Sights in Jordan

Jordan packs Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Dead Sea and a string of desert castles and Crusader forts into a country you can cross by car in a day. The one rule that matters: if you are flying in and staying at least two nights, buy the Jordan Pass online before you arrive, because it covers Petra and more than 40 other sites and waives the 40 JOD tourist visa fee.

Checked 6 October 2026

Our sight guides for Jordan

Visiting sights in Jordan

The Jordan Pass

The Jordan Pass, sold only on jordanpass.jo by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, comes in three versions that differ only in Petra days: Jordan Wanderer 70 JOD (one day), Jordan Explorer 75 JOD (two consecutive days) and Jordan Expert 80 JOD (three consecutive days), as of October 2026. All include single entry to more than 40 sites, among them Jerash, Wadi Rum, Amman Citadel, Karak, Ajloun and Shobak castles, Madaba, Mount Nebo and the desert castles. The Baptism Site is extra (8 JOD when added online). The pass is valid for three months from purchase and expires one month after the first scan. Show it printed, with your passport, at each site; Petra by Night is not included.

Visa waiver, free entry and savings

Buy the Jordan Pass before you arrive, stay at least two whole nights (three days), and the 40 JOD single-entry tourist visa fee is waived at the airport; leave sooner and you pay at departure. The pass does not cover multiple-entry visas and is not sold to Arab nationals. Without it, Petra alone costs 50 JOD for visitors staying overnight in Jordan, 90 JOD for day-trippers, Jerash 10 JOD and Wadi Rum 5 JOD, so the pass pays for itself on Petra plus the visa. Children under 12 enter the sites free with their parents. Enter at the Wadi Araba crossing near Aqaba, stay two nights and leave the same way, and the visa fee is waived without a pass.

Getting between the sights

Most visitors hire a car or a driver: the Desert Highway and King's Highway link Amman, Madaba, Karak, Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba, and the FCDO notes fatal accidents on the Desert Highway, so avoid driving it at night. JETT's coach network, with more than 180 stops, links Amman with Petra, Aqaba, Jerash, Ajloun and Karak. Minibuses and white shared 'service' taxis leave when full, without timetables. In cities, yellow taxis have meters but drivers outside Amman often won't use them, so agree the price for the whole trip, not per person, before you get in. Careem, Uber and the licensed Petra Ride app work in Amman and other cities. Day rates for a driver can be negotiated, often through your hotel.

Dress codes and customs

Jordan is relaxed by regional standards and Western clothes are common in cities, but modest clothing is expected at religious and historic sites, so bring something that covers shoulders and knees. The weekend is Friday and Saturday, and post offices and many government offices keep short hours on Fridays. During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public in daylight are prohibited, alcohol is sold only in larger hotels, and shops and offices often close by 14:00. Ask before photographing people, especially women, and never photograph police. Tipping about 10% in restaurants is normal unless service is included; taxi drivers don't expect a tip but often lack change, so carry small notes.

Seasons, holidays and heat

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable months for Petra and Wadi Rum. Summers, from May to September, are hot and dry, averaging around 32°C and passing 40°C in July and August, so start at opening time and carry plenty of water. Winters, from November to March, are cool, with showers, occasional snow on high ground around Petra that can block roads, and a risk of flash floods in the wadis during the rainy season, when the government issues flood alerts. Banks, offices and many shops close on public holidays, including Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which follow the lunar calendar, so check dates before planning city days.

Scams, safety and official advice

Buy the Jordan Pass only on jordanpass.jo and Petra tickets only from the Petra authority's site; the FCDO also says to buy the pass only from the official website. Taxi drivers and guides may steer you to shops, hotels and restaurants that pay them commission, so choose your own and get several quotes for tours. Unmetered taxis sometimes demand inflated fares, so agree the price first. Don't buy 'ancient' coins or artefacts: they may be fake and exporting them can be illegal. The FCDO advises against all travel within 3 km of the Syrian border and, in September 2026, reported Iranian strikes and interceptions in the region, including around Aqaba; check the latest advice before you travel.

Also worth the trip

Not on Sightsale yet, but worth knowing about.

  • The Dead Sea

    The lowest point on earth, where you float effortlessly in the salt water; most visitors use a resort or public beach on the Jordanian shore west of Amman.

  • Amman Citadel

    The hilltop heart of ancient Amman, with the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace above the Roman Theatre. A short visit on arrival day.

  • Madaba and Mount Nebo

    Madaba's 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in the Church of St George, and the view over the Jordan Valley from Mount Nebo nearby. Easy to combine on the way south.

  • Karak Castle

    A huge Crusader fortress above the King's Highway, with dark vaulted halls to explore. A good stop between Amman and Petra.

Questions people ask about visiting Jordan

Is the Jordan Pass worth it?

Yes, if you fly in and stay at least two nights. The pass costs 70, 75 or 80 JOD (one, two or three days at Petra) and waives the 40 JOD visa fee when bought before arrival, so it already costs less than a Petra ticket (50 JOD) plus the visa, before Jerash, Wadi Rum and 40 other sites. It is not worth it if you only make a day trip to Petra and leave the same day.

Does the Jordan Pass include the visa?

It waives the 40 JOD single-entry tourist visa fee if you buy it before arriving and stay at least two whole nights (three days); you show it at the visa desk at the airport. It is not itself a visa, does not cover multiple-entry visas and is not available to Arab nationals.

What is the best time to visit Jordan?

March to May and September to November. Summer temperatures average around 32°C and can pass 40°C in July and August, and winter brings cold nights, rain, occasional snow around Petra and a risk of flash floods from November to March.

What should I wear in Jordan?

Everyday Western clothes are fine in Amman and tourist areas, but wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees at religious and historic sites. In summer, light long sleeves and a hat protect you from the sun as well.

Is it safe to travel to Jordan in 2026?

The UK FCDO advises against travel only within 3 km of the Syrian border, but in September 2026 it reported Iranian strikes and interceptions in the region, including around Aqaba, and warned of possible airspace closures. Check the current FCDO or your own government's advice before and during your trip.

Sources for this page (15)
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  7. Visit Jordan: local customs (accessed 6 October 2026)
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