Jordan Itinerary For 7 Days

Best Places To Visit in Jordan

1. Petra, Jordan

Petra Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the World’s New Seven Wonders. Petra, often known as the ‘Rose City’ owing to its distinctive rose-colored stone, is home to magnificent architecture and an elaborate water conduit system. The Nabataeans built the stunning sandstone city of Petra in the third century BC, carving palaces, tombs, temples, storerooms, and stables into the soft sandstone mountains. The ancient city lay buried for centuries due to repeated and devastating earthquakes. It was unknown to the Western world until 1812 when it was rediscovered by the Swiss traveler, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt – thus the nickname ‘Lost City.’ The fact that 85% of Petra remains submerged and unexplored is intriguing. Today, Petra has become the ultimate symbol of Jordan, drawing thousands of visitors each year.

The full-day Petra visit will cover the highlights of the enigmatic capital city, beginning with Siq. The Siq is a narrow, meandering ravine flanked by towering sandstone cliffs. It is the main gateway to the ancient city of Petra. Al-Khazneh (The Treasury), Petra’s iconic monument, stands at the end of this incredible walk. While the famed Treasury is as spectacular as described, take some time to explore the hidden gorges and other majestic structures that make Petra so special.

Beyond the jaw-dropping Treasury, the road leads into the Outer Siq, passing by the Street of Facades, the Amphitheatre, the Grand Royal Tombs, and the remnants of a Cathedral. The Monastery is Petra’s second most popular site, after the Treasury. It’s a steep climb (800 stairs one-way) to reach the Monastery as it is located almost end of the city, but it’s worth the effort. You can hire a donkey if you’re not up for the hike.

Instead of using the main entrance, you can enter through Petra’s ‘Backdoor Entry’. Using the Back Door, you will first see the Monastery at the back of the park before walking to the main entrance, passing by Petra’s highlights, and saving the Treasury for the grand conclusion. This way, you can also reverse the 800-plus-step climb to the monastery by going down the steps. I preferred utilizing the main entrance because it allowed me to enter the park when the gate opened at 6:00 a.m. and reach the Treasury before the crowds arrived. By doing so, I could have the entire site largely to myself and take all the photos that I…