Thanks to Israel and Jordan sharing a friendly border it is easy to combine a visit to both countries on one trip. With careful planning, you can see the highlights of these incredible Middle Eastern countries. If you’re worried about managing your time and the logistics of transportation make your life easier and take an Israel and Jordan tour package. Otherwise, you can combine some independent travel days with day tours to the harder-to-reach sites. There are several reliable tour companies you can book with including Bein Harim. To help you plan your itinerary, here is a list of the top 10 must-see sites in Israel and Jordan.
Top Sites in Israel for a Jordan and Israel Itinerary
1. Jerusalem Old City
Jerusalem’s Old City is the top attraction in Israel, and if you see only one place this should be it! The walled city holds a plethora of landmarks including the holiest sites for Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Among the must-see sites in the Old City are the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Temple Mount. Wander along the stone-paved lanes, browse through the markets, and discover the city’s four quarters, the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian quarters.
Tips for Visiting Jerusalem’s Old City:
- To delve deeper into the Old City’s history visit the Western Wall Tunnels.
- Follow the Via Dolorosa to retrace Jesus’ route through the city to Calvary.
- Discover the traditional Armenian-painted ceramics.
- You can take a walk along the ramparts of the thick city walls.
2. Masada and the Dead Sea
In southern Israel you’ll discover Masada, a massive rock outcrop with a flat plateau summit. It was here that King Herod built his hilltop fortress more than 2000 years ago and where Jewish rebels fled from the Romans in 70 AD. Visitors can take the cable car to the summit, or hike the snake path which takes about 45 minutes. On the summit, you’ll find Roman bathhouses, palaces, cisterns, storage rooms, guardhouses, and breathtaking views of the Dead Sea. You can combine a day touring in Masada with a dip in the Dead Sea thanks to the proximity of these two iconic sites.
Tips for Visiting Masada and the Dead Sea:
- If you want to get more out of your trip south, include a stop at Ein Gedi, a desert oasis with waterfalls and lush vegetation.
- Continue south to Eilat, Israel’s Red Sea resort with famed coral reefs.
- The Dead Sea has several beaches, some are public and free while others require an entrance fee.
3. The Sea of Galilee
Go north to the Sea of Galilee, an area that boasts rolling green hills, forests, and farmlands. If you take a drive (or tour) around the shore of the Sea of Galilee you’ll discover several important biblical locations including the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Capernaum, and the modern city of Tiberias. Apart from visiting landmarks you can swim in the sea or take a boat trip.
Tips for Visiting the Sea of Galilee:
- Christians should stop at Yardenit where they can be baptized in the Jordan River.
- Nazareth is a nice side trip if you have the time.
- Stop at Kibbutz Ginosar to see the Jesus Boat, a 1st-century fishing boat discovered in the bed of the lake when the tide was low.
4. Acre Old City
Acre is a fortified city on the edge of an ancient seaport. The Old City boasts beautiful mosques, historical synagogues, and an ancient underground Crusader city. Take a walk along the main street which is also the Acre Old City market. You’ll find tons of character, delicious food, and a lively atmosphere. Stop at the Citadel, and visit the restored hummum that dates back to Al-Jazeer, a ruthless 18th-century ruler.
Tips for Visiting Acre’s Old City:
- You can take a 25-minute ride on a tourist boat from the port at the southern point of the Old City.
- If you’ve visited the Bahai Gardens in Haifa you might be interested in the Baha’i Gardens in Acre.
- Enter the underground Crusader City via the Enchanted Garden near the entrance to the Old City.
5. Tel Aviv-Jaffa
Don’t leave Israel without experiencing the modern side of the Start-Up Nation. Although Tel Aviv has many historical sites you might want to enjoy the excellent beachfront, the nightlife, art museums, and markets. Tel Aviv is a walkable city with many tree-lined streets and buildings with interesting architecture. Visit Carmel Market and wander down the side streets to see restored homes. Tel Aviv is also the city with the highest concentration of Bauhaus architecture. You could discover the architecture by yourself or take a tour. This is also the city where you can try a huge array of street food. And it is a great place for shopping. Stroll up the beachfront promenade to Tel Aviv’s joint municipality, Jaffa. Here the atmosphere is completely different. Jaffa is an ancient port city that might remind you a little of Jerusalem. The old port area, and the flea market are particularly interesting.
Tips for Visiting Tel Aviv-Jaffa:
- There are some interesting graffiti tours, food tours, and cycling tours.
- Tel Aviv is very cycle-friendly and there are bike-share points around the city.
- Visit Sarona, a gentrified German Templer settlement from the 19th century with a food market, and specialty stores.
Top Sites in Jordan for an Israel and Jordan Itinerary
6. Petra
Jordan’s top attraction, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience Petra is about a 2-hour drive from Israel’s southern city of Eilat where you can cross the border into Jordan. Petra is a city carved out of pink-hued sandstone cliffs by the Nabataean people over 2,000 years ago. It is well-preserved thanks to its remote location and the dry climate. The site is massive, covering about 102 square miles (264km²), and requires either a good guide or more than one day to explore. As you enter Petra through the Siq, a narrow gorge flanked by soaring cliffs you arrive in front of the Treasury, an ornately carved stone facade that features on most of Jordan’s tourism posters.
Tips for Visiting Petra:
- There is an entrance fee of 90 JOD.
- Arrive early.
- Bring protection from the sun.
7. Amman
Jordan’s capital city is both a thriving metropolis and a treasure trove of ancient remains. Explore the Old Town and visit the hilltop Citadel, an archaeological site home to an Umayyad palace, and the remains of the Temple of Hercules (Great Temple of Amman). Stop at the Roman Theater, and enjoy the market atmosphere in the downtown area. If you have time, visit the Jordan Museum.
Tips for Visiting Amman:
- Get the Jordan Pass for discounts and free entry to top sites across the country.
- Car enthusiasts should visit the Royal Automobile Museum.
- The best way to get around Amman is by taxi. Use the yellow cabs and make sure they turn on the meter. White cabs are shared and can pick up other passengers. They follow a set route.
8. Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a desert area between the southern Israel-Jordan border (the Arava Crossing) and Petra. It is easy to include a visit to Wadi Rum on your way to or from Petra. Wadi Rum has been described as resembling the surface of Mars with its strange rock formations, and rugged landscape. The best way to experience Wadi Rum is on a jeep tour, rock climbing, a hot-air balloon ride, or by staying overnight in one of the Wadi Rum desert camps. You can spend time with the local Bedouin people learning about their culture, and enjoying their hospitality.
Tips for Visiting Wadi Rum
- Book your adventures and activities in Wadi Rum in advance and with licensed companies.
- Go prepared for hot days and cold nights.
- Wadi Rum is just an hour’s drive from Aqaba on the Red Sea and makes a pleasant detour.
9. Jerash
Jerash can be a pleasant day trip from Amman. It is home to the remains of the ancient Roman city of Gerasa. The Roman remains are well-preserved and visitors can walk among the ruins, some of which date back 6,500 years. Most of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 AD, but what remains is impressive. See the Arch of Hadrian, the Oval Plaza, the Southern Theater, and an intact Roman amphitheater.
Tips for Visiting Jerash:
- This is an enormous site and you’ll need 3-4 hours to see it properly.
- Although you can see Jerash in a day, you could stay overnight in the city or at one of the nearby Dead Sea hotels on the Jordan side.
- The site is open until 20:00 in the summer.
10. Madaba
Just half an hour from Amman, and not too far from the border with Israel, Madaba is home to one of Jordan’s largest Christian communities. The top attraction in Madaba is the mosaic found in Saint George’s Church. The mosaic dates back to 560 AD and depicts a map of the Middle East. It is the oldest known mosaic map ever found and has been used to verify the locations of biblical sites.
Tips For Visiting Madaba:
- Make a side trip from Madaba just 15 minutes to Mt. Nebo where Moses is believed to have stood and looked out at the Promised Land.
- The church is closed on Fridays and Sundays.
- There are organized tours from Israel that include Madaba in the itinerary.
