Jordan Travel Guide

Some facts about Jordan

Jordan isn't short of ancient landmarks, the most famous of which is probably Petra. Known as the Rose City due to the colour of the stone from which it is carved, Petra's an archaeological marvel dating back to the 4th century BCE that was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and gained even wider recognition after being featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Jordan's also home to the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, which lies more than 430 metres below sea level. It's one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world with a salinity of around 34% – that's about ten times saltier than the ocean. This high salt concentration allows people to float effortlessly and provides minerals used in cosmetics and therapeutic products.

Practical Info

Important things to know before you visit Jordan

Jordan ranks 122nd in our Good Trip Index, our guide to travelling ethically, sustainably and well. To help make travelling responsibly less of a hassle, we pulled together seven of the definitive country-level indices that cover the main ethical issues UK holidaymakers told us were important to them when deciding where to go on holiday, including women's rights, LGBTQI+ rights and quality of life.

Laws in Jordan reflect that it's a majority Islamic country and can be quite different to the UK. Before you visit it's important to familiarise yourself with what is and what's not appropriate, to avoid offending anyone or inadvertently breaking the law.

• Abide by the rules of Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. If you visit during this time, it's important to know that eating and drinking in public will likely cause offence. Some restaurants stay open around tourist sites, and many places will stop serving alcohol around this time.
• Avoid public affection. Public displays of affection like holding hands and kissing are considered offensive, so it's best to wait until you're back in your accommodation before snuggling up with your partner.
• Dress conservatively in public spaces. Jordan is a fairly conservative society, so it's best that your clothing isn't too revealing. At the beaches and resorts it's fine to wear swimwear and shorts etc, but it's best to keep shoulders and knees covered when in public spaces.
• No drinking alcohol in the street. Drinking alcohol is fine in bars, clubs, hotels and private rooms, but it's illegal to drink alcohol in some public areas.
• Unmarried couples sharing a room is frowned upon. While it's not illegal for unmarried foreign couples to share a room, some hotels will ask if you're married or for a marriage certificate.

Culture and etiquette

Religion

Most people in Jordan are Muslims, and the majority of them are Sunnis. Jordan also has one of the world's oldest Christian communities, who make up around 2% of the population.

Tipping

A service charge is often added to restaurant bills. If not, a tip of around 5% to 10% will do the trick.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in indoor public places like bars, restaurants and public transport.

Jabs, visas and other advice

The FCDO currently advises against travel to within 3km of Jordan's border with Syria. Jordan also shares a border with Israel and the West Bank, and borders could close at short notice in response to the ongoing conflict in the region. Protests have taken place in Jordan in response to the conflict, so it's important to take extra care. For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas, safety and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

Call 911 in an emergency.

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Getting to Jordan

The easiest way to get to Jordan is to fly. Flights from London to Amman take around 5 hours.

Getting around Jordan

Internal flights are available between Amman and Aqaba, which take 45 minutes and boast stunning desert views. Car hire is an option too, with the same journey taking around 4 hours. Roads are generally of good quality and signage is clear, but drivers can be erratic and rain, fog and snow can block roads during winter.

If you don't fancy driving, taxis and coaches can take you between towns, cities and popular tourist sites. And if you're staying in the city, buses and taxis are widely available to get you around.

Jordan for LGBTQI+ travellers

While Jordan is one of the few Arab countries not to explicitly criminalise LGBTQI+ activity, LGBTQI+ people displaying public affection have been prosecuted for 'disrupting public morality' and are discriminated against in ways non-LGBTQI+ people aren't. So it's important for LGBTQI+ travellers to be discreet when visiting Jordan.

If you'd prefer to travel somewhere more welcoming, read about some of the top LGBTQI+ friendly destinations in the world.

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