You absolutely must visit Petra during a trip to Jordan.
Most of people in my generation dream to visit Petra since having watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at the cinema. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Petra is absolutely massive, and although you may think that you can simply show up and wander around at your own pace to make the most of it, that is hardly true.
While I truly enjoyed my time in Petra, I was certainly taken aback by some of the things I experienced, by the sheer amount of visitors, and by the many places to visit inside the archeological park. So, I thought I’d put together a list of things you should know before visiting Petra, and some times that will help you make the most of your time there.
Table of Contents
Everything You Must Know Before You Visit Petra
Petra is huge
If your original plan is to visit Petra for half a day, think again. There is no way it can be possibly visited in a few hours. On my second day there I saw lots of people coming from cruise ships and I wondered how they’d manage to visit the site in only a few hours.
You should plan to spend 3 nights in Wadi Musa (Petra port of access), and to get a 2-days pass to the site.
There is lots to see
While most photos of Petra show the Treasury and little else, a site so massive (60 square km, which is 23 square miles!) has lots of places to visit. Here is a selection of the main sights.
The Siq
This 1.2 km (0.75 miles) walk along the canyon starts right after you pass the Visitor Center and goes all the way to the Treasury. It’s what you will walk along on your way to Petra at Night (more about it in a bit).
The Treasury
The official name of the Treasury is actually Al-Kazneh. I am not sure why it’s called Treasury – in fact the site used to be the tomb of a Nabatean king. The building is very large – 40 meters tall (that’s more than 131 feet) and symmetrical. Access to the interior is prohibited as of December 2018.
There are several viewpoints to admire the Treasury. One is very easy to reach – just a 10 minutes walk from the Treasury itself. Another one is also easy to reach – around 20 minutes.
If however you want to get really stunning panoramic views, it’s a bit more of a hike and you are better off hiring a guide as the trail isn’t well marked. Guides can be hired from the Visitor Center and they are not cheap – but the view is totally worth it! Once you get to the viewpoint, there is a small beduin tent where you can relax in the shade and sip a mint tea before walking down again.
The Theater
A short walk from the Treasury, it used to hold more than 8,000 spectators.
Royal Tombs
Close to the theater, you will see various impressive tombs, carved in the rock much like the Treasury and beautifully elaborate. You can go inside.
Colonnade Street
At the very heart of Petra, Colonnade street is lined by – err – columns. Most of the columns have actually fallen – a consequence of time and flooding.
High Place of Sacrifice
This is one of the least visited places in Petra, as it is actually quite hard to reach. It took me around 45 minutes to get there from the main street, on a rather steep trail and after having taken several wrong turns and having had to ask several local vendors to point me in the right direction.
This is the place where sacrifices where carried out – think libation, animal sacrifices, and possibly also human sacrifices.
The Monastery
The Monastery is the attraction furthest away from the Visitor Centre. The standard route to reach it from the Colonnade includes 820 steps going up.
This is one of the most impressive sights in Petra, and the furthest one from the Visitor Center. It takes a bit of an effort to get there – you have to walk up 820 steps which isn’t exactly easy under the sun! But it is totally worth it!
Once a temple, this was never a Monastery – though it is named that way because of the crosses that are carved inside the main chamber and which date back to the Byzantine era. The facade is 50 meters (164 feet) tall, and beautifully carved in the rock.
A sign will point you to the view point to admire it from a distance.
Tickets
Visiting Petra is not cheap, but the good news is that the longer you stay, the better value you get out of it – not only in terms of what you see, but also financially!
Petra is one of the attractions included in the Jordan Pass, which can be bought online and allows you to save money and time and to wave the tourist entry visa fees if you spend a minimum of 3 consecutive nights in the country.
For travelers on a trip around Jordan who plan to spend at least one night in the country, these are the costs:
- ONE DAY PASS – JD50 ($70 USD)
- TWO-DAY PASS – JD55 ($77 USD)
- THREE-DAY PASS – JD60 ($85 USD)
- CHILDREN UNDER 15 – FREE
If you visit Petra on your first day in Jordan, you will be charged JD90 ($127 USD) but if you go again the following day you get a refund of JD40.
If you are visiting Jordan on a day trip from Israel, the fee is JD90.
Petra opening times
Petra is open every day from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in the summer, and from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm in the winter. If you want to avoid the largest crowds – the groups that come on day trips from Aqaba cruise port, for example, plan to get there right when the site opens.
Petra by Night is stunning
The Petra by Night show – when the Siq and the Treasury are beautifully lit by candles – takes place three nights per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The tour starts at 8:30 pm and finishes at about 10:30 pm. It costs JD 17 ($ 24 USD) to see it, and you can buy tickets at the visitors centre.
How to get to Petra
The best access point to explore Petra is Wadi Musa, a nice town that was pretty much built around the site and that is connected to Amman and to Aqaba via regularly running JETT buses. If your hotel in Wadi Musa is close to the visitors center, you can simply walk there. If not, you can count on the free shuttles that most hotels run at specific times, or hop on a taxi. You won’t have troubles finding one outside the site. A ride should be in the range of JD5.
Petra is at about 240-250 km from Amman, depending on the road you take. The easiest way to get there is via the Desert Highway – that should take around 3 hours. King’s Highway is a nicer drive, but it will take you up to 4.5 hours.
For guided tours departing from Amman, click here.
The drive from Aqaba – Jordan’s Red Sea outpost – is around 2 hours.
You can hike to Petra
For a truly unique experience, consider hiking to Petra! The 10 km (6.2 miles) hike starts in Little Petra and takes you canyons, viewpoints and more – after which you actually enter Petra from the Monastery.
The hike is relatively easy, with a few moderate ascents, and what’s great about it is that you will start visiting Petra from the Monastery, a site where most visitors arrive much later in the day and after having climbed a whopping 820 steps, so you will actually have that all to yourself.
You will actually need a guide for this hike, as the trail isn’t well marked. You can hire one from Petra Visitor Center – I actually suggest hiking one a day before your intended hike, so that you can depart nice and early!
You can visit Petra on day trips
If you are traveling around Israel and wish to go to Petra, you are certainly better off joining a guided tour where transportation, border crossing, tickets and even a guide is taken care of. It will be quite expensive, but definitely more hassle free. There also are day tours departing from Amman, the capital.
For day trips departing from Tel Aviv, click here or here. If you wish to visit from Eilat, click here.
Be prepared for a lot of walking
Aside from the main trail, which measures around 8 km (5 miles) (one way) and goes to the main points of interest, there are many other trails in Petra, of various levels of difficulty. You may end up walking 20 km (12.5 miles) on a day: the 8 km (5 miles) along the main trail; the hike to the Monastery and that to the High Altar of Sacrifice (both of them are all uphill).
In general, you can expect to walk a lot when exploring the site and may be tempted to hop on a carriage from the visitor center to the Treasury. I honestly don’t recommend it. First of all, it costs JD20 (that’s more than $28 USD) for a walk that should take you no more than 15 minutes and is mostly downhill. Secondly, carriage rides, horses, donkeys and camels in Petra are meant for the use of people with mobility issues. More about the use of animals in Petra in a bit!
But don’t ride the animals
Aside from the many cats, the odd dog, and the goats that can be spotted round the site, Petra is packed with working animals. Horse carriages take around tourists; horse, donkey, mule and camel rides are offered. Some will tell you that if you want to avoid walking entirely, you can – just hire a donkey. I say, don’t – unless you obviously have mobility issues!
The Tourism Board of Jordan invites only those that are physically unable to walk to use the animals, and encourages to report episodes of animal abuse.
However, you inevitably end up seeing many people happily riding carriages, donkeys or mules, and a few owners pushing their animals to go faster. You will be regularly offered rides when walking around the site (a common pick up line is “do you want to ride my Ferrari?”). My recommendation is to ignore. A simple no, or – if you want to practice your Arabic – la, shukran (no, thank you), will suffice.
Make sure to also read my posts:
Get a guide
Most of the trails in Petra are well marked. The main trail is really self evident, and so is the one to the Monastery. The hike to the High Altar of Sacrifice is also marked, though you may need to ask directions every now and then.
If you want to go to the view point of the Treasury, on the other hand, you need to hire a guide as the path is pretty much unmarked and you can easily get lost. The roundtrip will take you around 2 hours, and there are no people on the trail or at the view point (aside from a local or two selling tea).
Guides are available from the visitors’ center at fixed rates. If you are traveling alone, head there nice and early and hang around for a group to show up – you may join and share the fees.
The best time to visit Petra
Though you can travel to Jordan year round, it is much better to visit in spring – April and May; or in the fall – October and November, when the days are mostly dry and temperatures pleasant. However, keep in mind that Petra is at an elevation (around 800 meters / 2625 above sea level). A chilled wind may blow during the winter and spring months and it surely isn’t as hot as you would imagine.
It may snow in the winter, when temperatures range between 2 and 14°C (36 and 57°F). Just as well, temperatures in the summer may well be above 35°C (95°F). Considering there’s not much shade on the site, you may want to avoid visiting in the summer.
You must dress modestly and comfortably
Petra is a major tourist site, with lots of Westerners visiting every day. Yet, it is in Jordan, where most people still dress quite conservatively. Make sure to dress modestly when going to Petra. While you won’t need to cover your head, you simply should not wear shorts or a mini-dress.
In any case, Petra is so huge and there’s so much hiking, that dressing comfortably is a key factor. Wear a pair of hiking pants
or a long skirt; a colorful cotton technical t-shirt, and carry a light light sweater and a wind-proof jacket for the evening, when the temperatures start dropping. I also suggest reading a guide to some fabulous, modest dresses for the most conservative countries.
You really should wear hiking boots to visit Petra. There’s a lot of walking to be done, on uneven pavements and gravel roads. If you don’t have hiking boots, some good walking shoes will do. Just don’t wear flip flops!
Apply sunblock and wear a hat
With such strong sun, it is easy to get sunburnt in Petra. Make sure to apply lots of sunblock throughout the day. Wearing a hat may also be a good idea.
Drinking lots of water is vital
Between the sun, the dry air, the altitude and all the walking, dehydration may be an issue while exploring the site. Carry two bottles of water and sip it regularly. The good news is that there are many local vendors spread around the site that sell cold water. For a more eco-friendly solution, opt for a bottle such as this one – it keeps your drink cold for hours!
Eating in Petra
Scattered around the site you will find vendors selling snacks and drinks, including tea and coffee. There also is a restaurant near the museum, called The Basin, that serves a buffet style lunch.
Alternatively, you can pick up some snacks before entering the site from the many stalls outside the entrance, or even ask your hotel to prepare a packed lunch for you.
Toilets in Petra
You will find toilets at the Visitor Center as soon as you enter the site and then around the site – some are chemical toilets, though. Get a map from the Visitor Center so you’ll be able to locate them when needed.
People live inside the site
Before I went to Petra, my guide told me that the people that once lived in the site had been moved to a nearby city specifically built for them. Yet, there are still people living in Petra. If you walk off the main path you will see caves that look like someone is living in them; and on a couple of occasions you may even spot a family.
Solo female travelers are a target for scams (and more)
Though Jordan is generally a really safe country to visit, it won’t help to observe a few precautions when visiting Petra – as apparently women are a target there.
It is a known fact that men inside the site are looking to take advantage of foreign women – whether it is for sexual reasons or for monetary ones. With the excuse of a donkey or camel ride women get chatted up and invited for tea, coffee or even dinner inside the site, which is often followed by Arak, the local liquor. There have been allegations that drinks have been spiked and that assaults and rapes have occurred.
I was invited too – but I knew the only answer to such invitation would have to be a no.
Guided tours of Jordan that include visiting Petra
If you’re looking into planning a trip to Jordan, most group tours will include time in Petra. Here are a few options:
- Active Jordan Multisport Tour – Over 8 days, enjoy an adventure holiday around Amman, Ajloun, the Dead Sea, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Petra, and Wadi Rum. Check here for more details
- Classic Highlights of Jordan Tour – Also in 8 days, see all the best of Jordan – Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Karak, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba. Check here for more details
- Petra & Wadi Rum Independent Adventure – For those that want a little more of a solo adventure, this 4-day tour might be up your alley. Check here for more details
If you just want a short tour of Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, you may want to consider this option or this one.
Where to stay in Wadi Musa
There is no shortage of good accommodation options in Wadi Musa, the best access point to visit Petra. These are some places you may want to check out:
- MOVENPICK RESORT – Known to be the best hotel in town, it’s also the closest to the site.
- TOWN SEASON HOTEL – An excellent mid range option, it offers comfortable spacious rooms and it is close to the site.
- PETRA HERITAGE HOUSE – It has a choice of dorms and private rooms at unbeatable prices.
Further Readings
Make sure to read these other posts
- 13 Cool Things To Do In Amman
- A 3 Day Itinerary For The Jordan Trail
- The Best Travel Tips For Jordan
- 29 Things To Do In Jerusalem You Can’t Miss
Legal Disclaimer: This article is written in partnership with The Jordan Tourism Board, of whom I was a guest. All the views and opinions expressed are my own and based on my personal experience. The views expressed are honest and factual without any bias.
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Great article! Sounds like you did Petra really well. Also, very nice to know about the women scam warnings! Never can be too careful
Thank you Rebecca! If you ever go, make sure to watch out 🙂 But I am sure you will love it, it is amazing!
Thank you very much for the useful information, Claudia. Petra is on my waiting list of places which for sure once I would like to visit. Your blog is inspiring and helpful. Keep going.
Hi Renata, thank you for your kind comment. I am glad you are finding my post useful in planning your visit to Petra!
Nice writeup…as a male traveler, I’d never experienced some of the potentially dangerous types of harassment that I’ve read about from female bloggers. I appreciate you showing me things from another perspective! I was lucky enough to visit Petra in January once…the lack of tourists during that time makes it even more of a magical experience. No snow that year, but there were snowdrifts in the shade in parts of Wadi Rum…definitely a unique sight!
I truly want to go back to see it under the snow!! It must be incredible. Thank you for your lovely comment Henry!
Hi Claudia, your visit to Petra sounds wonderful, and I like your comprehensive description of useful information. I’ve been to Petra on my own and with my daughter. I definitely emphasise the need to be vigilant as a solo female and suggest dressing even more conservatively with for example a loose fitting (so cool) long-sleeved tunic covering arms and down to mid-thighs. Finish with a scarf covering hair with the bonus of protecting hair from dust. Bedouin men and women do not show any part of their bodies except hands, feet, and face. Sadly, how we dress, even if relatively modestly, seems to signal a complete breakdown in some parts of Jordan of the normal safe boundaries between men and women. If solo or even with a friend, better to be cool in interactions with men and teenage boys than appearing friendly since friendliness may also be perceived very differently allowing for boundary crossing.
Thank you for your comment Sue. It’s good to also hear the perspective of someone else. Isn’t it interesting how being friendly and polite is sometimes mistaken for being flirty?
Friendly between unrelated men and women doesn’t really exist in Bedoiun culture in many parts of Jordan hence the difference in perspective!
Is that so? You may be right. It’s good to have at least some basic ideas about the culture of places we are visiting. I had zero knowledge about Bedouin culture before going to Jordan.
Very nice to see a traveler that pays attention to the local problems, like the animal abuse. I am very much with you on this one. There were also kids in Petra selling stuff for tourists and some posters right on the path warning not to buy from kids as they need to go to school. In general I would just add that even though the offers to ride are annoying, there is no need to be upset about it and to show that you are upset. The Bedouins that live in Petra were re-located by the King when the area was turned into a tourist attraction. As you can imagine many of traditional ways of life turned into entertaining of tourists. It is a sad thing, but as tourists we need to realize the consequences of our own actions and our presence in general. That is why I would suggest to anyone there to be polite and to try see oneself as part of the whole problem. This is a very long discussion and I guess we all could add personal insights, just in general this is what I believe myself, maybe it will change in the future:)
thank you for sharing and happy travels!
Hi Aiste, thank you for your comment. Yes, politeness is always the way to go, I agree 100%
Glad to see working animals and the link to tourism is starting to be talked about! All we can do is spread knowledge and disconnect travel experiences with animal abuse. Thanks for the chat!
You can always count on me for that!
The information on your blog is most helpful. I did just have time a very short visit to Petra but wish to be back. We met some local people and think I recognize the guy at the viewpoint to the Treasury. Would you happen to recall his name?
I don’t, actually – he was not my guide, but just a local I met there. Come to think of it, I don’t even remember the name of my guide!
I was in Petra and went on a campfire date with fellow Belgian traveler with the Beduins. It was nice. Only the end was strange one of the guys wanted more of my fellow Belgian traveler then she wanted once we were in front of our hotel.
Of course he did want more. I’d dare say that very few of those invited are genuinely friendly. You truly took a high risk there!
Great post! I had a blast in Petra – even dragged my poor old Mum around the place! Well, more accurately, she dragged me… We bought the 2 day pass, because it’s crazy not to, at that price differential. Then we spent something like 14 hours inside Petra on day one, hiking every trail we could find, and could hardly get out of bed the following day! So we passed our tickets on to another couple who were very grateful that we’d saved them so much money. I guess if we’d planned this in advance, we probably could have sold the spare day on our tickets for a bit of cash – I’d have felt no qualms, as the entrance fee really is ridiculous, considering the sheer volume of tourists there. They certainly don’t plough the money back into improving the infrastructure! But yeah, good shoes, water – and CHOCOLATE – are all vital, I found. And possibly a ‘La, Shuckram,’ sign taped to your head to deter the endless armies of trinket sellers!
Oh trust me, it is a fair price. If you think that a site like Sigiriya in Sri Lanka costs over $30 (and it takes around 2 hours to visit, and that’s if you drag along and reaaaaally walk it slow, and reaaaaally take a lot of pictures and reaaaaaally visit every corner), paying $70 to visit Petra and spend 14 hours there makes way more sense. It is all a matter of perspectives 😉
Petra is one of my favorite places in the middle east. Love your writing and always a pleasure to read one of your blog posts!
Thank you! And yes, it is an incredible place 🙂
Thank you for the post. Just getting ready for the trip to Jordan. We will have 4 days for Wadi Mujib, Dana Biosphere Reserve, Petra and Wadi Musa and wondering how to share these days across these 3 places, i.e. where to stay 2 days, instead of 1, or maybe skip something and stay longer in another place. Initially we planned 1 day for Wadi Mujib, now wondering if 2 days makes sense in Dana (Wadi Ghwayr , and if stay over night, then Wadi Dana Trail), if so then 1 day is left for Petra and 1 day for Musa, which we absolutely dont want to miss. Can you please advice if it makes sense to stay 2 days in Dana (big plus – less tourism we hope?), and then quick standard tours in Petra and Musa?
Hi Piotr, thanks for your comment. Wadi Musa is the city that gives you access to Petra and honestly you don’t miss anything. You basically just use it as access to Petra and to sleep / eat. Having said so, hoping to shed some light here:
2 nights in Dana is enough. You can hike from Dana to Feynan and then around Feynan. Then from Feynan continue your journey to Wadi Musa where you can spend 2 nights to visit Petra. Make sure to do the night tour. You will need at least 10 hours to see the site, possibly more if you have more time.
Hello, I was wondering if there are restrooms there? Or it’s just desert?
Yes, there are! You will find them at the visitor center and scattered around the site.