Petra at night, Jordan

Jordan Holidays

Take the slow road – known as the King’s Highway – and you’ll have plenty of time to explore Petra, prehistoric villages and Christian Byzantine mosaics.

Jordan is a remarkably easy and sophisticated country to visit. From the moment you arrive at Amman airport, the system works smoothly and effortlessly. Excellent hotels, good roads and charming guides all go to make any holiday in Jordan a memorable experience.

Jordanian food is delicious and there are enough attractions and sites to visit to make each day a new adventure for adults and children alike. What’s more, it is easily accessible from London.

Treasury Temple (Al Khazneh), Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
The Seven Pillars, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum Landscape, Jordan
Jordan

What to expect on your Jordan holiday

Jordan’s small size sometimes takes people by surprise. From north to south it is just 250 miles long and so with the good motorway, it is easy to cover the distance quickly. However, like all motorways, its very existence can spoil the opportunity to truly experience all that Jordan has to offer. It is a good idea to take the slow road, known as the Kings Highway, in at least one direction so that you can really take the time to explore some of the crusader castles and biblical sites along the way.

A highlight of any holiday to Jordan is the rose pink Nabataean city of Petra. Although no longer the lost city that was rediscovered by Johann Burckhardt but an incredibly busy site, it is still magnificent and there are ways to avoid the crowds.

Further south lies the desert wilderness of Wadi Rum, home to Bedouin families and ancient rock art before reaching the southernmost city of Aqaba, the gateway to the Red Sea and some wonderful diving opportunities.

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Scuba diving, Jordan
Jordan
Hot air balloon, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Tetrapylon, Jerash, Jordan
Amman, Jordan

Some ideas for a Jordan holiday

  • Spend a couple of days being pampered in a spa beside the Dead Sea, benefitting from the mineral-rich mud.
  • Jerash is a much underestimated impressive Roman site.
  • Rise early and visit Petra just as the sun comes up. Beautiful, and you will miss the crowds.
  • Camp out in Wadi Rum beside T. E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars.
  • Drive along the King’s Highway dropping down into Wadi Mujib — Jordan’s Grand Canyon.
  • Do some trekking in the Dana Valley ending up at the charming Feynan Eco Lodge.
  • Dive, snorkel or windsurf in the waters around Aqaba.

Explore Jordan

  • Amman
  • Jerash
  • Petra
  • Dead Sea
  • Wadi Rum
  • Aqaba and The Red Sea

Experiences

Jordan offers incredible experiences that will help us to create a bespoke and memorable journey for you.

Scuba diving, Jordan
Jordan

Diving the Red Sea

Dive and snorkel the waters of the Red Sea.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Wadi Rum Landscape, Jordan
Jordan

Wadi Rum

Head to this desert wilderness to experience Bedouin hospitality.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Citadel Ruins, Amman, Jordan
Jordan

Amman Citadel

Walk to the ancient citadel of Amman, situated high on a hill, boasting 360-degree views of the city and the surrounding area.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Tetrapylon, Jerash, Jordan
Jordan

Jerash

Wander the colonnaded streets of Jerash and explore the citadel and amphitheatre.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Quseir Amra Castle, Amman, Jordan
Jordan

Islamic Desert Ruins

Head east to explore the early Islamic desert complexes of Qasr Azraq and Qasr Amra.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Amman Amphitheatre, Jordan
Jordan

Amman Amphitheatre

Visit the magnificently restored Roman amphitheatre containing 6000 seats and dating back to the second century.

Suggested Holiday Idea

View from the Kings Highway, Jordan
Jordan

King’s Highway

Drive along the King’s Highway dropping down into Wadi Mujib — Jordan’s Grand Canyon.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Hot air balloon, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Jordan

Hot Air Balloon Experience

Take to the skies by hot air balloon for a bird’s eye view of the desert.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Dana Nature Reserve, Jordan
Jordan

Dana Valley

Do some trekking in the Dana Valley ending up at the charming Feynan Eco Lodge.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Bedouin Tent, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Jordan

Wadi Rum Camping

Camp out in Wadi Rum beside T. E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Need inspiration?
Browse our Jordan holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Intercontinental Amman £££££

  • Jordan
  • City

Situated at the top of one of Amman’s seven hills, the Intercontinental is in the heart of the business district, within walking distance of the city centre and a short taxi ride from popular sites such as the Citadel. The guestrooms are contemporary and comfortable, and many have views of the city. Facilities include a choice of restaurants plus a spa as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, both heated.

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Feynan Eco Lodge £££££

  • Jordan

Located in the heart of the Dana Valley Reserve, Feynan Eco Lodge is a charming retreat that really offers the chance to escape the trappings of modern day life and immerse yourself in Bedouin culture and beautiful mountain terrain. The hotel is solar powered and the 26 guestrooms are simple but comfortable. Some have private terraces which make the most of the views. At night the hotel transforms into a vision in candlelight and the rooftop terrace makes the perfect spot from which to enjoy the night skies, unpolluted by artificial light. Staff at the hotel are from local communities and the candles used at the hotel are all made on site by local women.

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Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea £££££

  • Jordan
  • Wellness and Spa

Located on the shores of the Dead Sea, Movenpick Resort & Spa has been built in the style of a traditional Arabic village with the 346 guestrooms connected by walkways, stairwells and courtyards, planted with bougainvillea and plumbago. From the main building, an artificial river runs through the valley gardens towards a central square where shops, a restaurant, pools and the spa converge on the shores of the Dead Sea. Each of the rooms has a balcony or terrace and the vast spa takes full advantage of its location in an area rich in year-round filtered sunshine, ozone-rich air, high barometric pressure and mineral-loaded sea waters.

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Kempinski Hotel Aqaba £££££

  • Jordan

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea occupies a wonderful location on the shores of the Red Sea and ensures it makes the most of the sea views. The 200 guestrooms are elegant and minimalistic making full use of the natural light with floor to ceiling windows and private balconies with views out to sea. The hotel also has a choice of restaurants, a large multi-layered swimming pool, spa and plenty of activities on offer.

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Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea £££££

  • Jordan
  • Wellness and Spa

The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea is made up of three properties set amidst gardens dotted with lagoons, waterfalls and private pools. Designed in tribute to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon it is built using local stone and the 345 rooms and suites all have sea views with either a balcony or terrace. In total, the hotel has nine freshwater swimming pools including Infinity Edge Pools, a children’s pool, a gymnasium and the longest private beach in Jordan. The keystone of the hotel is the Anantara Spa which is considered one of the largest spas in the Middle East.

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Movenpick Resort Petra £££££

  • Jordan

Located at the entrance to the site of Petra, the Movenpick Resort combines Arabic and oriental styles with beautiful mosaic features and original antiques and artwork throughout. Some of the 183 rooms have balconies and some have views of the mountains or pool. For the ultimate view over the site of Petra, request the Royal Suite. The hotel includes a wellness centre with indoor pool, steam bath and gym plus several restaurants and bars.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Charlotte Lawton

Charlotte is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Asia.

My strong sense of belonging in Asia stemmed from a childhood in Hong Kong and Nepal. My Grandmother was born in a tent in India. Some of my clearest memories are of walking through a dense, tropical jungle while hailstones the size of cricket balls rained down on us; of being carried on my father’s shoulders as we trekked through the Himalayas; my mother wearing flipflops on a snowy mountainside; and me falling into Dal Lake in Srinagar as we disembarked from our houseboat. 

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Kate Hitchen

My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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