Country guide

Jordan

Jordan is 89,342 km2 and held 11,484,805 people in 2023, and for a visitor the country is arranged along one line. It runs south from Amman, the most populous city in the Levant, through the Jordan Rift Valley and past the Dead Sea to Petra, then ends at the short stretch of Red Sea coast in the far south-west. Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, is the reason most people come, and it is a long drive from the capital rather than an excursion from it. East of that line the country is semi-arid and thinly settled.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Wadi Musa
Photograph · Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Wadi Musa 154 places

Practical information

Language spoken: Arabic; English is widely used in visitor services; National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code: +962; International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD); Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number: 911; Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type: Type C, F and G · 230 V; Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water: Not recorded; No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

January: no seasonality data recorded
February: no seasonality data recorded
March: no seasonality data recorded
April: no seasonality data recorded
May: no seasonality data recorded
June: no seasonality data recorded
July: no seasonality data recorded
August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
September: no seasonality data recorded
October: no seasonality data recorded
November: no seasonality data recorded
December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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Common questions

How long should a first trip to Jordan be?

Seven to ten days allows Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea to form a workable north-to-south route. Give Petra at least two nights in Wadi Musa if the visit should extend beyond the Treasury approach, and treat Wadi Rum as a separate stay.

What entry documents are needed for Jordan?

Jordan’s Ministry of Interior e-services should be checked for the passport, entry point and intended stay. Visa-on-arrival assumptions are risky because eligibility can depend on nationality and border crossing; confirm the rule before purchasing a land or air connection.

What is the best way to travel around Jordan?

Queen Alia Airport serves the main arrival flow. Scheduled coaches link several visitor centres, but a rental car, licensed driver or organised transfer provides more control for Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea; Amman itself relies on road transport.

When is a practical time to visit Jordan?

Spring and autumn reduce the temperature extremes between Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum. Winter nights in the highlands and desert can be cold, while summer exposure is severe at archaeological sites, so choose dates around the longest outdoor day.

What money and payment basics apply in Jordan?

Jordanian dinar is the recorded currency. Carry dinars for small purchases and road stops, verify whether Petra or tour products are prepaid, and use banks or authorised exchange counters rather than relying on an informal quoted conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Jordan?

Save 911 for emergencies; Jordan’s recorded sockets include Types C, F and G at 230 V. Tap-water guidance is Not recorded, so obtain current advice from the accommodation or local authority, particularly when moving between Amman, Wadi Musa and desert camps.

🇯🇴Jordan