Jordan on a budget!

How to stay in Amman cheaply and discover the ancient kingdom of Petra on holiday

Jordan has inspired cries of wonder since the late nineteenth century, when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt first discovered the beautiful rock city of Petra in 1812. Famous across the world for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Petra desert city is one of the most iconic archaeological sites in existence. Backpackers arriving in Jordan's capital Amman will set foot in the gateway to a desert kingdom, where mystery, adventure and ancient history collide in breathtaking fashion.

Amman attracts thousands of backpackers every year and all of them are looking for somewhere clean, friendly and affordable to stay. If you are interested, you can have a look at our list of cheap accomodation in Amman and, maybe, start planning your trip. All of our properties are situated in the city centre, and here you can explore the Ancient World comfortably without maxing out the credit card.

What to see in Amman, Jordan

As one of the busiest ports in the Arab world, Amman is a popular choice for travellers in the region. Situated between the desert and fertile Jordan Valley, the city is suprisingly modern with a special nod to the Ancient World. Built on a series of dusty hills, Amman offers visitors superb views of the bustling city below. Most people come to see Petra, but Amman has more to offer visitors these days, and you'll love the Roman ruins, spice markets and traditional Arab souks.

Everywhere in Amman there is evidence of the Ancient World. Go visit the Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a), which contains the remains of the Temple of Hercules and dates back to 161BC. You can also attend the nearby Jordan Archaeological Museum and discover more about this astonishing ruin and Amman's relationship with the Roman Empire.

Within walking distance of the Citadel lies the Roman Philadelphia monument, built during the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161BC). Walk amongst the wonders of the Ancient World and marvel at this archelogical masterpiece. It's the highlight attraction of any trip to Amman. Now a lively concert destination you can catch a show if you're lucky to be here in July or August. Ask at your hostel reception for more details on what you can see.

Visiting Petra

For all the talk of Amman, there is no way you'll go all this way and not see Petra. It's simply unmissable on any trip to Jordan. Dating back two thousand years, Petra inspired Hollywood movie fans in the 1980s after featuring in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. The desert city is Jordan’s greatest tourist attraction by some distance. Carved into the desert rock by the Nabataeans Arabs, it became a global trading hub serving as a conduit for silk and spice via Rome, Egypt, India and China.

You'll arrive in the city through Sig, a narrow gorge, which is over one kilometre in length and atmospherically flanked by reddish high cliffs. Keep walking and you'll capture a glimpse of the Al-Khazneh (Treasury) in the distance and this is what been waiting to see. The Treasury facade is a jaw dropping experience for all visitors and one of the icons of Jordan. Sparkling in reddish dust and over 43 metres high, Petra is a stunning demonstration of the engineering genius of the Ancient World.

You can visit this breathtaking desert kingdom via Amman and get lost in the Ancient riddles of the mountains. It's a remarkable experience and has attracted visitors throughout the centuries to Jordan. Perfect for travellers wanting an unforgetable experience on vacation, now is the time to go on a desert adventure.

How to get to Petra

You can easily spend up to five days here exploring the intriacies of Jordan's Lost City. But if you can only spend one day here, then Petra is 257 kilometres away from Amman and there are regular buses to the Ancient site. JETT Bus departs from Amman at 6.30AM and arrives in Petra around 10.30AM. It returns on the same day around 17.00PM and costs about 8.50 JD per person.