A little more
Jordan.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Jordan: what to know before you go

Jordan combines the rock-cut city of Petra, the red desert of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy, in a country small enough to tour in a week. It suits history lovers, hikers and desert travellers, and its hospitality is a highlight in itself.

Where to go

• Petra. The Nabataean city carved into rose-coloured sandstone, reached through the narrow Siq gorge, which opens dramatically onto the Treasury.
• Wadi Rum. A protected desert of red sand, sandstone mountains and rock arches, explored by jeep, camel or on foot with local Bedouin guides.
• The Dead Sea. The lowest point on land, where the water is so salty that you float effortlessly.
• Jerash. One of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world, north of Amman, with a colonnaded street, an oval forum, temples, theatres and Hadrian's Arch.

Best time to visit

Spring (roughly March to May) and autumn (roughly September to November) are the best times to visit, with warm days that suit walking around Petra and Jerash and camping in Wadi Rum. Summer is very hot, especially at the Dead Sea and in Aqaba, though nights in the desert are pleasant.

Staying online in Jordan

4G coverage is good in Amman, Aqaba, Madaba and other towns and along the main highways. Signal can be weak in deep canyons, in parts of Petra and Dana, and in the more remote areas of Wadi Rum, though some desert camps have coverage. Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.