UNESCO World Heritage · Ma'an Governorate
Petra
A Nabataean city carved into rose-red cliffs, reached through a narrow, winding canyon that opens onto the Treasury.
Discover
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Where the desert keeps its stories
Rose-red cities carved into cliffs, valleys that sound like the moon, a sea where you float, and a welcome that begins with coffee.
6UNESCO World Heritage Sites
−430metres below sea level — the lowest land on Earth
12governorates, from the green north to the Red Sea
675kilometres of the Jordan Trail, from north to south
10,000+years of continuous human history
Destinations
Fifteen places that will stay with you
From the Roman north to the red-sand south — each one a world of its own.
01UNESCO World Heritage · Ma'an Governorate
Petra
A Nabataean city carved into rose-red cliffs, reached through a narrow, winding canyon that opens onto the Treasury.
02UNESCO World Heritage · Aqaba Governorate
Wadi Rum
A vast desert of red sand, towering sandstone mountains and silent valleys, where Bedouin camps glow under brilliant stars.
03Lowest point on land · Jordan Valley
Dead Sea
Float effortlessly on mineral-rich water at the lowest point on land, framed by golden mountains and soft evening light.
04Roman city of the Decapolis · Jerash Governorate
Jerash
One of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities anywhere, with colonnaded streets, grand temples and theatres among green hills.
05Capital city · Amman Governorate
Amman
A city of white stone spread over hills, where Roman ruins, lively markets and modern cafes share the same streets.
06UNESCO World Heritage · Balqa Governorate
As-Salt
A hillside town of honey-coloured stone, celebrated by UNESCO for its long tradition of tolerance and warm hospitality.
07Red Sea coast · Aqaba Governorate
Aqaba
Jordan's only coastal city, where warm Red Sea waters hide vivid coral reefs just a few steps from the shore.
08Mujib Biosphere Reserve · Dead Sea shore
Wadi Mujib
Wade and swim through a towering sandstone gorge to a roaring waterfall in the lowest nature reserve on Earth.
09Biosphere Reserve · Tafila Governorate
Dana
A stone village perched above a vast valley that falls from mountain cliffs to desert, rich in wildlife and silence.
10Castle and forest · Ajloun Governorate
Ajloun
A medieval hilltop castle and green oak forests in the cool, rolling hills of northern Jordan.
11City of Mosaics · Madaba Governorate
Madaba and Mount Nebo
A friendly town famed for its Byzantine mosaics and an ancient map of the Holy Land, close to Mount Nebo.
12UNESCO World Heritage · Bethany Beyond the Jordan
Baptism Site
A peaceful place on the Jordan River, revered by Christians as the site where John the Baptist baptised Jesus.
13Ancient Gadara · Irbid Governorate
Umm Qais
Basalt ruins of ancient Gadara perched high above the Jordan Valley, with sweeping views toward the Sea of Galilee.
14Medieval fortress · Karak Governorate
Kerak Castle
A vast medieval fortress on a mountain spur, full of dark vaulted halls and wide views over the surrounding valleys.
15Umayyad heritage · Eastern desert
Desert Castles
Early Islamic palaces, baths and forts scattered across the eastern desert, with rare frescoes and a hidden oasis.
The journey
North to south, in one long breath
Jordan is compact: you can breakfast among Roman columns and watch the sun set over the Red Sea on the same day. Tap a place to discover it.
The guide
Everything about Jordan
Food, regions, climate, roads, the state, culture, nature, history and practical tips — written simply, for everyone.
Jordan at a Glance
Key facts and first impressions
Read the guideHistory & Heritage
Ten thousand years of human story
Read the guideHow the State Is Organised
Institutions, governorates and national symbols
Read the guideRegions & Governorates
Twelve governorates, three landscapes
Read the guideClimate & Seasons
When to go and what to pack
Read the guideRoads & Getting Around
Airports, highways, buses and taxis
Read the guideFood & Flavours
The Jordanian table
Read the guideCulture & Traditions
Hospitality, heritage and daily life
Read the guideNature & Wildlife
Reserves, trails and living landscapes
Read the guidePractical Information
Before you go and while you are there
Read the guidePlan your trip
Ready-made journeys through Jordan
Itineraries for three days to ten, the classic routes between the great sites, and the best time to go.
Itinerary · 3 days
Jordan in 3 Days: A Short Itinerary
Itinerary · 5 days
Jordan in 5 Days: The Classic Route
Itinerary · 7 days
Jordan in a Week: A 7-Day Itinerary
Itinerary · 10 days
Jordan in 10 Days: The Complete Journey
Route · About 3 hours
Amman to Petra: How to Get There
Route · Desert and sea
Petra to Wadi Rum and Aqaba
Route · About 1 hour
Amman to the Dead Sea
Road trip · Amman to Petra
Driving the King's Highway
Family travel
Jordan with Children
Seasons · Month by month
Best Time to Visit Jordan, Month by Month
Stories of Jordan
Legends, traditions and the tales behind the stones
The urn that travellers shot at, the spring Moses struck, the coffee cup that speaks without words — Jordan is told best in stories.
Legend · Petra
The Pharaoh's Gold: The Legend of the Urn at Petra's Treasury
Tradition · Wadi Musa
Ain Musa: The Spring of Moses at the Gates of Petra
History · Petra
Sheikh Ibrahim and the Rose-Red City: How Burckhardt Reached Petra in 1812
Tradition · Dead Sea
Lot's Wife, the Pillar of Salt and the Cave Above the Dead Sea
History · Madaba
The Madaba Mosaic Map: The Oldest Map of the Holy Land Found Under a Church Floor
Archaeology · Amman
The Silent Faces of 'Ain Ghazal: Among the Oldest Statues of the Human Form
History · Jerash
Jerash: The Roman City That Slept Under the Earth
History · Petra
Masters of Water: How the Nabataeans Made the Desert Bloom
Tradition · Bedouin Life
The Language of the Cup: Bedouin Coffee Rituals in Jordan
Tradition · Bedouin Life
Three Days and a Third: The Bedouin Code of Hospitality
Tradition · Food
The Story of Mansaf: Jordan's Feast Around One Tray
Nature · National Symbol
The Black Iris: The Dark Flower of Jordan's Spring
Legend · Wadi Rum
Under the Desert Sky: Bedouin Star Lore in Wadi Rum
History · Ajloun
Fire on the Hilltop: Ajloun Castle, Beacon Fires and Messenger Pigeons
Heritage · Amman
The Hejaz Railway: The Steam Train That Crossed the Desert
History · Umm Qais
Gadara: The City of Poets and Philosophers at Umm Qais
History and Tradition · Mukawir
Machaerus and the Hot Springs: Herod's Fortress Above the Dead Sea
At the table
A country you can taste
Mansaf shared from one great tray, knafeh warm from the oven, cardamom coffee poured three times. In Jordan, food is how a welcome is spoken.
MansafMaqlubaMusakhanZarbGalayet bandoraMujaddaraShorbat adas (lentil soup)Falafel and hummusFulKubbehMlukhiyehFatteh
Explore Jordanian food When to go
The best time to visit
Spring and autumn are gentle everywhere. Winter is perfect for the Dead Sea and Aqaba; summer belongs to the highlands' cool evenings.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petra & Wadi Rum | ||||||||||||
| Amman & the north | ||||||||||||
| Dead Sea & Aqaba |
أهلاً وسهلاًAhlan wa sahlan — you have come among family, and your path is easy.
The traditional Jordanian welcome, and what it means