Hotels in Jordan

Jordan: Petra, the Dead Sea and the Wadi Rum Desert

Jordan sits between the Dead Sea basin and the Arabian Desert, with Amman as its capital built across seven hills known as jabals. The country's single most-visited site, Petra, was carved by the Nabataeans starting around the 1st century BC and reached by a narrow gorge called the Siq. Most itineraries link Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea coast into a loop of five to seven days, often finishing at the Red Sea port of Aqaba.

Cities Worth Exploring

Amman anchors most trips, with hotels concentrated near Rainbow Street, the Roman Theatre, and the Abdali business district. Aqaba offers Red Sea diving and reef access, with a coastline distinct from the Dead Sea's mineral shore 330 km to the north. Madaba, 30 km southwest of Amman, holds the 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land inside St. George's Church. Wadi Musa, the town beside Petra's entrance, has the highest concentration of hotels for visitors touring the ancient city over one or two days.

The Dead Sea and Desert Landscapes

The Dead Sea shoreline sits roughly 430 meters below sea level, the lowest point on land, and hotels along its eastern shore near Sweimeh offer mineral-rich mud and floating in hypersaline water. Inland, Wadi Rum's granite and sandstone formations were used as filming locations for several desert-set films, and overnight stays run through Bedouin-operated camps rather than conventional hotels. Dana Biosphere Reserve, between Petra and the Dead Sea, protects a rift valley ecosystem and offers a quieter alternative for hikers.

Practical Tips for Visiting Jordan

• Best season: March–May and September–November avoid summer desert heat exceeding 40°C.
• Getting around: Rental cars or private drivers cover the Amman–Petra–Aqaba route; the Desert Highway takes about three hours from Amman to Petra.
• Currency: Jordanian dinar; many hotels and tour operators also quote rates in US dollars.
• Entry pass: The Jordan Pass bundles the visa fee with entry to Petra and over 40 other sites.
• Dress code: Modest clothing is expected at religious sites and in smaller towns outside Amman and Aqaba.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many days are needed to see Petra properly? A: Two full days allow time for the main Siq-to-Treasury route plus the Monastery hike, which adds roughly 800 steps beyond the main trail.

Q: Is the Dead Sea worth a separate overnight stay? A: Yes; most visitors spend one night at a Dead Sea resort to float, apply mineral mud, and rest before or after the Petra leg.

Q: What is the closest airport to Petra? A: King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, about 120 km south, though most travelers fly into Queen Alia International Airport near Amman.

Q: Can Wadi Rum be visited as a day trip? A: A day trip is possible from Aqaba or Petra, but an overnight camp stay adds a desert sunset and sunrise over the sand dunes.