Jordan is a compact country with an impressive range of experiences. From classical ruins to dramatic desert scenery, Jordan packs significant variety into a short journey. Visitors can explore Petra’s ancient rock-carved architecture, float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea, hike desert landscapes in Wadi Rum and enjoy the food, cafés and cultural scene of Amman. Easy to navigate and known for its hospitality, Jordan offers history, nature and a welcoming atmosphere.
What to see and do
Petra
Petra is best known for its ancient monuments carved into rose-coloured sandstone, none more so than the Treasury. But a vast network of pathways reveal royal tombs, temples, and everyday structures from its Nabataean past. Spread across a wide valley, Petra is an extensive archaeological site.
Amman
Amman is a city of layers, where Roman ruins sit alongside lively streets and residential hills. It combines ancient landmarks with everyday city life, from the Roman Amphitheatre and Amman Citadel to contemporary cafés, galleries, and markets. Beyond its historic sites, explore neighbourhoods such as Rainbow Street, and experience the city’s rich food scene.
The Dead Sea
Set at the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea is best known for its salt-rich waters, where visitors float in the buoyant water. The Dead Sea is best enjoyed from the comfort and convenience of the luxury resorts that line the shoreline.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a desert landscape of striking red sand, dramatic cliffs, and rock formations. Highlights include hiking through canyons, camel rides through the desert, jeep safaris across sand dunes, and camping in Bedouin-style tents. The wide-open landscape also offers ideal conditions for stargazing.
Jerash
Jerash is home to one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Its highlights include the Oval Plaza, colonnaded streets, temples, theatres, and city gates. Walk through extensive ruins, explore ancient streets, and take in the scale of Roman engineering.
Aqaba
Aqaba combines coastal leisure with adventure, featuring unique Red Sea diving spots, snorkelling, and watersports. Explore local markets, historic forts, or take day trips into the surrounding desert.
When to go
The climate in Jordan is largely arid, shaped by hot, dry summers and cooler winters. Conditions vary by region, from a more Mediterranean feel in the west to true desert in the east, with abundant sunshine, intense summer heat, and cold nights at higher elevations, occasionally accompanied by hot, dusty winds.
Spring
Jordan in the spring offers cooler days, flourishing scenery, and excellent conditions for walking, hiking and cultural discovery. Its popularity with travellers means hotels and tours tend to fill quickly and sites can be busier.
Summer
With fewer visitors across most of Jordan, summer offers a calmer pace of travel, particularly away from the coast. High temperatures often exceed 40°C, limiting daytime exploration, but conditions are ideal for Red Sea diving and stargazing in Wadi Rum.
Autumn
As summer heat fades, autumn brings reliable weather for hiking and desert exploration across Jordan. Fewer travellers arrive than in spring, especially later in the season, while rainfall gradually increases closer to November.
Winter
The quietest months are in winter, with uncrowded landmarks and the possibility, though increasingly rare, of snowfall. Visitor numbers drop and accommodation prices are lower, while days remain cool and nights often fall below freezing. Increased rainfall can make paths slippery and may lead to route closures or occasional flash floods.