Jordan Holidays

Just like Europe’s ancient city of Rome, Jordan is a destination where the past and present collide to create incredible experiences for all. Explore crumbling temples, grand churches and historic sites, from a 6,000-seat Roman theatre to the 8th-century palace at Amman Citadel. Soak in the Ma’in hot springs, float in the Dead Sea, or splash among the waves with watersports and marine reserve diving in the Gulf of Aqaba. 

Desert safaris and Bedoin experiences connect you to the landscape that shaped the region, while the capital city of Amman showcases the varied and vibrant culture that has grown from it. For underwater explorers, spectacular coral reefs in the Red Sea and Aqaba Marine Park make Jordan one of the best diving locations in the Middle East.

You might already recognise the vast pink and burnt orange landscapes of Wadi Rum. After playing the epic backdrop to Lawrence of Arabia, standing in for Mars in The Martian, and performing as themselves in Jordan’s own Theeb, these spectacular crags, dunes, and cliffs are bona fide movie stars. While they look great on the big screen, there’s nothing like getting to know them up close. Hike, camel ride, or bounce across the desert scenery in a specially set-up 4x4 to find springs, canyons, and rock bridges.

Grab a photo at the unique Seven Pillars of Wisdom formation or look closely at the rock surfaces to find pre-Islamic petroglyphs like the Anfashieh Inscription. To truly appreciate the majesty of this ageless environment, stay a night beneath the stars at a traditional Bedouin camp.

Without a doubt, the jewel in Jordan’s crown is Petra, the “rose-red city half as old as time”. Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World alongside Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China, this archaeological wonder has stood for more than 2,000 years. Now UNESCO-protected, holidays to Petra boast a breathtaking collection of sacred sites, ancient dwellings, and magnificent monuments, all carved into golden sandstone cliffs which protect them from the desert. While Petra can be visited on a day trip, we recommend allowing at least two or three days to appreciate its wonder completely. If you do stay overnight, don’t miss seeing the city’s biggest attractions illuminated by thousands of candles on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after sunset.

While Petra can be visited on a day trip, we recommend allowing at least two or three days to appreciate its wonder completely. If you do stay overnight, don’t miss seeing the city’s biggest attractions illuminated by thousands of candles on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after sunset.

Like much of the Middle East, Jordan offers near-guaranteed sun every day, so it’s a fantastic destination to enjoy at any time. The hottest months are June to August, when temperatures exceeding 40°C make staying at a waterside resort preferable to touring through the desert. Exploring is best done between March and May or September and November when the days are comfortably warm and the nights are pleasantly cool. April, in particular, is a great time to visit the north as a blanket of gorgeous wildflowers spreads across the landscape.

In the south, Aqaba and the Red Sea are the perfect choice for winter sun in Jordan, with the mercury staying above 20°C right through from September to March. If you visit in the depths of January, an extra layer for the evening is the only extra you’ll need to pack.

Visa: You’ll need to buy a visa on arrival, which allows you to stay for up to 30 days
Language: The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken
Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Time difference: GMT +3 hours
Flight duration from London: Five hours
Capital city: Amman