Things to Do in Northern Jordan
Since I am originally from Jordan and I lived 24 years there, I am going to share the top and the Hidden Gems places to visit in Jordan.
To ensure you have a complete travel guide when visiting Jordan, I created a dedicated section for Jordan, make sure to check out the other articles too!
But first, how to get to Jordan?
The best way to get to Jordan is by plane, it is the safest and fastest way to explore this small country in the Middle East.
Jordan has 2 international airports; the main hub is in the Capital Amman and is called Queen Alia Airport and the second airport is in the South of Jordan and called King Hussein Airport.
The Question I Get the most is, is it Safe to Visit Jordan?
Yes, it is safe to visit Jordan. To read more about my full opinion about it, visit my other article about Jordan’s tips and travel information.
Why Visiting Northern Jordan?
Northern Jordan terrain is very different from Southern Jordan, whilst the South is mostly mountains and deserts, the North of Jordan (that includes the Capital Amman) enjoys a beautiful Mediterranean climate and therefore, the landscapes are filled with Pine Tree forests and Olive Groves!
Is Petra in Northern Jordan?
I hate to disappoint you, but Petra and Wadi Rum are located in Southern Jordan and are around 3-hour drive to the South from the Capital Amman.
The Best Time to Visit Northern Jordan
Winters in Northern Jordan are very cold, and summers can be mild to hot depending on the areas. My recommendation is to plan your visit to Northern Jordan in Spring (March to June) and/or Autumn (September to November) months.
Top Things to Do in Northern Jordan
#1: Exploring the Capital Amman’s Hidden Gems
Usually, tourists skip spending more than 1 night in Amman, however, spending 2 to 3 nights in Amman is fun and there is a lot things to do.
Top Things to Do in Amman
#1: Visit the Historic Roman Cites
Amman is full of many archaeological sites, including Roman Ruins such as the Roman Amphitheatre and Amman Citadel. Both are close to each other and can be explored in the same day.
When you visit Amman Citadel, you will be able to have a full view of the Roman Amphitheatre.
#2: Participate in a Homemade Local Cooking Class
Beit Sitti which translates into (My Grandmother House) offers unique cooking classes experience in an old traditional house in old part of Amman city.
At Beit Sitti, they offer various menus to choose from and cover any diet restrictions. It is the best place to try Jordanian cuisine and learn how to make our signature dishes!
#3: Indulge in the Best Falafel Warp in the world
Falafel Al- Quds is one of the best places to try the original fried and crunchy Falafel in Amman, perhaps in the world! After I lived 9 years in Europe, I am safe to say nothing beats the Jordanian Falafel wraps!
I truly never understood how they sell cold and baked Falafels in European supermarkets! Falafels should be eaten freshly fried, after Falafels gets cold its impossible to enjoy it! That crunch..is so yummy!
#4: Wander in the Old Downtown of Amman & Shop!
Wander in the old downtown of Amman, see the local spice markets, try the street freshly pressed juices, shop local souvenirs and visit the famous Al-Husseini Mosque (an Ottoman style mosque).
Try the official Jordanian dessert, Kunafah at Habiba Sweets! Its melted white cheese under a warm soft dough drizzled with sugar syrup ..yum!
Insider Tip: Visit the market during weekday (which runs from Sunday to Thursday), avoid Fridays and visit the market early morning before 10:00 am.
#5: Visit the Modern New Downtown, Abdali Boulevard
To see the other face of Amman, the modern side of the capital, visit Abdali Boulevard and watch the modern building, shops, cafes and restaurants including Abdali Mall and the Boulevard Walk.
#6: Walk in some Famous Neighbourhoods and Streets
Because Amman is the capital, there are many neighborhoods to enjoy walking and tasting some tasty dishes.
Jabal Al-Webdeh is one if the neighbourhood where there are cute small cafes that is best to be visited around sunset time until late nights.
As well as Rainbow street and Jabal Amman areas, my favourite stop there is to enjoy an interrupted views of Old Amman at Wild Jordan café.
#7: Trying Local and Cosmopolitan Cuisines in Amman
Enjoy the eatery scene in Amman and try different restaurants that offer Levantine Kitchens or international cuisines mixed with Jordanian flavours, my top places to eat in Amman, are:
- Em Sherif for Authentic Lebanese Food
- Ahwet Zayounta Jordan Fusion Lebanese Food
- Black Skillet, for steak lovers with a twist of Jordanian flavours
- Lulu’s Garden café for an evening in a lavish café with fresh and exotic juices menu to try
- Books@ café Abdoun Branch is perfect for your ultimate coffee and snack shop and perhaps for working too!
- Wild Jordan for uninterrupted views of Old Amman and the Citadel, their summer terrace is divine, and their food fusion menu is not to miss!
- Sufra Amman, offers delicious Jordanian dishes not to be missed
- Hona AlQahera Café, is an Egyptian decorated café offering delicious Egyptian cuisine and late night dance shows, make sure to book ahead of time as it is a popular place
- Rakwet Arab restaurant and café,Typical Jordanian and Levantine Kitchen with authentic Damascus (Syrian) interior.
- Habibah Sweets Downtown Amman, for the best Jordanian Kunafah dessert (melted white cheese under an orange dough served hot), the must try dessert!
Top Places to Stay in Amman
- The Ritz Carlton Amman, 5 stars Luxury Hotel located at a central location in Amman with easy access to all the attractions in Amman.
- Signa By Hilton Amman, 5 Stars Hotel located at the Heart of Amman, close to nearby restaurants and cafes.
- Four Seasons Amman, 5 Stars Luxury Hotel located close to many attractions in Amman.
#2: Explore Umm Qais
Umm Qais is a small city located at the top tip North of Jordan. Umm Qais is probably one of the most scenic places in Jordan as the hills of Umm Qais overview the Tabria Lake (Tabria Lake is not located inside Jordan).
How to Get to Umm Qais
Umm Qais is around 2-hour drive to the North of Amman; Umm Qais can be reached either by a rented car or Uber or organised tourists group tour.
When is the Best Time to Visit Umm Qais
Spring months between March and June are my favourite months to enjoy a visit to Umm Qais, where the insane lush green carpets cover the area and beautifully decorated with colourful wildflowers.
Autumn months are great time to consider visiting. I would not recommend visiting Umm Qais during winter months that run from December to February as it can be very cold and windy.
Top Things to Do in Umm Qais
#1: Visiting the Archaeological Umm Qais Roman Ruins (Jadara)
Umm Qais Roman Ruins is one of the unique roman ruins’ sites in the world, as the entire city is built from black stones made from Basalt stones.
Umm Qais Roman ruins sat on the top hills where visitors can observe the meeting of 3 countries, Jolan Heights (Syria), Tabria Lake (North Palestine) and of course the Jordanian borders.
#2: Dine at Romero Restaurant at Sunset
Inside Umm Qais ruins, there is a beautiful restaurant called Romero, which offers uninterrupted views of the lake and surrounding hills. Romero offers delicious Levantine dishes and they do serve alcohol too.
I always enjoyed watching sunsets while dining and smoking shisha at Romero Terrace.
Fun Fact: I completed my university degree in a nearby city called Irbid, during springtime, I would skip my lectures and go to Umm Qais and enjoy a coffee with shisha at sunset times! That was nearly 20 years ago! And no, I am still Young!
#3: Hiking the Jordan Trail
If you seek the spirit of adventure and enjoys connecting with nature and small communities, I recommend doing the Jordan Trail.
The Jordan Trail first sector starts from Umm Qais and runs through Jordan from the North till the South. Umm Qais sector is an 80-kilometre trail starts from Umm Qais and ends in Ajloun and takes around 6 days of wild camping to finish the hike.
#4: Beekeeping and Honey Harvest
Personally, I cannot live without eating freshly produced honey! Honey Harvesting is such a unique experience to do when visiting Umm Qais.
#5: Cycling around Umm Qais
If you like to cycle, then cycling around Umm Qais green hills and nature is a must do activity, no matter what cycling level you are at, there is something for everyone to enjoy the cycling in nature.
Bikes and helmets are provided for this activity.
#6: Eating Lunch with a Local Family with Local Ingredients
Northern Jordan cuisine varies from Southern Jordan since North Jordan have more agricultural farming lands.
Therefore, northern Jordan diet include more vegetables and salads in addition to fresh dairy produce and the tasty virgin olive oil! So, dining and cooking classes with a local family gives you a taste of what Northern Jordan table offers.
#7: Basket Weaving and Hadab Making Local Crafts
Why not to learn something new and unique to Jordan and make your own basket or Hatta as your souvenir from Jordan!
Top Places to Stay in Umm Qais
There are no chain hotels in Umm Qais. Locals usually host people in their house extensions or B&B accommodation type. The B&B I listed here to ensure your comfort is maintained and having privacy while experiencing the Jordanian warmth hospitality.
- Gadara Rent Room (B&B)
- Beit Philodemus private rooms with Garden and homemade breakfast
#3: Exploring Ajloun Nature Reserve
Ajloun is a small city in Northern Jordan around 1-hour drive from Amman. Ajloun area is famous for its lush greenery and endless olive tree groves, and it is one of the highest mountains in northern Jordan, hence the lush greenery.
How to Get to Ajloun
Like Umm Qais, you can either rent a car or join private group tours.
Best Time to Visit Ajloun
Late springtime (from April until June) alongside summertime (June to August) are the best times to visit the highlands of Ajloun, which sits between 750 meters – 1,200 meters above sea-level.
Ajloun is somehow protected from the summer heat due to its high altitude and dry weather, you would need to ensure taking a light jacket or a cardigan for the cooler nights, including summertime.
Early Autumn from September to October are good months to visit, the time between November to March it can be very cold, very windy and most attractions can be closed at a short notice time.
Top Things to Do in Ajloun
#1: Visiting Ajloun Castle
It was built in the 12th century at the top of the highest hills in Ajloun, offering unlimited views of the valley and on a very clear day, you could spot Jerusalem from the castle.
It was built by the Umayyad Islamic State to defend the city from the European crusades at that time of history.
Admission to the Castle is included in the Jordan Pass Ticket.
#2: Staying at Ajloun Nature Reserve
Staying at Ajloun Nature Reserve offers a mix stay types between basic camping with shared facilities and wooden cabins with ensuite bathrooms and fireplace, that accommodates all type of travellers those who enjoy connecting with nature or for those who prefer more comfortable private amenities without compromising the surrounding nature.
At Ajloun Nature Reserve, visitors can find array of activities from dining with locals, ziplining and of course easy to difficult hikes and site visiting.
Inside Tip: I recommend staying at least 2 nights at Ajloun Nature Reserve and booking various experiences with the reserve, this reserve supports massively the small farmer villages in the area.
#3: Completing the Jordan Trail Hike
If you started the trail from Umm Qais, you could connect from Ajloun to hike to Iraq Al-Amir which is close to the capital Amman and the length of this hike is around 75.5 kilometres.
In the way you will be able to visit the 3 houses (Soap, Olive Oil and Arabic Calligraphy houses) in addition to some religious sites and old cathedrals and manmade dams.
#4: Hiking Ajloun Houses Trail
This is one of the most popular hikes in Ajloun because visitors get to visit 3 local houses where they experience local handmade experiences, those houses are Soap House, Olive Oil House and Arabic Calligraphy House.
The hike goes through Rassoun Village, and it takes around 4-6 hours to complete.
Insider Tip: Soup in Arabic is translated into “Saboun – Saa boo n” therefore you may hear the word “Saboun” a lot during your hike!
#5: Riding the Telfric (Cable Car) through the Ajloun Hills
Enjoy the views from top while riding the Ajloun Telfric. It passes through the lush Ajloun forests for breath-taking views.
Ticket prices are around $10 per person, and you can book the tickets through their website or by person (there is no need to book in advance, I found their website booking is non-functional and went there and it was easy to purchase the tickets last minute)
#6: Dining at Ajloun Reserve restaurant
A beautiful restaurant situated at the entrance of the Reserve, offers all-year round dining experience of fresh local made dishes.
Insider Tip: Try the “Galayet Banadora” (fried mashed tomatoes with olive oil), local butter, local white cheese, Zaatar with Cheese (dried/ fresh Thyme) Pastry, Sajieh (Beef or Chicken stripes sizzled with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs), olives and olive oil for the ultimate local food experience.
#7: Trying the Fresh Biscuits at Ajloun Nature Reserve
Those biscuits are one of my favourite biscuits in the world! Those are non-traditional biscuits, they are made from olive oil, dates, local spices (Cardamom, Zaffran, Curcuma and others).
They are made fresh daily by the village women; it makes the perfect souvenir gift too!
#4: A Day Visit to Jerash
Jerash is less than 30-minute drive from Amman and can be reached either by rented car, Uber, or organised tours.
Best Time to Visit Jerash
Best time to visit Jerash is Springtime and Autumn. I would avoid summertime as it involves lots of walking and during the peak heat hours it is not advisable to roam around.
Why Visiting Jerash is Worth It?
Jerash is a city that contains one of the biggest Roman well-preserved cities in the world. Jerash was one of the main Roman capitals in the East of their empire.
In Jerash you will find a well preserved the 1,000 columns Roman Road and 2 main amphitheatres; they are called; the Southern and the Northern Theatres, in addition to a well-preserved Roman Cathedral.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Northern Jordan
Northern Jordan is rich with agriculture and the warmth of the people of Jordan, definitely worth adding those cities to your itinerary to taste different bits and hidden local gems in my country Jordan.
To explore more of Jordan and for further information on how to get to Jordan and the type of visa and the currency they use, and any additional information, have a read at my article Jordan Travel Tips and Information.
