In March 2026, we spent twelve days exploring Jordan by rental car. Starting in Amman, we travelled north to Jerash before making our way south along the spectacular King's Highway to Dana, Petra and Wadi Rum. We finished our journey with a relaxing stay at the Dead Sea before returning to the capital. This itinerary combines Jordan's iconic highlights with a few places that often receive less attention. In this guide, we'll share our complete route, where we stayed, what we'd do differently and all the practical tips we wish we'd known before setting off.
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Amman â Jerash â Madaba â Dana â Petra â Wadi Rum â Dead Sea â Amman
Rondreis
- 1Amman
- 2Jerash
- 3Madaba
- 4Route 35
- 5Route 35
- 6Dana
- 7Petra
- 8Wadi Rum
- 9Aqaba
- 10Dead Sea
- 11Amman
Trip at a glance
This itinerary covers many of Jordan's most iconic destinations while leaving enough time to slow down and truly experience each place. From remarkably preserved Roman cities and scenic mountain roads to desert landscapes and the lowest point on Earth, this route offers a wonderful introduction to everything that makes Jordan such a fascinating destination.
The Ultimate Roadtrip
Day 1 â Arrival in Amman
After landing at Queen Alia International Airport, we picked up our rental car and headed to our accommodation just outside Amman. We decided to save Amman for the end of our journey. With an early start planned for the following morning, it felt like the perfect way to ease into our Jordan adventure.
If you're arriving on an evening flight, we'd recommend doing the same. Spend your first night relaxing, recover from your journey and start your road trip refreshed the next morning.
Day 2 â Jerash & Madaba
Our first stop was Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside of Italy. You can walk through beautiful colonnaded streets, grand plazas and ancient theaters. We spent the entire morning exploring the ancient city, and we'd consider it an essential stop on any Jordan itinerary. If you're planning a visit, be sure to set aside at least two to three hours. For everything you need to know before visiting, read our complete guide to Jerash.
In the afternoon, we drove around an hour and a half south to Madaba, a charming town famous for its sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land. One afternoon and one night is enough before continuing your journey along the spectacular King's Highway the following day.
Day 3 â Driving the King's Highway to Dana
After spending the morning exploring Madaba, we set off on one of the most scenic drives in Jordan: the King's Highway. This historic route winds through mountains, canyons and traditional villages, with countless viewpoints and historic sites along the way. Make sure to select the King's Highway in Google Maps, otherwise it will likely send you via the faster Desert Highway and you'll miss the best part of the journey.
There are plenty of worthwhile stops along the King's Highway. We particularly enjoyed the viewpoints overlooking the Mujib Canyon. Kerak Castle, Um er-Rasas and the ruins of Ar Rabba are excellent additions if you have a little more time.
By late afternoon, we arrived in Dana Village, a peaceful mountain village overlooking the spectacular Dana Biosphere Reserve. After a full day on the road, it was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the incredible scenery.
Day 4 â Hiking in Dana Biosphere Reserve
We dedicated our first full day in Dana to exploring Dana Biosphere Reserve, one of Jordan's most beautiful natural areas and a paradise for hikers.
For us, the Wadi Ghuweir Trail was one of the absolute highlights of our trip. This spectacular hike takes you through a narrow canyon with towering sandstone walls, flowing water, lush palm trees and constantly changing landscapes. Keep in mind that this trail can only be completed with a certified guide.
If you're looking for a shorter or less demanding hike, the Wadi Dana Trail and The Caves Trail are both great alternatives.
Although many itineraries recommend staying two nights in Dana, we chose to stay for three. It gave us plenty of time to experience the reserve without rushing and made for a welcome break between the longer travel days.
Day 5 - Little Petra
After a relaxed morning in Dana, we made our way towards Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra. Along the way, we stopped at Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), a much quieter archaeological site that's often overlooked by visitors.
Although much smaller than Petra itself, Little Petra offers a glimpse into the Nabataean world without the crowds. Walking through the narrow sandstone passageways and ancient rock-carved buildings was the perfect introduction before visiting Petra the following day. We would definitely recommend visiting Little Petra before Petra.
Days 6 & 7 â Exploring Petra
We dedicated two full days to exploring Petra, and it was without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip. Instead of entering through the Main Gate on our first day, we chose to hike the Backdoor Trail. Not only does this route offer incredible views over the surrounding landscape, but it also lets you experience Petra from a completely different perspective.
To save some energy, we took a short jeep ride to the start of the trail, which we would definitely recommend. On our second day, we entered Petra through the Main Gate to visit the iconic Treasury and explore more of the ancient city at a relaxed pace.
If you're planning a visit, we've put together a complete guide to Petra, including everything you need to know, our favourite viewpoints, and practical tips for making the most of your time there.
Day 8 â Discovering Wadi Rum
If there's one place in Jordan we'd return to in a heartbeat, it's Wadi Rum. The vast desert landscapes, towering sandstone cliffs and complete silence make it unlike anywhere else we've ever visited.
We spent the day exploring the desert on a 4x4 jeep tour, watched the sunset over the dunes and ended the evening stargazing around the camp. Staying two nights in the desert gave us enough time to truly experience the magic of the desert and learn more about the local Bedouin culture.
Day 9 â Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea via Aqaba
After a peaceful morning in the desert, we left Wadi Rum and drove north towards the Dead Sea. Along the way, we made a stop in Aqaba, Jordan's only coastal city, where you can relax on South Beach, go snorkelling or diving in the Red Sea, or simply enjoy lunch by the waterfront.
By the afternoon, we continued our journey along the scenic Dead Sea Highway to our hotel, ready to unwind after an unforgettable week exploring Jordan.
Day 10 - Dead Sea
After a busy week of exploring Jordan, we spent a day unwinding at the Dead Sea. Floating effortlessly in the incredibly salty water is a unique experience and definitely something we think everyone should try at least once.
While the Dead Sea wasn't our favourite destination in Jordan compared to places like Dana or Wadi Rum, it was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a bit of luxury before heading home. If you're visiting later in spring, you can also combine your stay with a hike through Wadi Mujib, one of Jordan's most spectacular canyons, which is usually closed during the winter months.
Day 11 - Amman
On our final full day in Jordan, we explored the country's vibrant capital, Amman. Our favourite stops were the Amman Citadel, with its impressive history and city views, and the lively downtown souks, where we picked up some last-minute souvenirs and soaked up the local atmosphere.
Amman is busy, chaotic and full of character, making it a fitting end to the trip. It offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in Jordan and is the perfect place to reflect on everything you've experienced over the past eleven days.
Day 12 - Travel day
On our final full day in Jordan, we explored the country's vibrant capital, Amman. Our favourite stops were the Amman Citadel, with its impressive history and city views, and the lively downtown souks, where we picked up some last-minute souvenirs and soaked up the local atmosphere.
Amman is busy, chaotic and full of character, making it a fitting end to the trip. It offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in Jordan and is the perfect place to reflect on everything you've experienced over the past eleven days.
