Rose-red Petra, desert camps and a float on the Dead Sea.
Jordan packs remarkable sights into a compact, easy-to-travel country. Petra, the Nabataean city carved into pink sandstone, is the headline, but the desert valley of Wadi Rum, the Roman streets of Jerash and the salt-heavy water of the Dead Sea are just as memorable. Amman's hilltop citadel and busy downtown make a good base, and Aqaba adds Red Sea snorkelling in the far south.
Meals centre on mezze, falafel and mansaf, the national dish of lamb with yoghurt and rice, served with generous hospitality. Distances are short, and driving the Desert and King's Highways is a popular way to travel. Spring and autumn are ideal; summer is very hot at Petra and Wadi Rum, and winter can bring cold nights and occasional snow in Amman.
Best time to visit Jordan
April, May, October, November.
Places to visit in Jordan
Petra: The Nabataean city of tombs and temples cut into pink sandstone, reached through a narrow gorge.
Wadi Rum: A protected desert valley of red sand and towering sandstone, explored by jeep and camel with Bedouin guides.
Amman: Jordan's hilly capital, with a Roman theatre, an ancient citadel and a lively downtown food scene.
Dead Sea: A salt lake at the lowest point on land, where the water holds you up and the mud is a spa treatment.
Jerash: One of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities, with colonnaded streets, temples and theatres.
Essentials
Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Language: Arabic; English widely spoken in tourist areas
Plugs: Type C / D / F / G, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+3
Tipping: 10% in restaurants; small tips for guides and drivers
Getting around: Hire a car or driver; JETT buses link Amman, Petra and Aqaba
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking