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Arriving at Wadi Rum is how I imagine the first astronauts felt when they landed on the moon. Every direction I looked in, there was burnt orange-coloured sand, and I had the feeling I’d stepped off this planet and onto another.
The ethereal rock formations that jutted out of the sand and accompanied me on my ride into the vast desert were just as alien-like. I knew even before my feet touched the desert sand that I was about to have the experience of a lifetime!
Amongst the sand and rock, luxurious campsites, out-of-the-ordinary cave camps, and traditional Bedouin tents lured me in. Wadi Rum is where travellers can get out into the unfiltered wilderness and try out living like a local (or not, if you prefer a big double bed!).
I’ve searched the desert from corner to corner to find the most extraordinary places to stay – let’s dive in!
Photo: Ralph Cope
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
- Where is the Best Place to Stay in Wadi Rum?
- Wadi Rum Accommodation Guide – Best Places to Stay in Wadi Rum
- Wadi Rum’s Five Epic Accommodation Styles to Pick From
- FAQs About Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
- What To Pack For Wadi Rum
- Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Wadi Rum
- Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
- Buy Us a Coffee!
Where is the Best Place to Stay in Wadi Rum?
Let’s skip straight to the best bit – here are my top three picks for places to stay in Wadi Rum! While it may not be one of the biggest deserts in the world, it’s certainly got the most iconic accommodation:
Wadi Rum Bubble Luxotel | Best Bubble Tent Hotel in Wadi Rum
The over-the-top decor and attention to detail at this property make their tents some of the most bougie out there! In the evening, I’d retreat to my luxurious bubble Tent and look out over the desert landscape through the transparent front panels of the tent (don’t worry, there are curtains for when you want some privacy!). There’s also a PRIVATE hot tub right at your doorstep, which was the coolest experience at night especially. This is undoubtedly the most iconic hotel in Wadi Rum!
Wadi Rum Village Lodge | Best Hostel in Wadi Rum
This hostel in town is a climber’s paradise. Pack your carabiners and get ready to take on some of the desert’s scariest limestone cliffs! I loved chilling in their shaded garden in the afternoon, too.
Bedouin Tents Perfect For Families | The Best Bedouin Tent in Wadi Rum
If you’re unfamiliar with Bedouin culture, you’re in for a real treat! Their traditional tents are the perfect desert home. I particularly loved how big the communal tent was at this camp. I met loads of other travellers when we all got together to eat at the end of the day.
Wadi Rum Hikes & Camp | Best For Budget Travelers
This family-run village is ideal for those looking for a truly immersive desert experience. The traditional Bedouin tents at the camp are brightly coloured, and the dinners cooked in their underground oven (Zarb) were to die for! There’s a variety of tents to choose from, and activities too: this is where the red and white deserts meet, so you get a perfect balance of authenticity and comfort!
Wadi Rum Accommodation Guide – Best Places to Stay in Wadi Rum
Bubble Tents
These super fun tents, known as ‘Martian Domes’, ‘Star Pods’, or ‘Bubble Tents’ are my personal favourite style of glamping!
Cave Camping
The cave camps in Wadi Rum have to be up there amongst the most unusual accommodations I’ve come across! You get taken by a local guide to a cluster of outdoor bedrooms made up on the floors of the rocky desert caves.
Bedouin Tents in Wadi Rum Village
Tucked away behind sand dunes in the depths of the desert is the little village of Wadi Rum. It’s the smallest village I’ve come across in my many travels.
Boutique Bedouin Tents in Wadi Rum
Camping isn’t for everyone, and the idea of spending your holiday sleeping in a cave or on a traditional Bedouin mat on the floor might be your idea of a nightmare.
Best Hostels in Wadi Rum
I didn’t know anyone when I arrived in Wadi Rum, but after a bit of hostel-hopping through the desert, I soon found new friends!
There are no neighbourhoods in the desert, so if you want to explore Wadi Rum, you have to be up for driving deep into the wilderness, racing through the sand on a Jeep, to find a place to rest your head!
Scholars believe that Wadi Rum is where the Quran’s lost tribe of Ad disappeared to. It’s hard to imagine that anyone can live in this arid and hostile environment. However, the local Bedouin people who are indigenous to the area show that whole communities and cultures can thrive even in the most remote corners of the world. And if you’re wondering if Jordan is safe – the answer is yes! And currently as of 2025, it may be the best time to visit to avoid crowds.
Despite the nomadic tribes that have lived here for centuries, Wadi Rum didn’t make it onto the map until it was featured in the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia. Since then, it’s become a hotspot for Hollywood film directors looking for otherworldly film sets!
Come and join me on an adventure into the vast desert, where I spent long nights sleeping under the stars and sat around campfires and drank overly-sweet tea from Persian tea cups! Honestly, because wherever you end up staying, visiting Wadi Rum is going to be the highlight of your trip to Jordan for sure.
Wadi Rum’s Five Epic Accommodation Styles to Pick From
Wadi Rum isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you’re up for braving the desert temperatures and remote landscape, you’ll leave with stories worth telling the grandkids. I know you’re desperate to find out about all the coolest (and most unusual) accommodation options in Wadi Rum, so I won’t keep you waiting!
1. Bubble Tents – Where to Stay in Wadi Rum for Your First Time
These super fun tents, known as ‘Martian Domes’, ‘Star Pods’, or ‘Bubble Tents’ are my personal favourite style of glamping! It might not be the cheapest for budget backpackers, but Wadi Rum is worth splurging on. The pods create a little sanctuary that feels intimate and luxurious, whilst still forming part of the desert landscape.
Some of the Bubble Tents even have a transparent panel at the top so you can stargaze without having to move from your plush bed!
There are LOADS of Bubble Tent camps in Wadi Rum, so save yourself time scrolling through the endless lists of them online and stay at one of my three favourites!
Harmony Luxury Camp | Best Option For An Intimate Getaway
Harmony really is the perfect name for this serene and intimate Bubble Tent camp in the Wadi Rum desert! The camp is adult-only, so you can rest assured that no noisy kids will be running around the camp and ruining your downtime. The air-conditioning in the tents was a lifesaver, too, after long hours in the desert sun. I couldn’t help but sing and clap along on the live music nights they held at their restaurant!
Wadi Rum Bubble Luxotel | Best For Luxury Seekers
The over-the-top decor and attention to detail at this property make their tents some of the most bougie out there! In the evening, I’d retreat to my luxurious bubble Tent and look out over the desert landscape through the transparent front panels of the tent (don’t worry, there are curtains for when you want some privacy!). There’s also a PRIVATE hot tub right at your doorstep, which was the coolest experience at night especially. This is undoubtedly the most iconic hotel in Wadi Rum!
Hasan Zawaideh Luxury Camp | Best For Friends Travelling Together
The Bubble Tents at Hasan Zawaideh are nestled between desert rock formations that tower over the camp and shade the tents from the scorching desert sun in the afternoon. While I was here, I danced around the campfire to the rhythmic drumming of local Bedouin music and spent hours sitting on my tent’s patio stargazing. They have tents with single beds, so it’s a great pick for friends travelling together!
Things to See and Do in Wadi Rum
- Take in the vast desert landscape from above on a hot air balloon ride!
- Marvel at how the hours fly by when you’re racing through the desert on a speedy jeep!
- Watch the sunrise from a remote corner of the Wadi Rum desert. It’s worth getting up early even if you’re not usually an early riser!
- Brave the desert at night and drive out to the best stargazing spots. I’ve never seen the stars as clearly as I did in Wadi Rum!
- Climb up a nearby sand dune to watch the sunset.
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View on Osprey2. Cave Camping – Best Place to Stay in Wadi Rum on a Budget
The cave camps in Wadi Rum have to be up there amongst the most unusual accommodations I’ve come across! You basically get taken out into the desert by a local guide who looks over a cluster of outdoor bedrooms made up on the floors of the rocky desert caves.
It might sound uncomfortable, but I had some of my most peaceful nights in Wadi Rum’s caves! Another perk is that because they’re quite basic, they’re super low-cost. If you want to get a real sense of how Bedouins live in the desert, sleeping in a cave under the night sky is the way to do it.
Sunset Cave | Spend An Unforgettable Night Under the Stars
This cave-stay is my top pick for adventurous couples who want to experience the desert in a raw and authentic way. The host shared stories about his Bedouin tribe and the local way of life around the campfire, and cooked traditional dishes that I’d never tried before! Peering up at the bright stars in the Valley of the Moon with nothing but the vast desert around you is as romantic as it gets.
Local Cave with Tour | Book A Stay Far Away From Civilisation
My night at this cave-stay started with a thrilling jeep ride through the desert. Only the hosts know where this secret cave is, nestled away from the lights of the bigger camps and Wadi Rum Village. I spent the evening chatting with other visitors in the shared Bedouin tent before heading to my bed tucked away in a cave! There is a little bathroom and shower, so don’t worry about having no amenities.
Wadi Rum Cave | Immerse Yourself in Local Culture
A night at this cave comes with more than just a bed! I rode on a camel, went surfing on the surrounding dunes, and learned about Bedouin customs around the campfire. You can opt for a comfy double mattress, but I decided to try out a more basic set-up – a mat and sleeping bag. I still got a great night’s sleep, and it was cheaper!
Things to See and Do in Wadi Rum
- Do it all on this full-day tour. Wizz through the desert in a jeep, ride on a camel’s hump, and go sandboarding down the tallest dunes in Wadi Rum!
- Ride through the otherworldly desert landscape before setting up camp for the night in a cave and sharing stories around a crackling campfire.
- Step outside of your cave and be awed by the moon! They don’t call Wadi Rum the Valley of the Moon for nothing – it’s brighter than anywhere else I’ve seen it.
- Talk to a local guide and organise a trip to Petra. The ‘Rose City’, which was half-built and half-carved into the desert rock in the 4th century BC, is a two-hour drive away from Wadi Rum!
- Visit some of the desert’s most spectacular landmarks. Check out Lawrence Spring, awe at the sheer scale of the Khazali Mountain, and look out over the desert as you sip on sweet tea and watch the sunset.
- Ask your camp host to teach you how to properly pour the sweet tea they make and give it a go!
3. Bedouin Tents in Wadi Rum Village – Best Place in Wadi Rum for Families to Stay In
Tucked away behind sand dunes in the depths of the desert is the little village of Wadi Rum. It’s the smallest village I’ve come across in my many travels, and I’m pretty convinced it was set up as more of a tourist gathering point than anything else.
There are a few shops and restaurants in town, though, and it definitely feels less remote and hardcore than camping under the stars in a cave or staying at a remote Bubble Tent camp. I think it’s a great option for families travelling with smaller kids who want all the excitement the desert has to offer, without having to sleep in the wild!
Wadi Rum Hikes & Camp | Best For Budget Travelers
This family-run village is ideal for those looking for a truly immersive desert experience. The traditional Bedouin tents at the camp are brightly coloured, and the dinners cooked in their underground oven (Zarb) were to die for! There’s a variety of tents to choose from, and activities too: this is where the red and white deserts meet, so you get a perfect balance of authenticity and comfort!
Wadi Rum Bedouin Experience | Live Like a Local in Wadi Rum Village
Crash at one of the spacious Bedouin tents designed for families at this awesome camp! Don’t worry about missing out on anything either, the stargazing is as amazing here as anywhere else in the desert. The tours out into Wadi Rum run by the friendly camp owners are also perfect for families or groups of friends!
Bedouin Tents Perfect For Families | The Best Option For Bigger Families
If you’re unfamiliar with Bedouin culture, you’re in for a real treat! Their traditional tents are the perfect desert home. They’re lined with colourful fabrics and have big windows so you can look out at the sand dunes and mountains without having to move an inch. I particularly loved how big the communal tent was at this camp. I met loads of other travellers when we all got together to eat at the end of the day.
Things to See and Do in Wadi Rum
- Get picked up from town and go on a family adventure in Wadi Rum. The kids will be over the moon when they see the camels they get to ride!
- Ditch the comfort of your Bedouin tent and take the kids on a wild campout in the desert after a jeep ride through the sand dunes.
- Wander through the Wadi Rum Village and check out the tranquil, palm-tree-lined streets in town. There are a few shops you can dip in and out of in search of souvenirs.
- Talk to your host about going on a jeep tour to see the Anfashieh Inscriptions.
- A lot of the desert isn’t safe to explore without a guide, but there is an unguided loop you can do through the Makharas Canyon, which leaves from the town’s Visitor Centre and takes less than 3 hours!
- Watch how your meals are cooked on the open fire and try to pick up some cooking tricks.
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Grab an eSIM!4. Boutique Bedouin Tents in Wadi Rum – Experience a Bedouin Tradition With a Glow-Up
Camping isn’t for everyone, and the idea of spending your holiday sleeping in a cave or on a traditional Bedouin mat on the floor might be your idea of a nightmare. I tested out some of the more glamorous Bedouin camps in town for those of you looking for something that resembles a guesthouse more than a tent!
Wadi Rum Star Wars Camp | A Great Option For Groups of Friends
The chic and glam tents at this camp have glistening marble floors and glass walls that look onto the arid desert landscape. It’s especially cute at night when the camp is lit up with lanterns and the stars come out! Their shared rooms are great for groups of friends looking for a classy place to stay.
Wadi Rum Candles Camp | The Camp With The Biggest Bedouin Tents
I was immediately greeted by smiling staff at Candles Camp, and true to Bedouin hospitality, there was always someone on hand when I had a query! I haven’t found bigger tents than these, and the extra room was a welcome change after a few days sleeping in outdoor caves. The tents each come with an outdoor balcony, which is the perfect spot to watch the sun setting, transforming the desert into a spectacle of colour!
Luxury Double Tent | The Best Option For Couples
The Bedouin tents at this camp are more like rooms in a boutique hotel with a 5-star view of the desert. Located in Wadi Rum Village, your stay comes with a traditional Bedouin breakfast, a private bathroom, and an amazing communal fire pit ideal for stargazing. It’s also powered by solar, making it an eco-friendly choice!
Things to See and Do in Wadi Rum
- Explore the two-hour walk through the Barrah Canyon, a breathtaking three-mile-long corridor that cuts right through the heart of the desert and is shadowed from the sun by steep rock formations.
- If you consider yourself a thrill-seeker and you like to live life on the edge, scramble one of the routes up the Jebel Rum mountain.
- Walk across the Jebel Burdah Rock Bridge! The natural rock bridge is where I snapped my best holiday pics – luckily, you can’t see how nervous I was in the photos!
- Visit the Seven Pillars of Wisdom with a local Bedouin guide who’ll tell you about the local history. They’ll also teach you how to cook Bedouin dishes – yum!
- For any experienced climbers who might be reading this, pack your climbing gear! There are loads of awesome climbing spots in the Wadi Rum desert, like the slopes of Khazali Siq.
- Try and spot the Milky Way!
5. Best Hostels in Wadi Rum – My Top Pick For Backpackers
I didn’t know anyone when I arrived in Wadi Rum, but after a bit of hostel-hopping through the desert, I soon found new friends! Hostels are a great option if you’re a solo backpacker who’s hoping to find some like-minded travellers to hang out with.
Obeid’s Bedouin Life Camp | A Hostel Built Into the Desert Rock
Tucked away from the more touristy areas of Wadi Rum, this unique hostel is built into the rock face of the desert cliffs. It’s run by a licensed guide who took me on a super informative tour in his jeep – he definitely knows his stuff! I stayed in one of the cave rooms and loved how cool they are despite the blazing sun outside.
Wadi Rum Village Lodge | A Climber’s Paradise in Town
This Bedouin-style hostel in Wadi Rum village is easier to reach than any of the camps in the desert, so it’s a great pick if you’re backpacking with a heavy rucksack! They’ve managed to grow lots of trees around the camp that break up the heat and give the place an oasis-in-the-desert vibe. It’s also one of the few places that offers climbing tours – so pack your carabiners and get a booking!
Wadi Rum Fire Camp | The Only Bedouin Camp Hostel
If you want to stay at a hostel as far from town as possible, then this is the hostel for you! At night, it felt like I was in a fairytale. I could make out different constellations, and the host knew loads about which planets were making an appearance at that time of year. Everywhere I looked,d there were sandstone mountains rising out of the desert sand, and there was one rock you could clamber up to catch the sunrise (or in my case, the sunset).
Things to See and Do in Wadi Rum
- Venture beyond the desert to the Hejaz Railway! Hop on a refurbished Hejaz Railway train amongst uniformed Ottoman soldiers who are there to give passengers a feel of what the journey was like during the Great Arab Revolt of 1916.
- Travel out of Wadi Rum to Petra in a private car hire. Exploring the ancient Rose City isn’t an experience you’ll forget anytime soon!
- Fancy taking a dip in the sea and going snorkelling? Believe it or not, you can hop in a car and reach Aqaba city from Wadi Rum in an hour!
- Explore the Red Sand Dune and other desert highlights by jeep!
- Wander through the Khazali Canyon and over the famous Little Bridge on this awesome desert tour that avid hikers will love.
- Snap some selfies with the desert in the background to share on your socials.
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Hide Yo’ Money!FAQs About Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
Need a little bit more info before you go ahead and select where you’ll be staying for your Wadi Rum trip? No worries at all, check out this FAQ.
What To Pack For Wadi Rum
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me: packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
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Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
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Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Wadi Rum
Good travel insurance is a must for the desert! Make sure you’re covered because you just never know what might happen out there on the sand.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
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Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum’s desert dunes and untamed limestone cliffs are some of the wildest corners of the world I’ve been to. It’s hard to believe that the local Bedouin tribes have thrived despite the scorching temperatures and scarcity.
But for anyone brave enough to venture into the desert, the rewards are plenty! Gaze up at the Milky Way as it drifts through the night sky, watch as your meals are cooked over an open fire, and go on a whistle-stop tour of the desert’s historical inscriptions and rock bridges in a jeep!
Deciding where to stay is the hardest bit, but I’ve tackled that for you with this guide, which makes it easy to find the perfect place to stay in Wadi Rum.
First-timers should book a night at Harmony Luxury Camp, families should stay in Wadi Rum Village at this Hotel-style deluxe Bedouin Tent, and the most daring thrill-seekers should stay at the Wadi Rum Village Lodge climbing hostel!
Remember not to waste a moment of your time in the desert – it’s honestly one of the most magical experiences you’ll ever have.
Photo: Ralph Cope
- Check out our ultimate guide to backpacking around Jordan.
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
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