10 Reasons To Visit Jordan Now

Jordan is the kind of country that stays with you. Its landscapes feel almost otherworldly, its history reaches back thousands of years, and its people welcome visitors with a generosity that is difficult to forget.

Despite its proximity to ongoing regional conflict, Jordan remains a distinct destination with its own circumstances. Tourism has suffered sharply because of wider tensions, making this an especially meaningful time to visit - provided you check the latest official travel advice before setting off.

Here are 10 reasons why Jordan should be at the top of your travel list.

1. Petra really is as moving as everyone says

People often say that seeing Petra for the first time brings them to tears. It may sound like a cliché, but when the rose-red city finally appears between the cliffs, the emotion is real. I lurch in my throat. Our guide made it all the more dramatic by diverting our attention to some non-existent camels and then asked us to turn around – and there it was. The view that you see in all the photos! Beautiful. Petra is a city of tombs carved from sandstone which has survived because of being sheltered from the elements in the sandstone canyons.

For an especially memorable arrival, take the Back Door Trail. This spectacular hike is fairly challenging. It approaches Petra from the north and brings you first to the Monastery, one of the site‘s greatest monuments. It must rank among the world‘s most extraordinary walks. We were accompanied intermittently by Bedouins on donkeys, hoping one of us would need a ride. We took regular breaks along the route at the rest points offering strong Turkish coffee and freshly squeezed orange or jewel-like pomegranate juice.

My advice would be to buy a 2-day pass and enter via the Back Door Trail on the first day and then the front entrance through the Siq on day 2. But if you can’t face the hike or only have a day, then enter via the main entrance and Siq!

You can also visit at night – it’s fun walking along the Siq in the dark – lit by real candles in paper bags and then seeing the Treasury lit up. The sound and light show is lovely. I thought the commentary and storytelling were average, although the tea served during the performance is a nice touch. My feeling is that it is a “fun to do” rather than essential and is quite expensive for what it is.

You could stay in Wadi Musa, which is the main commercial hub for Petra, but I preferred staying at the Little Petra Camp in Little Petra, set within a cave area which sparkles with lanterns at night. Upgrade to the luxury or deluxe tents for a bit more comfort and an ensuite bathroom – although I have to say that the communal bathrooms were clean and spacious. The food (breakfast and dinner included) and hospitality at this camp could not be faulted. It is close to a shuttle bus to take you to the main entrance of Petra and within a 10-minute walk of the trailhead for the Back Door Trail.

2. Wadi Rum looks like another planet

Wadi Rum is a vast landscape of red sand, sheer rock formations and seemingly endless desert. Its Martian scenery has made it a natural filming location, but no screen can reproduce the scale and silence of being there.

Spend a night beneath the stars, travel across the desert by jeep or camel, and experience Bedouin hospitality over sweet tea and a traditional meal. Wadi Rum is not simply somewhere to photograph; it is somewhere to slow down and absorb. We spent a day walking through the sand and watching the views unfold. You must go with a guide, as the desert is vast and it would be very easy to get lost or disoriented. We stayed for 2 nights, which gave us an afternoon for a jeep drive and a day for hiking. If you are pushed for time, one night would be sufficient if you arrive at lunchtime (giving you time for an afternoon jeep drive and optional hike) and leave the next morning. There are many Bedouin camps scattered around. Some are more luxurious than others, and my advice would be to stay in one that is at least a 30-minute drive from the Wadi Rum village to gain a real sense of being in the deep desert. We stayed at Rainbow Camp – simple but perfectly comfortable with the most wonderful sunset view.

3. The Dead Sea is a natural wonder under threat

At more than 400 metres below sea level, the shores of the Dead Sea form the lowest exposed land on Earth. Floating effortlessly in its intensely salty water is one of those travel experiences that sounds strange and feels even stranger.

The Dead Sea is also shrinking rapidly. Its water level has fallen by around 45 metres over the past 50 years, largely because far less water now reaches it from the River Jordan. Rather than claiming it will disappear by a specific year - forecasts vary - it is more accurate to say that its dramatic decline makes protecting this landscape increasingly urgent. Some say it will just be a soupy puddle by 2050, but I know that plans are in place to stop this happening and divert more water into the sea.

4. Jerash transports you back 2,000 years

In the north of the country and easily accessible as a day or half-day trip from Amman or the Dead Sea, Jerash contains some of the best-preserved Roman and Byzantine ruins in the region. Walk through Hadrian‘s Arch, stand in its enormous oval plaza and follow a long collonaded street still marked by the wheels of ancient carts.

The scale is astonishing, but so is the freedom to explore. Instead of viewing history from behind glass, you can walk through temples, theatres and public spaces that were once part of a thriving city. There is a reason it is called Pompeii of the Middle East! It perhaps lacks the grandeur of Rome, but it feels easier to imagine the comings and goings of everyday life here.

5. Madaba hides an ancient treasure in plain sight

Inside St George's Church in Madaba lies the famous Madaba Mosaic Map, the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land. It’s 1500 years old and was created during the Byzantine period; it sits directly on the church floor and is protected only by a rope barrier!

Madaba itself is worth lingering in. Its relaxed streets offer excellent food, mosaic workshops and plenty of opportunities to shop for locally made souvenirs.

6. The food is reason enough to go

Jordanian food is generous, flavourful and made for sharing. Expect creamy hummus, smoky moutabal (an aubergine dip), crisp falafel, fresh salads and warm flatbread, often accompanied by endless cups of black tea (infused with rosemary and honey).

Do not leave without trying mansaf, Jordan's national dish of lamb, rice and fermented yoghurt sauce. Other highlights include maqluba, whose name means "upside down", and knafeh, a sweet combination of cheese, pastry and syrup. Come hungry!

7. The hospitality is unforgettable

Jordanian kindness is not a performance reserved for tourists. Generosity is deeply rooted in the culture and is expressed through invitations to drink tea, offers of food and a genuine desire to make strangers feel at home. Our guide spoke often about how Jordan welcomes refugees and how ordinary people will always welcome strangers at their door. The generosity of the Jordanians has left as much of an impression on me as the history and landscapes.

Of all Jordan's attractions, its people may leave the strongest impression. Long after the monuments and desert sunsets have become photographs, you will remember the conversations and small acts of kindness.

8. Your visit can make a genuine difference

Tourism is vital to livelihoods across Jordan. Regional tensions caused Petra's annual visitor total to fall from almost 1.2 million in 2023 to fewer than 460,000 in 2024, although the site began showing signs of recovery in 2025. Then the outbreak of war in early 2026 caused a further fall in numbers. Our guide estimated that on the day of our visit, Petra was only at 5% capacity.

When visitor numbers collapse, the effects reach guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant owners, craftspeople and their families. Choosing locally owned accommodation, eating in independent restaurants and hiring local guides ensures that more of your spending stays within the community.

9. It offers excellent value

Jordan is not as inexpensive as Southeast Asia, and headline attractions such as Petra can make the initial budget look high. However, compared with many European destinations, local meals, transport and independently owned accommodation can offer good value.

Buy a Jordan Pass which combines entry to numerous attractions, including Petra, and potentially waiving the tourist visa fee when its conditions are met. Buy it only from the official Jordan Pass website and check the current eligibility rules before travelling.

10. Jordan can feel remarkably safe and welcoming

Jordan's location understandably makes some travellers nervous. Yet visitors are often struck by how calm and welcoming its main tourist destinations feel. I felt incredibly safe when I was there. I even left a gold bracelet lying on my bed one morning, and a member of staff had put it safely away and gave it to me when I returned to camp in the evening.

That does not mean ignoring the wider situation. Conditions and travel advisories can change, and some border areas carry specific warnings. Check the government's latest guidance, make sure your insurance remains valid and follow local advice during your trip. The UK's official guidance also highlights practical risks such as flash flooding in Petra and the wadis, particularly during the rainy season.

The best time to go is May/June and September/October. Summer months are scorchingly hot,t and there is rain in the winter. I was surprised to learn that there can be lots of rain in winter - Wadi Rum is prone to flash floods, and Petra can close in the rain (the sandstone becomes dangerously slippery!).

I travelled to Jordan on a small group tailor-made tour “Hiking in Jordan” with Intrepid Travel. Feel free to reach out to me if you are interested in travelling to Jordan or have any questions.