Jordan family holidays and breaks

Not an obvious choice for family holidays by virtue of its being buffeted on all sides by conflicts, Jordan is in fact a unique destination that parents and kids will never forget – a place where you can live the life of desert nomads, walk in the steps of Moses, scramble over the ruins of ancient civilisations and swim in the Dead Sea. Just make sure you all watch ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ before you arrive. 

But though it’s fascinating to see sites mentioned in the Bible (the brook where Jesus was baptised, the fortress where Herod beheaded John the Baptist), it’s not all about the past in Jordan. Amman the capital is a modern, diverse city with plenty going on, while the desert offers ample opportunity for adrenaline-fuelled adventures. And last but not least, Jordanians are some of the friendliest people you could ever hope to come across. 

Capital City	Amman
Flying Time	5 hours
Carbon Footprint	3.18 tonnes CO2
Timezone	GMT +2
Local Currency	Jordanian Dollar

What to Do

Discover the capital Amman, a thoroughly modern Arab city with plenty of things to do and see, shopping malls to splurge and stay cool in and green space to run around in. The King Hussein National Park offers easy distractions including a playground, and you can tick off museums in the same outing – this where the locals go for fresh air and a wander around King Hussein’s Automobile Museum to lust after his many cars! There’s also the Children’s Museum with hands-on activities and a planetarium, the Archaeological Museum, and Jordan’s Museum of Popular Traditions, stuffed with traditional Jordanian costumes.  After sightseeing, cool down at the Water Park, an oasis of slides and palm trees, or people-watch on pedestrianised Al-Wakalat Street, where local families sit at outdoor cafés to watch the world go by. Lastly, head for Amman’s Citadel to tour the city’s ruins, including the impressive Roman Theatre. 

Spend a day in Jerash, with the highlight being the re-enactments of a Roman chariot race. At 45 minutes long, they're just the right length for young spectators. See our feature on a family trip to Jordan including a Roman chariot race.

Hike amidst some of Jordan’s stunning scenery, choosing a trial to suit your family’s abilities, and bringing water, sunscreen and hats, and extra clothing (the temperature drops dramatically as the sun goes down).

Get closer to nature in Azraq and Shawmari nature reserves, in the most spectacular settings. 

Float in the Dead Sea, but remember that much salt is lethal if it gets into the eyes so take a bottle of water to throw over kids if necessary. There are plenty of resorts and beaches here, plus a waterpark.

Don’t miss Petra, carved out of the rocks in the 6th century – there’s a lot of walking and a lot of steps, but camel, horse and donkey rides can save on the legwork as you admire the ruins and there are plenty of trinket stalls to browse. Petra by night is worth seeing if your children can stay awake for it – thousands of tealights pave the way and it’s very evocative. 

Spend a pleasant couple of days in the thriving city of Aqaba with its modern resorts, marinas and waterparks, and the chance to try wind-surfing, waterskiing and the like in the Red Sea. You can also tour the city in a horse and carriage or rent a bike, before hunting out souvenirs in the souk or relaxing in a pavement café. 

Where to Stay

Accommodation standards vary widely in Jordan, so those planning family holidays on any budget are well advised to do their homework. The big hotels (including the Sheraton Amman with its kids' pool) have all the facilities you would expect, while in smaller hotels you’ll often find that staff are happy to stick an extra mattress on the floor for kids by request. At the Dead Sea, we recommend the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar (Dead Sea) with its kids' club and spa. If you want to enjoy Petra by night (see above), the Mövenpick Petra is highly rated and family-friendly. 

When

For a small country, Jordan has an extraordinary range of climates. Average daytime maximum temperatures in Amman range from 12.6°C in January to 32.5°C in August. The best times to schedule family holidays here are spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sept–Nov), when daytime temperatures aren't too extreme. April is probably the best month, with warm temperatures and wildflowers in bloom. 

Avoid high summer (July and August), when the weather in the humid Jordan Valley is oppressive - it feels like you're trapped in an airless oven, with suffocating daytime highs well in excess of 36°C.  

Winter can be surprisingly cold and the deserts can be freezing, especially at night, so if you do come at this time, bring plenty of warm clothes and a windproof and waterproof jacket. 

The month of Ramadan is a time when visitors should not eat, drink or smoke in public during the day so it's a tricky time to visit, especially with children. 

How

British Airways and bmi offer non-stop flights to Amman, taking around 5hrs. If you're happy to stop enroute, there are numerous cheaper options. 

Time in Jordan is GMT+1, meaning jet-lag won't be an issue.

Eat

Jordanian food is delicious. Lamb and chicken are popular, with garlic and mint the most common seasonings. You’ll also come across houmous (far better than any shop-bought version), sharwma (pitta sandwiches with lamb or chicken) and the delicious national dish mansaf – lamb cooked in yoghurt sauce and served on rice with almonds and pine kernels. The presence of lots of rice and pitta bread means you shouldn’t struggle too much on family holidays even with fussy eaters. Falafels are a great and very nutritious snack available everywhere. 

Fruit and fruit drinks are also readily available. Don’t drink the bottled water. 

Cost

Jordan is probably a cheaper option for family holidays than you imagine, with flights starting at less than £200 depending on the time of year and a decent 3-course meal available for around £8. Flight-inclusive prices on adventure trips start at £799 for adults, £669 for children. 

• Family holidays
• Breaks & Days Out
• Special Offers
• Features
• Favourites
• Travel tips
• Family forum