Travel advice for Jordan
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Jordan
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Sarah Reid
updated 26.03.2019
It’s one of the world’s top adventure destinations – and one of our top 18 places to visit in 2018 – and yet, in recent years, tourists have been eschewing Jordan due to widespread unease about travelling in the region.
But while the country has struggled to maintain its reputation as a safe oasis in more dangerous surrounds, it is still ranked by the World Economic Forum as one of the safer countries in the Middle East. And its mesmerizing sights – now with fewer crowds – are more spectacular than ever. Here’s what you need to know before your trip.
6 days / from1333 USD
Discover Jordan
Jordan has it all: spectacular desert scenery; the Dead Sea, age-old cities, castles, monuments, and more. Discover the best of this welcoming country as you delve into the history of ancient civilizations and see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World up close.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1665 USD
Treasures of Jordan
From the Dead Sea's restorative salty shores to Red Sea reefs teeming with aquatic life, Jordan is full of treasures. Get a taste of desert life and adventure in Wadi Rum; then fill up on culture in Petra and Amman, and maybe squeeze in a trip to Jerusalem, too.
view tour ⤍6 days / from1080 USD
Highlights of Jordan
Explore the highlights of Jordan in this compact itinerary. Activities include stargazing in Wadi Rum, exploring Petra and spending a day at leisure at the Dead Sea. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories about history and culture and introduce the Bedouin lifestyle to you.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1890 USD
An active adventure in Jordan
Experience a mix of hiking in the North of Jordan, canyon trails and relaxing activities combined with sightseeing of the highlights and meeting locals. This trip is accompanied by a knowledgeable guide and is not recommended during wintertime (November to February).
view tour ⤍8 days / from1770 USD
Jordan Culture in depth
Get to know the Jordanian culture in depth, indulge in mouthwatering street and local homemade food, meet the owner of the smallest hotel in the world, learn more about the Bedouins and the desert in Wadi Rum and finish off by floating over the Dead Sea mineral water.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1800 USD
Family adventure in Jordan
Indulge into the magical ancient world of Jordan on this thrilling family adventure! This tour has been specially designed to highlight the most exciting corners of Jordan, from natural reserves to historical Jerash to magnificent Petra, from Wadi Rum desert to the blissful Dead Sea.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1330 USD
Follow the Foot Steps of Jesus in Jordan
Jordan is a full-option land that include marks for each religion and civilization! During this holiday you will be introduced to many Biblical places across our beloved county accompanied with our knowledgeable tour guide you will tells you a lot about fascinating history and culture of Jordan.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1440 USD
Jordan Heritage Step by Step
Visit the highlights and attractions of Jordan from the North to the South to find out more about the region’s ancient history, experience the Bedouin lifestyle and meet locals. A knowledgeable tour guide will accompany you to describe the fascinating history and culture of Jordan.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1590 USD
Mind, body & soul in Jordan
Jordan is known worldwide as a natural spa and you will discover why. During this holiday, you will find your “peace of mind”. Discover Jordan highlights with relaxing activities and meeting locals. Visit peaceful spots with breathtaking landscapes and practice true relaxation.
view tour ⤍9 days / from7650 USD
Luxury Tour of Jordan
Embark on a remarkable journey through Jordan, exploring Petra's ancient wonders, indulging in Aqaba's Red Sea luxury, and immersing in Wadi Rum's surreal desert landscapes. Visit the sacred site of baptism in Bethany, connecting with history and spirituality.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1425 USD
Classic Tour in Jordan
Journey through ancient wonders and breathtaking landscapes in Jordan. Explore the iconic marvels of Petra and traverse the surreal red desert of Wadi Rum. Capture mesmerizing memories and carry the beauty of Jordan in your heart forever.
view tour ⤍10 days / from3105 USD
Honeymoon in Jordan
Indulge in a blissful honeymoon in Jordan, where relaxation and adventure await. Soak in the soothing Ma'in Hot Springs, explore the captivating landscapes of Wadi Rum, and wander hand in hand through the ancient wonders of Petra.
view tour ⤍6 days / from2045 USD
Jordan Highlights - from Aqaba
Uncover the magic of Aqaba's Red Sea, marvel at Petra's ancient wonders, and immerse yourself in the surreal landscapes of Wadi Rum. Jordan's captivating beauty will leave an indelible mark on your heart, creating memories that will endure a lifetime.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1630 USD
Jordan for Culture Enthusiasts
Jordan is perfect for Arab culture enthusiasts! Immerse yourself in Jordanian culture and experience real Bedouin hospitality. Visit the highlights in Jordan, meet locals and learn from them and your knowledgeable guide about Jordanian customs and traditions.
view tour ⤍From clapping eyes on the sandstone-hewn temples of Petra for the first time, to hunting for ancient petroglyphs in the desert wilderness of Wadi Rum, Jordan is an adventure-lover’s paradise. But it’s not just for adrenaline seekers.
From cooking with local families to getting a taste of nomadic Bedouin life, there are plenty of cultural experiences on offer in Jordan. The country’s top sights are well maintained, and can be visited in less than a week – though you could easily spend a fortnight exploring further afield.
/CC0
Jordan’s tourism industry has taken a battering in recent years. Visitor numbers to Petra alone halved between 2010 and 2015 and are only creeping back slowly. Go now, and you can enjoy Jordan’s sights without the crowds – sometimes even all to yourself.
If you’re a keen hiker, you can also be one of the first to tackle the Jordan Trail – a spectacular 650km hiking trail that spans the entire country from tip-to-tail – which opened in 2017. Choose a manageable section, or set aside a month to hike its entire length.
Making for a smoother visit, the Jordan Pass (from 70JD) launched in 2015. It offers hassle-free prepaid entry to more than 40 sites across the country and waives the standard 40JD tourist visa fee. Don’t forget to purchase the pass in advance of your trip.
First-time visitors may be surprised to find that Jordan is an incredibly welcoming, easygoing country, and most travellers – including solo women – report feeling safe here. It’s important, of course, to check official travel advice before you go.
Violent attacks are rare in Jordan, though there were a few incidents in 2016, some serious, which saw Jordan beef up security at its borders. It's always worth checking the FCO's Jordan page for the latest travel advice.
It would be a travesty to leave Jordan without exploring the ancient Nabataean city of Petra (try to catch one of the thrice-weekly night shows), zooming around the soaring sandstone peaks of Wadi Rum in a 4WD, or testing the incredible buoyancy of the Dead Sea. But there are plenty more attractions worth squeezing in beyond this.
Less than 50km north of Amman, Jerash, the largest Roman city in the Middle East, is worth a day trip from the capital. And it can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby 12th-century Ajloun Castle, one of Jordan’s handful of Crusader-era fortresses.
Karak Castle, in Jordan’s central west, is the largest and most popular of the lot – but many say Shoback Castle, perched on a wild, remote knoll 100km south of Karak, is the nation’s most picturesque.
Amman is also worth a day or two of your time. Enjoy sweeping views of the “White City” from the Amman Citadel, which dates back to Neolithic times; marvel at the 2nd-century Roman Theatre (the on-site Folklore Museum was reopened in 2016 after being closed for five years), and check out the excellent Jordan Museum.
Dive trips can be arranged from the Red Sea resort city of Aqaba, too, and there are limitless opportunities for hiking and canyoning in Jordan’s many wadis (valleys).
Note: Jordan has a well-established tourism infrastructure, though it’s worth hiring a car or arranging a private driver to get around if you’re travelling independently. Public transport can be patchy.
You’re never far from a good meal in Jordan. As the world’s largest producer of olives, marinated black or green olives are typically present at every mealtime, with olive oil used liberally in traditional cooking. Falafel served in a fresh pita pocket with a dollop of hummus is a common takeaway snack; Hashem in downtown Amman makes the best.
Traditional meals typically consist of mezze (hummus, baba ganoush, labaneh, pickles and falafel) accompanied by a main dish such as mansaf (lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt called Jameed and served with rice or bulgur), makluba (a casserole layered with rice, vegetables and meat, then flipped upside down to serve) or, in Bedouin country, zarb (meat and vegetables cooked in an underground pit).
Widely considered to serve the best Jordanian cuisine in Amman, Sufra on trendy Rainbow Street near the downtown core is a top spot for dinner in the capital. Meanwhile, modern cafés such as Wild Jordan Centre, just around the corner from Sufra, offer an opportunity to sample local favourites with a twist.
Even though Jordan is a Muslim-majority country, alcohol is readily available in restaurants and hotels, and Amman has an increasingly hip bar scene. Most watering holes are concentrated in the Rainbow Street area. Industrial-chic Maestro, attached to La Locanda Boutique Hotel, is credited for putting the Jabal al-Weibdeh district, just west of downtown, on Amman’s nightlife map.
There are three overnight experiences you shouldn’t miss while travelling around Jordan. They include taking part in a culinary-based homestay with a local family (Engaging Cultures can help to arrange this), spending at least one night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum (try Captain’s Desert Camp), and splashing out on a night or two at Feynan Ecolodge: a stunning, ultra-sustainable hotel nestled in the breathtaking Dana Biosphere Reserve.
All options offer immersive cultural experiences that will leave you wondering why you didn’t visit Jordan sooner.
Many visitors choose to combine a trip to Jordan with an overland visit to Israel and/or the Palestinian Territories, which could be visited safely from Jordan at the time of writing.
It’s best to arrange cross-border excursions through a local operator (try Experience Jordan) as it’s not possible to self-dive across the borders; prearranged transport will meet you on the other side. Border formalities can still sometimes take several hours, but it’s all part of the experience.
Natalia Kuzmina/Shutterstock
Top image © Anastasios71/Shutterstock
Explore more of Jordan with The Rough Guide to Jordan. Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go. Header image: Phil Norton/Flickr
written by Sarah Reid
updated 26.03.2019
Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Jordan