AsiaAmman
Roman ruins, Petra at dawn, and sweet Bedouin tea.
Why visit
The case for going
Amman is the low-key base for an outsized country: a white-stone capital of hilltop Roman ruins and buzzing rooftop cafes.
Point south and within a few hours you hit Jerash's colonnades, a night in a Wadi Rum desert camp, and Petra's Treasury glowing out of the sandstone at dawn.
What to do
Ways to spend a day
Activities €80–150 total
- 01Walk the rock-cut canyon to Petra's Treasury at first light. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 02Sleep in a Bedouin camp under the cliffs of Wadi Rum. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 03Wander the Roman colonnades of Jerash. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 04Float in the mineral-heavy Dead Sea. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- 05Climb to the Amman Citadel above the Roman theatre. Book on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
Roman ruins, Petra at dawn, and sweet Bedouin tea.
Where to stay
The right base
Accommodation €40–70/night
How to get there
Easiest way in
How to get around
Once you land
Comfortable JETT buses link Amman with Petra for about 15 EUR; shared taxis cover the shorter hops like Petra to Wadi Rum for 20 to 30 EUR. In the cities, the Careem app is the easy way to get a ride.
What to eat
Order this
Food €20–35/day
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Mansaf
lamb in fermented yogurt
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Falafel
fried chickpea fritters
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Zaatar bread
herbed flatbread
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Maqluba
upside-down rice pot
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Kunafa
cheese-and-syrup pastry
- TasteAtlas (opens in a new tab)
Shawarma
spit-roast wraps
By the numbers
Cards on the table
Safety index
75/100
General guide, not advisory data
Best seasons
Spring · Fall
When it's at its best
Fly into
AMM
Queen Alia International
Daily spend
$$
Mid-range
How to fit in
Read the room
Amman's downtown wakes late: start at the Citadel for the view, then graze falafel and warm knafeh in Al Balad as the cafes fill. Down south, sleep in a Wadi Rum camp to catch the desert silence after the day groups drive back to Petra.
How to pack
What goes in the bag
Best in Spring
Spring: pleasant days around 20 to 28C, cooler desert nights, with clear skies.
- sturdy boots for Petra's long trails
- a light scarf for sun and dust
- layers for desert temperature swings
- a swimsuit for the Dead Sea
- a refillable water bottle
How to prepare
The boring bits
- Open (opens in a new tab)
Get a local eSIM
Airalo
- Open (opens in a new tab)
Travel insurance
SafetyWing
- Open (opens in a new tab)
Check entry requirements
Visa & vaccinations
Tomorrow's detour
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