Itineraries — Amman and the North

Amman and the North revolve around a main axis — the capital Amman and its cultural hinterland — which constitutes the natural gateway to any trip to Jordan. This is where you land (Queen Alia Airport, 35 km south of Amman), where you find modernity before diving into the desert and Petra, and where you discover a little-known dimension of the Hashemite Kingdom: its green hills, its Roman and Byzantine ancient cities, and its major biblical heritage.

The region is easily explored from Amman, which serves as an ideal base camp for 2 to 4 days. All major destinations (Jerash, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Ajloun) are accessible as day trips, which avoids hotel transfers. The capital also offers the country's best hotel selection (from €25/night backpacker to €350/night Four Seasons), a remarkable food scene and more lively nightlife than one might imagine.

For a short trip (2 days), focus on Amman and Jerash: 1 day for the Citadel, Roman Theatre, downtown and Amman's food scene; 1 full day for Jerash, the 'Pompeii of the East'. Over 3 days, add Madaba and Mount Nebo en route to the Dead Sea (combinable with your transit south). Over 4-5 days, include Ajloun and its green hills (Saladin's fortress, Forest Reserve ecolodges) or the Umayyad desert castles to the east (UNESCO Qasr Amra).

Logistics are simple: abundant taxis in Amman (count 2-7 JOD per ride in the city, i.e. €2.50-9), private driver for the day (€50-100 depending on programme), or organised excursions from hotels (€35-70 per person for a half-day to Jerash, €60-100 for the Jerash + Ajloun day). The Jordan Pass covers entry to all major sites (Citadel, Roman Theatre, Jerash, Ajloun, Madaba, Mount Nebo) — a purchase paid off from the second day.