Jordan holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Jordan holiday in Asia
Jordan is a country like something out of an adventure movie: The rose-red city of Petra is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Wadi Rum offers Mars-like desert landscapes, and at the Dead Sea, you float in the saltiest water on Earth. Additionally, there is the hospitality of the Bedouins, the ancient ruins of Jerash, and the Red Sea at Aqaba. Jordan is safe, easily accessible, and an unforgettable travel destination.
Capital
Amman
Language
Arabic
Currency
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Time zone
UTC+2
Flight time from DE
approx. 4.5 hours
Entry requirements
Passport + visa (available on arrival)
Top hotels & accommodations in Jordan
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Jordan — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Amman Rotana
Amman, Jordanien
Mövenpick Resort Petra
Petra, Jordanien
Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel and Towers
Amman, Jordanien
Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba
Aqaba, Jordanien
Hotel Grand Hyatt
Amman, Jordanien
Marriott Hotel Amman
Amman, Jordanien
Hotel Amman International
Amman, Jordanien
Hotel Intercontinental Jordan
Amman, Jordanien
Top 5 highlights in Jordan
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Petra
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) in the rose-red city – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Wadi Rum
The 'Mars landscape': Red sandstone formations, Bedouin camps under the stars, and camel rides through the desert.
Dead Sea
The lowest point on Earth: Float in the saltiest water in the world and rub yourself with healing mud.
Jerash
One of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world – colonnaded streets, theaters, and temples.
Aqaba
Jordan's only coastal town on the Red Sea – excellent for diving and snorkeling.
Hotels in Jordan
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Jordan
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Jordan. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit Jordan
Recommended travel time
March–May, September–November
Summer
30–40°C
Winter
8–15°C
How much does a holiday in Jordan cost?
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
40–65€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
65–130€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
130–300€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
5 travel tips for Jordan
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Buy the Jordan Pass online in advance – includes visa and entry to Petra, saves a lot of money
Petra requires at least 2 full days – the return trip to the Monastery (Ad Deir) is very worthwhile
In Wadi Rum, definitely spend a night in a Bedouin camp under the stars
Friday is a day of rest – many shops are closed, but Petra is open
Tipping (Bakshish) is expected everywhere – 10% in restaurants is common
Food & drink in Jordan
These dishes you must try!
Discover Jordan
8 regions, cities and highlights in Jordan
Cities
Amman
Amman, the capital of Jordan, surprises visitors with its mix of ancient history, vibrant Arab culture, and a surprisingly modern gastronomy and art scene. Built on seven hills — like Rome — the city offers fascinating contrasts between the chaotic old town Downtown and the elegant districts of Abdoun and Sweifieh with their cafes and galleries. The Citadel on Jebel al-Qala overlooks the city and combines Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad ruins on a plateau with panoramic views over the endless sea of white houses. The Roman amphitheater for 6,000 spectators in Downtown is excellently preserved and is still used for events today. The Rainbow Street boulevard features charming cafes, bookstores, and street art with views over the old town. Culinarily, Amman is an underrated gem: Mansaf, the Jordanian national dish made of lamb, fermented yogurt, and rice, is best served at Sufra or Tawaheen al-Hawa. The street markets in Downtown offer freshly squeezed juices, falafel, and Knafeh, the famous cheese pastry with orange blossom water. Amman is the ideal starting point for excursions to Petra, the Dead Sea, or Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy.
Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and the gateway to the Red Sea. Located at the northernmost tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, the city offers surprisingly good diving and snorkeling, warm winter weather, and the perfect location as a base for excursions to Wadi Rum and Petra. The underwater world off Aqaba is a well-kept secret. While most travelers associate the Red Sea with Egypt, Aqaba's reefs offer comparable quality with significantly fewer divers. The Japanese Garden, Cedar Pride (a sunken wreck), and the Aqaba Marine Park are home to colorful corals, turtles, lionfish, and occasionally dolphins. The special thing: Many dive spots are accessible directly from the shore — no boat needed. The city itself is manageable and relaxed. The Corniche, a palm-lined waterfront promenade, invites you to stroll, and the souk offers spices, nuts, and souvenirs. The Archaeological Museum and the ruins of the Ayla Islamic City from the 7th century are interesting stops between dives. Aqaba's true strength is its strategic location: Wadi Rum is just an hour away, Petra two hours, and the Dead Sea three hours. The combination "Aqaba-Wadi Rum-Petra-Dead Sea" is the classic Jordan route and can be perfectly managed in 5-7 days. In winter, when cold weather prevails in Europe, Aqaba enjoys temperatures around 22-25°C and a water temperature of 21°C — perfect for a sunny short vacation. The new King Hussein International Airport makes getting there easy, and the special trade zone allows for duty-free shopping.
Jerash
Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities outside Italy — an archaeological gem just 50 km north of Amman. The ancient city of Gerasa impresses with an oval forum, colonnaded streets, two theaters, and the Hadrian's Gate. While Petra and Wadi Rum dominate the headlines, Jerash offers an equally fascinating experience with significantly fewer tourists. In summer, the Jerash Festival features music and dance in the ruins.
Areas
Petra
Petra, the legendary rock city in southern Jordan, is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world and was rightly chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders. The Nabataeans carved a complete city with temples, tombs, and theaters directly into the red sandstone cliffs over 2,000 years ago — an architectural marvel like no other. Access is through the Siq, a 1.2-kilometer-long, up to 80-meter-deep gorge, whose steep walls create dramatic plays of light and shadow. At the end of the Siq, the view suddenly opens up to Al-Khazneh, the Treasury — Petra's most famous facade, 40 meters high and of Hellenistic elegance. Those familiar with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade will recognize the backdrop immediately. But Petra is much more than this one facade. Over 800 structures are spread across an area of 264 square kilometers: the Roman theater for 8,000 spectators, the royal tombs with their massive facades, and the Monastery Ad Deir, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view after 800 steps to the mountain summit. The Petra by Night tour, where thousands of candles illuminate the Siq and the Treasury, creates a mystical atmosphere. March to May and September to November offer the most pleasant temperatures.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth — the lowest point on the Earth's surface, 430 meters below sea level, and the saltiest body of water in the world. Floating here, without having to move, while reading a newspaper is a surreal experience that everyone should have at least once. The salt content of 34% — ten times higher than normal seawater — makes it physically impossible to sink. You step into the water and are instantly pushed upwards. The feeling of weightlessness while drifting on the surface and looking at the barren mountains of Jordan and Israel is both amusing and meditative. The black mineral mud on the shore has been valued for its healing properties since ancient times. Cleopatra is said to have used it for her beauty care. Even today, visitors cover themselves from head to toe with the mud, let it dry, and rinse it off in the mineral-rich water — the skin feels silky smooth afterward. The minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium) are said to help with skin diseases, rheumatism, and respiratory illnesses. The Jordanian side offers the best access: luxury spas and resorts like Kempinski and Mövenpick are located right on the shore and offer pools, spa treatments, and private beach sections. Alternatively, there is the public Amman Beach for budget travelers. However, the Dead Sea is dramatically shrinking — the water level drops by one meter each year, and the coastline has retreated by kilometers since the 1960s. A visit therefore carries a sense of urgency: this natural wonder will become significantly smaller in the coming decades. Combined with Petra (3 hours), Wadi Rum, and Amman, the Dead Sea is an essential part of any trip to Jordan.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon in southern Jordan, is a desert landscape of otherworldly beauty: Massive sandstone cliffs in shades of red, orange, and violet rise like cathedrals from the red sand, while the silence of the desert is only interrupted by the wind. It is no coincidence that Wadi Rum served as a film set for Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, and Star Wars. The Bedouins of Zalabia and Eid offer jeep safaris, camel rides, and guided climbing tours through the rugged rock world. Highlights include the Khazali Canyon with its millennia-old Thamudic rock carvings, the natural rock bridge Burdah Rock Bridge, and Lawrence's Spring, where T.E. Lawrence rested during his desert campaigns. Sand boarding over the red dunes is a popular adventure. However, the true magic unfolds at sunset and at night: When the rocks are bathed in fiery red and later one of the clearest starry skies in the world appears, you understand why Wadi Rum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight stays in Bedouin camps under the open sky or in luxury bubble tents with panoramic views are unforgettable. The combination with Petra and Aqaba on the Red Sea makes Jordan a perfect travel destination.
Complete guide for Jordan
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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Plan a holiday in Jordan
Jordan is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, offering Adventure, History, Desert and much more. The best time to visit Jordan is March–May, September–November, when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 40–65€ (Budget) to 130–300€ (Luxury), Jordan is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Amman, Jordan can be excellently explored. The official language is Arabic, and the currency is Jordanian Dinar (JOD). From Germany, you can reach Jordan in approx. 4.5 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Mansaf, Falafel, Hummus, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Jordan has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Jordan holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Jordan is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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