Jordan is more than Petra and the Dead Sea, especially in summer. From the oak forests of Barqash to the refreshing water trails of Wadi Mujib, many places stay cool enough for travel. Renting a car in Jordan makes it easier to visit shaded canyons, mountain villages, and lesser-known castles at your own pace. Here are the top summer activities in Jordan if you are seeking forest walks, ancient ruins, canyon adventures, and scenic highland drives.
Visiting Petra in the early morning is ideal during summer. The site opens at 6:00 AM, and the soft morning light highlights the rose-colored stone, making the carved monuments even more striking. You can enjoy a more personal experience walking through the Siq and up to viewpoints like the High Place of Sacrifice.
If you visit in the evening, you will experience different magic with Petra by Night. Held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, this event lights the path from the Siq to the Treasury with over 1,500 candles. The glow and traditional Bedouin music create a calm, surreal atmosphere.
Hiking to the Monastery is another great summer option. The trail includes over 800 carved steps leading up Jabal ad-Deir, a mountain in the hills above Petra. While the climb is steep, doing it early or late in the day is manageable. The reward is a massive rock-cut monument with fewer crowds and sweeping views of the Sharah Mountains.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, sitting over 420 meters below sea level. Its waters are nearly ten times saltier than the ocean, and you can float without effort. The shoreline mud is rich in minerals and is often used as a natural skin mask before soaking. With a rental car, the Dead Sea is under an hour from both Amman and Madaba.
Several resorts line the northeastern shore. Kempinski Hotel Ishtar is ideal for luxury seekers. It features nine outdoor pools, a Roman-stle spa, and direct beach access. Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa offers family-friendly pools, a heated indoor pool, and an Italian restaurant with sunset views. For a quieter and more affordable option, Mövenpick Resort & Spa has traditional village-stle architecture, shaded gardens, and one of the largest spa complexes in the region.
Wadi Bin Hammad is a water-filled canyon tucked into the cliffs near Karak. The trail feels more tropical than desert with flowing streams, palm trees, and overhanging vegetation. It’s shaded most of the way, so you can hike comfortably in the summer heat. The trail follows a stream through tall cliffs and green walls covered in moss and ferns. You’ll walk through shallow water most of the route, so wear proper water shoes.
Guided canyoning tours are available through Wadi Bin Hammad and the nearby Wadi Hora for those seeking more adventure. These tours, led by certified guides, include rappelling down waterfalls up to 20 meters, squeezing through narrow canyons, and spotting rare plants. All gear is provided, and safety briefings are provided.
Tafileh and Buseirah are nestled in the southern highlands of Jordan. These mountain villages offer a blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Tafileh is known for its green gardens filled with olive and fig trees, and over 360 natural springs, including the mineral-rich hot springs at Afra, popular among locals for their therapeutic properties. Buseirah was once the capital of the Edom Kingdom and still holds layers of archaeological interest, from ruins to rock-carved relics.
Nearby, the village of Al Sela invites visitors to explore Sela Castle. Walk through quiet stone alleys, and try homemade dishes like mansaf and zarb. For accommodations, Tafileh-Sila'a Heritage Village offers a stay in traditional stone buildings with views of the surrounding hills. The area is also a gateway to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan's largest nature reserve, home to trails, sandstone cliffs, and rare wildlife.
Shoubak is a quiet mountain town in southern Jordan, located around 1,300 meters above sea level. About a 30-minute drive from Petra, Shoubak’s cooler altitude makes it a good summer stop, especially if you're coming from the hotter valleys. The landscape has apple orchards, terraced farms, and small villages.
Its main highlight is Shobak Castle, which sits on a rocky hill overlooking vast plains. The site has free entry with a Jordan pass, clear walking paths, and open access to towers, tunnels, and courtyard ruins. One feature many visitors enjoy is the hidden staircase—a long, steep tunnel with 375 steps leading to an underground spring. You can also walk the outer walls, climb to hilltop viewpoints, and explore a nearby cave deep within the castle's structure.
Orjan is a peaceful village in northern Jordan’s Ajloun region. It is surrounded by forests, orchards, and rolling hills, providing a cool, green contrast to the country’s drier southern regions. The Orjan Village Trail is a popular guided hike that passes through shaded valleys, past stone water mills, and into orchards. Along the way, hikers can enjoy a traditional brunch and spot ancient olive trees that date back to Roman times. The trail covers about 12 km and takes six hours to complete.
Beyond hiking, you can join local cooking classes to learn how to prepare dishes like makmoura (layered chicken and dough) and kibbeh labanieh (meatballs in yogurt sauce). Soap-making workshops using locally sourced olive oil are also available in the village. If you enjoy cycling, nearby areas like Rasoun, Ajloun Forest Reserve, and Anjara offer scenic routes through pine forests, small farms, and quiet hill roads
Amman offers a blend of Roman ruins, creative spaces, and relaxed cafés. French tourists in Jordan can visit the Amman Citadel and the Roman Theater. Explore the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace at the Citadel with its restored domed chamber. The Roman Theater has steep stone seating and a small folklore museum. Then, explore nearby art galleries in Jabal Al-Weibdeh or Jabal Amman, where you’ll find local crafts, contemporary exhibits, and quiet backstreets.
As the day warms, cafés are the best place to cool down. Jafra Café has shaded terraces with live oud music and cold drinks. In Jabal Al-Weibdeh, Rumi Café offers iced specialty coffee and homemade desserts in a leafy, quiet setting. For something more modern, Books@Cafe on Rainbow Street has a bookstore with a rooftop restaurant and is known for its smoothies, mocktails, and city views.
In northern Jordan, the forests of Barqash and Kufranjah offer a cool, green retreat during the summer months. These areas are part of the Ajloun highlands, known for their oak and pine woodlands. Barqash Forest is accessible via the Zoubia Trail, a segment of the Jordan Trail. The trail is suitable for moderate-level hikers and provides shaded routes.
Kufranjah, a town near Ajloun, is surrounded by forests and agricultural lands. The Kufranjah Dam Trail is a popular hiking route that offers scenic views of the dam and the surrounding landscapes. The trail is approximately 16 kilometers long and is considered moderately challenging. Both Barqash and Kufranjah are part of Jordan's reforestation efforts, aiming to plant millions of trees to combat desertification. You can witness these initiatives firsthand and enjoy the tranquility of the forests.
The eastern desert of Jordan is home to several historic landmarks known as the Desert Castles. These include Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharana, and Qasr Azraq—all easily reachable by car from Amman. The desert highways are well-paved, making this a smooth and scenic day trip for self-guided travelers.
Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands out for its preserved frescoes showing scenes of hunting, bathing, and everyday life from the 8th century. Inside, you’ll find a bathhouse and audience hall that reflect the luxurious lifestle of the early Umayyads. Nearby, Qasr Kharana looks more like a fortress with its thick stone walls and symmetrical square shape. Though its exact purpose is debated, many believe it was used as a caravan station or guesthouse along trade routes.
The last stop is Qasr Azraq, built from dark basalt and with a long military history. It once served as a base for T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt, and you can still visit the room he used inside the fortress. With little foot traffic and open desert skies, the eastern castles offer a quiet, atmospheric look into Jordan’s past.
If you’re still looking for where to go in Jordan during summer, Wadi Mujib is one of the most thrilling destinations. This canyon hike blends water, stone, and sky. The Siq Trail is open from April 1 to October 31 and leads through a deep sandstone gorge carved by a rushing river.
The hike combines walking, swimming, climbing, and floating. You begin by stepping into ankle-deep water, but within minutes, you’re waist-deep, navigating through narrow curves where canyon walls rise like cliffs above you. Summer temperatures outside the canyon can reach 38°C (100°F) or more. However, the temperature drops significantly once inside, often reaching between 25 and 28°C (77–82°F).
This Jordan travel guide has shown that summer in the country can be fully experienced by picking the right spots. From canyon trails to forest villages, French tourists can explore plenty of cool places. To make the most of your adventure, consider renting a car with Finalrentals. We offer a wide range of vehicles and convenient pick-up locations around Amman.
