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Country guide
Jordan is 89,342 km2 and held 11,484,805 people in 2023, and for a visitor the country is arranged along one line. It runs south from Amman, the most populous city in the Levant, through the Jordan Rift Valley and past the Dead Sea to Petra, then ends at the short stretch of Red Sea coast in the far south-west. Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, is the reason most people come, and it is a long drive from the capital rather than an excursion from it. East of that line the country is semi-arid and thinly settled.
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
100 places match
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Typical visit duration
Al Khazneh, known locally as الخزنة, is a monumental rock-cut tomb in Petra, Jordan. Carved directly into pink sandstone cliffs, this iconic facade stands as one of the most recognizable monuments of Nabataean civilization.
Ad Deir, known locally as الدير, is a monumental rock-cut tomb within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan.
The Siq is the principal entrance corridor leading into the ancient Nabataean city of Petra in southern Jordan.
The High Place of Sacrifice is a significant elevated ritual site within the Petra archaeological complex, known locally as المذبح.
The Royal Tombs are a grand cluster of monumental facades carved into the rose-red cliffs at Petra's eastern edge. This necropolis complex represents some of the most elaborate rock-cut architecture in the ancient Nabataean kingdom.
The Great Temple of Petra is a major monumental complex within the Nabataean capital, situated near the city centre along the Colonnaded Street.
Qasr al-Bint, meaning Palace of the Daughter or Maiden, stands as one of Petra's most significant freestanding ancient structures.
Petra Theatre is a major archaeological monument within the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, Jordan. Carved partially into rock and built with freestanding masonry, this theatre represents one of the most significant surviving structures of Nabataean engineering.
The Byzantine Church at Petra is a late-antique religious structure situated within the ancient Nabataean city in southern Jordan. Archaeological evidence indicates the church was constructed during the Byzantine period, after Petra's decline as a major trade center.
Little Petra, known locally as Siq al-Barid or البتراء الصغيرة, is a Nabataean archaeological site located north of the main Petra complex in southern Jordan.
The Street of Facades is a significant thoroughfare within the Petra archaeological park in Jordan. It forms a natural continuation of the Siq, the narrow gorge that serves as the main entrance to the ancient Nabataean city.
The Colonnaded Street is a major ancient thoroughfare within the Petra archaeological site in Jordan. It represents a significant urban feature of the Nabataean and later Roman city, serving as a principal processional and commercial route.
The Temple of the Winged Lions is a major Nabataean religious structure within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan.
Bab al-Siq is the gateway entrance to the Siq, the narrow gorge that serves as the main approach to the ancient Nabataean city of Petra in southern Jordan.
Djinn Blocks are among the oldest surviving monuments at Petra, predating the elaborate Nabataean rock-cut facades that made the city famous. These simple, cube-shaped stone structures stand near the park entrance and represent an early phase of Nabataean funerary architecture.
The Obelisk Tomb stands at the entrance to the Siq, the narrow gorge leading into Petra. It is among the first monuments visitors encounter when approaching the ancient Nabataean city.
The Nymphaeum is a monumental fountain structure situated along the main colonnaded street of Petra, Jordan. As a named monument within the Petra archaeological park, it represents a significant example of Nabataean hydraulic engineering integrated with public architecture.
Temenos Gate is a monumental gateway within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. It stands as a significant architectural feature along the ancient processional route through the city.
The Tomb of the Roman Soldier is a rock-cut burial monument within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan.
Jebal el Habis is a Crusader-era fortification situated within the Petra archaeological landscape in southern Jordan. The structure occupies an elevated position on a hill, commanding views over the surrounding terrain.
The Tomb of Aaron is a mausoleum located near Petra in Jordan, traditionally identified as the burial place of Aaron, the brother of Moses.
Jabal Khabathah is a named mountain situated within the Petra archaeological park or its immediate visitor locality. The local Arabic name is جبل خباثة- الخبزة.
The Sextius Florentinus Tomb is a named rock-cut burial monument within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. It belongs to the extensive necropolis that characterises this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Petra Pool and Garden Complex is a named monument, route, or landscape feature within the Petra archaeological park.
Bab al-Siq Triclinium is a carved monument within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan.
The Unfinished Tomb is a rock-cut monument within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. It demonstrates Nabataean craftsmanship interrupted mid-process, with visible chisel marks and partially carved facades revealing ancient construction techniques.
Renaissance Tomb is a named monument within the Petra archaeological park in Jordan. The designation appears in visitor materials as a recognised route or landscape feature among the extensive Nabataean rock-cut facades.
The Lion Triclinium is a rock-cut monument within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. It takes its name from two eroded lion sculptures that flank its entrance.
The Blue Chapel is a named monument within the Petra archaeological park in Jordan. It derives its name from the blue-toned Egyptian granite columns that distinguish it from other structures in the ancient Nabataean city.
Urn Tomb is a monumental rock-cut facade within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. The structure takes its name from the decorative urn that crowns its pediment.
Snake Monument is a named feature within the Petra archaeological park in Jordan. It appears among the documented routes and landscape elements that visitors encounter while exploring the ancient Nabataean city.
Ba'ja is an archaeological site located near Petra in southern Jordan. The local name is بعجة. It represents a prehistoric settlement that predates the famous Nabataean city, offering evidence of early human occupation in the region.
Moghar Annassara, known as the Christian Tombs, forms part of the extensive burial architecture within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. These rock-cut tombs reflect the later Christian presence at Petra after the city's Nabataean and Roman periods.
Mount Hor, known locally as Jabal al-Nabi Harun, is a mountain located within or immediately adjacent to the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan.
The Corinthian Tomb is a rock-cut facade within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. It forms part of the Street of Facades, a dense cluster of Nabataean tombs carved into the sandstone cliffs east of the Treasury.
Jebel al-Madhbah is a mountain located within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. Its Arabic name, المذبح, translates to 'the altar mountain,' suggesting historical religious significance.
The Palace Tomb stands among the Royal Tombs in Petra's archaeological park, a Nabataean rock-cut facade distinguished by its three-story architectural composition. Its upper level resembles a palace structure, giving the monument its modern name.
Jabal Um el Biyar is a named summit located within or immediately adjacent to the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. The peak forms part of the rugged mountainous terrain that surrounds the ancient Nabataean city.
The Silk Tomb is a rock-cut facade within the Petra archaeological park in southern Jordan. It earns its name from the richly colored, banded sandstone surface that resembles flowing silk fabric.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·
Seven to ten days allows Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea to form a workable north-to-south route. Give Petra at least two nights in Wadi Musa if the visit should extend beyond the Treasury approach, and treat Wadi Rum as a separate stay.
Jordan’s Ministry of Interior e-services should be checked for the passport, entry point and intended stay. Visa-on-arrival assumptions are risky because eligibility can depend on nationality and border crossing; confirm the rule before purchasing a land or air connection.
Queen Alia Airport serves the main arrival flow. Scheduled coaches link several visitor centres, but a rental car, licensed driver or organised transfer provides more control for Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea; Amman itself relies on road transport.
Spring and autumn reduce the temperature extremes between Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum. Winter nights in the highlands and desert can be cold, while summer exposure is severe at archaeological sites, so choose dates around the longest outdoor day.
Jordanian dinar is the recorded currency. Carry dinars for small purchases and road stops, verify whether Petra or tour products are prepaid, and use banks or authorised exchange counters rather than relying on an informal quoted conversion.
Save 911 for emergencies; Jordan’s recorded sockets include Types C, F and G at 230 V. Tap-water guidance is Not recorded, so obtain current advice from the accommodation or local authority, particularly when moving between Amman, Wadi Musa and desert camps.
