10 days in Jordan: the perfect itinerary so you don't miss a thing

The best way to get straight into the swing of things after landing at Queen Alia International Airport is to explore Amman. Jordan's capital is home to more than a third of the country's inhabitants, making it a vibrant city full of life. Like many Eastern megalopolises, Amman seems to float in an eternal mix of tradition and modernity that leaves no one indifferent.

Start your visit at the Jabal al-Qal'a Citadel, the landmark of Amman, from where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Just below it, don't miss the 2nd-century Roman theatre. More recent but just as impressive, the King Abdallah Mosque is well worth a visit! You can then do a little shopping in the ultra-modernAl-Abdali district or in pretty Rainbow Street. You can finish the day in one of the city's many restaurants or bars.

⭐ Where to stay in Amman?

The area around Amman is desert but still full of surprises. So we jump in the car and drive due east along route 30, towards Iraq and Saudi Arabia. After miles of driving under a blazing sun, we finally see something stand out on the horizon: like a mirage, the silhouette of the desert castles appears. These centuries-old remains bear witness to the eras and peoples who once inhabited the region.

There are many castles still standing in the desert of Jordan. More or less well preserved, they have defied the years, the heat and the gusts of sand for centuries. The Qasr al-Mushatta is the closest to Amman, but not the prettiest. The most impressive is the beautifully preserved Qasr al-Kharaneh, a former stronghold of the Umayyad dynasty. The Qusair Amra, meanwhile, isn't quite as photogenic, but it is home to some incredible frescoes, very little damaged, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

⭐ Where to stay near the desert castles?

Today, we're heading north to discover Jerash. Inhabited in turn by Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Crusaders, this Roman city gradually fell into oblivion from the 12th century onwards. Buried under the sand for centuries, the remains of the city were rediscovered in the early 19th century and over time have become one of Jordan's must-see attractions. Wandering among the ancient ruins, you get the impression that time has stood still in antiquity.

After passing under Hadrian's triumphal arch and crossing the mythical Place Ovale, we head for the Temple of Artemis, once the heart of Jerash's social and spiritual life. The Cardo maximus, also known as the Alley of Columns, is THE most famous viewpoint in the city: 800 metres long and lined with 200 ancient columns, it leads to the main monuments on the ancient site, such as the hippodrome (which could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators at the time). History buffs can learn more about the city at the Jerash Archaeological Museum.

⭐ Where to stay in Jerash?

From now on, we're heading straight south, with Madaba as our first stop. Around thirty minutes from Amman, this small town is famous for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. The mosaics in St George's Church are particularly impressive, and include the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem, a treasure that is unique in the world. You can also take the opportunity to climb to the top of the bell tower of the Church of St John the Baptist, which offers a 360° panoramic view of Madaba and its surroundings.

Less than ten kilometres away, the silhouette of Mount Nebo almost seems to watch over Madaba. It is one of the most important religious sites in Jordan. Indeed, it was on its summit that Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land and died. Here you will find theChurch of the Memorial of Moses, with its beautiful mosaics and a number of religious icons. The view over the West Bank and the Dead Sea from the panoramic esplanade is quite simply exceptional. On a clear day, you can even make out Jerusalem.

⭐ Where to stay in Madaba?

The Route of the Kings (or Route 35) crosses Jordan from top to bottom, and if it's not the quickest way to reach the south of the country, it's certainly the most beautiful. The road runs alongside some of the country's most impressive landscapes: mountain ranges, desert areas, canyons, high plateaux... The views are so lunar that you'd think you were on another planet. The Route of the Kings also passes ancient castles, Byzantine churches and ancient cities. Then, finally, the highlight: Petra and the Wadi Rum desert.

On the Route of the Kings, there are several points of interest well worth a stop or a short diversions, starting with the archaeological site of Umm Ar-Rasas. Here you will find the ruins of ancient Byzantine churches adorned with magnificent mosaic pavements. The citadel of Kerak is also a must: 220 metres long, its ramparts offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. Finally, if you have the time, treat yourself to a short hike in the Dana nature reserve. The seven trails that criss-cross the reserve take visitors through breathtaking scenery!

⭐ Where to stay in the Dana nature reserve?

In 2007, Petra joined the very select club of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it's easy to see why when you discover this grandiose site for the first time. Former capital and necropolis of the Nabataeans, a nomadic people originally from North Arabia, the ancient city boasts more than 800 tombs and monuments carved out of the red sandstone of the rocky cirque in which it lies. Some of the façades are quite simply monumental, and you can't help but feel very small in the face of this impressive mineral tableau.

To reach the sleeping city, you have to cross the Siq, a long canyon whose glowing cliffs are sometimes more than 100 metres high. This winding gorge leads to the masterly façade of Petra's most famous monument: al Khazneh, or the Treasury in French. The Bedouins, donkeys and dromedaries that roam the city contribute to the folkloric atmosphere that reigns on the site. While many monuments are close to the Treasury, you'll have to walk a little to discover the Deir or the high place of Zibb Attuf. Indeed, Petra is more than ten square kilometres, so it is advisable to spend at least two days there.

⭐ Where to stay near Petra?

Arriving in the Wadi Rum desert, around a hundred kilometres south of Petra, it's hard to tell whether you're in Jordan or on Mars. With its vast plains of orange sand and impressive glowing cliffs, this desert has been used as a backdrop for films such as Star Wars and Alone on Mars. Although this supernatural landscape may seem rather hostile, it has been inhabited for thousands of years, with engravings on some monoliths dating back more than 12,000 years.

Bedouins still live in Wadi Rum today. Most of them are shepherds, and they dress up as guides to show curious visitors around their home. By Jeep or camel, you can cross the sandy steppes to visit a Nabataean temple, Lawrence's spring, the Burdah Rock Bridge or the seven pillars of wisdom. With its canyons, natural arches, cliffs and caves, it's a sight to behold. It's also possible to spend the night in a Bedouin camp in the heart of the desert, an authentic experience you won't soon forget!

⭐ Where to sleep in the Wadi Rum desert?

In the extreme south-west of the country, the last stop on the Route of the Kings, Aqaba is the country's main seaside resort. On the shores of the Red Sea, its fine sandy beaches lined with palm trees and bathed in sunshine are ideal for relaxing after a day's trekking in the Wadi Rum desert and Petra. Many luxury hotels have private beaches where you can hire a sunbed and just enjoy life, cocktail in hand. Those who can't stand still can try their hand at a variety of water sports, including jet skiing, windsurfing and water skiing.

If there's one thing that sets Aqaba apart from other resorts, it's its rich seabed. Divers from all over the world come here to observe the Red Sea's coral reefs, which are home to hundreds of multicoloured fish. Don't worry if you're not a scuba diver: many of the spots can be seen during a snorkelling session, simply equipped with a mask and snorkel. On the harbour, locals also offer excursions in glass boats, small boats with transparent bottoms that allow you to admire the seabed while staying nice and dry.

⭐ Where to stay in Aqaba?

On this last day, we head back up to Amman on route 65 which, although not as impressive as the Kings' Highway, offers its share of magnificent scenery. After about two hours on the road, the panorama suddenly changes and the contours of the Dead Sea appear. Theextreme salinity of the water (around ten times more salt than normal seawater) gives it an almost supernatural colour and creates landscapes that are unique in the world. It's also what allows bathers to float without the slightest effort: a strange sensation that you won't find anywhere else.

Dead Sea mud is exceptionally rich in minerals and has been recognised for centuries for its healing and revitalising properties. It nourishes, moisturises and softens the skin, and relieves skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. That's why so many tourists cover themselves in this black clay on the beaches of the Dead Sea, so don't hesitate to do the same! The spas at many luxury hotels all offer massages and treatments based on this miracle product.

⭐ Where to stay on the shores of the Dead Sea?