Jordan is a vivid and beautiful country with many incredible locations, including historical sites, natural and man-made rock features, and the Dead Sea, combined with dramatic light. From the ancient city of Petra to the modern metropolis of Amman, there are plenty of beautiful places in Jordan to take some stunning photos.
Thanks to its desert location and rose-coloured sandstone and rich red sands, the golden hour of early morning around sunrise or late afternoon just before sunset, tends to be the best time of day to take photographs in Jordan. The light is softer then, which can help to bring out the rosy, warm colours and details of the rock formations and architecture. In the middle of the day, the sun is high in the sky, creating harsh shadows and bright sunlight that can make it difficult to capture the beauty of your surroundings.
Some of the best photography locations in Jordan can get very crowded during peak hours, especially in the high seasons from March to May and from September to November. Early morning or late afternoon photography sessions can help you avoid the crowds and get some truly stunning shots. The low season is from December to February, when the weather is cooler and there are fewer tourists.
So, if you’re wondering where to go in Jordan for the best photographs, here’s our list of the most beautiful places in Jordan:
The Most Beautiful Places in Jordan:
1. Petra
Petra is one of the most instagrammable locations in Jordan, offering dazzling photo opportunities. The ancient city hewn out of the rock face features intricate ecclesiastical architecture, providing a unique backdrop for photography. The details of the rock-cut architecture are best seen in the golden hour. Whenever you visit, plan accordingly: take plenty of water, wear comfortable shoes, and be patient navigating through crowds. Extra tip: book yourself in to visit Petra at Night, when it is illuminated by thousands of lights. So pretty!
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2. The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a two-hour drive from Petra. With its salt formations, crystal-clear water, and beautiful sunsets, it is a unique location that offers great photo ops. For example, you might want to have fun recreating iconic pictures of reading a book or newspaper while reclining in the waters.
3. The Dead Sea Panoramic Complex
The Dead Sea panoramic complex near Madaba is surely one of the best places to Insta the sunset in Jordan. Relatively new, so not very crowded, it is perched atop cliffs of the Zara Mountain Range. Run by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, the complex includes a museum with well-presented information about the geology, plant and animal ecology, archaeology, history and industry of the Dead Sea and surrounding area, and a restaurant. A lookout point provides extraordinary views over the Dead Sea and the hills beyond.
4. Mujib Biosphere Reserve
For a walk on the wild side, head to the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, located in the deep Wadi Mujib gorge near the eastern coast of the Dead Sea. This is the lowest nature reserve on earth, located at 1345 feet below sea level in places, offering spectacular scenery and an array of wildlife and biodiversity. Be sure to capture magnificent ibex perched on the sandstone cliff faces!
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5. Dana Biosphere Reserve
The Dana Biosphere Reserve offers an opportunity to capture the beauty of Jordan's varied natural landscapes, including mountains, valleys, and canyons. Each landscape and habitat can provide different photographic opportunities, so it can be worth spending several days exploring and photographing the reserve at different times of day. Bear in mind that it can get rather hot in the middle of the day, so it is best to plan your instagrammable moments for early morning or late afternoon.
6. Lot's Cave
There are several famous biblical sites in Jordan, such as Lot’s cave, where Lot and his family took refuge, located on a cliff overlooking the Dead Sea, which offers stunning shots of the sea and surrounding mountains.
7. Baptism Site
The Baptism Site, also known as Bethany Beyond Jordan, is where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. It lies on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, which feeds into the Dead Sea, and is very picturesque.
8. Jerash
Jerash is a historic site with some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, providing an opportunity to take stunning photos of ancient architecture and history. Arguably the best time is at sunset, to capture the silhouettes of the ruins. If you can go outside of peak times, even better!
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9. Aqaba
The coastal city of Aqaba offers beautiful views of the Red Sea and its coral reefs, making it a great place to take dazzling underwater shots. The water is often calmer in the early morning and there may be fewer swimmers and divers, so it will be easier to capture the beauty of the marine life and coral. The early morning light is also perfect for capturing the underwater colours and textures. Visibility for underwater photography can vary greatly – the best time of year is generally during the summer months, when the water is warm and visibility is very good. Local guides and dive operators can help you find the best specific locations. The city itself has been inhabited since 4,000 BC and there is a well-preserved and picturesque castle or fortress, the Mamluk Castle of Aqaba, dating from the Islamic era in the 16th century.
Last but not least, Jordan's capital city, Amman, is full of historic sites as well as modern architecture, which makes it a great location for urban photography:
10. Amman Citadel
The Amman Citadel is a historic site with ancient ruins, beautiful views of the city, and a stunning backdrop for photos. As for other places, the best times of day for photographs and to avoid crowds are early morning and late afternoon.
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11. Rainbow Street
Rainbow Street in Amman is famous for its vibrant and colourful atmosphere, making it ideal for some Insta-worthy shots. For example, head to the Jadal Cultural Centre, which has a beautiful courtyard and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the city.
12. Books@Café
The celebrated Books@café in Amman has a bohemian vibe, and its atmospheric décor makes it a perfect spot for snapping some photos in Jordan.
13. Souk Jara
You cannot visit Jordan without photographing a souk, or outdoor market. The Souk Jara in Amman takes place on Fridays during the summer months and offers a variety of artisanal products, food stalls, and entertainment, making it a great place to capture some lively and colourful images.
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14. The Rainbow Theatre
The Rainbow Theatre, Amman, is a historic cinema with a colourful façade and retro signage that make for a great backdrop for photos. The best time to take them is in the golden hour, when a beautiful glow is cast on the façade, or during the blue hour, which is the twilight period before sunrise or after sunset when the sky takes on a deep blue hue. This can create a striking contrast against the bright, illuminated lights.
15. Al-Basha Turkish Bath
The traditional Al-Pasha Turkish Bath in Amman has gorgeous interiors with colourful tiles and mosaics and is also a great place for a coffee. (Although you won’t of course be able to take photos in the steam rooms!)
16. Jabal Al-Weibdeh
The Jabal Al-Weibdeh is the oldest and most picturesque district of Amman, with many traditional cafés providing perfect photo opportunities and outdoor seating.
17. Amman Beach
The Amman Beach, located about 45 minutes from the capital city, Amman, is a popular destination for sunset photography due to the stunning views of the Dead Sea and the surrounding mountains.
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With so many instagrammable places in Jordan to choose from, you will want to take your time getting to know them, so why not spend a week visiting some of the best photo spots in Jordan with like-minded people in their 30s and 40s. We at Indico Travels are experts in the terrain and have the best guides on the ground.
