Shami: Gret hummus and traditional food on a balcony
- Baba Za’atar: Try a unique recipe for naan bread PIZZA!
Please leave a comment below or pop me a DM on instagram if you have any questions about anything I have mentioned in this Jordan Itinerary 10 days. If you head to Egypt afterward, learn about the best places to visit in Egypt and top travel tips for Egypt I wrote here.
I hope you enjoy your trip, and please check out my Jordan tiktok playlist for more information about each experience!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.