Must see Jordan including Petra-a beginners guide

 

🌍 Jordan Trip – March 2025

Welcome back blog readers! Apologies for the extended delay but, by popular demand (well… one person), I’m back. 🙂

This time, a short trip to Jordan from 26–30 March 2025.

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✈️ Arrival and First Impressions

The flight itself was smooth, although Heathrow was probably the busiest I’ve ever seen it.

One unexpected highlight came as we approached Jordan — I managed to catch a view of Orion and the Milky Way from the plane. It was the first time I’ve seen anything like that in such clarity. Unfortunately, the photos didn’t come close to capturing what it actually looked like.

Not going to embarrass myself with those attempts. ☹

One of the more pleasant surprises came on arrival at Queen Alia Airport. I had been slightly concerned about visa requirements, especially after failing to secure an e-visa beforehand. In the end, the process couldn’t have been easier — less than five minutes, no issues, and no cost for a single-entry visa.

Traveller Tip:
Start with a single-entry visa. If you plan to cross into places like Israel or Saudi Arabia, you can purchase additional visas later. This can save around 40 JOD (~£42) compared to a multiple-entry visa. Alternatively, the Jordan Pass is worth looking into.

 

🌆 Day 1 – Aqaba

I didn’t arrive in Aqaba until 04:10, so after a few hours’ sleep, I headed out to explore.

Aqaba sits at the southern tip of Jordan and is very much a resort city. It’s known more for diving and nightlife than history, and it feels exactly like you’d expect — hot, dry, dusty, and a little rough around the edges.

I’d probably compare it loosely to Malta, although with less emphasis on upkeep and cleanliness.

That said, there are still historical pockets worth seeing. I came across Aqaba Fort, dating back to the early 1500s, which played a role in the 1917 Arab Revolt.

 

               

 

 

💭 Personal Note

Solo travel isn’t for everyone. It can be surprisingly lonely at times — especially when you’re eating or sitting somewhere on your own for long stretches. ☹

 

🏜 Day 2 – Petra

⚠️ Personal Note #2

Driving in Jordan is… an experience. Take care.

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Once my driver arrived and we aligned on the plan for the day, things settled down a bit.

The journey from Aqaba to Petra (around 100km) took longer than expected, but eventually we reached the visitor centre, where entry cost 50 JOD — not cheap, but understandable given the site.

One decision I’d strongly recommend: enter Petra from the rear entrance.

This allows you to walk through the site toward the main entrance, rather than doubling back. Doing it the traditional way adds around 4–5km and about 90 minutes.

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🏛 Exploring Petra

From the entrance, it’s roughly a 1km downhill walk. By this point, temperatures were already around 28°C with direct sun, so water and head covering are essential.

The first major site was the Turkumaniyya Tombs — some of the oldest structures in Petra, carved directly into the rock. Like much of the site, they highlight the remarkable engineering and cultural sophistication of the Nabataeans.

 

 

Continuing on, the path curves left at Qasr al-Bint before leading onto Colonnaded Street — once the commercial heart of the city.

On one side sits the Great Palace, covering around 7,000 square metres. The street itself was later developed further under Roman influence around 100–150 AD.

Around this point, I gave in to the heat and upgraded my makeshift neck covering to a proper Arabic scarf from one of the many vendors — a wise decision in hindsight.

 

 

Further along, the route passes the Nymphaeum and opens up to some of the most striking tombs in Petra:

• Palace Tomb
• Corinthian Tomb
• Silk Tomb

On the opposite side sits the Theatre, carved directly into the rock — easily one of the most impressive features of the site.

 

 

At this stage, you have a choice:

• Head uphill toward the High Place of Sacrifice and Al-Habis
• Or continue forward toward the canyon and Treasury

Given the heat (now over 30°C), I opted to conserve energy and continue forward.

🏞 The Canyon and Treasury

At this stage, I continued forward toward the canyon rather than heading uphill.

The slot canyon itself is genuinely impressive — a narrow, winding passage with steep rock walls rising up on either side, shaped over centuries by erosion. In places it feels almost enclosed, with the light shifting constantly as you move through it.

That said, having seen similar formations in the US, I’d still say those in southern Utah just edge it in terms of overall scale and colour — but this is still very much worth experiencing.

After walking for around 500 metres, you arrive at Petra’s most famous structure: the Treasury.

It’s one of those sights that you instantly recognise, even if you’ve only ever seen it in documentaries or photos. And while those images don’t really do it justice, what struck me most was that Petra is far more than just this one building.

The Treasury itself is impressive — intricate, imposing, and clearly the centrepiece of the site — but somewhat surprisingly, entry isn’t permitted. From what I’ve seen of the interior elsewhere, I suspect it may not live up to expectations anyway.

From here, I followed the path out through the canyon at a more relaxed pace, taking in the surroundings and, of course, stopping at one of the many stalls to pick up the obligatory fridge magnet.

 

⚠️ Personal Note #3

The area is filled with stalls selling similar items — scarves, jewellery, magnets, etc.

Prices are noticeably higher than elsewhere, and you’ll be approached frequently. Best to be polite but firm if you’re not interested.

 

The full route took me about 2 hours 15 minutes at a relaxed pace.

Recommendation:

• 2–3 hours (rear entrance route)
• Add ~90 minutes if starting and finishing at the visitor centre

 

🌍 Day 3 – Israel (Eilat)

The final day of the trip.

I decided to cross into Israel via the Itzhak Rabin Terminal. In typical fashion, I hadn’t done a huge amount of preparation — and quickly discovered that a visa was required.

After a slightly stern conversation with a border guard, I completed the application online and was approved for a 7-day visa within minutes. Cost: 7 shekels (~£2).

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I took a taxi into Eilat, another resort-style destination focused more on leisure than history.

To be honest, it didn’t particularly stand out. The visit was more about setting foot in Israel than exploring the city itself.

 

Finally, I made my way into Israel and took a taxi to Eilat. Eilat is another popular tourist destination, primarily known for its nightlife and scuba diving rather than any historical significance. I managed to do a bit of sightseeing, but in all honesty, I wasn’t overly impressed by the city.

 

 

My primary reason for visiting was to experience Israel first hand, but I feel that a future trip to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv would offer a more authentic and comprehensive experience of the country.

 

🧭 Final Thoughts

This was my first solo trip of 2025 — short, intense, and a mix of great experiences and a few reminders that travelling alone isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds.

Jordan itself was fascinating, particularly Petra, which absolutely lives up to its reputation despite the crowds and cost.

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❓ Question

For those who’ve travelled in the region:

Would you prioritise Petra again, or spend more time exploring places like Wadi Rum, Jerusalem, or elsewhere in the Middle East?