Amman Dead Sea
3
Day Itinerary •
Jordan
Three days in Amman and the Dead Sea gives you the extraordinary depth of Jordan's capital, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and the remarkable natural wonder of the Dead Sea just 45 minutes below sea level, the lowest point on the surface of the earth and the saltiest large body of water in the world. This route takes in the extraordinary Amman Citadel with its Roman Temple of Hercules and Umayyad Palace, the finest Roman theatre in Jordan, the extraordinary streets of downtown Amman, a day at Jerash with the finest Roman ruins in the Middle East outside Rome, and a full day floating in the extraordinary Dead Sea with its remarkable mineral mud.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Amman (AMM), 45 min from city centre
Getting Around
Taxi, Uber or rental car for day trips
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 130 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking
DAY 1
AMMAN
MORNING
AMMAN CITADEL, THE ANCIENT HEART OF THE CITY
The Amman Citadel on Jebel al-Qala'a is the most extraordinary archaeological site in Jordan's capital, its remarkable layers of civilisation including the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad periods all visible in a single hilltop site. The Roman Temple of Hercules with its extraordinary giant hand fragment, the Umayyad Palace with its extraordinary domed reception hall and the Archaeological Museum with the finest collection of Neolithic plaster statues in the world are all outstanding. Entry approx 3 JOD. Drive: 20 min walk down
MIDDAY
ROMAN THEATRE AND DOWNTOWN AMMAN
The Roman Theatre cut into the hillside of downtown Amman is the finest Roman monument in Jordan's capital, a 6,000-seat theatre built in the 2nd century AD and still used for performances. The extraordinary view from the upper seating tiers over the rooftops of downtown Amman to the hills beyond is the finest urban panorama in the city. The small Folklore Museum and Popular Traditions Museum inside the theatre complex give the finest insight into traditional Jordanian life. Entry approx 2 JOD. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
SOUK AND RAINBOW STREET, MODERN AMMAN
The downtown Amman souk around Al-Husseini Mosque is the finest traditional market in the capital, its extraordinary mix of spice merchants, gold shops, textiles and street food giving the finest sensory experience in Amman. The Gold Souk and the Souk al-Bakhshish perfume market are extraordinary. Rainbow Street in the Jabal Amman neighbourhood is the finest evening destination in Amman, its extraordinary mix of cafes, galleries and restaurants lining a hilltop street with views over the city.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Duke's Diwan in downtown Amman is the extraordinary private collection of Jordanian journalist and historian Khaled Khreis, housed in a restored Ottoman building and containing remarkable maps, photographs and documents related to Amman's extraordinary history. Free to visit, open most days. Ask at the Citadel visitor centre for directions.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Amman Falafel, hummus and fresh bread at the finest falafel street in downtown Amman. | Lunch: Hashem Restaurant, Amman The most celebrated falafel restaurant in Jordan. Open since 1952. Legendary. | Dinner: Sufra, Rainbow Street The finest traditional Jordanian restaurant in Amman. Mansaf and the best mezze.
DAY 2
JERASH
MORNING
JERASH, THE FINEST ROMAN CITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Jerash is the most extraordinary Roman city outside Europe, a UNESCO candidate ancient city of extraordinary preservation with colonnaded streets, two theatres, three nymphaea, a hippodrome, a remarkable Oval Plaza and the finest series of monumental gateways in the Roman world. The Hadrianic Arch and the South Theatre are extraordinary. Jerash was continuously occupied from the 3rd century BC to the 8th century AD and the depth of its archaeological layers is remarkable. Entry approx 10 JOD. Drive: 45 min drive back
MIDDAY
JERASH AFTERNOON EXPLORATION
The afternoon in Jerash gives time for the extraordinary North Theatre, the extraordinary Temple of Artemis with its remarkable engineering demonstration where pressing a column top makes the entire column visibly sway, and the extraordinary Cardo Maximus colonnaded street lined with 500 original column shafts. The Roman chariot racing show at the hippodrome takes place several times daily and is the finest living history experience in Jordan. Show entry approx 8 JOD. Drive: 45 min drive back
AFTERNOON
AJLOUN CASTLE AND FOREST RESERVE
The Ajloun Castle 20km from Jerash is the finest Crusader and Ayyubid castle in northern Jordan, built by Saladin's general in 1184 to control the Jordan Valley and counter Crusader expansion. The extraordinary views from the castle over the Jordan Valley and the hills of Palestine beyond are the finest panorama in northern Jordan. The surrounding Ajloun Forest Reserve has the finest walking trails in northern Jordan through extraordinary oak and pine forest. Entry approx 3 JOD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Jerash Archaeological Museum inside the site contains one of the finest collections of ancient glass in the world, extraordinary Roman-period glass vessels recovered from the Jerash excavations in extraordinary condition. The museum is almost always quieter than the outdoor site and the glass collection is remarkable. Entry included in site ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Amman Breakfast before the Jerash drive. Leave by 8am to beat the tour groups. | Lunch: Restaurant in Jerash Local Jordanian food near the Roman site. Fresh grilled meats and mezze. | Dinner: Rainbow Street, Amman Return to the finest evening street in Amman. Wine bar and local mezze.
DAY 3
DEAD SEA
MORNING
THE DEAD SEA, THE LOWEST POINT ON EARTH
The Dead Sea at 430 metres below sea level is the lowest point on the surface of the earth and the saltiest large body of water in the world at 34% salinity, ten times saltier than ordinary seawater. The extraordinary experience of floating without effort in the extraordinary mineral water, the remarkable black mineral mud applied to the skin and the extraordinary view across the sea to the West Bank hills beyond is one of the finest natural experiences in the Middle East. Entry to beach clubs approx 25 JOD. Drive: On beach
MIDDAY
DEAD SEA MINERAL SPA AND AFTERNOON FLOAT
The Dead Sea resort hotels offer the finest mineral spa experiences in Jordan, using the extraordinary mineral-rich mud and salts of the Dead Sea for extraordinary therapeutic treatments. The afternoon float in the extraordinary water, which makes it physically impossible to sink, is the finest relaxation experience in Jordan. The extraordinary clarity of the Dead Sea water and the views of the extraordinary landscape are remarkable. Drive: 30 min drive north
AFTERNOON
BAPTISM SITE OF JESUS AND THE JORDAN RIVER
The Baptism Site of Jesus, known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, is the finest religious site in Jordan, the UNESCO World Heritage location on the east bank of the Jordan River where John the Baptist conducted his ministry and where Jesus is believed to have been baptised. The extraordinary series of Byzantine and early Christian churches and baptismal pools excavated since 1996 are remarkable. The Jordan River at the border crossing is an extraordinary experience. Entry approx 12 JOD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lot's Cave complex above the Dead Sea near the town of Ghor es-Safi is one of the most remarkable biblical sites in Jordan, a series of caves and a Byzantine monastery associated with the extraordinary story of Lot and his daughters from the Book of Genesis. The view from the cave complex over the southern Dead Sea is extraordinary. Entry approx 3 JOD.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Amman Early breakfast before the Dead Sea drive down. The descent from Amman is 1 hour. | Lunch: Dead Sea resort restaurant Jordanian lunch at the extraordinary beach resort. Fresh fish and mezze. | Dinner: Amman restaurant Return dinner in the capital. The Abdali Boulevard has good international options.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Amman, Nights 1-3 Four Seasons or Kempinski Amman. Mid-range from 80 USD per night. Dead Sea, Night 3 option Kempinski or Mövenpick Dead Sea for the full resort experience. Budget option Boutique guesthouses in Jabal Amman from approx 40 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Hashem Restaurant downtown is the finest falafel experience in Jordan. The Kings of Jordan eat there. Order the full set, it costs 1 JOD and is extraordinary.
2. The Dead Sea water will sting any cuts, eyes or shaved skin with extraordinary intensity. Shower thoroughly before entering and do not splash your face under any circumstances.
3. Jerash receives fewer visitors than Petra despite being equally extraordinary. Arriving at 8am gives the finest experience of the colonnaded streets without crowds.
4. The Jordan Pass covers visa on arrival and includes Jerash and many other sites. Buy before arriving as it saves significant money on entry fees.
5. The Amman Citadel at sunset is the finest urban viewpoint in Jordan. The extraordinary panorama over the hills of Amman with the setting sun is free and extraordinary.
6. Jordanian hospitality is exceptional. If invited for tea or coffee in a shop, accept. The tradition of offering three cups of coffee to guests is deeply held.
Total Budget
70 to 130 USD/day