Driving from Magical Petra to the Shores of the Red Sea: a Jordan Road-Trip

For a spectacular and varied road trip, there can be few better destinations than Jordan. The country boasts a huge number of world-class sights, ranging from wonders of antiquity to stunning natural scenery, all linked by well-maintained roads. Beginning in the cultural treasure trove that is capital Amman, taking in cinematic Petra and Wadi Rum, and finishing on the shores of the crystal-clear Red Sea, here’s how to road-trip this most enchanting of destinations.

Dive into the cultural riches of Jordan's capital Amman

Amman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history that spans several millennia (Illustration: Emma Darvick and Yeji Kim) 

Your trip begins in Jordan’s capital, Amman, whose cultural riches invite unhurried exploration. Start with a visit to the hilltop citadel, from which you can enjoy sweeping city views and explore the impressive ruins that span the years of Amman’s history from the Romans to the Umayyads. Among the evocative columns and temples, you’ll find an enormous stone hand, which is all that’s left of a once vast statue of Hercules.

Next, take a stroll along Rainbow Street, which is the city’s best place to shop for souvenirs and sample authentic street food: the falafel found here are legendary. Finish by visiting the Roman Theatre, a monumental construction in the centre of the modern city, which remains hugely impressive nearly 2,000 years after it was built.

Amman enjoys an abundance of superb places to stay, with cutting-edge design and unmatched hospitality to the forefront. A top choice is the Amman Marriott Hotel, with its excellent spa and stylish Library Lounge offering relaxing retreats at the end of the day. At the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel, you can indulge in relaxing treatments in the Shine Spa, or simply take in the magnificent city views from the rooms and suites.

Alternatively, one of the city’s most iconic places to stay is W Amman, which combines innovative architecture with stylish interior decor, and even boasts a modernist reinterpretation of Petra’s iconic canyon walk as the entry to the lobby. Also consider The St. Regis Amman, decorated in locally inspired style and home to an art gallery of works by local artists, or The Ritz-Carlton, Amman – here you can enjoy coffee and tea in the gorgeous garden café, and in the evening take part in the hotel’s welcoming Olive Tree Ceremony.

Take the unforgettable King’s Highway to the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west, is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth (Illustration: Emma Darvick and Yeji Kim) 

Route 35, which heads south from Amman, is also known as the King’s Highway thanks to its importance to kings and royalty since antiquity. Take this famous road some 40km (50min) to the important town of Madaba to visit St George’s Church, which holds one of Jordan’s great treasures of the Byzantine period: an immense mosaic map of the Holy Land spread across the church’s floor. Look out for the fish turning back as they swim down the River Jordan to avoid the uninhabitable Dead Sea.

The fish may have turned back, but you should not: no trip to Jordan is complete without experiencing the iconic salt lake. Just 10km northwest of Madaba and en route to the Dead Sea, you’ll reach Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to be buried. Around 30km west of here (35–40min), you can also make a brief diversion to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where legend has it that Jesus was baptised by St John the Baptist.

Some 20km (20–25min) further south, you'll be skirting the shores of the iconic lake, and perhaps checking in at the beautiful Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa. Be sure to indulge in a soak in the spa’s Dead Sea salt pool, a signature treatment at the spa, or go for a dip in the outdoor pool at sunset to enjoy stunning views over the Dead Sea. The hotel also has direct access to the famous salt lake, where people can bask in the full mud experience.

Explore breathtaking ancient history at Petra

Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan, is renowned for its ancient rose-red city city carved into the cliffs, featuring iconic structures like Al-Khazneh and the Monastery (Illustration: Emma Darvick and Yeji Kim) 

Leaving Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa, head for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, taking in the attractive Crusader castle of Kerak along your way.

This is the first significant drive of the road trip. It'll take around 3hr 15min (200km) to reach your base, the Petra Marriott Hotel in Wadi Mousa, which lies just minutes from the entrance to Petra. The iconic ancient site is filled with dramatically carved rock structures at every twist and turn: make sure to visit highlights such as the Treasury, famously featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the Monastery, a huge structure carved painstakingly out of Petra’s distinctive red-orange rock. At dawn and dusk, the sun makes the rock glow a magical golden colour, while candle-lit night time tours offer another unique perspective on this ancient wonder.

End your day with a treatment at the hotel’s Loofah Turkish Bath or a swim in the gorgeous outdoor pool, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, and finish with a delicious authentic Bedouin meal at the hotel’s Al Matal Bedouin Tent.

Experience stunning desert beauty at Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, often referred to as the "Valley of the Moon" in Jordan, served as the stunning backdrop for the film Lawrence of Arabia (Photo: Marriott International) 

From Petra Marriott Hotel, it’s time to head 110km (1hr 45min) south down the Desert Highway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wadi Rum. It’s an easy drive through increasingly impressive desert scenery, with mountains visible in the distance, and camels often seen on the sands at the roadside. You’ll also pass the old Wadi Rum train station, with its century-old steam locomotive abandoned evocatively in the desert surroundings. 

At Wadi Rum Village, you can take a 4WD tour into one of the world’s most beautiful desert landscapes. You’ll drive between red-orange sand dunes amidst gorgeously craggy rock outcrops, until you reach the impressive Burdah Rock Bridge, an iconic viewpoint with magnificent views across the desert. Finish with a visit to see where Lawrence of Arabia took part in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, still remembered here with pride.

Soak up the sun and enjoy perfect Red Sea diving in Aqaba

Aqaba, Jordan, is not only a fantastic Red Sea resort destination but also boasts an interesting historical note: it is the only coastal city in Jordan (Illustration: Emma Darvick and Yeji Kim) 

Leaving the sands of Wadi Rum behind you, continue another 70km (1hr) southwest along the Desert Highway to Jordan’s southernmost city, Aqaba. Located at the top of the Red Sea, it’s Jordan’s only coastal city, and is a wonderfully relaxing seaside spot. Stay at Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Saraya Aqaba, and spend long days enjoying the sun at Saraya Beach Club, or sipping expertly crafted cocktails at the Kubba Levantin restaurant, while enjoying views of the stunning turquoise sea.

The Red Sea is famous for its clear waters and diversity of underwater life. There are excellent trips for both novice and experienced divers, so if you want to get up close with the colourful fish, pristine coral and graceful sea turtles, these are ideal. If you prefer to remain above the surface, take a glass-bottomed boat ride around the harbour to experience the Red Sea’s marvels in relaxed style.

Published: January 25, 2024

Last Updated: February 07, 2024