🇯🇴 Jordan

Rose-red Petra, desert wadis and the Dead Sea

Open Jordan in the interactive travelogue →

Petra — The rose-red Nabataean city

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) Carved monument

Petra's iconic temple façade glowing at the end of the narrow Siq canyon.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Mild months are best for the long, shadeless canyon walks.

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The Monastery (Ad-Deir) Carved monument

A colossal carved monastery reached by 800 rock-cut steps.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Cooler weather makes the steep climb far more comfortable.

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The Siq Natural landmark

A 1.2-km slot canyon of soaring walls forming the dramatic entrance to Petra.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Mild months are best for the walk through the shaded gorge.

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High Place of Sacrifice Archaeological site

A clifftop altar with commanding views over the whole ruined city.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Cool weather suits the exposed clifftop climb.

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Ad-Deir Monastery viewpoint Viewpoint

Mountain trail offering breathtaking aerial views of the entire Petra valley site.

Best time: Oct–Apr — Provides unique perspective unavailable from ground level at Petra.

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Wadi Rum — The Valley of the Moon

Wadi Rum Desert Desert valley

A UNESCO Mars-scape of red dunes and towering sandstone jebels.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Cool months are best for 4x4 tours and dune walks.

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Jebel Khazali Canyon Canyon

A narrow rock fissure carved with ancient Thamudic petroglyphs.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Milder weather suits exploring the shaded canyon.

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Lawrence's Spring Natural spring

A hillside spring linked to Lawrence of Arabia, above sweeping desert views.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Cool months are best for the scramble to the spring.

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Bedouin Camp & Stargazing Cultural experience

Overnight in a desert camp with Bedouin hospitality and brilliant night skies.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Comfortable nights are best for camping and stargazing.

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Burdah Rock Bridge Natural Formation

Iconic natural sandstone arch accessible via hiking through dramatic desert landscape.

Best time: Oct–Apr — Stunning geological formation offering adventure hiking in Wadi Rum's remote areas.

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Amman — Hills, ruins and a modern Arab capital

Amman Citadel Archaeological site

Hilltop ruins of a Roman temple and Umayyad palace over the white city.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Mild months suit the open hilltop ruins and views.

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Roman Theatre Ancient theatre

A steep 2nd-century Roman theatre carved into the downtown hillside.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Cooler weather is best for the exposed stone tiers.

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Rainbow Street & Downtown Souk Historic district

Café-lined street and bustling old-town markets in the heart of Amman.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Pleasant weather is best for the street and souk.

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Jerash (day trip) Ancient site

One of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities, of colonnades and arches.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Nov — Mild months suit the vast open-air Roman city.

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Philadelphia Theater Ruins Ruins

Well-preserved Roman theater still hosting performances in ancient downtown area.

Best time: Mar–May & Sep–Dec — Active cultural venue maintaining ancient Roman amphitheater's original purpose.

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Aqaba — Red Sea port where three countries meet

Aqaba Marine Park Marine Reserve

Protected coral reef system with rainbow-colored fish and pristine underwater ecosystems.

Best time: Mar–May & Oct–Nov — Northernmost coral reefs of the Red Sea with exceptional clarity

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Aqaba Fort (Mamluk Castle) Historical Fort

16th-century fortification controlling the strategic gulf entrance.

Best time: Oct–Apr — Sentinel of trade routes with museum exhibits on regional history

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Aqaba Beach Beach

Award-winning sandy beach with shallow waters perfect for families and swimming.

Best time: Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct — Cleanest Mediterranean-connected beach in the region

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Aqaba Archaeological Museum Museum

Exhibits featuring Nabatean, Islamic, and Crusader artifacts from the region.

Best time: Oct–Apr — Rare collection documenting Aqaba's multicultural trading history

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Israeli-Jordanian Border Viewpoint Viewpoint

Scenic overlook where visitors can see Israel, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia simultaneously.

Best time: Oct–Apr — Unique geopolitical vantage point over three nations

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Madaba — Byzantine mosaic capital with ancient Christian sites and archaeological treasures

St. George Church Temple

Byzantine church famous for its intricate 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land.

Best time: Year-round — Incredible preservation of detailed geographical mosaic reveals ancient travel and trade routes.

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Madaba Mosaic School Museum

Training center and workshop preserving traditional Byzantine mosaic art techniques.

Best time: Year-round — Living craft tradition ensures centuries-old mosaic methods survive for future generations.

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Church of the Apostles Historic Site

Byzantine church with elaborate floor mosaics and intricate geometric and figurative designs.

Best time: Year-round — Stunning artistic achievement demonstrates wealth and sophistication of Byzantine Madaba.

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Mount Nebo Religious Site

Hilltop monastery with panoramic views toward the Dead Sea and West Bank.

Best time: October to April — Traditional site of Moses viewing the Promised Land offers spiritual and scenic experience.

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Madaba Archeological Museum Museum

Regional museum displaying pottery, sculptures, and artifacts from Byzantine and Islamic periods.

Best time: Year-round — Comprehensive collection contextualizes Madaba's importance in Levantine history.

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Jerash — Best-preserved Roman city outside Italy with temples, theaters, and ancient streets

Temple of Artemis Historic Site

Colossal Corinthian temple with 12 remaining columns dominating the ancient city center.

Best time: October to April — Spectacular architectural achievement showcases Roman engineering and grandeur.

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Oval Forum Historic Site

Unique elliptical plaza surrounded by Ionic colonnade, gathering place for ancient citizens.

Best time: Year-round — Unusual geometrical design reveals creative Roman urban planning and aesthetic vision.

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South Theater Historic Site

3000-seat amphitheater with excellent acoustics used for performances and public gatherings.

Best time: Year-round — Well-preserved venue demonstrates Roman entertainment infrastructure and construction.

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Cardo Maximus Old Town

Main north-south street with columned portico still flanked by shop and residence ruins.

Best time: Year-round — Preserved street layout reveals daily commercial and residential patterns of Roman citizens.

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Jerash Museum Museum

Repository of statues, mosaics, and artifacts recovered from excavations across the city.

Best time: Year-round — Contextualizes site finds and explains daily life, religion, and art of Roman Jerash.

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Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Jordan?

It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is best around Mar–May & Sep–Nov. Jordan has 6 featured cities and areas to plan around.

Is English spoken in Jordan?

Roughly 40% of people speak English. The main language is Arabic.

How strong is the Jordan passport?

The Jordan passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 65 destinations.

Is Jordan expensive to travel in?

This page lists real traveller costs for Jordan — accommodation, food, transport, plus education, medical, insurance and connectivity — so you can budget before you go.

What is there to do in Jordan?

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), The Monastery (Ad-Deir), The Siq, High Place of Sacrifice, Ad-Deir Monastery viewpoint, Wadi Rum Desert — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.