Jordan with Children

Jordanians love children, and yours will be welcomed everywhere — fussed over in restaurants, offered sweets in shops, made to feel at home. The country is safe, clean enough, and the big sights are visual and physical rather than museum-dry, which suits children well.

The challenge is the heat and the walking. Plan around the cooler months (spring or autumn), start days early, build in rest and pool time, and don’t try to see everything. A relaxed seven days beats a crammed ten.

Petra is magical for children — a real hidden city in a canyon. Keep the first day to the Siq, the Treasury and the Royal Tombs, with stops at the cave cafes for juice. A donkey ride up to the Monastery is usually the thing they talk about for years. Carry extra water, take it slowly, and consider a second short day rather than one long one.

A horse-drawn carriage through the Siq is a good option for small children or anyone flagging — agree the price first. See Petra practical information for tickets and the Jordan Pass, which covers children too.

Wadi Rum in a 4x4 is pure adventure for kids — dunes, rock bridges and a night in a Bedouin camp under stars. The Dead Sea is fun and easy: floating, mud-painting and a resort pool. Aqaba adds snorkelling and a beach day. Together these balance the walking-heavy Petra days perfectly.