petra

Looking for the perfect one week Jordan itinerary? You’re in the right place!

Dramatic red rock canyons, breathtaking deserts, a super salty lake and so much hummus!

If you’re looking for a trip into the Middle East, spending one week in Jordan ticks all the boxes when it comes to culture, scenery, adventure and food.

Despite his neighbors (Syria, Israel and Egypt) Jordan has mostly managed to avoid the conflicts, making it one of the region’s safest destinations down there.

Get ready to explore the lost city of Petra, sleep under the stars in a bedouin camp, take a dip in the super salty Dead Sea and listen to the enchanting call to prayer while walking through Amman.

OUR ROADTRIP

START– Aqaba | END – Amman

DURATION – 7 days

WHEN DID WE GO – November

HIGHLIGHTS – sleeping in a beduin camp in Wadi Rum, floating into the Dead Sea, drinking a hot tea at the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra

One week in Jordan itinerary:

AMMAN

There aren’t that many major things to see in Amman, so a full day is more than enough to visit it all.

Here are some things to do:

#1 The Citadel: if you can see only one thing in Amman, make sure it’s the Citadel. Perched high on Jabal al-Qal’a (the highest of the city’s seven hills), it has panoramic views of Amman, making it one of the city’s most photogenic spots. Once here, you’ll find ancient ruins from the Ammonite civilization. There are temple ruins, the most notable one is the Temple of Hercules for sure. Entrance fee: 2 dinar or free with the Jordan Pass

#2 Roman Theatre: just down the hill from the Citadel you’ll find the Roman Theatre, an amphitheatre tucked into the hillside. It dates back to the 2nd century and can seat an astounding number of 6,000 spectators on its steep stairs. Entrance fee: 1 dinar (free with the Jordan Pass)

#3 Eat falafel with locals at Hashem Restaurant: This restaurant was recommended by basically everyone, and it did not disappoint us.

You can come here to get an authentic meal with local people at local prices. A very filling meal here costs around 1-2 dinars!

#4 Explore Rainbow Street: if you want to experience a night out while in Jordan, look no further. This street is full of cafes, restaurants and… people!

Where to stay in Amman: we stayed at Nomad Hotel, located super close to the Rainbow street and the city center. It offers everything that independent travellers are looking for; friendly atmosphere, modern facilities and Arabic breakfast on the rooftop.

AS SALT

Salt is a city quite near to Amman. Surprisingly, it is still overlooked by international travelers, but maybe because of this the city still keeps its charm and authenticity.

Salt is not a typical city with many top attractions, and the sightseeing won’t take you that long. We did not have any plans, and it turned out to be the best way to explore the city. You can start at Abu Jaber Museum, where they’ll share maps and tips to visit the city.

THE DEAD SEA

Taking a salty swim and experiencing weightlessness is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique places on earth. Did you know that it’s the lowest point of land on Earth, more than 400 meters below sea level? And fun fact: it’s got over 30% salinity (that’s about 10 times more salt than typical seawater!), and the density of the water it’s what allows you to effortlessly float.

Taking a dip into the Dead Sea is not the the easiest thing, there are a few things you need to know before going there. Don’t forget to read our blog article Tips for visiting the Dead Sea.

Our first advice is: go there at sunset. You won’t regret it!

DANA BIOSPHERE

Looking for a Jordan hidden gem hands away from the tourist routes? We have the perfect place for you!

This is Jordan’s largest nature reserve; it has a rugged and beautiful landscape made of mountains cutted by many steep-sided wadis, covered with a lush growth of trees.

You’re probably thinking “Ok, cool, but what we can do there?”

#1 Hiking: there is a number of trails that you can do here, and they all look breath-taking. Good luck to pick one! For some you’ll need a guide and some other are free. Start your journey at Visitor center at Dana Guest house, and choose the one that fits you.

#2 Visit Dana Village: is a quaint village perched on the edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve canyon. The village is pretty teeny tiny, it only has a couple of small streets with picturesque sandstone houses. The tour will take less than an hour, you should give it a shot!

#3 Sleep in a beduin camp: sleeping in a beduin camp on top on the mountains was our highlight for sure. Drinking hot tea watching sun going down behind the canyon? Come on!

Where to sleep in Dana: we chose Al Nawatef Camp ECO camp, located 5-km away from the village of Dana. Al Nawatef is an eco-friendly camp that offers guests a traditional Bedouin experience. Loved the vibe but is quite spartan.

PETRA

We’re sure that everybody knows Petra, one of the 7 World Wonders, but we’re also quite sure that most people heard only about the worldwide famous wall of the Treasury.

If you have never visited Petra you have no clue how big it and how many things you can do there. Plan to stay there at least 2 days, you won’t regret it.

Here you are, what to do in Petra:

#1 Al Siq: you’ll surely pass through this photogenic passageway, carved into a canyon that leads you from the entrance of Petra to The Treasury. You will pass through it every time you enter and exit Petra.

#2 The Treasury: well, no need to introduction for the world famous Treasury, right? Just a tip then: entry into Petra begins from 6:00 AM, so if you want to beat the crowd get up early and go straight to the Treasury for sunrise.

#3 The Monastery: Petra’s most awe inspiring monument is also one of the most taxing to reach, be ready to climb 900 steps to get here. The Monastery is definitely worth the trek and, if you need to take breaks on the way, there are lots of gift shops and tea shops.

Tip: starting early in the morning you can avoid the hottest part of the day for the ascent.

#4 High Place of Sacrifice: here you are our favourite place in Petra! This is probably the most underrated spot there, and that’s a pity.

The High Place of Sacrifice, as the name suggests, is the location in Petra where they used to carry out sacrifices.  The walk up to the Sacrifice takes around 45 minutes, but is very steep. Once you reach the top you will be rewarded with sweeping views over the mountains and monuments of Petra. Enjoy a hot tea while admiring the panorama!

#5 A lot of other things: on your way back from The Monastery to The Treasury you can stop and have a look to the Royal tombs, Street of Facades and the Colonnaded street.

Where to stay in Petra: Wadi Musa (the village near Petra) offers a lot of accomodation. If you have a car we suggest you to book a room at Petra Farmhouse, it is a little bit farer from Petra (around 10 mins) but the atmosphere here is lovely. Valeria is super kind and will make your stay here perfect. Needless to say, she has a lot of cats so, jackpot!

WADI RUM

Also known as the Valley of the Moon, is one of the top places to see in Jordan thanks to its vast, Mars-like landscape. Set on a high plateau in the Arabian desert, the other-worldly scenery seems endless. This Wadi is dotted with sandstone arches, reddish mountains and tents of bedouin camps, tucked into the base of towering red dunes.

A must do is for sure sleeping under the stars in a bedouin camp or a luxury bubble tent, for the ultimate desert experience.

We spent the day racing through sand dunes in the back of a 4×4. This jeep tour was one of our favorite experiences in Jordan; it was so freeing to chase the golden sunset across this endless desert.

This is easily arranged by the camp once you arrive, it’s not something you generally have to plan in advance. Although, we recommend to double check with your accomodation.

Where to stay in Wadi Rum: we stayed at Jamal Rum Camp, it offers traditional Bedouin tents and martian tents if you want to see the stars from your bed. In the evening, guests can sit around the campfire and try the authentic nomadic Bedouin food and tea.