travel plan for jordan

7-Day Jordan Itinerary: How To Spend 1 Week In Jordan

Posted on Last updated: May 6, 2020

If you’re looking for stunning desert landscapes, spectacular archaeological sites, good food and friendly locals, Jordan needs to feature on your travel bucket list.

Jordan had been on my list for quite sometime and being able to recently spend 7 days in Jordan was a dream come true for me.

In this post I’ve put together my Jordan itinerary with information on what to see, where to stay, travelling times between destinations and anything else you might need to know for your own Jordan 7-day itinerary.

So read on and start planning your Jordan itinerary!

• 1.1 When is the best time to visit Jordan?
• 1.2 Getting around Jordan
• 1.3 Cuisine in Jordan
• 1.4 Why you need the Jordan Pass
• 1.5 What to pack
• 2.1 Day 1: Fly into Amman
• 2.2 Day 2: Jerash & Dead Sea
• 2.3 Day 3: Kerak & Little Petra
• 2.4 Day 4: Petra
• 2.5 Day 5: Wadi Rum
• 2.6 Day 6: Aqaba
• 2.7 Day 7: Return to Amman & fly out

Admiring the Treasury of Petra, Jordan

Jordan itinerary planning: Essential things to know

Before jumping straight into my day-by-day Jordan itinerary I want to cover a few of the biggest questions I had before my Jordan trip, which I think you will find useful in planning your own time in Jordan.

When is the best time to visit Jordan?

Starting with the basics, when should you actually visit Jordan? The high season in Jordan is in spring, from March to May, when the temperatures are moderate and the days start getting longer.

I was there in December, which isn’t recommended since it can rain quite often and it gets very cold in the evenings, but I loved it since there weren’t as many people around, especially in the main tourist attractions like Petra.

I wouldn’t recommend visiting in summer since the temperatures can go up to 40°C in Aqaba and the Dead Sea.

Admiring the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan

Getting around Jordan

There are buses and coaches that travel around the country, however they are not very regular and only touch the big cities. The best way to get around Jordan is to rent a car and drive yourself.

If you’re not a comfortable driver you can also hire a driver with the car, this will obviously be more expensive but you will still have the freedom of going where you want and spending how long you want at each location.

You can also do an organised tour and sit back, relax, and have someone else take you around Jordan.

The colonnade of Jerash in Jordan

Cuisine in Jordan

The cuisine in Jordan is similar to that in other countries in the Middle East, with lots of rice based main dishes and traditional “mezzes” as starters.

Some of the most famous dishes are hummus, a puree of chickpeas, and falafel, deep fried chickpea balls.

One thing to note about eating out in Jordan is that Jordan is a Muslim country, meaning a lot of places don’t serve alcohol.

You will find alcohol in big five star hotels or liquor stores, but the average restaurant most likely won’t serve alcohol.

Little Petra in Jordan

Why you need the Jordan Pass

If you’re planning on spending more than 3 nights in Jordan I highly recommend you get the Jordan Pass . The Jordan Pass is an initiative of the Jordanian tourism authority to make it easier for tourists to travel around the country.

There are different packages, the most basic one costs 70 JOD (99 USD) and includes your tourist visa for Jordan, 1-day entry to Petra and entry to a lot of other attractions in Jordan.

If you calculate that just the tourist visa would be 40 JOD and 1-day entry to Petra would be 50 JOD, you’ve already saved money!

Camels in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan

What to pack

What you should bring to Jordan massively depends on the time of year you’re visiting, however there are some essentials that you will need regardless of when you’re in Jordan.

Comfortable walking shoes : If you’re planning on following this Jordan itinerary (even if you’re not) you will probably find yourself walking a lot every day, make sure you’re comfortable doing so!

You don’t necessarily need trekking shoes, I only had a pair of trainers, just make sure to bring shoes you know you can walk in for long periods of time.  

The amphitheatre of Jerash in Jordan

Power bank : Yes I may be a little attached to my phone but especially when I’m travelling to a new country I like to make sure it’s always charged, you don’t want to be lost somewhere you don’t know without Google Maps handy!

Tank tops , t-shirts and long sleeved shirts : Dress in layers! More so than any other destination I found that the layer approach was necessary in Jordan.

The days started off very chilly, became fairly hot as the sun climbed and then it got cold again at night. If you wear a couple different layers you can strip and then dress up again as the day goes on.

Desert views in the Wadi Rum, Jordan

Swimsuit : Whether it’s in the Dead Sea or in the Red Sea you will most likely go for a swim in Jordan, don’t forget your swimsuit!

Water bottle : Save money and the planet by bringing your own reusable water bottle to refill, instead of buying new plastic ones every time!

The forum of the archaeological site of Jerash and the new city of Jerash in Jordan

7 days in Jordan itinerary

Day 1: fly into amman.

What better place to start your Jordan trip than in the capital city of Jordan? We flew into Amman early in the morning, which gave us a full day in the city. Even if you have the Jordan Pass it can take a while to get through passport control.

Add to that waiting for your luggage, changing money and organising a transfer into the city centre and it can be a while before you’re ready to hit the city.

There are lots of beautiful places to visit in Amman .

Depending on what time you land you can start your Jordan trip with a visit to the Roman Amphitheatre (just make sure to check the time, as this closes at 4PM in winter and 6PM in summer) or walking around the souks of Amman.

Entry at the Roman Amphitheatre is included in the Jordan Pass. You can end your first day in Jordan with a local Jordanian dinner at one of the trendy restaurants in Rainbow Street; my personal favourite was Sofra Restaurant .

We spent our first night in Jordan at the Shams Alweibdeh Hotel Apartments , a 20 minute walk from the centre of Amman.

Check out the latest prices and availability at Shams Alweidbeh Hotel Apartments

View over Amman and the Roman theatre from the citadel of Amman

Day 2: Jerash & Dead Sea

As soon as you wake up on day 2 it’s time to hit the road. You only have one week in Jordan and lots to see! Pick up your rental car and get ready for a 45-minute drive, enroute to Jerash.

Jerash is a city 52km north of Amman, where a huge Roman archaeological site can be found. Entry at Jerash is included in the Jordan Pass.

I was surprised to find that the archaeological site of Jerash is located in the middle of the modern city of Jerash (it can be confusing, I know).

On Google Maps search for “ Jerash Visitor Car Parking ”, not “Jerash Visitor Centre”, as this is the correct entrance and there is also plenty of space to park.

One of the theatres in Jerash, Jordan

Jerash archaeological site in Jordan

The nymphaeum in Jerash, Jordan

Jerash was a prosperous city until the mid-eighth century when a huge earthquake destroyed large parts of it. In the following centuries it was ruined by subsequent earthquakes and due to being the location of war efforts.

They started excavations on the ancient city in 1925 and are gradually bringing new parts of it to light. Today only 5% of the ancient city is actually above ground and visible.

The main areas of ancient Jerash that you should visit include the Amphipheatre, the temple of Zeus, the temple of Artemis, Hadrian’s Arch and the Forum.

The site is fairly big and it will take you at least 2 hours to visit it all. When you arrive at the entry local guides will come up to you offering to show you the site, the guide isn’t compulsory so it’s up to you whether you want one or not.

If you do get a guide just make sure to haggle on the price (like with everything else in Jordan)!

View over the Forum of Jerash in Jordan

The colonnade in Jerash, Jordan

Once you’re done visiting Jerash grab a quick wrap or sandwich to eat in the car since it’s time to hit the road again!

The stretch of the drive is much longer so make sure you have snacks and water with you, as there aren’t many shops along the road.

There are 88km from Jerash to the Dead Sea and it will take you at least 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive there, probably more if like us you get out at the wrong exit in a roundabout and get stuck in traffic.

The temple of Zeus in Jerash, Jordan

The temple of Artemis in Jerash, Jordan

The columns of the Jerash archaeological site in Jordan

The Dead Sea is a salt lake that is 430m below sea level, the lowest point on dry land on Earth. It has a salinity of 34.2%, which is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean and the 7 th saltiest lake in the world.

The high salinity prevents any plants and fish from living in it, hence the name Dead Sea . The salinity also makes it extremely easy to float, which turned it into a popular tourist attraction.

If you don’t take a photo floating in the Dead Sea with a book in hand, have you even really been there?

Floating in the Dead Sea, Jordan

You can try driving along the coast of the Dead Sea and just going for a dip anywhere you find, but I would highly recommend going to an equipped beach.

As soon as you step out of the Dead Sea the salt will dry off and get really itchy on your skin, you’ll really appreciate having a fresh water shower readily available.

Also if you’re visiting Jordan in autumn or winter, when the temperatures aren’t that high, it’s nice to have hot showers there. One of the cheapest beaches you can go to is Amman Beach, for 20 JOD per person.

What you get is very basic and not really worth the price in my opinion, but the alternative of having extremely dry and salty skin until you reach the closest shower made it worth it for me.

After floating around in the Dead Sea we waited for the sunset and then drove to Madaba, where we spent the night at the Delilah Hotel .

Check out the latest prices and availability at Delilah Hotel

Sunset over the Dead Sea in Jordan

Day 3: Kerak & Little Petra

You have one of the longest drives of the trip ahead of you today; a whole 213km from Madaba to Wadi Musa, approximately 3 hours of driving. If you want to break up the drive you can do a stop at Kerak Castle.

Kerak Castle is one of the largest crusader castles in the Middle East and it sits on top of a hill with epic views of the surrounding landscape.

The castle is very well preserved and you can explore the various rooms, tunnels and all the internal and external areas of the castle.

Access to Kerak Castle is included in the Jordan Pass. There are some local restaurants just outside Kerak Castle where you can grab lunch on the go before heading on to Little Petra.

The view from Kerak Castle, Jordan

The courtyard and surrounding views of Kerak Castle, Jordan

Inside Kerak Castle, Jordan

Little Petra is located just before Wadi Musa, and it’s the perfect site to visit prior to seeing Petra. It’s lso known as Siq el-Barid and it’s a Nabataen archaeological site, with buildings carved into the walls of the canyons.

It’s a much smaller site than Petra and while the buildings are less elaborate, the natural beauty of the location is what amazed me.

We walked through to the canyon and past the buildings, to a small rocky platform that overlooked the rocks and canyons.

From here you need to climb a bit over some rocks to reach a beautiful viewpoint where you can wait for the sunset. The path isn’t well marked though so I would ask one of the local guides to take you.

We paid 5 JOD per person for the whole visit to Little Petra, prices aren’t fixed and you can haggle when you’re there.

One of the buildings of Little Petra in Jordan

Hiking to the viewpoint of Little Petra in Jordan

View from Little Petra in Jordan

Walking through the canyons of Little Petra, Jordan

Canyon views in Little Petra, Jordan

Sunset in Little Petra, Jordan

After Little Petra we went to our hotel in Wadi Musa, the Peace Way Hotel , to shower and chill a bit, we had an early dinner in town and went straight back out to see Petra by Night.

Petra by Night is a show that is on every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 20:30 to 22:30.

During Petra by Night they light 1,500 candles all along the Siq and in front of the Treasury, where they play live music, serve complimentary tea and tell stories of the place.

Entry isn’t included in the Jordan Pass and costs 17 JOD, you can ask your hotel and they’ll get you tickets.

Make sure to get there early enough so you can enjoy it without too many people, seeing the Treasury lit up by thousands of candles is magical.

Discover the latest prices and availability at the Peace Way Hotel

Petra by Night

Day 4: Petra

I hope you’re ready for the highlight of your Jordan trip. Petra is one of the most famous attractions in Jordan and rightly so.

Petra is a 60 squared kilometre archaeological site, where stunning Roman and Nabataean ruins can be found on a red rock and canyon backdrop.

The Treasury and Monastery of Petra, with their well-preserved facades built into the rock are amongst the most iconic locations in Petra.

Make sure to get to Petra early in the morning, so that you can beat the crowds. A one-day entry ticket is included in the Jordan Pass.

Some people prefer to spend longer in Petra, I personally found that one day was enough to see everything I wanted to.

In one day we walked 20km and saw the Siq, the Treasury (both from below and the viewpoints above), the Royal Tombs, the theatre, the Colonnade and the Monastery.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and to bring water and snacks with you!

| READ MORE: 20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING PETRA |

Admiring the Monastery of Petra

The Treasury of Petra, Jordan

Day 5: Wadi Rum

After the last two days you might think it’s impossible to top the beauty of Petra, and yet you will find that the Wadi Rum desert will give Petra a run for its money.

On the fifth day you can have a bit of a lie-in to recover from all the walking, but you should still set off fairly early in the morning as you have 112km and almost 2 hours of driving ahead of you.

We did a tour of the desert with Beyond Wadi Rum Camp . We parked our cars at the Wadi Rum Village where our guides were waiting for us with open back 4×4 jeeps. We set off for a full afternoon tour of the Wadi Rum desert.

Camels in the Wadi Rum desert, Jordan

The view from the top of Lawrence’s spring in the Wadi Rum desert

Red sand dunes in the Wadi Rum desert

Exploring the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan

The Wadi Rum desert is huge, but most tours will take you to see all the same main attractions. These include; the red sand dunes, Lawrence’s spring, the Khazali canyon, the house of Lawrence, Abu Khashaba canyon and Um Frouth Arch.

You won’t easily forget the natural beauty of the canyons, arches and views you will see today. It’s easy to see why the movie The Martian was filmed here!

The viewpoints at Lawrence’s spring and house aren’t well marked so you need to do a big of climbing to reach them, but they’re well worth it!

We ended the day at viewpoint that is also a popular sunset spot, where we watched the sinking sun turn the rocks and sand around us even more red.

Um Frouth Arch in the Wadi Rum desert

Khazali canyon in the Wadi Rum desert

Desert views in the Wadi Rum

Sunset in the Wadi Rum desert

I was in Jordan in December and the sun set at 16:30 and I was a bit worried about what we would actually do for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

After the sunset they drove us to the camp, where we had dinner in the big communal tent (they cook the food in the traditional Bedouin way under the sand and will take it out just before it’s time to eat!) and danced traditional dances.

Unfortunately it started raining while we were having dinner so we were unable to see the stars, but if you’re there on a clear night sky you will see the most incredible stars.

Maybe bring some card games with you so that if the weather is bad you have something to entertain yourself with for the evening.

| READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WADI RUM OVERNIGHT TOURS |

Desert views from the house of Lawrence in the Wadi Rum desert

Desert views from Lawrence’s spring in the Wadi Rum desert

Day 6: Aqaba

After a pretty packed week this is the relaxing day of this Jordan itinerary. Breakfast is served fairly early at the Beyond Wadi Rum Camp, so once you’re up its time to hit the road again.

The drive from the Wadi Rum desert to Aqaba is only 70km and will take around 1 hour.

Once you get there pop by your hotel (we stayed at the Dweik Hotel ) to drop off your bags, change into a swimsuit and you’re ready for the beach and the Red Sea!

Click here to book your stay at Dweik Hotel!

The Red Sea in Jordan

Similarly to the Dead Sea, I suggest visiting an organised beach since women aren’t allowed to be in a bikini in public beaches.

We went to Berenice Beach Club, a short 15-minute drive away from Aqaba. Entry is 10 JOD each and it’s a very well equipped beach.

There is a changing room with lockers, a pool, a beach bar, sun beds with beach umbrellas, a beach volley court and snorkelling gear you can rent.

You can snorkel by the beach and will be able to see lots of coral and fish, or you can do an organised 2-hour boat trip that will take you to snorkelling spots slightly further away.

Berenice Beach Bar serves alcohol so why not sit back on your sunbed, order a mojito and wait for the sun to set on your last full day in Jordan.

Sunset in Aqaba from Berenice Beach Bar

Day 7: Return to Amman & fly out

Your Jordan trip is coming to an end, time to head back to Amman and squeeze in some final sightseeing before you fly out.

Amman is 330km away from Aqaba, approximately a 4-hour drive depending on whether you do the more direct Desert Highway or the more scenic Kings Highway.

If you set off early enough in the morning you can make it to Amman in time for lunch. After a quick wrap on the go from the souk, head over to see the Amman Citadel (entry is included in the Jordan Pass).

This is archaeological site located on top of a hill in the centre of Amman and it’s a great combination of history and epic views, the perfect way to end your time in Jordan!

After this final sight seeing in Amman it’s time to head back to the airport and fly home, where you can start planning the next trip.

The citadel in Amman, Jordan

Have you been to Jordan before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below! Visiting Petra and Jordan had been on my travel bucket list for a very long time and I was stoked to finally travel there.

For me 7 days were enough to see everything I wanted to, if you want to visit Petra more in depth or spend long relaxing by the Red Sea you can always shuffle around this itinerary or spend longer in Jordan.

I hope you find this 1-week Jordan itinerary useful in planning your own Jordan itinerary!

Enjoyed reading my 7 days in Jordan itinerary? Pin it!

Monday 30th of September 2019

Hi Greta, for Wadi Rum, do you think 4 hours is enough to see all the sights? x thanks

Hi Caitlin! Yes an afternoon should be enough to see all the main spots, that's more or less how long our tour lasted and then we went to the camp for the night. If you have the time though I would definitely stay a night in the desert, it's a really unique experience! x

Becca Talbot

Monday 20th of May 2019

I went to Jordan back in May 2017, and I had the best time! I did pretty much everything here on your list too. One thing you've not mentioned much of is the street art everywhere in Amman, which is definitely worth a look - can't wait to go back to Jordan! x

Monday 27th of May 2019

That's a good point, I saw some beautiful street art around Amman! :)

Wednesday 8th of May 2019

Did you have an opportunity to go to Wadi Mujib and where could you fit that into an itinerary like this?

Wednesday 29th of May 2019

Unfortunately I was in Jordan in December and I couldn't visit the Wadi Mujib. If I were to go back in summer I would probably swap it out with Jerash on day 2 or Kerak on day 3. Hope that helps! :)

Saturday 23rd of February 2019

Thanks for all of this great information. I am hoping to go to Jordan and Israel in May.

Monday 25th of February 2019

No problem, glad you found it useful! You're going to love Jordan, it's such a beautiful country!

Tuesday 8th of January 2019

Great post. You really captured the architecture well. This post reminded me of my trip to Israel last year, I got to visit the dead sea too. The highlight of being in that area was the food as well as that there's so much to see.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed my post! The Dead Sea really is an incredible place to visit, I loved the food there too!

The Ultimate Jordan Itinerary with map (2023)

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A Jordan road trip is full to the brim of amazing historic sights, beautiful scenery and delicious food making it the perfect spot to take a road trip. From floating in the salty Dead Sea to marvelling at the iconic Petra, Jordan is definitely one of our most memorable trips! We loved our time spent exploring Jordan and, to help with your Jordan planning, we’ve put together our ultimate Jordan itinerary to help you plan your trip. From its unmissable historic sights to the best places to stay, this itinerary will help you make the most of your journey through Jordan!

Table of Contents

Planning a Jordan Road Trip

Arriving in jordan.

Amman is the main point of entry to Jordan whether it be on an international flight or by an overland crossing from Israel via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge Crossing (you can read about  how to cross via the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge here ). From Eliat in Israel, the Yitzhak Rabin/Arava border is another popular entry point as it offers the opportunity to get a free Jordan visa for visitors from a number of countries.

Make sure to check the visa requirements prior to arrival. Some middle eastern countries are visa exempt while much of the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific are subject to a visa on arrival. Most of Africa and a select number of other countries are required to obtain a pre approved visa.

Jordan itinerary tip:  visas on arrival are not granted at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge Crossing so make sure you secure a visa prior to the crossing. We didn’t realise and had to make a last minute jaunt to the Jordanian Consulate in the Palestinian City of Ramallah in the West Bank. We really enjoyed seeing Ramallah (check out the details of getting a visa in Ramallah here ) but you might want to organise your visa in advance!

Where to Stay in Jordan

There is a good selection of hotels in Jordan and we opted for three bases during our stay: Amman, Dead Sea and Petra. Agaba is a great fourth base if you want a resort type stopover or want to enjoy some scuba diving. We used booking.com for our Jordan accommodation as it has an amazing range of options and offers the best prices we could find in Jordan– you can hotel prices on  booking.com here .

What to Wear in Jordan

Clothing is more relaxed in the more touristy resort and beach areas but it is considered respectful to cover up when out and about. 3/4 length pants and long-sleeved tops covering cleavage worked well for us.

Jordan Itinerary Route

Most Jordan road trips start and end in Amman and we used the city as an entry and exit point. If you are entering from Eliat, you can start your trip in Aqaba and still hit all the main stops from there so feel free to adjust the itinerary accordingly.

The route: (A)   Amman – (B) Day trips to Jerash and (C) Umm Qais – (D) Petra – (E) Wadi Rum –  Kings Highway – (F) Dead Sea – Aqaba – (A) Amman

Click here for the Google Map

How to Use This Google Map: Click on the grey star at the top of the map and this map will be added to your Google Maps account. You can then view it on your phone or computer in Google Maps by clicking on the menu button, going to “Your Places” and selecting this map. We use these maps all the time as you can set out your itinerary ahead of time and quickly reference the saved maps.

Getting around Jordan

A car is the best option for exploring Jordan, however it is also possible to see the main sights in the country from Amman via day and multi-day tours.

Renting a Car in Jordan

Renting a car in Jordan is the best way to explore the country plus driving is relatively easy in the country. The roads are very good quality and fuel is cheap. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace a see places that are simply not possible on group tours or public transport – check out our tips for renting a car in Jordan for more information.

We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in almost 50 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Book your car now with RentalCars.com , where you will find the best rental car prices – click here to book now

Click here for the best rental car prices

Tours from Amman

It is also possible to visit many of the sites in Jordan from Amman via organised tours

Petra and Wadi Rum: This small group two-day tour departs Amman and includes Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum – check prices now!

Jerash and Umm Qais – This popular day trip tour from Amman and includes Jerash, Umm Qais and Ajloun Castle – check prices now!

Check out all the tours from Amman

Jordan Itinerary

1 | amman .

Jordan’s capital city is a heady mix of modern and ancient and is the perfect balance of chaotic and charming. Often used as a stopover en route to the rest of the country, it’s worth spending a few days exploring if you have some time. Amman is also a great base for taking a day trip north to the incredible ruins of Jerash and Umm Qais.

How long to stay in Amman

We recommend 3 nights in Amman, which will allow a day trip to Jerash and Umm Qais and time to explore the city.

Jordan itinerary tip:  Amman traffic is notorious so be prepared for traffic jams. As we arrived by taxi from the border we arranged our car rental to be delivered to our Amman hotel. This is a great option if you want to avoid the crazy city traffic.

Where to Stay in Amman

• Marriott Amman –  we opted for the Marriott Hotel in Amman. The hotel was modern, rooms well appointed and the swimming pool a welcome relief from the city heat –    Check prices now!
• Amman Pasha hotel  – an excellent budget option located across from the Roman Amphitheater with a lively cafe next door –  Check prices now!

Click here for the best Amman Hotel Prices

What to see in Amman

• The Citadel and its beautiful views of the city
• Souk Jara market for some local shopping
• The Roman Amphitheatre
• Rainbow Street and its plentiful souvenir shops

2 | Day trip from Amman to Jerash and Umm Qais

Amman is a great base for a day trip to both the incredible Roman ruins of Jerash (45 minutes north of Amman) and the hilltop settlement of Umm Qais (2 hours north of Jerash). The 12th Century Ajloun Castle, a hilltop castle, is an interesting stop between the two sites.

Jordan itinerary tip:  if you are combining Jerash and Umm Qais in a single day trip make sure you leave your hotel early in the morning as this will involve 6 hours of driving in total there and back. The roads north are good roads making it doable in a single day. An alternative, if you prefer shorter sightseeing days or wish to spend longer exploring the expansive Jerash, is to split the sites over two separate days. If you prefer to sit back and relax and take a tour, check out some options here .

The Roman ruins of Jerash are among the best preserved Roman ruins in the world. Highlights of Jerash include the hippodrome which once hosted chariot races watched by up to 15,000 spectators, cardo maximus, once the main thoroughfare through the city, and Hadrian’s Arch, built to commemorate a visit by Emperor Adrian. The site is so well preserved it’s easy to imagine the grandeur of this city that once was and the history of the site really comes alive.

A tour is a great option for visiting Jerash from Amman. There are a number of great day trips from Amman to Jerash, like this one – check prices now!

Book your tour to Jerash now

Jordan itinerary tip:  remember to bring sunscreen and water. The sites, especially Jerash, are vast and exposed to the blazing Jordanian sunshine .

On the border of Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Syria,   the ancient city of Umm Qais has sweeping views over the Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights. Originally known as the Decapolis city of Gadara, the present day Umm Quais represents the ruins of a Roman town built on an old Ottoman village. The ruins, while much less well preserved than Jerash, include a theatre, the main street and buildings once occupied by shops, temples and houses. Umm Qais is also touted as the site of a miracle where, according to the Bible, Jesus cast demons from men to pigs.

Jordan itinerary tip: Driving north to Umm Qais you will approach the border of Syria and Jordan and this means frequent checkpoints along the road. We were stopped at multiple checkpoints, where the police were very friendly and simply checked the car, our documents and my driving licence.

Jordan itinerary tip:  We enjoyed a delicious fattoush lunch (our favourite Jordanian salad) in the Resthouse Restaurant located within the ruins and both the food and the views of the surrounding countryside were incredible.

3 | Petra 

The quickest route from Amman to Petra is via Route 15 and the journey takes around 3 hours. Umm Ar-Rasas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its spectacular, perfectly preserved mosaic (the largest in Jordan) is an unmissable stop along the way.

The site hosts extensive Roman, Byzantine, and early Muslim ruins as well as the mosaic floor in the Church of Saint Stephen. The mosaic depicts the major cities of ancient Jordan as well as the hunting and fishing techniques of ancient times.

How long to stay in Petra?

This is a really common question we get as planning time at Petra can be tricky. Plan to spend at least two nights, ideally three, at Petra. Petra is a huge place with lots to see within the ancient site itself and outside. Exploring the site itself will take at least two visits ( early morning and evening) and we highly recommend going to Petra by night in addition to this. We stayed in the Marriot Petra which overlooks and visited the site 5 times over two days, two mornings, two evenings and Petra by night.

Jordan Itinerary tip: try to avoid being in Petra during the hottest part of the day. Hiking around during these temperatures is really hard so it’s best to chill back at your hotel for a few hours and visit during the cooler evening hours.

Where to stay in Petra

• Marriott Petra – We stayed at this fantastic hotel located just a few minutes drive from Petra and loved the panoramic views across the Petra Mountains. Our highlight of the stay was a traditional Jordanian meal served in a Bedouin tent overlooking the Petra Mountains – our meal was served over an incredible sunset accompanied by traditional Bedouin music – Check hotel prices here!
• Mövenpick Resort Petra – Located right at the entrance to Petra, the Movenpick Resort is an excellent choice for those without their own transport and boasts good rooms and an impressive breakfast spread – Check hotel prices here!
• Candles Hotel – a great budget friendly option just a few hundred metres from the entrance to Petra – Check hotel prices here!

Click here for the best Petra Hotel Prices

What to see in Petra

In addition to exploring Petra during the day we highly recommend Petra by night , a candlelit visit to the Treasury of Petra, was one of our favourite events and only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. We visited Petra on four occasions: two sunrise hikes, a daytime visit and our evening at Petra by night. Little Petra , a much smaller and quieter version of the main Petra site, is also worth a visit.

• Check out our Petra by Night experience here

Jordan Itinerary tip: A visit to Petra is as stunning as it is exhausting. Vigorous hikes in unrelenting heat require lots of water and sunscreen and be sure you bring your hiking boots as the terrain can be rough at times.

4 | Wadi Rum 

Having experienced one of the New 7 Wonders of the World at Petra it’s time to experience the aptly named Valley of the Moon, otherwise known as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wadi Rum. Spending the night in a Wadi Rum desert camp is truly a once in lifetime experience and exploring the desert in a 4×4 during the daylight hours brings the magnificent landscape to life.

How Long to Stay in Wadi Rum

One night is enough time to explore the desert and experience Wadi Rum

Where to stay at Wadi Rum 

• Wadi Rum Luxury Night Camp:  if you want to experience the harsh desert conditions of Wadi Rum while still enjoying the luxury of beautiful tents and comfortable beds then this is the camp for you! For an extra special Wadi Rum experience book the Full of Stars tent and watch the stars sparkle from your bed – Check latest prices here
• Salman Zwaidh Camp:  for a more traditional camping experience this   authentic Bedouin camp lies within the protected area of Wadi Rum and is excellent value for money – Check latest prices here

Click here for the best Wadi Rum Hotel Prices

What to see Wadi Rum

• Lawrence’s Spring and the ruins of Lawrence’s House
• The Rock bridges/arches
• Khazali and Burrah Canyon
• Ancient rock drawings

5 | Aqaba

Jordan’s only coastal city, Aqaba is the perfect access point to the diving and snorkelling of the Red Sea. We skipped Aqaba as we weren’t planning on indulging in any diving or snorkelling but it’s one to add to your itinerary if you’re a fan!

How Long to Stay in Aqaba

We recommend 2 nights in Aqaba, giving enough time to explore the area and rest before the trip to the Dead Sea

Where to stay in Aqaba

• Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea: luxury 5 star hotel on the Red Sea with a private beach and a maze of pools – Check latest prices here!
• Costa Marina Hotel and Suites:  budget friendly and the perfect clean and modern base for an Aqaba diving trip – Check latest prices here!

Click here for the best Aqaba Hotel Prices

6 | The King’s High Way

The 280km King’s Highway is one of the Middle East’s most scenic drives and the winding road takes visitors through the ancient trade route which once connected vast amounts of the Middle East. It’s known as the longer and more scenic route between Amman and Petra. There is lots to see on the King’s Highway and we recommend splitting the journey and spending the night at the Dana Biosphere Reserve to indulge in some hikes in the incredibly beautiful surroundings.

Jordan itinerary tip:  we choose to incorporate the King’s Highway into our drive north to the Dead Sea. If you prefer, you can drive the King’s Highway en route from Amman to Petra.

Where to stay on the King’s Highway

• Dana Guesthouse:  an excellent option with cosy and clean rooms and excellent views, the guesthouse is located within the Dana Reserve – Check latest prices here!
• Dana Moon Hotel:  another great choice within the Dana Reserve, the hotel is well maintained, clean and reasonably priced – Check latest prices here!

Click here for the best Dana Hotel Prices

What to see on the King’s Highway

Day 1:  Aqaba to the Dana Biosphere Reserve

• Shobak Castle: a 12th Century Crusader Castle perched on the side of a rocky mountain in barren surroundings
• Dana Biosphere Reserve:  Jordan’s largest nature reserve sits along the face of the Great Rift Valley and boasts spectacular landscapes and hikes. Check out Dana Village, a stone village occupied since 4,000BC

Day 2:  Dana Biosphere Reserve to the Dead Sea

• Kerak Castle: t he largest and most well preserved of the Crusader Castles. The 12th Century Castle is perched atop a hilltop in the town of Kerak
• Wadi Mujib:  a spectacular river canyon known as Jordan’s Grand Canyon. The river enters the Dead Sea over 400 metres below sea level and Moses is believed to have once walked through
• Madaba Map: an incredible mosaic map of the Middle East created in the 6th Century located in the early Byzantine church of Saint George in the town of Madaba

7 | The Dead Sea

Swimming in the Dead Sea, Earth’s lowest elevation point, is a bucketlist moment in any Jordan itinerary. It’s aptly named the Dead Sea as the water is devoid of life and, with salt levels 4 times higher than the rest of the world’s oceans, it’s a case of floating rather than swimming! The water contains 35 minerals and these, together with the rich mud on its shoreline, make it a spa treat for the skin.

Jordan Itinerary tip: only float on your back and don’t try to swim in the Dead Sea, wear beach shoes to protect your feet from the rocks and don’t shave before entering the water as the salt will sting!

How Long to Spend at the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a great place to kick back and relax a little after a hectic trip around Jordan. While one night is enough to experience it, we recommend two nights at the Marriott Dead Sea Resort for some great relaxation!

Where to stay at the Dead Sea

• Marriott Dead Sea Resort:  on the shores of the Dead Sea we loved this resort style hotel where we had direct access to the Dead Sea. Our highlights were the fantastic evening happy hour, the views from our balcony and the resorts swimming pools – Check latest prices here!
• Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort and Spa:   another great option with direct access to the Dead Sea, the Crowne Plaza is the must budget friendly of the luxury options lining the Dead Sea – Check latest prices here!

Click here for the best Dead Sea Resort Prices

8 | Day trip to Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site of Jordan

Mount Nebo is, according to ancient tradition, the place from which Moses saw the Promised Land before he died and, at 700 metres above sea level, the views of the Holy Land and the Jordan Valley are spectacular. It’s the reported death and burial site of Moses and the church with the mosaic is a highlight of a visit.

The Baptism Site, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, is a relatively recent addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered to be the original location of the Baptism of Jesus and the site where John the Baptist resided. It’s surreal being beside the narrow waters separating Jordan and Israel and it’s common to see baptisms taking place on the Israel side of the site.

9 | Return to Amman

After leaving the Dead Sea we made our way back to Jordan where we were departing from the Queen Alia International Airport. If you have some extra time, Quseir Amra is an excellent stop about 70 minutes east of Amman. The well-preserved 8th Century desert castle built as a royal desert oasis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its incredible frescoes.

20 thoughts on “The Ultimate Jordan Itinerary with map (2023)”

What car rental company did you use??

Hi Zak, we used RentalCars.com We chose Hertz or Avis as they had a good price.

This was amazing! I will be utilizing this itinerary. I’m headed there next week as a solo-er and want to rent a car and take in the sites. Thank you all much! Everything on your list is where I desire to go.

Thanks! Have a great trip!

Excluding the hikes, which parts of this itinerary will involve a fair bit of walking which my 65-year old Dad will find difficult to do? He can easily walk 3-4 kms a day? Thanks in advance.

There’s a decent amount of walking in Petra but I believe those in need can utilise a horse and cart between the entrance and the Treasury although it may be at an additional cost.

I don’t remember any other places where excessive walking was required. In Wadi Rum for example, a jeep transported us around and we could walk as little or as far as we liked.

We are wanting to rent a car and road trip Jordan as well. I was just wondering if most of the hotels you stayed at charge extra for parking, or if there is a free lot included?

We didn’t pay for parking at any of our hotels, it was all complementary.

Awesome itinerary. Was it eight days long or were you there longer?

Hi Sandara, we spent 10 days in Jordan

Hello and thanks for your articles, they’re really helpful!

I’m gonna go to Jordan in September and can’t find any information about the parking spots. Are they secured? How did you do in-between hotels, did you travel and left the car with luggage in the booth? I’m worried that we get our things stolen and want to be sure 🙂

Thanks for your answer.

Hi Marie-Justine

Parking was easily available – there were car parks at hotels and tourist spots. We didn’t have anything valuable in the car (our cameras were always with us) but we’d no issue with security. We’ve had our car broken into twice (in the city we live in!) so we never leave our valuables in the car anymore no matter how secure it seems!

Looks like an amazing trip! How much would you recommend as a budget for a similar trip?

It wasn’t expensive – hotels were reasonable and fuel and car rental was cheap. I’m pretty sure we spent less than 100 usd a day and we stayed at lovely hotels.

great plan. have a doubt. though we rent a car for a week, during the three days stay in Petra is there a need for a car. or is it to be just parked in the hotel as most of the places will be covered by trekking

We used the car to drive to Little Petra but mostly parked at our hotel when we were there.

Hi there, Did you rent a 4×4 for the whole trip? It seems that most of the sites are reachable with basic cars, not sure about wadi rum though.

We had a standard car. Our only 4×4 was in wadi rum where someone drove us through the desert.

Great blog, got loads of ideas for my trip next month.

I’d like to camp in Wadi Rum but will only have a normal car. Im assuming the tours bring you around in 4x4s. How do you get to the campsites? Do they pick you up on the edge of the desert or how does it work?

Thanks, greetings from Ireland,

Hi Felix, we only had a normal car too. Everyone parks in Wadi Rum Village. From there the tours and camps take you into Wadi Rum in 4x4s. There’s no way you’d get in with a normal car, the sand is intense! Love your photography too, have fun in Jordan. It’s a stunning country, the Petra at night tour is a must for photos. We’re Irish too! Let us know if you have any other questions. David

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5-7 Days in Jordan: Itinerary for an Unforgettable Adventure

There are so many things to love about visiting Jordan, from the majesty of Petra to the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum to the fact that with even 5 days in Jordan, you can craft a Jordan itinerary that you’ll never forget!

Jordan’s small size and ease of travel make it a fantastic introduction to the Middle East.

No matter how long you have to explore, you’ll no doubt leave some stones unturned… but have even more once-in-a-lifetime experiences along the way.

With less than a week in Jordan, you can visit a wide variety of the country’s iconic attractions, including floating in the Dead Sea, exploring some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, camping in Wadi Rum, riding a camel, and hiking through the Lost City of Petra.

… and that’s just the beginning.

If you’re short on time but hoping to plan an itinerary for Jordan that will leave you with cherished lifelong memories, this 5, 6, or 7 day Jordan itinerary will help!

Table of Contents

How We Structured This Jordan Itinerary

Renting a car for your jordan road trip (or not), don’t forget your jordan pass, the perfect 5 days in jordan itinerary, if you have 6 days in jordan…, if you have 7 days in jordan…, the best time to road trip jordan, what to pack for a week in jordan, 5-7 day jordan itinerary map.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

We designed this 5-7 day Jordan itinerary as a loop beginning and ending in Amman.

It is primarily intended as a road trip–and yes, you can absolutely road trip Jordan with relative ease!

However, if you don’t want to drive, through a combination of organized tours, public transportation, and/or private transfers, you can easily spend a week in Jordan without a car, as well.

This itinerary is intended for travelers enjoying their first trip to Jordan who are hoping to hit up the country’s biggest highlights in a very limited time.

And, since Jordan is such a small and easy-to-navigate country, that is quite doable!

If you drove this route straight through without detours, it would include a little over 12 hours of driving in the whole loop.

Taking a road trip in Jordan is an absolute delight, and this itinerary is perfect for doing so!

Jordan’s roads are well-marked and (outside of Amman), fairly simple to navigate.

When renting a car in Jordan, we recommend shopping for your rental car through  Discover Cars , which will allow you to sift through all your options and choose the right car for you based on price, the reputation of the company that is renting it, and the terms of the rental contract.

Prefer not to drive?

You can still have a fantastic time in Jordan!

While navigating this itinerary via public transportation alone would be cumbersome, guided tours can offer excellent value for money and keep your trip planning simple.

Basing yourself primarily in Amman and booking a multi-day tour like this to see Petra and Wadi Rum, and then supplementing with day trips like this to places like Jerash, is absolutely a valid way to have a fantastic Jordan vacation.

Shop rental cars and/or guided tours for your trip to Jordan today!

For virtually all travelers planning a trip to Jordan based on this itinerary, the Jordan Pass is a must-buy before you go!

The pass is organized by the Jordanian government and includes entrance fees to more than 40 of the top attractions in Jordan, including Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, and many more.

It also covers the cost of your visa on arrival!

The pricing of the pass is structured in such a way that once you account for the cost of your visa and entrance to Petra, the pass has already paid for itself, making it an easy win.

However, make sure that you purchase and download your pass before flying into Amman!

When we went through immigration, the family next to us in line ended up having to purchase a separate visa because they only screenshotted their pass confirmation and didn’t download it before arriving.

Day 1 in Jordan: Explore the ruins of Jerash and float in the Dead Sea.

If you’re trying to see Jordan in 5 days, you’ll want to hit the ground running as soon as you land in the country!

After getting your rental car in Amman, drive north to explore one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside of Italy.

Explore the Roman city of Jerash.

Stepping foot inside Jerash is an incredible experience, and it reminded me immediately of exploring Pompeii in Italy (but in Jordan, we got to start our visit with a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice in hand).

Don’t miss the magnificent South Theater (climb to the top for the full effect–the acoustics are incredible), Oval Plaza, or Cardo Maximus column-lined street.

You’ll also find beautiful temples, including ones dedicated to Zeus and Artemis, in Jerash.

Head to the Dead Sea to float your worries away.

Once you wrap up at Jerash, make your way to the Dead Sea, where you can float your worries away in one of the most unique landscapes on Earth!

Jordan’s side of the Dead Sea lends itself to luxurious resorts with private beaches that are more affordable than you might think.

… And, since the Dead Sea is shrinking every year, it’s worth a bit of a splurge.

This is one of those “experience-it-while-you-can” attractions!

Plus, floating in the Dead Sea, while iconic, doesn’t take very long, making it easy to fit into a 5 day Jordan itinerary.

Due to the salt content in the water, it’s recommended to only stay in the water for 15 minutes or so per visit.

We loved our stay at the gorgeous Dead Sea Marriot Resort and would be thrilled to stay again!

Check rates & book your stay at the Dead Sea Marriot Resort!

Day 2 in Jordan: Spend the night camping in Wadi Rum.

After waking up at the Dead Sea, enjoying the gigantic breakfast spread at the Dead Sea Marriot Resort , and possibly going for a morning float, it’s time to head south!

The final destination of your second day in Jordan is the otherworldly Wadi Rum, but consider making a quick detour before you go!

Wander through Kerak Castle.

Kerak Castle (often also written as Alkarak Castle) is one of the largest and best-preserved Crusader Castles in Jordan.

Dating to the 1100s, everything from the castle’s structures to the views here are incredible, and it’s a fascinating side stop during your road trip in Jordan.

Drive to the incredible Wadi Rum Protected Area.

After seeing the castle, make your way to Wadi Rum for one of the most memorable nights of your life!

The Wadi Rum Protected Area is, more or less, a desert landscape that looks like Mars crossed with Utah .

It’s the traditional home of Bedouin people, who host guests like us in their special landscape today.

It’s also a popular filming location (see: Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, Dune, and many more).

Wadi Rum is a magnificent destination and hands down one of the best places to visit in Jordan.

We’ve written an entire guide to Wadi Rum to help you plan your trip in detail, but here’s the short version: this afternoon, take either a camel or Jeep tour, and then spend the night at a Bedouin Camp.

Camps range from extremely basic to the famous and luxurious Bubble Luxotel .

We opted for the middle-of-the-road Candles Camp and had a fantastic time!

Check rates & book your stay in Wadi Rum today!

Day 3 in Jordan: Adventure across Wadi Rum and drive to Petra.

We go over this in more detail in our Wadi Rum guide , but essentially, your time in Wadi Rum should absolutely include both a Jeep tour and a camel ride!

The Jeep tour takes much longer and is a great option for this morning (however, you can also do a sunset Jeep tour and sunrise camel tour instead–it all depends on your exact schedule).

Once you wrap up exploring the majestic beauty of Wadi Rum, it’s time to drive to Petra!

The drive to Petra (or more specifically, Wadi Musa, the modern village outside of Petra) from Wadi Rum takes a couple of hours, give or take.

In other words, you can take your time enjoying Wadi Rum and plan to arrive in Wadi Musa to settle in for the next day, which will arguably be the busiest of your trip!

Day 4 in Jordan: Marvel at the Lost City of Petra.

The crown jewel of any trip to Jordan, the Lost City of Petra more than lived up to our sky-high expectations!

While the famous Treasury is just as incredible as described, the full experience of visiting Petra, from the Monastery to the Siq slot canyon to the lesser-known highlights like the Royal Tombs, is beyond words.

Like other incredible ruin sites around the world such as Pompeii , Angkor Wat , Becan , and more, part of the incredible appeal of Petra lies not just in its photogenic attractions but in the fact that you can truly feel the layout of the city as you explore.

While it would be very easy to spend several days exploring all that Petra has to offer, with only 5 days in Jordan to work with, it’s realistic to plan for one.

How to Structure Your Day in Petra, Jordan

In order to make the most of your one day in Petra, we highly recommend taking advantage of Petra’s lesser-used “back door”.

By using the back door, you’ll first hike to the Monastery (or Ad Dier) at the back of the park, and then walk to the main entrance in Wadi Musa throughout the day, passing by all of Petra’s highlights and saving the Treasury for the grand finale.

You’ll also be able to reverse the 800+ step climb to the Monastery and go down the steps instead!

This is an official entrance, though barely used compared to the crowded front gate.

We absolutely adored using this method and felt that we were able to make the most of our time in Petra without feeling rushed, since we knew we didn’t have to turn around and hike back out.

Your hotel can help you arrange transport to the back door–we stayed at Petra Aretas Hotel and they were great about arranging a ride for us, with a mini-tour on the way!

Petra Aretas Hotel also served a great breakfast and is located within walking distance of the main entrance of Petra.

We loved our stay and would be happy to check in again.

Check rates & book your stay at Petra Aretas Hotel!

Day 5 in Jordan: Make your way back to Amman (with sightseeing stops).

On the final day of your 5 day Jordan itinerary, it’s time to make your way back to Amman.

Assuming you have most of a day to work with, though, you’ll find plenty of incredible sightseeing opportunities as you road trip from Wadi Musa back to Amman!

Here are just a few sights to consider adding to your list of things to do in Jordan.

To appreciate a different side of Jordan’s impressive history, enjoy a quick stop in the charming city of Madaba.

While there are a handful of interesting sights and a shopping street to peruse, without a doubt Madaba’s top attraction is the intricate 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, found on the floor of the Church of Saint George.

Known as the Madaba Map, this striking mosaic is considered to be the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land.

The Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ

Just north of the Dead Sea in Jordan, you’ll find the reported Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, which for thousands of years has been considered the location where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

While the site is very popular (you can even be baptized there if you choose), it’s also highly managed and a bit–dare I say it–commercialized.

If you’d like to visit, you’ll need to join a group tour, and admission is not included in most Jordan Passes.

Mount Nebo is a highly significant site in the Abrahamic religions and is believed to be the place where Moses glimpsed the Holy Land before he died.

Today, you’ll find sweeping views, beautiful memorials, and art from several cultures on top of the mountain–and on a clear day, you can even see all the way to Jerusalem!

The Moses Memorial Church is a striking blend of extremely old (the church originally dates to the 4th century), and the extremely new, with a 21st-century building surrounding historic mosaics.

King’s Highway Viewpoints

There are two essential roads in Jordan that you’ll hear a lot about when planning a Jordan road trip: the Desert Highway (fast, efficient, but a bit dull), and the King’s Highway (which takes longer, but is also more scenic).

For this 5-7 day Jordan itinerary, we recommend driving part of the Desert Highway on your way to Wadi Rum (when your schedule is more packed) and then taking the King’s Highway all the way up as you head north.

You’ll come across plenty of striking viewpoints as you travel, so be sure to safely pull over and snap photos at a few!

We personally found the northern section of the King’s Highway more scenic than the southern section.

Where to Stay For Your Final Night in Jordan

If your experience is like ours (and for many of your guys flying back out of the region, it will be), your flight out of Jordan will leave very, very early in the morning.

To make life a little easier on ourselves, we checked into this peaceful hotel near the airport for the “night” (our wakeup call to head to the airport was at 1:00 AM).

The rooms were comfortable and the service excellent.

They were even able to call us a taxi and ensure that we were picked up on time, making our bleary-eyed final few hours in Jordan much less stressful.

Check rates & book your stay at The Opal Hotel!

Add a day in Amman.

With 6 days in Jordan, you should absolutely add a day in Amman!

Jordan’s lively capital city offers a chance to see a completely different side of the country than the wild country landscapes and archaeological sites do.

Tour the famous Amman Citadel (and soak in its incredible views), explore the Roman Theater (that is still used for performances!), and visit Rainbow Street.

The King Abdullah I Mosque is one of the only mosques in Jordan that non-Muslims can enter, and is also worth seeing.

If it fits into your schedule, the Jordan Museum is also well worth a visit–some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display there!

For cheap and delicious eats, don’t miss the famous falafel and hummus at Hashem Restaurant, or the delicious kunefe located just up the road at Habibah.

Slow down or add a day in Aqaba.

Our number one itinerary suggestion if you have a full week in Jordan to work with is simply to slow down!

This suggested route is incredibly packed, and while that’s sustainable for 5-6 days in order to pack in Jordan’s best sights with very limited time, you can’t keep it up forever.

A second day spent in Petra, Wadi Rum, or even the Dead Sea area can add a lot of depth to your trip without having to find yet another hotel to stay in.

If you’re feeling energized, though, a 7 day Jordan itinerary could also be expanded to include a day of scuba diving and/or snorkeling in Aqaba.

Other options include a hike in a slot canyon like Wadi Mujib, time spent in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, or a soak in the Ma’in Hot Springs.

For something more history-focused, visiting another one of Jordan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Quesir Amra or Um er-Rasas are also very interesting options.

While you can absolutely enjoy a week in Jordan year-round, spring and fall are considered the optimal times to visit in order to balance crowds and weather.

Summer can be searing hot, however, it’s also the best time to go scuba diving down in Aqaba–if you’re a diver, you may choose to brave the heat inland in order to optimize your time at the Red Sea!

If you plan a winter trip to Jordan, don’t assume you’ll stay warm!

Winters in Jordan can definitely get cold, and you may even experience snow in Amman.

We took our Jordan road trip in March and enjoyed excellent, mild weather throughout our trip.

Here are a few essentials that you should definitely add to your packing list as you prepare for 5 days in Jordan (or more!).

Travel Insurance  — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a fast-paced road trip is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.

We use and recommend  Safety Wing  for trips to Jordan.

Travel Adaptors for Jordan — Unfortunately, Jordan uses several different kinds of plugs (we saw at least 3 kinds during our trip).

To cover most of your bases, you’ll definitely want both European-style adaptors and UK-style adaptors with you.

Many hotels will also supply adaptors in Jordan, as the situation is confusing, but not all do!

Pacsafe  — We can’t recommend our Pacsafe enough!

This travel safe is affordable, sturdy, easy to pack, and will help keep your valuables safe in your hotel room (not that you should need to worry much about theft in Jordan, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!).

Hands-Free Phone Mount  — This is especially important if you don’t have a reliable co-pilot: the last thing you want to do is be fumbling with the GPS on your phone during your road trip in Andalucia.

Pack a cell phone holder to attach to the car and you’ll be able to drive much more safely!

Jordan Pass — I already mentioned this above, but it bears repeating!

With this itinerary for Jordan, you will absolutely benefit from pre-purchasing a Jordan Pass.

Additional Car Insurance  — Whether you purchase a policy that covers car rental (only some do, so double-check!), purchase a policy through the rental car company, or something else, be sure you have coverage: it’s worth the peace of mind.

Portable USB Charger — Don’t stress about your phone dying when sightseeing or camping!

Our USB charger was a lifesaver during our night camping in Wadi Rum, as the plugs at our camp weren’t compatible with our devices.

Camera  — We absolutely adore our  Sony a7R III , but whatever camera you’re comfortable with works.

Just make sure you have something with you to preserve your memories!

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

6 thoughts on “5-7 Days in Jordan: Itinerary for an Unforgettable Adventure”

Lovely!! Very much interested on the trip. Please email me the itinerary with details. I am interested visiting August 5 2023. Thank you Mercedes

Hi Mercedes,

So glad you found our itinerary helpful! 🙂

We’re not tour guides or travel agents, so we can’t plan or book tours for you. We do have some well-reviewed guided tours linked in the post under the section where I talk about options if you don’t want to drive in Jordan.

Hope you have a wonderful trip to Jordan!

My husband and I are planning to visit Jordan for 7 nights early March 2024. Our preferred stay would be 2 nights in Amman on arrival. 2 nights Petra / 1 night Dead Sea / 1 night Wadi Rum / Last night in Amman again. Would be grateful if you could please suggest an iterinary – not necessary the same sequence mentioned above (except Amman).

Thanks a ton.

Essentially with those stops, you’ll either want to make your way south slowly and then have your “long” driving day (not that the drive is too long in Jordan!) at the end of your trip, or vice versa–take the longest drive at the beginning of your trip and then slowly work your way back north.

With the first option, you’d want to go Amman – Dead Sea – Petra – Wadi Rum – Amman, the second option would be to reverse it: Amman – Wadi Rum – Petra – Dead Sea – Amman.

Personally, since you’re spending a couple nights in Amman to start, I’d tend to recommend the second option. That way, you’ll be doing the most active traveling earlier in your trip, and end with a final relaxing stop at the Dead Sea. 🙂

Our flight arrive at Amman airport is late at night about 10pm, and departure time is early about 10am. Do you know if any car rental company would still be open for car pickup late at night , and car drop off early in the morning? Thanks

Not offhand, but I’d check the locations at the airport–they’ll likely have the most extended hours. Alternatively, if you’re spending the night in Amman, you could take a taxi into the city for your first night and then pickup a rental car at an in-town location the next morning (just make sure to confirm you want to drop off at the airport when you leave).

Have a great time in Jordan!

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10 things you need to know before visiting Jordan

Nov 30, 2023 • 7 min read

From staying safe to understanding local etiquette, this guide to Jordan for first-timers will help you plan the perfect trip © Stefan Tomic / Getty Images

A small country that's big on hospitality, ancient history and culture – with numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites –  Jordan offers endless opportunities for adventure.

From afar, it’s often unfairly lumped in with regional conflict and, as such, overlooked by wary travelers. But in reality, it’s a welcoming and peaceful destination not to be missed.

Start planning the trip of your life today with our ten top tips for first-time visitors to Jordan.

1. Jordan is a safe place to visit

Despite being located in a region with a history of conflict, Jordan is a friendly oasis that’s open and inviting to visitors. Hospitality reigns supreme, violent crime is extremely rare, and Gallup’s 2022 Law and Order Report  ranks Jordan in the top ten for countries where people feel safe walking alone at night.

While you should take the usual precautions you would anywhere – purchase travel and health insurance, don’t carry large sums of cash, and keep valuables locked in a safe  – fear should not be a factor when planning a trip to Jordan.

2. Hospitality is a deeply rooted tradition

Don’t let the "Jordanian frown" fool you. Although you may be met with furrowed brows and what appear to be unfriendly faces, you’ll quickly learn just beneath the tough exterior of a resting frown face typically lies a fun-loving attitude and a deeply rooted tradition of hospitality that can be traced back to Bedouin culture.

It’s not uncommon to be invited for tea or even a meal by shopkeepers and strangers you meet. " Ahlan wa sahlan'"  (welcome), locals will say. "Where are you from? Welcome to Jordan."

3. When greeting someone, follow their lead

You’ll see people of the same gender greet each other with handshakes, hugs and even multiple air kisses beside each cheek. But if you put your hand out for a shake or lean in for a hug, you may be left hanging.

Out of respect for their religion and spouse, some Muslims will not touch people of a different gender unless they are related by blood. Don’t take it personally – be prepared and open to learning the local traditions.

When meeting someone, you can stand, say hello, smile and then let them take the lead. If they extend a hand or lean in for a hug, you can do the same. If they keep their hands at their sides or put their right hand over their heart rather than reaching out, that’s their way of acknowledging you.

4. It’s not always hot and sunny in Jordan

A common misconception about Jordan is that it’s always hot, dry and sunny. While that may be the case if you visit between May and September, Jordan does have a winter season .

From November to February, the country receives a great deal of cold and cloudy days, rain and even snow, sleet and hail on occasion. Temperatures can hover under 10ºC (50ºF) during the day and drop to freezing in the night (32ºF).

If you’re traveling from mid-October to mid-March, be sure to pack a waterproof jacket and warm layers and monitor the weather. Flash floods are extremely dangerous, and even Petra is known to close during inclement weather.

5. Alcohol is legal, but heavily taxed

If you’re in search of sundowners , you can find alcohol at a number of restaurants, bars and, of course, liquor stores in the larger cities like Amman and Aqaba , as well as Christian towns such as Madaba and Fuheis (where you’ll find Carakale , Jordan’s first and only craft beer microbrewery).

St George and Jordan River also produce their own wine in the country but be prepared to pay a pretty penny for your libations – although legal, alcohol tends to carry hefty taxes.

Bear in mind that Muslim-owned properties and Islamic holidays may affect how readily alcohol is available. For example, it’s illegal to sell alcohol anywhere in the country during Ramadan (with the exception of some high-end hotels), and most camps in Wadi Rum don’t serve alcohol at all (but you can often bring your own).

Call ahead to inquire about availability and any restrictions, and if you do drink, be mindful of your hosts and consume in moderation.

6. Dress respectfully

Jordan is a Muslim-majority country, but Christians, Jews and people of various beliefs also coexist peacefully here. There is no law requiring women to wear hijab, but there is an expectation that visitors dress respectful ly – i t’s best to avoid low-cut and shoulder-baring tops, short skirts, and shorts.

If you plan to visit a place of worship, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders, and women are typically expected to cover their hair, chest and neck. 

But covering up doesn’t mean dressing down: Jordanians are generally quite image-conscious and well-dressed. Some restaurants even enforce a sophisticated dress code, particularly in Amman .

Keep that in mind when packing and feel free to flaunt your personal style (respectfully) if you’ll be spending time in the capital.

7. Smoking shisha and cigarettes is common

Alcohol may be in somewhat short supply, but there is argeeleh (shisha) aplenty. For better or worse, smoking shisha is a national pastime, and you’ll find argeeleh cafes across the country. Cigarette smoking is also widely accepted – although it is banned in numerous indoor public spaces, the bans are often ignored by locals.

Travelers who smoke will be in good company, but the smoking culture in Jordan can prove challenging for nonsmokers and those with health conditions. When booking rooms, tours, restaurants and transportation, ask whether non-smoking options are available.

8. Bring a reusable filtration water bottle

Tap water is usually not drinkable in Jordan, though some higher-end hotels have their own water purification systems. Environmental education and recycling facilities are scarce, and you will see plastics and other rubbish littering the otherwise lovely landscapes.

Local businesses and organizations with an eco-aware approach and plastic-free policies like those of Feynan Ecolodge , the Jordan Trail and Eco Hikers are working to teach and inspire locals and visitors with their environmental initiatives.

Travelers to Jordan can be part of the solution by supporting these businesses and carrying their own reusable filtration water bottles (such as  GRAYL ) and reusable utensils.

9. Jordan is proof that big things come in small packages

Jordan is smaller than Portugal or the US state of Maine, but within its borders, you’ll find endless adventure possibilities, ancient history and culture, nature reserves, and community-based immersive experiences (such as those provided by Baraka Destinations , Engaging Cultures and Experience Jordan ).

There are also five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the architectural wonders of Petra and the expansive deserts and towering rocks of Wadi Rum.

If you’re eligible for a visa on arrival to Jordan, purchase the Jordan Pass to gain entrance to some of the best sites, castles and museums including Petra, Wadi Rum, the Temple of Hercules in Amman , the Roman ruins at Jerash and Ajloun Castle .

Keep in mind that although Jordan is small in size, the terrain is varied, roads may be rough and traffic can delay your plans. Traveling to sites may take more time than you anticipate, so plan accordingly and try not to schedule every moment of your itinerary. Immerse yourself in the experiences and allow time for the unexpected. 

10. You’re going to fall in love with Jordan

Maybe it will be the moment you fall asleep under a blanket of stars or stand in awe of enormous ancient stones. Or perhaps it will hit you when you reach the peak of a mountain and take in the view, far away from the rush of the city.

It might be the laughter and stories you share with your new Bedouin friends. Or the taste of tea brewed with sage and sugar over a campfire. It could be in the fresh mansaf (the Jordanian national dish of lamb, rice and yogurt sauce) made with love by your hosts and eaten with your hands. Or it could be when you hear the muezzin’s call to prayer while watching birds dive and swoop against a sunset sky.

There will be a moment – or more likely, many moments – when the magic of Jordan seeps into your soul. Jordan will welcome you, challenge you and it may very well change you. And you’ll find yourself making plans for your next trip before you even finish your first.

This article was first published August 2019 and updated November 2023

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Jordan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before you Visit Jordan

Are you planning a trip to Jordan? START HERE

Jordan was my first ever trip to the Middle East. I loved it so much that I came back just 5 months later and rented a small apartment with my two boys. This gave us a chance to explore everything that Jordan had to offer and in many visits since, this Jordan travel blog was born! I have put everything I know into this comprehensive Jordan travel guide and I am always happy to talk about Jordan. If you ever have questions or cannot find what you are looking for on my site, feel free to reach out! I am always happy to answer emails! You can also check out the Jordan Facebook group to ask your questions there as well!

Rest assured that Step into Jordan has everything that you need to plan your trip to Jordan from start to finish. I have tried to put this guide into a logical order for someone who has never traveled to Jordan before. I know when I was going on my first trip I wanted to know everything I should expect! Here you can start with the basics of a visit to Jordan and then dive deeper into in depth destination guides and itineraries and everything you need to know.

Jordan Travel Guide

Jordan is one of the top adventure destinations in the world. I love that you can be exploring the wonders of Petra one day and then scuba diving stunning reefs off the coast of the Red Sea the next. In Amman, you can be enjoying street food downtown for lunch and then floating on the Dead Sea in the afternoon before retiring to one of the resorts on its shores! Wadi Rum is probably my favorite part of Jordan, but that should not take away from Petra or the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. I always encourage everyone who visits Jordan to at least spend a night in Wadi Rum because my first tour to Jordan only had us there for an afternoon and I think that was a big fail on their part.

Overwhelmed with Planning a trip to Jordan?

Want to skip all of the planning and access my detailed Jordan Itinerary and Guide? I have been to Jordan several times and after being asked again and again for suggestions, not only did I build this website but I created an interactive PDF guide to help you plan the best trip to Jordan! It includes an interactive map, multiple itineraries for up to 10 days and as little as three days and plenty of practical information about renting a car and driving in Jordan. Get the guide by clicking the button below. 

The Best Time To Visit Jordan

March until May and September to mid-November are the best time to visit Jordan . It offers the best temperatures and avoids the busy (and hot) summer travel season which sees locals as well as tourists from the gulf region spending their summer break in Jordan. You can read more about each season in Jordan in the link above. The only time I do not recommend traveling to Jordan is December to February as the poor weather can dampen many of the outdoor adventures Jordan is famous for.

What to Expect in Jordan

Visas: The vast majority of nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival in Jordan. Check before you visit. If you are planning on visiting Jordan independently, the Jordan Pass can save you some money as it waives the visa fees for entering the country if you are staying at least a few nights in the country.

Safety: Jordan is a safe country to visit and is known for its friendly locals who are very proud Jordanians. Visitors are unlikely to go a day in Jordan without a smile and a “welcome to Jordan” from a local. Women traveling solo are often questioned by locals about a “where their husbands are?” but it is most often polite small talk and curiousity. Smiling and chatting with locals can be considered flirting and it is reccomended women not take invitiations to visit caves in Petra at night with local tribes. Car accidents are typically the most dangerous part of Jordan.

Language: The official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken in the tourist areas. Road signage is in Arabic and English as are most menus, receipts and money.

Religion: 95% Muslim 4% Christian

Currency: The official currency is the Jordanian Dinar, which is tied to the USD. 1 USD is about JOD 0.71. When shopping you will often hear the currency referred to as “JD” such as “one JD” or “dinar” such as “one Dinar.”

Main Tourist Sites : Petra, Wadi Rum, Mount Nebo, Madaba, Dead Sea, Jerash, Jesus Baptism Site

Budget: While many countries in the Middle East are quite inexpensive to travel, Jordan is not one of them. A 1 JD bottle of water costs about USD1.41. Luxury Hotels and Resorts will run guests about USD150-200 and a bottle of wine in a liquor store will cost patrons about USD30. Taxi’s and street food are two things that are inexpensive in Jordan. There are ATM’s in almost every major hotel and in Amman there are plenty of currency exchange options. However, cash is still king in Jordan. Locals use cash for everything from grocery store purchases to roadside tea to hotel rooms. While you can use credit cards at major hotels and tourist shops, it is best to have cash on hand each day.

Electricity: The plugs in Jordan are Type C, D, F, G, and J. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Use a universal adapter so you can adapt to the changing plug situation in the kingdom.

Airports: Jordan’s main international Airport is Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) located outside of Amman. Aqaba International Airport (AQJ) is located in the south of the country on the Red Sea in Aqaba. European Low Cost flights often fly into Aqaba on a seasonal basis offering the resort area as a getaway for Europeans looking to escape winter.

Tipping: Tipping is a big part of the service culture in Jordan, but unlike other countries (Egypt for instance), genuine tips such as driving directions are given without a second thought. When it comes to restaurants, it is common to add 10% to the bill, tip 1 JD for luggage service and round up to the next dinar for a taxi. Guides and drivers also work for tips and a base line guide for a group tour is JD3 per day for the driver and JD5 per day for the guide (per person in the group). A private guide JD25 per day is a typical tip for the group.

Cuisine: Jordanian food is a big part of a Jordan visit and taking advantage of the arabic flavors is part of the experience. From sweet Bedouin tea, hummus and bread to mansaf , make sure you enjoy all of the popular dishes in Jordan.

Alcohol: Although over 90% of the country is made up of Muslims, drinking is acceptable in Jordan, but not widespread. All 5 star hotels will have a well-stocked bar and there are plenty of liquor stores in Amman and Aqaba, but you will be hard-pressed to find much in places like Petra unless you are staying in a 5 star hotel like Movenpick or Marriott.

Water: You will read conflicting reports about tap water being drinkable or not. It really depends if the tap has a filter on it (which is hard to tell unless you have rented an apartment and look under the sink.) Most locals use tap water for washing and have a separate filtered tap. Stick to bottled water just to be sure. Generally hotel water in restaurants has been filtered.

Toilets: All hotels, rest stops and most restaurants have western toilets, but almost none of them have toilet paper. If you are not comfortable using the bidet sprayer, ensure you have some packed. Some rest stops have a bathroom attendant who will supply you with paper for a small tip. The same goes in Petra.

I nsurance and Medical: Jordan has modern hospitals and plenty of doctors if needed. I even took my son to a local doctor while in Jordan and the experience was one of the most authentic things you can do in Jordan (not that I am recommending you visit a doctor, but you really get a sense of the locals when you end up doing things that people who live in Jordan do everyday! With that being said, I highly suggest you buy travel insurance for Jordan. It is an inexpensive peace of mind for when those big accidents happen. You can get a quote on travel insurance for Jordan from this site.

Jordan Dress Code and Local Customs

What to wear in jordan.

While Jordan has modern cities, Jordanians have a typical conservative dress code. Men wear pants even in the hottest summer days unless they are at the beach. You will never see a Jordanian man topless, unless at a pool, on a boat or at the beach. Women should not wear low cut shirts or tank tops. Local Jordanian women generally wear tshirts or long sleeves and long pants all year round.

When visiting in the summer months, avoid short shorts unless at the beach resorts and pack a swim cover up to walk to and from the pool. I have plenty more advice on this post on what to wear in Jordan. Overall, locals are unlikely to comment on your dress, but it is best to dress respectfully.

Local Customs

Greetings: When it comes to greetings in Jordan, you will often see men hugging and cheek kissing (at least twice!) and women will often do the same. However, you will rarely see men and women in such an embrace. Shaking hands between men and women is totally fine. However, if you are a man greeting a conservatively dressed woman, let her be the first to extend a hand in greeting. Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Jordan. While in a resort you may see a couple holding hands, but that is about as much physical affection you will see from locals. When traveling in Jordan with your partner, keep your physical contact to a minimum.

Respecting Religion: It is normal for Muslims to pray in public. Be mindful of those praying outside and do not walk right in front of them or stare. You will see most drivers, even police officers with a prayer mat with them during the day. If you are visiting Jordan during Ramadan, it is advised to not eat in public. Locals will not say anything if you are drinking water, but if a local was to do it, they would likely be scorned by those who are choosing to fast.

If your visit does fall during Ramadan (or to get more info) check out Ramadan in Jordan

Photos: Always ask permission before taking photos of locals in Jordan. Especially women. Also, if you are a women traveling in Jordan and happen to run into a school group, do not be surprised if the students want to take photos with you! Jordanian children love interacting with guests to their country and practicing their English.

Visiting Jordan with Kids

Jordan is very kid-friendly and children are welcomed everywhere. My first trip to Jordan, my boys were just 5 and 3 years old. Jordan offers plenty of outdoor adventure that is perfect for kids! They rode camels, hiked in Petra , tried floating at the Dead Sea, snorkeled in Aqaba, rode a 4×4 in Wadi Rum and ate mansaf ! Do not be put off visiting Jordan with your children. Locals love children and while Jordan is not Disneyland, it is definitely a destination that can be enjoyed as a family!

If you are planning on coming to Jordan with your family, have a read of Jordan with kids.

Jordan Travel Guide Planning Resources

Ok so now you have the basics, what you need to decide now is if you want to have someone else plan your trip and take a guided tour, or if you want to see the country on your own. Both ways are fine and both suit a different style of traveler. I have done it both ways and I enjoyed getting to meet other liked minded people on a group tour. I love having a private guide with my kids so they can pepper him with their hundreds of questions and I do not have to worry about other guests. I also love renting a car and hitting the road!

How Long Should You Spend in Jordan?

This is one of the first things you need to figure out. Many people just come for 3-4 days but you really need at least 7 days to be able to see all of the high lights without spending every day rushing from place to place. If you are flying from the other side of the world, see if you can allow 10 days as that will give you the best amount of time to see what makes Jordan so special.

If you are combining Jordan with Egypt or Israel you can pick your must-sees and work around those. For many visitors it is a long way to go and stretching your vacation will get you the best bang for your buck.

Ready to Plan your Trip to Jordan?

If you have decided when you are going to Jordan and have a general idea on how long you have to spend in the country you are ready to move onto the next steps.

Almost every day I get asked if visitors should rent a car. Because of the lack of infrastructure, renting a car is the best way to get around. I generally suggest using RentalCars.com to compare prices across various rental agencies.

Most trips start in Amman but increasingly there are more low cost airlines from Europe flying into Aqaba on Jordan’s south coast! You are going to want to read the top things to do in Amman and the best things to do in Aqaba.

While in the low season the hotel inventory is high, in the busy seasons hotels can sell out. Sometimes there are NO HOTELS AVAILABLE IN PETRA and on Jordanian holidays, Aqaba can be all booked up! If you are traveling in peak periods you should book your accommodation as soon as you have set your dates. Check for flexible cancellations. I generally suggest using booking.com as their policies are easy to read.

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Search for Hotels in Petra

Search for Hotels in Aqaba

Search for Hotels at the Dead Sea

Travel Guide Jordan

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We were very happy with our guides. They had excellent people skills, were very knowledgeable and accommodating. We can only highly recommend them.

Western travellers have been exploring the Middle East for well over a century, but Jordan is a relative newcomer to tourism, welcoming only a fraction of the numbers who visit neighbouring Egypt and Israel. Its popular image abroad encompasses not much more than camels and deserts, yet this is a country of mountains, beaches, castles and ancient churches, with an urbane people and a rich culture. It is safe, comfortable and welcoming – and by far the region’s most rewarding destination to travel.

Facts about Jordan

Where to go in jordan, jordan’s cultural heritage, jordanian identity, nationality, the next generation, jordan’s flag, pigeon-fancying, the royal botanic garden, the search for water, tailor-made travel itineraries for jordan, created by local experts.

6 days  / from 1333 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.

8 days  / from 1665 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.

6 days  / from 1080 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.

Tailor-made trips for   Jordan

Jordan is about 85 percent desert, but this one plain word covers a multitude of scenes, from the dramatic red sands and towering cliffs of the far south to the vast stony plains of volcanic basalt in the east. The northern hills, rich with olive trees, teeter over the rift of the Jordan Valley, which in turn runs down to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. The centre of the country is carpeted with tranquil fields of wheat, cut through by expansive canyons and bordered by arid, craggy mountains. At Jordan’s southernmost tip, beaches fringe the warm waters of the Red Sea, which harbours some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world.

• The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Al Mamlakeh Al Urduniyyeh Al Hashmiyyeh, or Al Urdun for short) covers around 90,000 square kilometres – roughly the same area as Portugal or Indiana.
• Of the 6.7 million population, well over 90 percent are Muslim Arabs, with small minorities of Christian Arabs, as well as Muslim Circassians and Chechens.
• Life expectancy is just over 80 – slightly ahead of the UK and Luxembourg.
• Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, with universal suffrage over the age of 18. The king appoints the Prime Minister and together they appoint the Cabinet. The Senate is appointed by the king and the House of Representatives is voted in by proportional representation.
• Jordan’s per-capita GDP is under US$6000. It has virtually no oil. Key economic sectors are phosphate and potash production, and tourism.
• Jordanian workers are entitled to a minimum wage of JD190/month (US$265).
• King Abdullah’s father, King Hussein, and mother, Toni Gardiner (later Princess Muna), met on the set of Lawrence of Arabia in 1961.
• King Abdullah once appeared in a non-speaking role in Star Trek: Voyager.

There are many fascinating places to visit in Jordan, from ancient Nabataean cities to the world-famous salt lake, known as the Dead Sea. Here is a handful of the best places to go in Jordan:

Treasury at Petra, Jordan © trabantos/Shutterstock

Magnificent ancient city hidden away in the craggy mountains of the south – one of the world’s must-see attractions.

The Dead Sea

Enjoy spectacular sunsets at the lowest point on earth, floating effortlessly on this inland lake supported only by the density of the salty water.

Wadi Rum Protected Area

Experience the atmosphere of the open desert in the stunning company of sheer mountains, red dunes and vast, silent panoramas.

Amman midtown with the Jordan flag in the background © tenkl/Shutterstock

Roman columns and the ruins of an Islamic-era palace tower over Amman, gazing down on a huge Roman theatre in the heart of the city.

Head south for some of the Red Sea’s best-preserved coral reefs and greatest marine biodiversity.

Follow in the footsteps of Moses to this summit above the Dead Sea (named in Deuteronomy), to gaze out over the Promised Land.

The “Desert Castles”

Take a day to explore this fascinating string of early-Islamic forts, bathhouses and caravanserais east of Amman on a convenient, easy-to-navigate loop of roads.

Large South Theatre - in antique town Jerash © volkova natalia/Shutterstock

A spectacularly well-preserved Roman city, complete with colonnaded streets, grand temples, intimate marketplaces and mosaic-floored churches.

Discover more places in Jordan

• The eastern desert Travel Guide
• Jerash and the north Travel Guide
• The King’s Highway Travel Guide

Jordan is part of the land bridge linking Europe, Africa and Asia, and has seen countless armies come and go. Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Christian Crusaders and more have left evidence of their conquests, and there are literally thousands of archeological sites from all periods in every corner of the country. In addition, Israel and Palestine, Jordan’s neighbours to the west, have no monopoly on biblical history: it was in Jordan that Lot sought refuge from the fire and brimstone of the Lord; Moses, Aaron and John the Baptist all died in Jordan; and Jesus was almost certainly baptized here. Even the Prophet Muhammad passed through.

And yet the country is far from being stuck in the past. Amman is a thoroughly modern Arab capital, and poverty is the exception rather than the rule. The government, under head of state King Abdullah II, manages to be simultaneously pro-Western, pro-Arab, founded on a bedrock of Muslim authority and committed to peace with Israel. Women are better integrated into positions of power in government and business than almost anywhere else in the Middle East. Jordanians are also exceptionally highly educated: roughly four percent of the total population is enrolled at university, a proportion comparable to the UK. Traditions of hospitality are ingrained, and taking up some of the many invitations you’ll get to tea or a meal will expose you to an outlook among local people that is often as cosmopolitan and world-aware as anything at home. Domestic extremism is very rare.

Desert camp at Wadi Rum, Jordan © Ahmad A Atwah/Shutterstock

Most people take great pride in their ancestry, whether they’re present or former desert-dwellers (bedouin) or from a settled farming tradition (fellahin). Across the desert areas, people still live and work on their tribal lands, whether together in villages or apart in individual family units. Many town-dwellers, including substantial numbers of Ammanis, also claim tribal identity. Belonging to a tribe (an honour conferred by birth) means respecting the authority of a communal leader, or sheikh, and living in a culture of shared history, values and principles that often crosses national boundaries. Notions of honour and mutual defence are strong. Tribes also wield a great deal of institutional power: most members of Jordan’s lower house of parliament are elected for their tribal, rather than political, affiliation. The king, as sheikh of sheikhs, commands heartfelt loyalty among many people and respect among most of the rest.

National identity is a thorny issue in Jordan, which has taken in huge numbers of Palestinian refugees since the foundation of the State of Israel in 1948. Many people from tribes resident east of the River Jordan before 1948 resent this overbalancing of the country’s demography, as well as the fact that Palestinians, having developed an urbanized, entrepreneurial culture, dominate private-sector business. For their part, Jordanians of Palestinian origin – by some estimates comprising more than sixty percent of the population – often resent the “East Bank” Jordanians’ grip on power in government and the public sector. All are Jordanian citizens, but citizenship tends to mean less to many of Palestinian origin than their national identity, and less to many East Bankers than their tribal affiliation. Recent influxes of refugees from Iraq and Syria, plus large numbers of long-stay guest workers from Egypt, muddy the issue still further. “Where are you from?” – a simple enough question in many countries – is in Jordan the cue for a life story.

Top image: Ad Deir temple, Petra © tenkl/Shutterstock

Although Jordan has a homogeneous population, society is characterized by overlapping layers of identity . You’ll often come across expressions of religious and social sensibility that sound refreshingly unfamiliar to Western ears.

Almost Jordan’s entire population is Arab . This is an ethnic term, but also marks a pan-national identity, largely because nation-states are relatively new: many people in Jordan feel a much stronger cultural affinity with Arabs from nearby countries than, say, Britons might feel with Belgians. The bedouin add a deeper layer of meaning by often regarding themselves to be the only true, original Arabs. Jordan has tiny ethnic minorities of Circassians and Chechens (who are Muslim), Armenians (Christian) and Kurds (Muslim) – all of whom are closely bound into Jordanian society – as well as Dom gypsies (also Muslim).

Roughly 92 percent of Jordanians are Sunni Muslim , and the observance of Islam is a central part of daily life for most people across the country. The call to prayer sounds five times a day in every city, town and village. Jordan’s largest religious minority, totalling around six percent, are Christians , most of whom are Greek Orthodox, but also including Melkite Catholics, Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Maronites and some Protestants (Lutherans, Baptists, Episcopalians and others). There are also small communities of Shia Muslims , Druze and Bahai . Expats aside, there are no Jews in Jordan.

There persists a perceived difference between people whose origins lie in families long resident on the east bank of the River Jordan and people whose families originate on the west bank of the river. All are Jordanian citizens, yet Jordanians of Palestinian origin are estimated to number between half and three-quarters of the total population. Roughly seven percent of people in Jordan are expats, including guest workers – many of them Egyptian , Sri Lankan and Filipino – alongside a sizeable population of Iraqi refugees.

A tribe is an extended grouping of families who cultivate a distinctive tradition of history and folklore (mainly oral) and assert ownership of a particular territory. Not all tribes are desert-dwelling – there are many whose background is rural, and others who have become urbanized. Tribal territories, which predate nation-states, often extend across international borders. Some tribes are made up of clans and branches which have taken on tribe-like status; others have banded together in larger, often pan-national, tribal confederations. All these concepts are rather loose, but for a lot of Jordanians, tribal identity is at least as strong as religious or national identity.

Within tribal identity, many people make a distinction between two broad social traditions. The bedouin originate in families who are current or former desert-dwellers: they may once have been nomadic, but are almost all now settled. Some still live in tents in or near the desert, following traditional lifestyles, but many do not: a police officer in Amman or a marketing executive in Aqaba might be as bedouin as a camel-guide in Wadi Rum. By contrast the fellahin originate from a settled, rural, farming tradition, often in the north and west of Jordan. They frequently have strong historic links – often of family or tribe – to rural communities across the borders in Syria and Palestine.

More than a third of Jordanians are under 15 . This is one of the best-educated countries in the developing world: almost everyone you meet will be able to hold some sort of conversation in English (and possibly French, Spanish and German too). Students from all income groups and social backgrounds mix freely at the universities, where the traditional emphasis on engineering and the sciences – Jordan is a world leader in medical fields including ophthalmology and cardiology – is giving way to new technology. Aqaba’s Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts , backed by Steven Spielberg, is turning out directors and cinematographers of world-class standard. The heritage-style image of Jordan as a nation of simple tent-dwellers, scratching a living from the desert sands, bears little relation to reality.

Jordan’s flag is adapted from the revolutionary banner of the Great Arab Revolt of 1916–17, when Arab armies under the Hashemites – a noble dynasty, now led by King Abdullah II of Jordan, which traces its origins back to the Prophet Muhammad – overthrew the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East.

The flag has three equal horizontal bands. At the top is black , representing the Abbasid Caliphate that ruled from Baghdad in the eighth and ninth centuries; in the middle is white , representing the Umayyad Caliphate that ruled from Damascus in the seventh and eighth centuries; and at the bottom is green , representing the Fatimid Caliphate that ruled from Cairo in the tenth and eleventh centuries. On the hoist side is a red triangle representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916–17. Within the triangle is a seven-pointed white star which symbolizes the seven verses of the opening sura (verse) of the Quran; the points represent faith in one God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue and hope.

At sunset in towns all across Jordan, you’ll see small, tight flocks of pigeons wheeling overhead. Pigeon-fancying is surprisingly popular, and has taken on something of a shady image, since the point of it is not to race the birds, but rather to kidnap prize specimens from other people’s flocks. In every neighbourhood, as the sun goes down, people emerge onto the flat rooftops and open up their ramshackle pigeon coops, sometimes twirling a lure on a length of rope to keep the flock dipping and swooping, sometimes holding a female bird up so that the males will circle around. Neighbours will often deliberately exercise their flocks at the same time, to try and persuade each other’s birds to defect; similarly, some well-trained flocks can be enticed to fly off to another part of town to bring back new individuals. Newspapers report that enthusiasts gain three or four new birds a week, yet lose roughly the same number. Many fanciers keep their identities secret, since – for obvious reasons – they’re popularly seen as being not entirely trustworthy.

Due to open in 2014, Jordan's Royal Botanic Garden is set to feature five local habitats (deciduous oak forest, pine forest, juniper forest, Jordan Valley and freshwater wadi), as well as themed gardens (medicinal, Islamic, the five senses, bees and more). Eventually there will be walks along 20km of scenic nature trails , birdwatching from concealed hides, a butterfly house, boat trips on the lake, a wholefood café-restaurant and ecolodge accommodation.

The site chosen for the garden is the hilly area of Tell Ar Rumman , to the west of the Amman–Jerash road about 25km north of the capital, overlooking the lake formed by the King Talal Dam. Because of the garden’s size (180 hectares, with more than 300m of elevation difference between mountain summits and the lakeshore) and its variety of habitats, most of Jordan’s native plant species can be grown onsite. It is intended to be a demonstration site, showcasing “sustainable living and environmentally compatible solutions that can be easily replicated by the average Jordanian”. For up-to-date information , call or check the website (06 541 3402, w royalbotanicgarden.org ).

Jordan is one of the five driest countries in the world. Annual consumption per capita (calculated as renewable water resources withdrawn) is about 170 cubic metres, compared with 630 as the world average, 800 across the Middle East/North Africa region – and 1,650 in North America. Almost a third of the water used in Jordan comes from non-sustainable or non-renewable sources. Three decades of pumping from the once-abundant Azraq oasis has brought it to the point of collapse. The River Yarmouk sports a large dam shared by Jordan and Syria, and all the major valleys leading down to the Dead Sea are now dammed in an effort to stop water draining into the salty lake – which has contributed to its rapid shrinking. Every winter the local newspapers publish reports tabulating levels of water storage in the country’s reservoirs, while Jordanians anxiously wait for rain. Water rationing is in place in Amman over the summer. A scheme to pipe water to Amman from desert aquifers at Disi is already under way, and plans are afoot for desalination plants on the Red Sea, possibly – and very controversially – to be powered by a nuclear plant.

Travel advice for Jordan

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Jordan

• Culture and Etiquette in Jordan
• Eating and drinking in Jordan
• How to get to Jordan
• Getting around Jordan: Transportation Tips
• Shopping tips for Jordan
• Travel Tips Jordan for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Jordan

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• Published July 9, 2018

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or an archaeology buff, Jordan has something for everyone. From the sweeping dunes of Wadi Rum to the ancient facades of the lost city of Petra, this uniquely captivating place is sure to inspire the most exciting adventures.

For the historian and archaeologist…

Those traveling to Jordan to experience its archaeological wonders will not be disappointed. The ruins of Jerash and the splendor of Madaba charm visitors, who will be delighted by the antiquity present in this Middle Eastern country.

A post shared by Selvaggia Lucarelli (@selvaggialucarelli) on Jun 16, 2018 at 10:12am PDT

Located just 30 miles north of Amman, Jerash is the holy grail of ancient architecture and cultural legacy. The site was initially settled by Greece’s most famous conqueror, Alexander the Great, and it has been occupied by humans in the 6,500 years since. Claimed by the Romans in 63 B.C., the city came to incorporate the most beautiful elements of Roman architecture.

Visitors should explore sites such as Hadrian’s Arch , the Oval Forum , the South Theater, the Temple of Artemis , the North Theater, and the Nyphaeum .

Travel between Jerash and the capital city of Amman is easy via train or bus (which runs more regularly). For more information about this archaeological site, check out our guide to visiting Jerash .

A post shared by Heather Goodman 🌴 hawai’i (@hbgoodie) on May 18, 2017 at 11:59am PDT

A post shared by max muench (@muenchmax) on Jun 24, 2018 at 1:00am PDT

To view Jordan’s most popular archaeological site, head for the ancient city of Petra . Now nicknamed the “Lost” City, Petra was once a thriving metropolis and trading center for the Nabataean culture between 400 B.C. and 106 A.D, after which the city fell from its position of power and faded into obscurity. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that Petra was rediscovered and introduced to the Western world by a European traveler who had craftily disguised himself in traditional Bedouin garb to examine the abandoned sandstone structure. Even today, an air of mystery surrounds the city, and archaeologists attest that Petra’s giant exposed cliff face only represents 15 percent of it — the rest, they say, is buried safely underground and remains untouched.

Visitors should explore the wonders of the ancient site and consider visiting at night, when hundreds of lit candles make the already gorgeous scene extraordinary. If you’re not claustrophobic, wander through the cavernous canyon (the Siq ) that links Petra to the chaos of the outside world. Up for a bit of exploring? You can also view the area’s lesser-known attractions, like Little Petra , as well as the site’s famous cliffside monastery .

Getting to Petra from Amman is relatively easy. The four-hour drive can be accomplished via rental car, taxi, or public bus. Remember that you’ll have to purchase tickets for any attractions in the Lost City at the visitor center in Wadi Musa (the nearest town) before you arrive at the archaeological site itself.

A post shared by Mark Unpingco (@markthechamorro) on Nov 10, 2017 at 4:21am PST

This calm and sleepy city is a hop, skip, and a jump from Amman (just 19 miles or 30 kilometers) and is best known for its incredible collection of Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, as well as its peaceful, longstanding cohabitation of Christian and Muslim populations.

In addition, Madaba enjoys a rich cultural legacy: not only does the city’s occupation date back to the Bronze Age, but biblical scholars have also pointed out that Madaba is mentioned in both Numbers 21:30 and in Joshua 13:9. Additionally, historians have proven that the site was ruled by both Roman and Byzantine civilizations between the second and seventh centuries.

In addition to the rich cultural legacy of Madaba, the city is also an artistic treasure trove. During a series of construction efforts, exquisitely crafted mosaics were discovered around the northernmost boundaries of the city. The region’s most famous finding was the Map of Madaba , a sixth-century mosaic that depicts the ancient boundaries of Jerusalem with nearly two million fragments of carefully colored stone. Today, the map is preserved at the Greek Orthodox Basilica of Saint George , but artistically inclined visitors can find other mosaic masterpieces in the Church of the Virgin and the Apostles and the Archaeological Museum , as well as throughout the city itself.

The distance between Madaba and Amman can be covered via car or public bus in about an hour — you’ll find lines running between the two regularly and for a reasonable price.

For the wellness warrior…

As vacations focus increasingly on health and relaxation, Jordan emerges as a frontrunner in wellness travel.

A post shared by Salem Shawabkeh (@salem_shawabkeh) on May 14, 2018 at 6:16am PDT

Swim in the Dead Sea

It’s no secret that the Dead Sea , which is 33.7 percent saline, has some unique properties. In addition to it being the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea has some additional advantages: water with a high mineral content, decreased allergens and pollen in its surrounding atmosphere, decreased atmospheric ultraviolet rays, and higher atmospheric pressure in the region — which all translate to a host of bodily benefits for visitors. Historically, the Dead Sea has been visited by ancient kings (such as Herod the Great) and raided for minerals that have comprised everything from ancient Egyptian mummification balms to agricultural fertilizers.

So, if you visit, be sure to slather yourself in the region’s thick, mineral-rich mud. In addition to having beautifying qualities, it’s known to treat skin oiliness, act as an exfoliant, moisturize and remove bacteria from the scalp, and treat certain health issues (namely, skin redness and cracking, muscle tension and aches, joint pain, inflammation, and poor circulation).

The Dead Sea is only about an hour’s drive from the capital city of Amman, making it the perfect day-trip destination . Visitors can rent a car and drive, or catch a public bus to this salty site.

A post shared by Visit Jordan (@visitjordan) on Apr 23, 2018 at 12:44am PDT

A post shared by Middle East Travel (@gomiddleeast) on Feb 18, 2018 at 9:49pm PST

Visit Hammamat Ma’in Hot Springs

This series of waterfalls and natural hot springs is a must-visit for any traveler to Jordan seeking a relaxing experience. Endowed with a rich historical legacy and a variety of mineral properties, the springs have played host to a number of famous figures over the ages, including Herod the Great, and served as. the site for several significant biblical events, namely Salome’s dance, and — sadly — the beheading of John the Baptist.

Today, visitors can enjoy modern-day spa amenities at the site, as well as the ancient waterfalls and hot springs that the area is known for.

The springs are only a 20-minute drive from the city of Madaba and can be easily accessed via rental car or taxi cab.

For the people person…

Jordan is home to the Bedouin people, who have roamed the deserts of Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and North Africa for centuries. Bedouin culture is rich in tradition, gastronomically diverse, and culturally hospitable. To experience the wisdom and openness of the Bedouin, why not seek out a cross-cultural experience.

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A post shared by Marisol Menéndez (@marisolmenendez) on Jan 9, 2018 at 1:43pm PST

Visit the Feynan Ecolodge

Located in the rural center of Dana, Feynan Ecolodge is a sustainable center that welcomes guests from near and far with its legendary Bedouin hospitality. Powered by solar energy during the day and illuminated by candles at sundown, the center promotes sustainability with its purely vegetarian menu and emphasis on locally sourced food. Feynan is run entirely by members of the Bedouin tribe, who engage with guests and teach them traditional cooking methods, shepherding practices, and other cultural legacies.

You can travel to Dana from Amman via rental car or public bus — the trip will take between two to four hours depending on your chosen method of transportation.

For the film buff….

For visitors with a taste for famous films, this Jordanian location is sure to please.

A post shared by Leo Thomas (@theolator) on Oct 10, 2017 at 11:53am PDT

Acting as the setting of films such as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Wadi Rum,” “the Martian,” and “Star Wars: Rogue One,” Wadi Rum is an otherworldly expanse of weathered rock and sandy expanse — and one that’s not to be missed.

To explore this vast and unforgiving desert, visitors generally opt for one of three different options — Jeep tours, camel rides, or hikes. A Jeep tour is the quickest and easiest way to explore this scenic site and archaeological goldmine, and you can generally book a tour from the desert’s visitor center , which will allow you access to 19 of the area’s best sites. Camel rides range from a one-hour excursion to a full-day trip and can also be booked at the visitor center, while extensive hiking is recommended only under the expertise of a Bedouin guide. For the latter, you’ll need to book in advance, so be sure to ask your hotel or guesthouse for more information. Otherwise, there are two relatively easy trails that lead from the visitor center that don’t require a map or guide.

Those who visit should explore the Burdah Rock Bridge , Al Hasany Dunes , Jebel Rum , Khazali Siq , Ain Abu Aineh , and Barah Canyon .

The drive between Amman and Wadi Rum will take about three and a half hours. You can either rent a car or sign up for a tour — transportation is included.

For the outdoor enthusiast…

Jordan is an archaeological playground, but it’s also a natural wonderland. For those who would rather spend their days hiking dunes or floating in the Dead Sea, here are a few other outdoor activities in the desert nation that you won’t want to miss.

Snorkeling, Diving, and Swimming

Visit Aqaba , Jordan’s only coastal city, for spectacular sights and the opportunity to view coral reefs, dive at over 30 sites, and snorkel through crystal clear waters. Located on the tip of the country’s Red Sea, the city offers visitors a unique opportunity to interact with the world below the ocean’s surface.

Aqaba is located in between Wadi Rum and Petra, which solidifies its place in the “golden triangle of tourism.” To get to Aqaba, take a bus or rent a car from the city of Amman — the drive will take around four hours.

Already been to Jordan? Let us know what activities you enjoy pursuing while in the Kingdom in the comments below!

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Jordan Travel Guide – Everything to plan your trip

Jordan is located in the Middle East north of the Red Sea and east of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the South, and Israel and the West Bank to the west.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is known as a link between the sea and desert and a connection to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It's also where you'll find the famous treasury of Petra, one of the most popular places to visit in the country.

In this Jordan travel guide, you’ll get all the information you need to plan your own Jordan holidays.

Jordan travel guide: quick facts

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Size: 89,342 km2 or 35,637 sq mi

People living there: more than 6,655,000

Capital of Jordan: Amman

Governmental structure: Parliamentary monarchy

National day: May 25

Time zone: UTC+2

Currency: Jordanian dinar

Power voltage and socket type(s): 230V, plug types B, C, D, F, G, and J. If these don't match with your devices, make sure to bring a universal adapter .

Official religion(s)/Freedom of religion: Islam is Jordan's state religion but the constitution does provide freedom of religion as long as the practice of that religion doesn't violate public order or morality. However, religious minorities in Jordan do face some restrictions and official conversion from Islam to another religion can go hand in hand with the loss of civil rights and social disapproval. 90% of the population is Sunni Muslim, followed by Christian and Shia Muslim.

Official language(s) and general knowledge of English: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken.

Drives on this side: right

International driver's licence accepted? International driver’s permit, yes

Phone code: +962

Vaccinations required? No.

Is it safe to drink the tap water? It depends. According to the World Health Organization, the tap water in Jordan is perfectly safe to drink but it might deteriorate depending on the cleanliness of the tanks it's kept in and the state of the pipes it runs through. If you want to be absolutely safe while still not polluting by using plastic bottles every day, get a reusable water bottle and a Steripen to filter the tap water before you drink it.

Want a more diverse list of Jordan facts with a bit of history and funnies thrown in? Check this post .

Jordan provinces/states

Jordan is divided into 12 governorates among three regions: north, central, and south. Let's have a look at what these different Jordan destinations have to offer travelers.  

NORTH REGION

Mafraq means “crossroads”, a name that's quite fitting as the place is currently best known as the home of the Zaatari Refugee Camp. It is estimated that as many as a half million Syrian refugees have passed through here.  

CENTRAL REGION

Blaqa is the fourth most populated governorate of Jordan. Its capital city Salt has preserved much of its historic Ottoman architecture. Top attractions in Salt include the Salt Archaeological Museum, the Ottoman mosque, and the Abu Jaber Museum.  

Amman has something for everyone. For the nature enthusiasts, check out Wadi Mujib, known as the Grand Canyon of Jordan. Be sure to also see the Roman Theater, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the capital city. If you like museums, don’t miss the Jordan Museum, which is home to some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Petra remains. With all Amman has to offer, it's a must on your Jordan trip.  

Zarqa, of which name means “the blue city”, is the third most populated governorate and Jordan’s industrial center.  

Other top sights to see in Madaba during your holidays in Jordan include the Church of St. John the Baptist and Mount Nebo, known as the summit from which Moses saw the Promised Land.  

SOUTH REGION

Tafilah is where the ancient kingdom of Edom once resided. It is known for its gardens and natural hot springs as well as the Dana Biosphere Reserve. If you want to go trekking in Jordan, this is a great place to go.  

The most popular sightseeing attraction in all of Jordan lies here: Petra. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as the Red Rose City because of the color of the rocks found comprising many of the site’s structures. The stunning sandstone carvings are a must-see.

Wadi Musa, known as the Valley of Moses, is the closest town in Ma’an to the Petra archeological site.  

How to get to Jordan

Transportation

The main Jordan bus company JETT offers services in and out of Jordan to neighboring countries.  

Jordan can be reached via the Hedjaz Jordan Railway which connects Damascus to Amman.  

ABMaritime runs ferries between Aqaba, Jordan and Nuweiba, Egypt every day except Saturday.  

The easiest way to travel to Jordan is by plane. There are two international airports of which the Queen Alia International Airport, located just outside Amman, is the most popular one. The other one is the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba.

Check Skyscanner for a good overview of flight options and the best prices.

How to travel around Jordan

It's not too difficult to explore Jordan independently by car, but do take into account that Amman is a busy city like any other and might test your nerves if you decide to drive there. Driving along the historic Highway 35, also known as the King’s Highway, is a tourist experience in and of itself.

It’s also possible to travel between cities such as Amman and Irbid via local buses or tourist buses run by companies such as JETT.

Check Rentalcars.com for the biggest comparison of rental car prices to make sure you get the best deal.  

I always use Booking.com to look for hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts. It has great filtering options so I just need to look at only the hotels that meet my criteria. If you're looking for accommodation in Jordan, I highly recommend you check there .

When I want to stay at an apartment rather than a hotel, I book one on Airbnb .  

What to pack for Jordan

The summers are typically hot and dry, with temperatures dipping in the evening. The weather on an average summer day can range between 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F). The winters are generally cold and rainy, with temperatures between December to February falling as low as 4°C (39°F).

The exception to all this is the coastal city of Aqaba, which is usually about 10°C (18°F) above the temperature in Amman due to its drier conditions.

Whatever else you pack, there are three things you should have with you in every season:

• Modest clothing, especially when you're a woman
• A refillable water bottle
• For women, a wide scarf. Something like this pashmina is light and still big enough to cover your hair, shoulders and/or legs when needed.
• lightweight, loose-fitting pants like these ones
• good walking sandals
• swimwear for at the hotel
• sports/hiking shoes
• a light sweater
• a waterproof coat
• clothing to layer
• a jacket or sweater

If you want to catch a national celebration, then May is the best month to visit Jordan. On the 25th, the Jordanians celebrate their Independence Day.

• Mansaf: Jordan’s national dish consisting of meat, rice, and pine nuts cooked with yogurt and served on a large platter over thin flatbread.
• Makloubeh: Translated to mean “upside down,” this dish stews together chicken, rice, vegetables, and spices before being flipped to serve.
• Falafel: Fried balls of spices and ground chickpeas.
• Kunafa: Dessert made from sugar soaked dough and layered with cheese.
• Mulukhiyah: A thick vegetable stew when cooked, usually served with rice and a few slices of lemon.
• Zaarb: Marinated meat and vegetables baked with hot coals in a pit under the sand.
• Musakhan: Roasted chicken baked with onions, spices, and pine nuts, and served over flatbread.
• Shorabat Adas: Lentil stew served with lemon on the side.
• Warak Enab: Grape leaves stuffed with vegetables.
• Makmoura: chicken and onions layered between dough and served as a savory piece of cake.

• Azraq Festival: A celebration of the town’s culture (February)
• Aqaba Traditional Arts Festival: A celebration of the Bedouin people as well as their culture and handicrafts (February)
• Amman International Theatre Festival: A performance showcase of skills and talent (March)
• Jordan International Rally: An international motorcar race (April)
• Dead Sea Ultra Marathon: An annual ultra marathon that begins in Amman and brings participants to 400m below sea level (April)
• Jordan Festival: Previously known as the Jerash Festival, this month-long cultural celebration takes place in tourist hotspots around the country such as Amman, Jerash, and Petra (July)
• Distant Heat: An annual dance festival with an electronic dance music party in Wadi Rum and beach parties in Aqaba (July)
• Petra Desert Marathon: A marathon around UNESCO World Heritage Site Petra (August)
• Jordan Running Adventure Race: A 160 km (~100 mi) race between Petra and Wadi Rum (October)
• Amman Design Week: A nine-day event that showcases local and international designers, exhibitions, workshops, and cultural programs (October)

• New Year’s Day (January 1st)
• Labor Day (May 1st)
• Independence Day (May 25th)
• Eid Al-Fitr
• Eid Al-Adha
• Islamic New Year
• Birthday of Prophet Mohammed
• Christmas Day (December 25th)

Also make sure to check when the Ramadan starts and ends in Jordan. There are still some places serving food and drinks during the day as well as shops and markets that are open so you won't go hungry. Try to book accommodation that has breakfast included to save you the trouble from needing to go out and find food in the morning and take into account that many places will have different opening hours during the Ramadan. Don't eat, drink, or smoke in public during the day (except when going to a restaurant that serves food during the day, obviously) to respect the locals.  

If you meet some locals, it’s polite to greet them standing up and shaking their hands. Always accept Arabic coffee when offered by a host, then shake your cup side to side when you’ve finished to indicate you don’t want more.

Drinking alcoholic beverages is acceptable, though they should be consumed inside private areas.

Finally, be mindful if there is someone praying in public and be sure not to interrupt or pass in front of them.

No matter how well you plan and research your Jordan adventure, there are always things that happen beyond your control. Something might get canceled, you can get ill or hurt while traveling or one of your electronics might break or get stolen. When misfortune strikes, travel insurance has got you covered. I've had ongoing travel insurance ever since I started traveling to make sure I'm covered for every trip I go on. Don't have insurance yet? You can get a free quote here:

Although it is not necessary to speak Arabic in order to visit Jordan, learning a few words in the local language is always appreciated wherever you travel. Here are a few words and phrases to use in Jordan to help with your cultural experience.

In general, just be aware of tourist scams and stay mindful about your belongings and surroundings as you would when traveling to any new country.  

As I have a Belgian/European SIM card, I would normally pay roaming charges when calling, texting, or using data in Jordan. To get around this, I use the Solis mobile hotspot by Solis Wifi and buy day passes for the duration of my trip.

Aside from day passes, Solis Wifi also offers monthly prescriptions providing you with 4G throughout your trips. I've been using their daily passes not just when I travel outside the EU (no roaming charges for me in the EU) but also as a backup for when I think I'll go over my phone's data plan.

Tipping is part of the service and tourism industry in Jordan and while you should never tip horrible service, a tip is generally expected by waiting staff, taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides. I've listed some guidelines on what to tip in Jordan here .  

The country went through many changes to its statehood. At one time part of the Ottoman Empire and a mandate of the United Kingdom, the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan finally gained its independence in 1946.

Following the creation of Israel, Jordan annexed the West Bank in 1950. Jordan participated in the Six-Day War in 1967 against Israel, who took control of Jerusalem and the West Bank and led to an influx of refugees into Jordan from Palestine.

Jordan expelled the Palestinian Liberation Organisation from the country in the conflict that became known as Black September in 1970.

In 1994, Jordan signed the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty with Israel which effectively ended 46-year official state of war.

In 1999, King Hussein died and his son Crown Prince Abdullah succeeded to the throne. Under King Abdullah, the first parliamentary elections were held in 2003.

Between 2011-2012, a series of protests in the country took place against unemployment, corruption, and inflation.  

And that's it! I hope this Jordan travel guide gave you some ideas on what to do in Jordan and will help you plan your own Jordan vacation.  

Click here for all the posts I've written about Jordan.  

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Planning your trip to Jordan: itinerary & more

Last updated on November 10, 2016 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission ( more )

Planning a trip to Jordan? Below is my guide to help you make plans and make the best of your time there. It covers itinerary planning, best time to visit, transportation options and is based on research and my own trip to Jordan in May 2013.

Navigate back to the complete  Jordan Travel Guide

OVERVIEW OF JORDAN

About the country.

Jordan's official name his the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It is slightly smaller than Indiana and slightly bigger than Austria.

​Jordan is located in the Middle East surrounded by Israel to the West, Syria to the North, Iraq and Saudi Arabia to the East. The capital city is Amman​ is the home of 1 million of the 6.5 million Jordanians (as per 2014)

Learn more about its history on the tourism board website .

Jordan is a great place to visit. I felt very safe and really enjoyed the mix of ancient ruins such as Jerash and Petra with natural wonders such as Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.

I felt safe during ​my whole trip through Jordan and would recommend it for all types of travelers: solo, family, couples...

If you have more questions about Safety, Lindsay travelled to Jordan with her family and answer the question: Is Jordan Safe?  in details on here blog post.

THINGS TO DO IN JORDAN

Things to do and see.

The main attraction in Jordan is of course the Nabatean site of Petra with its huge temple and tombs carved in the canyons cliffs.

However Jordan also offers:

• ​Spectacular  roman ruins such as the Citadel , Jerash and Pella
• 'Beach' tourism at the Dead Sea and the Red Sea
• Castles such as the desert Castles and Kerak
• Religious sites such as Mount Nebo
• Natural wonders such as the desert of Wadi Rum and the Biosphere reserve of Dana

Resources to decide on your itinerary

Check out my JORDAN DESTINATION GUIDE for location specific posts which contains

• many pictures to help you decide which sites you want to visit
• information and tips help you make the most of your time there

​I also recommend other blogs to complete your research:

• ​Highlights of Jordan by Never Ending Voyage
• All posts about Jordan by Young Adventuress
• All posts about Jordan by On the Luce

BEST TIME TO VISIT JORDAN

Despite its small size, Jordan has a great range of climate mostly due to altitude changes: The Dead sea lies 400m below sea level, whereas Amman, Petra and the desert of Wadi rum reach 800m. The Dana river goes up to 1500m. In theorie, Jordan can be a year-round destination, but it is considered that spring and autumn are the best seasons to avoid the heat of the season in the desertic area and or the cold that can hit them in Winter.

​So March to May and September to November are the recommended month with spring showing wildflowers and green. I personally visited in May and it was already really hot to do the various hikes. But I had long daylight to enjoy the various sites and activities.

And it you can stand extremely hot weather, you can consider summer to visit Petra and avoid all the big crowds.​

You should also consider when the Ramadan falls that year as you should not eat or drink in public during the day.​

TIME NEEDED TO TRAVEL AROUND

Jordan is not that beach and of course the time needed to visit Jordan depends on how many ruins your can visit in a row and how long you like to spend on the beach. Below are some suggested itineraries.

5 DAYS - highlights of Jordan

5 days give you a good taste of Jordan

• Day 1 - Amman and the Citadel and drive to the Dead Sea
• Day 2 - Dead Sea and drive to Petra
• Day 3 - Petra​
• Day 4 - drive to Wadi Rum and Night in Wadi Rum
• Day 5 - Drive back to Amman

10 DAYS - the full Jordan Experience

For me the ideal length to visit Jordan is 10 days (but still with a pretty full agenda)

• Day 1 & 2 - Roman Ruins - Amman and Jerash
• Day 3 & 4 - Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, Kerak
• Day 5 - Hike in Dana Nature Reserve
• Day 6 & 7 - Petra with a hike off the beaten track, night day 7 in Wadi Rum
• Day 8  - Wadi Rum
• Day 9 & 10 - Red Sea and drive back to Amman

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

The roads are in good condition and the driving not too crazy so self-drive is definitely and option. Directions and signs might become more difficult in some less touristic region (e.g. Dana reserve) but people are friendly and ready to help. I might 2 groups who went up North to Umm Quais. They both got lost and the police drove them back to the right road as they were getting to close to the borders with Syria.​

ORGANIZED TOUR

Many companies offer small or big group organized tours in different languages. This way you do not worry about anything and just go with the flow but that also means you cannot stop whenever you want

I selected the local company Terhaal and their 8 day Jordan Adventure (check out the review - note: I paid entirely for that tour)​. The tour ended up being a private one as the other people canceled.

PRIVATE DRIVER

A good option is the private car and driver. Jordan is not yet too expense and even though they are not allowed to be guide as well, they organized the tour for you and you can customized how long you want to spend in one location. For example as my tour became a private one I was able to change and leave Amman early in order to spend more time in the Dana Reserve and in Petra

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

You can reach most of the main sites by bus but those cater mostly for locals. JETT buses  are more oriented towards visitors and go to some main sites including Aqaba and Petra. I am not an expert here but Rough guide wrote a great page on transportation in Jordan .

The inconvenient of course is that then you need more days to visit Jordan as you are bound to the bus running times​ if they are following a timetable but they might wait until the bus is full.

ACCOMODATION IN JORDAN

Jordan is well developed for tourism and has many options for accommodation.

I recommend camping for 2 nights: at the Rummana campsite in the Dana Nature reserve and in the Wadi Rum Desert.​

GETTING READY

When it is getting closer to leave for your amazing trip, you can also check my post on preparing and packing for a trip to Jordan ! It includes clothes, money, language, food and beverage, internet and all you need to know before leaving.

Want to see MORE of JORDAN?

Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online Jordan Travel Guide .

PREVIOUS GENERAL POST: 

REVIEW OF TERHAAL TOUR

NEXT GENERAL POST: 

PREPARE & PACK FOR JORDAN 

 Any question? Ask in the comments

Reader Interactions

November 21, 2018 at 8:14 AM

Can you give me the contact of private car and driver? I plan to visit Jordan in December for 3 days. Thank you in advance.

November 21, 2018 at 8:54 AM

Sorry, the company I used does not do private tours. It is just that the other people cancelled and I ended alone on the tour.

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How to Plan a Trip to Jordan

Your guide to exploring the ancient city of Petra.

Morning arrive Amman's Queen Alia International Airport on your flight from Dubai. Meet your guide and driver and depart for Petra via the King's Way. En route, visit Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses spectacularly overlooking the Jordan River Valley and the Dead Sea; the mosaic city of Madaba where you will stop for lunch at Hikayet Sitti ("The Story of My Grandmother"); and Shobak, a 12th century hilltop fortress recalling the gallantry of the Crusaders.

Not far from Amman stands Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan for this is where Moses was buried. The site's association with the last days of Moses is described in moving words in Deuteronomy (34:1-7). The episode of Balak and Balam (2:13-26) also took place here. A small Byzantine church was built here by early Christians. This has been expanded into a vast complex and contains some fascinating mosaic floors.

Continue about six miles east to Madaba. In many respects Madaba is a typical East Bank town that differs in one major aspect: underneath almost every house lies a fine Byzantine or Umayyad mosaic. Many of these mosaics have been excavated and are on display in the town's museum, but it is estimated that many more lie hidden waiting to be discovered. Madaba's chief attraction - in the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of St. George - is a wonderfully vivid, 6th century Byzantine mosaic map showing the entire region from Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south, including a fascinating plan of Jerusalem.

After your visit to the church, pause for a nice lunch at Hikayet Sitti where the local ladies of Madaba prepare homemade, authentic local Jordanian meals in an old renovated house.

Carry on the King's Way to Shobak Castle, a lonely reminder of former Crusader glory located less than an hour north of Petra. Once called "Mont Real," Shobak dates from the same turbulent period as Kerak (which is not far from Shobak on the King's Way). It is perched on the side of a mountain, with a grand sweep of fruit trees below. The castle's exterior is impressive, with a forbidding gate and encircling triple wall. Despite the precautions of its builder, the fortress fell to Saladin only 75 years after it was raised. Inscriptions by his proud successors appear on the castle wall.

Continue to Petra and transfer to the nearest hotel to the site entrance, Mövenpick Resort Petra , for check-in to your Superior Room. The evening is at leisure.

Dinner this evening is at Petra's unique Cave Bar, a restaurant & bar serving local dishes and barbecue that is tucked away inside part of an ancient tomb carved by the Nabataeans. Tables are placed outside on a large piazza and within the cave, where lanterns cast a lovely glow over the bar's sandstone walls. Live Bedouin music is also featured daily. Cave Bar is within easy walking distance from the Mövenpick Petra (located behind Petra Visitor Center and right next to Petra Guest House) and is open from 3:00pm to midnight daily.

This morning after breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel and proceed to the entrance of Petra, the "Pink City," to visit the Tomb & Treasures of the King, the Roman Theater, and the Old Market, including a buffet-style lunch at the Basin Restaurant at the site. You will also have the option of hiking or taking a donkey up to the Monastery (done on your own without your guide).

Petra is the treasure of the ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays. It has been said "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it." For sure, there is nothing in the world that resembles it! The rock-carved, rose-red city of Petra is full of mysterious charm; it was "designed to strike wonder into all who entered it." Petra is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture, and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe.

Enjoy the time with your guide exploring this long-lost Rose City, once a rich merchant city and stop for the camel caravans bringing frankincense, silk and slaves from Arabia to the Mediterranean. After passing some tombs located outside the city, walk through the Siq, an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone. This winding one-kilometer-long fissure is striking with overhanging cliffs soaring 300 feet above your head. One final turn brings you into brightness and the dramatic presence of the Treasury, 140 feet high and carved out of solid rock. Beyond the Treasury you are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved and built structures, soaring temples, elaborate tombs, a carved Roman theater, large and small houses and much more – indeed this is an entire lost city! The Victorian traveler and poet Dean Burgon gave Petra a description which still holds to this day: "Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time."

Be sure to visit the Monastery, either by hiking the stone path or on a donkey (a one-way donkey ride is included if you're interested). The Monastery is hidden high in the mountains of the Wadi Araba, and totally worth the extra effort getting to it.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for a short rest and time to freshen up before heading out once again this evening for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary event.

Private candlelit dinner in Little Petra. This evening travel a short distance north of town where the road runs between wild and beautiful outcrops of rock. It is called al-Beidha in Arabic, "The White One," or as we know it, Little Petra. Al-Beidha was also one of the main commercial areas of Petra, the entry and exit point for the trade routes to the north and northwest. Here the caravans from the Negev, Gaza and Askalon, from Jerusalem and the Phoenician coast, would arrive and settle for a while to engage in trade, their camels and donkeys quartered in the broad acres near the cistern. The merchants probably stayed in the cool seclusion of the Siq al-Barid, the cold gorge, whose entrance is at the end of a narrowing of the valley. This miniature version of Petra contains a profusion of façades and cisterns, interspersed with steps, some of which lead to high and holy places on the summits. Just before the entrance is a façade of luminous simplicity, at the top of a short flight of steps. It does not seem to have been a tomb, for Little Petra was designed more for the living than for the dead. Perhaps it was the office of the collector of tolls of the trading caravans that lodged here. Like all the monuments of Siq al-Barid, this façade is thought to have been carved in the first half of the first century AD, when the whole quarter was developed during a period of Petra's expansion. Notable also is the biclinium (two-benched dining room) with a first-century AD frescoed ceiling painted all over with a delicate tracery of vines with bunches of grapes hanging from the branches.

In this spectacular setting, a private candlelit dinner will be offered to you under the starry night sky. Enjoy!

Return to your hotel where the balance of the evening is at leisure.

This morning depart for fabled Wadi Rum, the timeless desert hideaway of Lawrence of Arabia (120 kilometers, approximately a 90 minute drive). Wadi Rum is a moonscape of ancient valleys and towering weathered sandstone mountains rising out of the white and pink colored sands. Stunning in its natural beauty, Wadi Rum epitomizes the romance of the desert and is home to several Bedouin tribes. Also known as "The Valley of the Moon," this is the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War I, their exploits intrinsically woven into the history of this amazing area. T.E. Lawrence elegantly described the landscape of Wadi Rum as "vast, echoing and God-like."

Upon arrival in Wadi Rum, meet your Bedouin guide and transfer by jeep into the desert for an exciting 1½-hour 4X4 excursion past natural sandstone bridges, petroglyphs featuring animals, and rock formations with names inspired by T.E. Lawrence. After your wild ride, enjoy a private Bedouin-inspired lunch at Sun City Bedouin Camp.

Afterwards, transfer to the Arava Border Crossing and continue your journey into Israel. Bon Voyage!

Total cost is $5,955 per person based on double occupancy. Rates valid for two guests traveling from January-May 2017, and subject to change based on exact travel dates.

• 2 nights in Petra at the Mövenpick Resort Petra (Junior Suite) including buffet breakfast.
• All tours mentioned in program on a private basis with English-speaking guides.
• All entrance fees for sightseeing mentioned in program.
• All transfers and touring by private air-conditioned vehicles.
• Meals as indicated.
• Meet & greet services at all airports/borders for arrivals and departures.
• All Special Events and visits as detailed in program above.
• Gratuities for two pieces of luggage per person in Jordan.

Not Included:

• Jordan Entry Visas.
• International flights.
• Departure taxes, as required.
• Excess baggage fees.
• Travel insurance/Trip cancellation insurance.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, incidental expenses at hotel and aboard ship, etc.
• Gratuities for guides and local drivers; these are at the clients' discretion.

For more information on how to book, contact Jim Berkeley of Destinations & Adventures International at [email protected] , 800-659-4599.

This itinerary includes days 50-51 of the Town & Country Grand Tour. See the full itinerary, here:

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The Ultimate Travel Bucket List

The Town & Country Grand Tour

How to Plan a Trip to Europe

How to Plan a Trip to Prague

How to Plan a Trip to Spain

How to Plan a Trip to Italy

How to Plan a Trip to St. Petersburg

How to Plan a Trip to Istanbul

How to Plan a Trip to Dubai

How to Plan a Trip to Egypt

How to Plan a Trip to Israel

21 Essentials to Pack for Jordan: Your Ultimate Jordan Packing List

August 25, 2022

Know exactly what to pack for Jordan with this in-depth packing list and travel guide.

Plan your Jordan itinerary here and find out when the best time to visit Jordan is here.

Table of Contents

What to Pack for Jordan: The Ultimate Packing List

Jordan is becoming more and more popular among travellers from all over the world and it’s no surprise why. This country is chock-full of interesting tourist attractions and ancient cities that have witnessed the rise and fall of many empires. The best things to do in Jordan include the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Petra and Jerash and more.

Besides the historical monuments, Jordan is also famous for its beaches and resorts along the Dead Sea, the unique Jordanian food culture and sprawling desert wilderness.

While traveling to such a beautiful country requires preparation (such as reading up on the visa policy for Jordan !), this article will go over everything you need to know before travelling to Jordan. And, crucially, what to pack for Jordan.

• See also our printable pre-trip checklist which you can download here.

Your Jordan Packing List

• Warm jacket
• Hiking boots
• Layered, long sleeve, long legged clothes
• Prescription medication
• Credit cards
• Buy an e SIM Card before you land
• International travel adapter
• Personal medication
• Reusable water bottle
• Passport, travel insurance , itinerary
• Download our free ultimate packing list here  for a full list of everything, absolutely everything that you could need.

What women should wear in Jordan

Jordan is predominantly a Muslim country, which means there are a few special considerations that you should keep in mind before visiting. While the local culture and dress code varies across the country, in general, women are encouraged to dress conservatively and cover their shoulders, legs, and necklines.

For this reason, it is best to pack light and loose fabrics, as well as long dresses, scarves, and comfortable yet roomy clothing. It’s a good idea for female travellers to mix up long skirts with trousers and to pack a scarf in case you wish to visit a mosque or other religious sites.

Jordanian women tend not to cover their faces and not everyone covers their hair. However, it’s always better to be a little more conservative than necessary rather than not conservative enough. Especially on your first trip.

In general, you don’t need to worry about unwanted attention from local people as long as you dress appropriately and walk with confidence. Read more about solo female travel in Jordan here.

His Excellency Rustom Mkhjian, Director of the Baptism Site

What men should wear in Jordan

Similarly, men should also avoid packing shorts and short-sleeved T-shirts with them. As noted above, it is better to take light clothes that cover the entire body. Long sleeves also protect from the sun and the sand. They fit better with local customs and may possibly make local women feel more comfortable in rural areas and conservative areas.

What everyone needs to know about the dress code in Jordan

When traveling to Jordan, it is worth remembering to pack a light jacket, long trousers, and at least one long-sleeve shirt. Due to the desert climate, temperatures can suddenly drop once day turns into night — and it’s best to be prepared. Pack a sweater and hat just in case.

Loose-fitting clothing in breathable materials is what you want to be wearing for visiting holy sites and city centres. Avoid exposing too much skin and observe the customs of Jordanian culture. Skinny jeans are uncomfortable in this middle eastern country in the heat and not that practical in the cool evenings either.

Nothing to wear? No problem! There are plenty of shops across Jordan that sell local clothing: just look for a dishdasha for men (a long white robe) or a shirsh for women (a dress with stitching that denotes where the wearer is from).

Similarly, pack sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to ward off damage from the sun. It’s the best way!

Travel in Jordan makes you feel alive!

Renting a car in Jordan

Jordan has an extensive network of roads, which are well-paved and have signs in English – good news for those who like to travel by car.

An average car will typically cost around $40 to 50 per day, and if you rent a car for several days, the price will be even lower. Likewise, a litre of gasoline costs about $1.50.

Before planning your road trip across Jordan, it is worth noting a few of the local rules. In order to rent a car, you will need to obtain an international driver’s license. This document is especially important to have, as the police will ask for it if they decide to stop you for a check.

Likewise, it is worth being careful on the road and keeping an eye out for speed bumps, as Jordan has many more of these ‘roadblocks’ compared to other countries.

Even more importantly, make sure you know exactly where you are going. Jordan borders some, well, high tension borders with Israel, Syria and Saudi Arabia and you do not want to accidentally stray into them. Read more about that in these articles on how to plan a Jordan itinerary and Jordan: is it safe for solo female travelers?

When to visit Jordan

When to go to Jordan depends entirely on your purpose and itinerary. In order to better prepare for the trip, think in advance about what you want to do and, based on this, choose the season. Here’s a full guide on when to visit Jordan.

What to pack for Jordan in Winter

Winter months are suitable for travellers who want to spend time exploring the many museums in the capital, then going on sightseeing tours or visiting Petra without the crowds and heat. In fact, the temperature hovers around 13 C (55 F) during the day and falls to about 5 C (42 F) during the evening. However, it’s important to note that winters may come with biting winds and rain — and you might even be able to see snowfall in Petra. Due to low demand, hotels and tours are often discounted so you can avoid several extra costs.

Pack extra layers for winter as you’ll get quite warm hiking in the day but very cold at night.

What to pack for Jordan in Spring

Travelers who love hiking and/or relaxing on the beach should plan to travel to Jordan in the spring. The period from April to May is considered the peak season for beach holidays, as temperatures are a pleasant 20 to 30 C (68 to 86 F), while the water temperatures are around 21 to 25 C. When packing for Jordan in spring, load up on maxi skirts and hiking boots and always remember to pack a hat.

What to pack for Jordan in Autumn

Likewise, autumn is the perfect time to visit Jordan for any type of activity. Similar to spring, the temperatures in autumn fluctuate from 21 to 26 C (70 to 79 F), while areas along the Red Sea coast can rise up to 30 C (86 F) — perfect for underwater diving and other fun water activities.

Autumn is considered to be the best season to visit Jordan since the weather is mild and outdoor activities are easily accessible. Enjoy long days with a lot of walking and so make sure that you have packed your hiking boots, sunscreen and water bottle .

What to pack for Jordan in Summer

On the other hand, summer is not the best season to travel because the weather in Jordan can quickly reach sweltering numbers. During the summer, temperatures fluctuate wildly: it can be as hot as 40 C (104 F) during the day to a chilly 10 C (50 F) during the evening — especially in the desert and other natural terrains. Travellers who are sensitive to high temperatures should avoid a summer trip to Jordan and, instead, plan for another season.

If you are planning your Jordan adventure for the summer months, make sure to load up on sun protection like sunglasses, sunscreen, long clothes and a sun hat. Take a reusable water bottle and seek out the shade!

More on Travel in Jordan

After reading this Jordan packing guide, check out our travel guide to the best things to do in Jordan and then browse through the articles below:

• Jordanian Food: the 21 dishes you need to know
• What is it like to visit Petra?
• Is Petra at night worth it?
• Why Bedouin coffee means more than you think
• How the Madaba mosaics show the pathway to peace
• How to plan the perfect Jordan itinerary
• When is the best time to visit Jordan?
• Is Jordan safe for solo female travellers?

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Middle East latest: Rockets 'fired towards US military base in Syria'

At least five rockets are launched from the Iraqi town of Zummar towards a US military base in northeastern Syria, security sources tell Reuters. The attack against American forces is the first since February, when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped targeting US troops.

Sunday 21 April 2024 22:54, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Iran 'displayed power' in attack on Israel, Supreme Leader insists - despite failure
• Rockets 'fired from Iraq towards US military base in Syria'
• Baby delivered in emergency C-section after mother killed in Rafah strike
• Netanyahu: Israel will increase pressure on Hamas 'in coming days' 
• Sean Bell: New details hint at impact of Israeli strike on Iran
• At least 14 Palestinians killed in West Bank raid, authorities say
• Analysis: Iran isn't biggest threat to the coalition right now
• Live reporting by Bhvishya Patel and (earlier)  Narbeh Minassian

At least five rockets have been fired from Iraq's town of Zummar towards a US military base in northeastern Syria, two Iraqi security sources have told Reuters.

The security sources and a senior army officer said a rocket launcher fixed on the back of a small truck had been parked in Zummar border town with Syria.

The military official said the truck caught fire with an explosion from unfired rockets at the same time as warplanes were in the sky.

The attack against US forces is the first since early February when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped their attacks against US troops.

It comes a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani returned from a visit to the US and met with President Joe Biden at the White House.

Hezbollah has claimed it downed an Israeli drone that was on a combat mission in southern Lebanon.

The drone that was brought down above the Al Aishiyeh area in southern Lebanon was "waging its attacks on our steadfast people," a statement by the group said, according to Reuters.

Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy operating from Lebanon and it frequently trades rocket and drone attacks with Israel across the Lebanese-Israeli border. 

Earlier today, Iran's supreme leader dismissed any discussion of whether Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel hit anything there.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments to senior military leaders did not not touch on the apparent Israeli retaliatory strike on the central city of Isfahan on Friday, even though air defences opened fire and Iran grounded commercial flights across much of the country.

The 85-year-old made the comments in a meeting attended by the top ranks of Iran's regular military, police and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a powerful force within its Shiite theocracy.

We have been reporting this weekend on the Israeli raid at Nur Shams, in the occupied West Bank.

The raid began in the early hours of Friday and troops were still exchanging fire with armed fighters into Saturday.

Here are some of the images that have emerged from the region...

By Alex Crawford , special correspondent

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon has told Sky News the dangers in the region have not gone away and called for calm, wisdom and de-escalation as a matter of urgency.

Joanna Wronecka spoke from her office in Beirut about her worries and appealed for restraint from all those involved.

"I'm very concerned," she said. "Because we need just a small miscalculation and the situation can escalate even more."

She was referring to the spike in cross-border firing between the Israeli military and the Lebanese Hezbollah fighters who've been trading attacks with growing intensity since 7 October.

You can read Crawford's full piece here...

The campaigner who was called "openly Jewish" by a police officer last weekend, has been offered a meeting with a senior Metropolitan Police officer.

In a statement, the force said assistant commissioner Matt Twist had written to Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, to offer a private meeting.

The meeting is "to both apologise to him personally and discuss what more the Met can do to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe", the police said.

We reported this morning the Board of Deputies of British Jews will meet Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley this week, along with the Jewish Leadership Council and antisemitism charity CST regarding the incident (see post at 2.05pm).

 A baby girl was delivered in an emergency caesarean section after her Palestinian mother was killed along with her husband and daughter by an Israeli attack in the Gaza city of Rafah, Palestinian health officials have said.

The baby is stable and improving gradually, Mohammed Salama, a doctor caring for her, said.

Her mother, Sabreen Al-Sakani, had been 30 weeks pregnant.

The baby will stay in hospital for three to four weeks, Dr Salama said.

"After that we will see about her leaving, and where this child will go, to the family, to the aunt or uncle or grandparents. Here is the biggest tragedy. Even if this child survives, she was born an orphan," he said.

Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt despite international calls for restraint.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today and discussed the state of the region, a spokesperson for the German government has said.

"The chancellor emphasised that it was essential to avoid a regional escalation," the spokesperson said.

It comes as Iran and Israel, who have been locked in a shadow war for years, try to dial back tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them as the Israel-Hamas war inflames the wider region.

Israel war cabinet member Benny Gantz has spoken with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and asked him to reconsider the decision to sanction the IDF's Netzah Yehuda battalion, the American news website Axios reports, citing Mr Gantz's office.

For context : This weekend a report from Axios claimed the US was expected to announce sanctions within days on the IDF battalion for human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.  

Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu has already responded, warning it is "forbidden" to sanction the IDF.

The Axios report adds it would be the first time the US has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit.

Israel and Iran have been at war for decades but they have been fighting in the shadows.

Analysts believe both countries are now trying to ease tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them.

Here, our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn   explains how we got here and what could be next.

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Arab states unexpectedly helped Israel fend off Iran's attack

• Israel found help from unlikely sources against an Iranian missile attack.
• Jordan shot down an Iranian missile and other Arab states may have provided intel. 
• Arab countries have complicated motives for aiding Israel.

The skies over Israel lit up on Saturday night as its Iron Dome shot down hundreds of missiles and drones launched by Iran.

The assault was retaliation for Israel's deadly strike on Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus. It marked the first time that Iran had carried out attacks on Israel from Iranian territory.

Israel said it shot down 99% of the drones, cruise, and ballistic missiles that headed its way. In doing so, it received help from unlikely sources: its Arab neighbors.

Jordan, which has been a fierce critic of Israel's campaign in Gaza, said it intercepted projectiles fired by Iran that entered its airspace. It also appeared to open up its airspace to Israeli and US fighter jets.

Samih al-Maaytah, Jordan's former information minister, defended the move on Sunday. "Jordan's duty is to protect its lands and citizens," he said. "What Jordan did yesterday was to simply protect its airspace."

Jordan may have complicated motivations for backing Israel. As Deutsche Welle wrote on Sunday, the country shares a border with Israel and often works with Israeli authorities.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have publicly called for peace in the region. But The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, said Iran tipped off several Gulf states about the timing and nature of the attack it was planning. They then passed the information to the US, Israel's key international ally.

"Arab countries quietly passed along intelligence about Tehran's attack plans, opened their airspace to warplanes, shared radar tracking information or, in some cases, supplied their own forces to help," the Journal reported, citing the sources.

This may jeopardize Saudi attempts to improve relations with Iran. In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran restored ties with help from China, agreeing to reopen embassies in their respective capitals.

In March 2023, China helped Saudi Arabia and Iran restore some diplomatic ties, brokering an agreement to reopen embassies in their respective capitals.

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The response reveals that opposition to Iranian aggression remains a key factor shaping the region's shifting alliances, despite growing rage about Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Saudi Arabia is still interested in possibly normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel. One reason, The New York Times reported , is that it's hoping for a US security guarantee in case it's ever attacked by Iran.

Yasmine Farouk, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Times that many Arab states envied the success of Israel's Iron Dome defense system, which was constructed with US support.

"What the Western countries under US leadership have done to protect Israel yesterday is exactly what Saudi Arabia wants for itself," said Farouk.

Arab countries' fears about Iranian aggression was a key factor underpinning the Abraham Accords — the agreement to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and some Arab states brokered by the Trump administration.

The deal, which the UAE and Bahrain in the Gulf region agreed to, put aside the issue of Palestinian statehood that has long divided Israel and its neighbors and promised increased US support for Arab countries against potential Iranian attacks.

The October 7 terrorist attacks, which killed around 1,200 Israeli, abruptly halted that process. Jordan and Saudi Arabia have been among the leading voices condemning Israel's subsequent campaign in Gaza, where more than 33,000 people have been killed.

However, per various reports, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states are willing to continue discussions with Israel once fighting in Gaza has abated.

Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, told Business Insider it could be risky for Arab states to be seen as coming to Israel's aid.

"There is now much anger toward Jordan on the part of many in the wider Arab-Islamic world who see Amman serving Israel and the US's interests more than six months into Israel's annihilatory campaign in Gaza which Arab governments like Jordan's have only stood against in rhetoric, not concrete action," he said.

As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, Arab states face a tough choice between their security priorities and addressing public anger over Gaza.

Saudi Arabia has said that normalization with Israel must include a realistic path to Palestinian statehood. That request is unlikely to be met by Israel's current government.

Watch: Israel now waging war on three battle fronts — Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Syria

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Why Jordan helped repel the Iranian missile attack on Israel

As Iran tries to foment unrest in the kingdom, Jordan is concerned about its own regime’s survival

If anyone thought Jordan’s part in intercepting drones Iran launched at Israel on the weekend marked a turning point in the Hashemite Kingdom’s relations with the Jewish state, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi immediately tried to dispel that notion, insisting in media interviews that Israel was still the real problem.

Leading figures in Jordan have for months been leveling harsh criticism on Israel and Amman called off an energy and water deal in response to the war in Gaza, amid pressure from a population that has largely been unsupportive of relations between the countries since they signed an agreement in 1994.

But the Iranian assault, with projectiles flying over Jordanian territory, marked a point where Amman was working in its own interest, which overlapped with Jerusalem’s, rather than Jordan jumping to Israel’s rescue, experts said.

Iran has long worked to gain a foothold in Jordan and undermine the stability of its monarchy. Israel’s 300 km-border with Jordan is its longest frontier, such that a stronger Iranian or Iran-backed presence would pose a serious threat to the Jewish state.

Yet Israel, Eyal Pinko, senior research fellow at Bar-Ilan University’s BESA Center of Strategic Studies said, is “only one player on the chessboard…in the war within Islam, between the Shi’ite countries led by Iran and the Sunni countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan and Morocco.”

Former Deputy Ambassador to Egypt Ruth Wasserman Lande, a fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security, told Jewish Insider that in recent years Iran “found graves of all kinds of Shi’ite sheikhs on the Israel-Jordan border, told the Jordanians they must come and take care of the graves, and suddenly there was an Iranian presence in Jordan.”

Those graves began a “slow encroachment” that characterizes Iran’s behavior around the region, Wasserman Lande said. Jordan remained silent for years, even when Iran-supported Hamas tried to compete with the Kingdom over primacy at holy sites in Jerusalem , and as Iran and its proxy Hezbollah smuggled weapons and drugs through Jordan.

Iran has been trying to “shuffle the cards inside Jordan” by inciting Palestinians in Jordan via social media, Pinko noted in a briefing to the Jerusalem Press Club this week.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told JI that “this is about Jordan itself before it’s about Israel. The sovereignty of Jordan is at stake…Jordan is aware their sovereignty is really precious. This means any kind of infringement on their sovereignty, big or small, will be fought…This happens to align with Israeli interests.”

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told JI that “Iran would like to replace [Jordan’s monarchy] with any of their proxies or create a proxy inside Jordan.”

A week before the missile and drone attack on Israel, Iranian media reported that Hezbollah is ready to arm 12,000 “Islamist resistance” fighters in Jordan to overthrow the monarchy.

“Jordan only recently started saying ‘enough’ in public,” Wasserman Lande said. “Apparently, they’ve reached a red line and made clear statements that they want this to stop.” 

As such, “this is about Jordan itself before it’s about Israel,” Abdul-Hussein said. “The sovereignty of Jordan is at stake…Jordan is aware their sovereignty is really precious. This means any kind of infringement on their sovereignty, big or small, will be fought…This happens to align with Israeli interests.”

As such, the palace’s readout of the king’s call with President Joe Biden on Sunday said that “His Majesty affirmed that Jordan will not allow for a regional war to unfold on its land.” The statement made no reference to Iran or intercepting the projectiles it launched, but said the call “covered the latest developments in the region and efforts to de-escalate and reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”

Safadi told CNN : “Whatever objects that go into our skies, violate our airspace, that we believe pose a danger to Jordan, we will do whatever within our means to end that threat and that’s what we did… Our priority is to protect Jordan and Jordanian citizens.”

Rather than pin the issue on Iran, Safadi said that “the cause of all this tension…is the Israeli aggression of Gaza and the continued absence of a political horizon.” 

Abdul-Hussein called Safadi’s remarks “horrible” and said they “didn’t even add up.”

“He said the Iranian attack happened because there’s no political horizon in Palestine — that’s really dumb, because now he’s putting Jordan in the way of a political horizon in Palestine,” Abdul-Hussein said. “If you think the absence of a political horizon justifies the Iranian attack, then why stand against it?”

These kinds of statements are “divorced from actual policies,” Abdul-Hussein added.

Safadi can’t admit to cooperation with Israel, because of “anger on the street,” where most of the Jordanian population identifies as Palestinian, and “terrible incitement in education in Jordan,” Wasserman Lande said.

“Even though the king talks about east Jerusalem and Gaza in the media,” Pinko said, “he is afraid of what is happening inside his country. But you only see that below the [surface].”

Former Deputy Ambassador to Egypt Ruth Wasserman Lande, a fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security, saw Jordan’s part in thwarting the Iranian attack as “a turning point in [Israel and Jordan’s] cooperation against Iran, because the [Jordanian] government is at a boiling point when it comes to its own survival,” which she said “depends on other countries, first and foremost Israel and the U.S.” 

Jordan also faced harsh criticism beyond its own borders, as well, with one Al Jazeera executive writing : “There are Arab citizens who pull the trigger to protect Israel and watch when the Palestinians are bombed. A new and shocking scene.” One meme that made the rounds on X, formerly Twitter, showed King Abdullah II in an IDF general’s uniform.

An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Jerusalem was very encouraged by Amman being part of the coalition against Iran, and an effective one at that.

However, the official said, Israel has kept quiet about it because of the intense pressures the monarchy is facing. 

 Wasserman Lande saw Jordan’s part in thwarting the Iranian attack as “a turning point in [Israel and Jordan’s] cooperation against Iran, because the [Jordanian] government is at a boiling point when it comes to its own survival,” which she said “depends on other countries, first and foremost Israel and the U.S.” 

Pinko said that cooperation between Israel and Jordan in the military and intelligence spheres is “very strong,” but posited that Washington pressured King Abdullah to help Israel in this case, noting that “Jordan pretty much depends on the U.S. and most of the Jordanian military equipment and platforms are Americans.” 

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Iran missile and drone attack on Israel – what we know so far

Israel’s military has reported minor damage after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles towards it late on Saturday

• Iran attack on Israel – live updates
• Full report: Iran launches drones and cruise missiles against Israel

Iran launched hundreds of drones as well as cruise missiles towards Israel , in the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Jewish state, in response to the 1 April strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in the Syrian capital, Damascus, which killed a senior figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards and eight other officers.

Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, said that Israel will exact a price from Iran in response to its mass missile and drone attack when the time is right. His comments came ahead of a war cabinet meeting alongside Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the country’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant.

Tehran has warned it will strike again with greater force if Israel or the US retaliate for the Iranian strike on Israel by more 300 drones and missiles on Saturday night. The air raids , the Islamic Republic’s first ever direct attack on the Israeli state, brought a years-long shadow war into the open and threatened to draw the region into a broader conflagration as Israel said it was considering its response.

However, the attack, mostly launched from inside Iran, caused only modest damage in Israel as most were shot down with the help of the US, Britain and Jordan. An air force base in southern Israel was hit, but continued to operate as normal and a seven-year-old child was seriously hurt by shrapnel. There were no other reports of serious damage. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said that 99% of the launches had been intercepted.

Most of the Iranian drones flying over Syria’s airspace during Tehran’s strikes overnight were downed by Israeli and US jets before reaching their targets in Israel, two western intelligence sources told Reuters .

The UN security council will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday at the request of Israel’s ambassador to the UN, the council’s president said in a statement.

Iran informed Turkey in advance of its planned operation against Israel, a Turkish diplomatic source has told Reuters . The source also said that the US conveyed to Iran via Ankara that its operation must be “within certain limits”. These reports come after Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian , said in a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran that Iran had informed the US that its attacks against Israel will be “limited” and for self-defence only.

John Kirby, the White House’s top national security spokesperson, told ABC’s This Week programme on Sunday that the US will continue to help Israel defend itself, but does not want war with Iran. “We don’t seek escalated tensions in the region. We don’t seek a wider conflict,” Kirby said. News outlet Axios reported that Joe Biden , the US president, had told Netanyahu that he would oppose an Israeli counterattack against Iran and that the prime minister should “take the win”.

UK Royal Air Force fighter jets and refuelling aircraft were also involved in Israel’s defence, taking off from bases in Cyprus. Their role, according to the UK Ministry of Defence, was to fill in for the US air force in the sorties against Islamic State normally carried out over Iraq and north-eastern Syria, but also to intercept Iranian drones if they came into the UK area of operations.

World leaders have condemned Iran’s attack, with regional powers including Saudi Arabia and Egypt calling for restraint. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said: “I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.”

Jordan’s prime minister, Bisher Khasawneh , warned that any escalation in the region would lead to “dangerous paths”, joining a chorus of condemnation from world leaders to the attack. Other countries including the UK, Spain, the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and China, have called for restraint amid fears of a regional escalation of conflict across the Middle East. Iran’s foreign ministry has summoned the ambassadors of the UK , France , and Germany to question what it referred to as their “irresponsible stance” regarding Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel, the semi-official Iranian Labour news agency reported .

Major airlines across the Middle East, including Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways , announced they would resume some of their operations in the region after cancelling or rerouting some flights in response to Iran’s attack on Israel. Israel said it had reopened its airspace as of 7:30am local time on Sunday morning, with Beirut airport also reopening this morning. Several Iranian airports, including Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International, however, have cancelled flights until Monday.

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