Middle East
Jordan
Petra, the desert of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Roman Jerash — a bucket-list in one compact country.
- Petra
- Wadi Rum
- The Dead Sea
- Jerash
- Amman
- Aqaba & the Red Sea
Jordan packs an astonishing amount into a small, safe and welcoming country. Its crown jewel is Petra, the rose-red Nabataean city carved into the rock, approached through a mile-long slot canyon that opens onto the breathtaking Treasury. Sleep under the stars in the red sands of Wadi Rum, float effortlessly in the mineral-heavy Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and walk the colonnaded streets of Roman Jerash. Add the castles of the King's Highway, the wild valleys of the Dana reserve, the canyon trails of Wadi Mujib and the Red Sea reefs of Aqaba — and famously warm Bedouin hospitality throughout. Because it's so compact, Jordan is perfect in 5, 10 or 15 days.
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The essentials in a short break: Amman and Jerash, the Dead Sea, the wonder of Petra and a night in Wadi Rum.
Daily budget:≈ €70–130 / day
Comfortable hotels, a rental car or driver, restaurant meals, a good desert camp and the main sites with the Jordan Pass.
Day by day
- 1
The Temple of Hercules at the Amman Citadel.© AliAbuRas · CC BY-SA 4.0 
The Roman Theatre in downtown Amman.© Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there: Fly into Amman (AMM); transfer to your hotel
Arrive in Amman, Jordan's friendly, hilly capital. Climb to the Citadel for the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace and sweeping views over the white city, see the magnificent Roman Theatre below, and dive into the buzzing downtown souks and cafés for your first taste of Jordanian food and hospitality.
Amman is an easy, likeable introduction — a city of pale stone houses tumbling over countless hills, ancient ruins poking up between modern streets, and some of the warmest welcomes you'll find anywhere. The view from the Citadel at sunset, the call to prayer rising across the valleys, sets the tone beautifully.
Our take
Buy the Jordan Pass online before you fly — it covers your visa and Petra. Try a mezze dinner and the city's famous knafeh for dessert.
Highlights
- ✦ Amman Citadel
- ✦ Roman Theatre
- 2
The Oval Plaza of Roman Jerash.© لا روسا · CC BY-SA 3.0 
The salt-laced shore of the Dead Sea.© Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 Getting there: Day trip to Jerash, then transfer to the Dead Sea
Drive north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities anywhere, with its oval colonnaded plaza, temples, theatres and chariot-rutted streets. In the afternoon, head down to the Dead Sea — at 430 m below sea level, the lowest point on the planet — to float effortlessly on its mineral-rich water and slather on the famous black mud.
Jerash is a revelation — you walk for hours through a near-complete Roman city, the great Oval Plaza ringed with columns, hardly a tour bus in sight. And the Dead Sea is pure novelty: you simply cannot sink, bobbing like a cork on water so dense it feels almost oily, the hazy hills of the West Bank across the water.
Our take
Don't shave the day before the Dead Sea, and keep the salty water out of your eyes — it stings fiercely. A Dead Sea resort with pools and a private beach is worth the splurge for one night.
Highlights
- ✦ Jerash Roman city
- ✦ Float in the Dead Sea
- 3
Al-Khazneh, the Treasury, the icon of Petra.© Al_Khazneh_Petra.jpg: Graham Racher from London, UK derivative work: MrPanyGoff · CC BY-SA 2.0 
The narrow Siq canyon leading into Petra.© Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 Getting there: Drive Dead Sea → Petra (about 3h, via the Desert Highway)
The big day. Enter Petra, the ancient Nabataean capital carved from rose-coloured rock, through the Siq — a narrow, mile-long canyon that twists between towering walls before opening, suddenly and unforgettably, onto the magnificent Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Explore the tombs, the Roman theatre, the Royal Tombs and the great Street of Facades.
However much you've seen of Petra in photos, nothing matches walking the dark, winding Siq and catching that first sliver of the Treasury glowing pink in the gap ahead — then stepping out into the full, jaw-dropping sight of it. It's one of the great reveals in all of travel.
Our take
Start at opening to beat the heat and crowds and see the Treasury in soft morning light. Petra is huge and hilly — wear good shoes and pace yourself. The Jordan Pass covers entry.
Highlights
- ✦ The Siq
- ✦ The Treasury
- ✦ Royal Tombs
- 4
The red desert and rock of Wadi Rum.© Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0 
A traditional Bedouin desert camp in Wadi Rum.© Irina Alexandra S. · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there: Drive Petra → Wadi Rum (about 1h45)
Head into Wadi Rum, the otherworldly desert of towering sandstone mountains, red dunes and wind-carved arches that doubled as Mars on film. Take a 4x4 safari with a Bedouin guide to the dunes, rock bridges and ancient inscriptions, then spend the night at a desert camp under a blanket of stars.
Bouncing across Wadi Rum in the back of a pickup, vast red mountains rising sheer from the orange sand, then sitting by the fire at a Bedouin camp as the sky fills with more stars than you knew existed — this is the desert of every daydream, and it delivers completely.
Our take
Book a Bedouin-run camp and a guide for the desert. Nights are cold even after hot days, so bring a warm layer. A sunset point and the stargazing are unmissable.
Highlights
- ✦ 4x4 desert safari
- ✦ Bedouin camp & stars
- 5
Heading home... already planning the next trip.© Tobias1984 · CC BY-SA 3.0 Getting there: Fly home from Aqaba (AQJ) or transfer to Amman (AMM)
Wake for a magical desert sunrise over Wadi Rum, then head home — flying out from nearby Aqaba, or transferring back up to Amman. Want more? The 10-day route keeps going to the Dana reserve, a second day at Petra, and the Red Sea reefs of Aqaba.
Five days in Jordan is a whirlwind of wonders — Roman ruins, a sea you float in, the unforgettable Treasury and a night in the desert — that leaves you amazed at how much this small country holds, and already plotting a slower return.
Our take
Aqaba's airport is handy for a southern exit; confirm whether your flight home connects there or via Amman. Carry some Dead Sea cosmetics or a keffiyeh as souvenirs.
Highlights
- ✦ Wadi Rum sunrise
- ✦ Fly home
Where to stay
The best neighbourhood to base yourself in each area, by budget. We point you to the right zone — then you pick and book the place that fits.
Amman
- Backpacker · Downtown (Al-Balad)
- Hostels and budget hotels in the lively old downtown, near the souks and Roman Theatre.
- Mid-range · Jabal Amman / Rainbow St
- Boutique hotels in the trendy, café-filled hills above downtown.
- Comfort · Abdoun / west Amman
- Luxury and international hotels in the smart western districts.
Petra (Wadi Musa)
- Backpacker · Wadi Musa town
- Budget hotels and hostels in town, a shuttle or walk from the Petra gate.
- Mid-range · Near the Petra gate
- Comfortable hotels within walking distance of the entrance for early starts.
- Comfort · By the gate / cave hotels
- Upscale hotels at the Petra gate and unique cave or cliffside stays nearby.
Wadi Rum
- Backpacker · Bedouin camp
- Simple Bedouin-run tented camps out in the desert, with shared meals by the fire.
- Mid-range · Desert camp
- Comfortable tented camps with private bathrooms and good food.
- Comfort · "Bubble" / luxury camp
- Transparent "bubble" domes and luxury camps for stargazing from bed.
Dead Sea
- Backpacker · Public beach / Madaba
- Budget options are limited; stay in nearby Madaba and visit the public beaches.
- Mid-range · Sweimeh resort strip
- Resort hotels with pools and private Dead Sea beaches.
- Comfort · Sweimeh (luxury resorts)
- Five-star spa resorts terraced down to the shore.
Aqaba
- Backpacker · Town centre
- Budget hotels in town, a short hop from the public beaches and dive shops.
- Mid-range · Seafront
- Comfortable hotels near the corniche, beaches and reefs.
- Comfort · South Beach resorts
- Beachfront resorts with house reefs along the southern coast.
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At a glance
Best time to go
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal — warm, comfortable days for Petra, Wadi Rum and the historic sites. Summer is very hot, especially in the desert, at Aqaba and at the Dead Sea (the lowest, hottest spot of all). Winters are cool and can be cold, with rain and even occasional snow at Petra and in the highlands.
Currency
JOD (Jordanian dinar)
Language
Arabic is the language; English is widely spoken in tourism and by many Jordanians. A few words of Arabic — "marhaba" (hello), "shukran" (thank you) — are warmly received.
Visa & entry
Most nationalities need a visa, but the official Jordan Pass is the smart move: bought online before you arrive, it waives the visa fee (if you stay 3+ nights) and includes entry to Petra and around 40 other sites, paying for itself almost instantly. Otherwise, a visa on arrival or e-Visa is available. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality.
Daily budget
Jordan is more expensive than many expect — Petra entry, desert camps and hotels add up. Plan roughly €70–130 per person per day for comfortable hotels, meals, a car or driver and the big sites; backpackers spend less, but the Jordan Pass is essential value for everyone. Figures are approximate.
Getting around
Distances are modest. Many travellers hire a car (roads are good and signposted in English) or a driver for flexibility; the comfortable JETT buses link Amman, Petra and Aqaba. The scenic King's Highway winds past castles and Dana, while the Desert Highway is the fast route south. There are no passenger trains to speak of, and taxis (use the meter or agree a fare) cover towns.
Safety
Jordan is one of the safest, most welcoming countries in the region and very used to visitors. Take normal precautions with belongings, haggle politely in the markets, and dress modestly at religious sites. Avoid the immediate borders with Syria and Iraq in the north and east, which are off the tourist trail; always check your government's latest travel advice.
Connectivity
A local SIM (Zain, Orange or Umniah) is cheap with good coverage in towns and the main sites, or use a travel eSIM. Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés; signal thins out in the deep desert of Wadi Rum.
What to pack — Jordan
Our recommended gear for this trip — country-specific picks first, then the travel essentials we never leave home without.
- 🥾Sturdy walking shoes (Petra)→
- 🧴High-SPF sunscreen→
- 🧣Scarf / keffiyeh (sun & modesty)→
- 🧥Warm layer (cold desert nights)→
- 🔌Universal travel adapter→
- 🧳Packing cubes→
- 🔋Power bank→
- 🎒Packable daypack→
- 💧Filtered water bottle→
- ⛑️Travel first-aid kit→
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Jordan? ＋
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal — warm, comfortable days for Petra, Wadi Rum and the sites. Summer is very hot, especially in the desert, at Aqaba and at the Dead Sea. Winters are cool, with rain and even occasional snow at Petra and in the highlands.
Do I need a visa, and what is the Jordan Pass? ＋
Most nationalities need a visa, but the official Jordan Pass — bought online before arrival — waives the visa fee (if you stay 3+ nights) and includes entry to Petra and around 40 other sites, so it almost always saves money. Otherwise a visa on arrival or e-Visa is available. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality.
How many days do I need for Petra? ＋
One full day covers the highlights — the Siq, the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and a climb to the Monastery — but it's a big, hilly site and a rushed day is tiring. Two days let you add the High Place of Sacrifice, the back trails and a more relaxed pace, and are well worth it if you can spare the time.
Is Jordan safe to travel in? ＋
Jordan is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the region and very used to tourists. Take normal precautions, dress modestly at religious sites, and haggle politely. Avoid the immediate borders with Syria and Iraq in the north and east, which are off the tourist trail, and always check your government's latest travel advice.
Sources
Last reviewed on June 5, 2026Facts in this guide were checked against the following sources.
- Visit Jordan — official tourism — Destinations and travel basics
- Jordan Pass (official) — Visa waiver & site entry
- Petra — Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority — Petra tickets, hours & rules
- UNESCO World Heritage — Jordan — Heritage sites (Petra, Wadi Rum, Quseir Amra)
⚠️ Prices, opening hours and transport times change — always verify the latest details before you travel.
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