🇯🇴Jordan·Middle East
Petra & Jordan
The rose-red city half as old as time
dest.flightsFrom
£299
dest.hotelsFrom
£45/per night
dest.budgetPerDay
£70
dest.avgTemp
20°C
dest.bestTime
March to May, September to November
dest.safety
8/10
dest.about Petra & Jordan
Jordan is one of the Middle East's most rewarding destinations — home to the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, the otherworldly Wadi Rum desert, the buoyant Dead Sea, and the crusader castle of Kerak. A country of extraordinary history, warm hospitality, and landscapes that range from desert canyons to fertile highlands.
dest.topHighlights
Petra
The rose-red Nabataean city carved into sandstone cliffs — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
Wadi Rum
The Valley of the Moon — a vast desert of red sand and dramatic rock formations used as a film location for The Martian and Lawrence of Arabia
Dead Sea
Float effortlessly in the world's saltiest body of water — 430 metres below sea level, the lowest point on earth
Jerash
The best-preserved Roman city outside Italy — colonnaded streets, temples, and theatres still standing after 2,000 years
Aqaba
Jordan's only coastal city on the Red Sea — world-class diving and snorkelling in crystal-clear water
Amman
Jordan's vibrant capital — the ancient Citadel, Roman Theatre, and one of the Middle East's best food scenes
dest.thingsToDo Petra & Jordan
- Walk the Siq canyon to the Treasury at Petra at sunrise
- Spend a night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum under the stars
- Float in the Dead Sea and cover yourself in mineral mud
- Explore the Roman ruins of Jerash — better than Pompeii for many
- Dive or snorkel the Red Sea coral reefs at Aqaba
- Hike the Petra Back Trails to the Monastery (Ad Deir)
- Visit the Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre
- Take a cooking class to learn Jordanian cuisine (mansaf, falafel)
dest.weather Petra & Jordan
dest.bestMonthsToVisit March to May, September to November
5-dest.day Petra & Jordan dest.itinerary
Amman Arrival
- ·Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport
- ·Visit the Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre
- ·Walk Rainbow Street for dinner
- ·Explore the vibrant downtown souks
Jerash & Dead Sea
- ·Morning at the Roman ruins of Jerash (45 min from Amman)
- ·Drive to the Dead Sea
- ·Float in the Dead Sea and mud treatment
- ·Overnight at a Dead Sea resort
Petra — Main Trail
- ·Drive to Petra (3h from Dead Sea)
- ·Walk the Siq to the Treasury
- ·Explore the Street of Facades and Royal Tombs
- ·Petra by Night candlelit experience
Petra — Monastery & Wadi Rum
- ·Early hike to the Monastery (Ad Deir)
- ·Drive to Wadi Rum (1.5h)
- ·Jeep tour of the desert landscape
- ·Overnight in a Bedouin camp under the stars
Aqaba & Departure
- ·Morning snorkel at Aqaba Red Sea
- ·Drive to Amman (4h) or fly from Aqaba
- ·Last lunch of mansaf and falafel
- ·Departure from Queen Alia Airport
dest.whereToEat Petra & Jordan
Sufra
Jordanian · Amman Rainbow Street · $$
Fakhr El-Din
Lebanese-Jordanian · Amman · $$$
The Basin Restaurant
International · Petra · $$
Rum Stars Camp
Bedouin BBQ · Wadi Rum · $$
dest.practicalInformation
dest.visaRequirements
Jordan Pass (recommended) includes the visa fee and Petra entry. Available online before travel. UK, US, EU, and Australian citizens can get a visa on arrival. The Jordan Pass saves significant money.
dest.gettingAround
JETT buses connect Amman to Aqaba and Petra. Taxis and private drivers are widely used. Car rental gives flexibility for Jerash and the Dead Sea. Wadi Rum requires a 4WD or organised jeep tour.
dest.currency
JOD (Jordanian Dinar)
dest.timezoneLanguage
GMT+3 · Arabic (English widely spoken in tourist areas)
dest.frequentlyAskedQuestions
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
Yes — the Jordan Pass includes the visa fee (€35) and entry to 40+ attractions including Petra (€55 for 1 day, €65 for 2 days). If you visit Petra for 2 days, the Jordan Pass pays for itself immediately. Buy it online before you travel.
How many days do I need in Petra?
Two days is ideal — Day 1 for the main trail (Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs), Day 2 for the Monastery hike and the Back Trails. One day is possible but rushed. Petra is vast — there is always more to see.
Is Jordan safe to visit?
Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East and is very welcoming to tourists. The country has remained stable and peaceful. Standard travel precautions apply. Check your government's current travel advice.
Can I combine Jordan with Israel?
Yes — there are border crossings between Jordan and Israel. The Wadi Araba crossing near Aqaba and the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing near Amman are the main options. Check current visa requirements for both countries.
