TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN JORDAN

Happy Monday! I can’t believe I managed to move in to my new grad school apartment in two days, and now I’m preparing for the school year and TAing my first class! Despite all the activity, I’m really enjoying the whole process of getting to know the department and my research team before I settle down for the semester.

And, sorting through all my old stuff as I move and unpack, I’m finding all these knick-knacks that bring waves of nostalgia, especially for Jordan. It’s the little things that make a living experience in place so special, so while it’s all very fresh in my mind, I figured I’d put together a list of places to see and things to do in Jordan. Basically, if you visit Jordan and do all ten of these things, I think you’ll be able to say you’ve really experienced a lot of important parts of the country. But keep in mind that this list is for more outdoors-oriented people.

1.)   Take a Turkish bath. My favorite Turkish bath is Al-Pasha in Jebel Amman, near the first circle (there are seven famous circles in Amman; conveniently ordered in geographic order from east to west). It’s pretty hard to find the bath, since it’s on a side street, so feel comfortable to ask around for direction. The experience of getting a whole layer of skin scrubbed off is somehow intense and relaxing at the same time. But it’s completely worth it.

2.)   Go to downtown Amman to have mansaf at Al-Quds, and try some knafeh at Habiba Sweets. I love Al-Quds; it oozes local charm. Mansaf is basically the country’s national dish, so you have to try it! Plus, a walk through the downtown area called wasad al-balad (“the center of the country”) is worth the having the experience itself. Habiba is also in wasad al-balad, and is a quick walk from Al-Quds. Just be ready for the tiny sweet shop to be completely packed at all times of the day and night with hungry customers.

3.)   Float in the DeadSea. If you go to a well-maintained beach, it is definitely a tourist trap and also quite pricey. Most hotels along the sea charge a crazy amount like 30 JD (about$42) per person for the day, but there’s one beach with a restaurant along the sea that is only about 12 JD (so about $17). If I went to a resort, I usually got in for free (either through a Fulbright event or as an extra on a movie set) or at a very discounted cost (through a group discount rate). But if you’re cool with stopping on the side of the road and taking a dip for free, just avoiding hurting yourself on the rocks with some sturdy water shoes. 

Me and my sis floating in the Dead Sea.

4.)   Navigate the water trail at Wadi Mujib. For all you outdoorsy people. Basically, you hike and rock climb, but with waterfalls gushing on top of you. It’s really refreshing and fun, especially for adventurists! Since Wadi Mujib is next to the southern section of the Dead Sea, this is especially useful for someone who’s been floating in the Dead Sea and needs to wash off all the salt. 

You might want to grab a waterproof camera to take pictures of your friends and family getting pummeled by water, like me here!

5.)   Spend a night in Wadi Rum. This is like the Dead Sea and Petra (below) in that it’s one of those must-see things. I went there twice and somehow got flat tires both times I was there, so I wax less romantic towards Wadi Rum than most expatriates living in Jordan. That being said, it is breath-takingly gorgeous and seeing it in photos does not compare to seeing it in person. 

Me and sis chilling on the dunes in Wadi Rum.

6.)   Go to Petra. Of all the tourist traps in Jordan, Petra ranks number one, but, it is a must-see. And, despite the relentless Bedouins hawking trinkets, it’s still a very magical moment to round the last corner of the wadi and see the famous façade, as popularly known from the Indiana Jones movie. I usually got in for almost free as a legal resident of Jordan, but for foreigners the cost of entrance is pretty expensive (currently at a whopping 50 JD, which is over $70 - yikes). If you don’t know a Jordanian and end up paying the foreigner fee, just pat yourself on the back for making a generous donation to UNESCO and preserving a world heritage site. 

There are also swings in Petra, if you want to do that instead.

7.)   Spend a night at Aqaba. I really love that little city by the Red Sea. The seafood there is fresh and tasty; definitely have a meal there. I used to really enjoy sitting on a dock and watching the colorful tropical fish drift in the turquoise waters. Plus, if you get hooked on knafeh and want to try recreating it at home, I remember seeing very discounted knafeh platters in the local market. The seaside resorts all cost an arm and a leg, so you can always do a day trip between Amman and Wadi Rum.

8.)   Check out Azraq. This used to be a lush spring and animal sanctuary, until the government tapped into the aquifer and almost completely drained it. It’s depressing but also very educational to visit. There’s also a bunch of desert castles along the way to Azraq, so it’s fun to make a day trip just to see the desert stuff. Plus, surprisingly, there’s a Chechen community at Azraq, and you can get to meet them a little by grabbing lunch at one of the town’s little restaurants.

9.)   Hang out at Jerash. I only did this once and I wish I could have done it at least five more times. This is one of the best preserved Roman ruins in Jordan. It’s a quick trip away from Amman by either taxi or bus. 

Me in Jerash. Admittedly not a telling photo of Jerash's beauty.

10.)Hike through Wadi Dana. My Dad and I had a good time camping on the roof of Wadi Dana’s hotel for almost no money. Then we hiked down the Wadi to really dramatic, elevated views of the wadi looking out to the Jordan Rift Valley.

Also note that a lot of the outdoor adventures require automotive transportation. It’s pretty easy to rent cars from Amman and use the capital as a base for all of these trips. However, if you’re up for the challenge, you can definitely travel to most of these locations through the impressively comprehensive and efficient system of buses.

For more outdoorsy things to check out, I also highly recommend Tropical Desert. I personally know the owner and he is fabulous at organizing and planning outdoor trips all over the country.

Over all, Jordan is a very tourist-friendly country and completely worth a visit. Good luck and safe travels!