Everything You Need to Know for Planning a Trip to Petra
You’ve seen it on Indiana Jones. Most likely you’ve heard of its position as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra is a set of ancient mountain ruins discovered in the middle of a desert canyon created over 2,000 years ago. Also known as the “Rose-red City”, this notorious landmark is Jordan’s most popular attraction and has some of the world’s most impressive man-made structures. This guide will share our best tips and everything we learned from out recent journey to the gem of the Middle East.
History on Petra
Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom around the 4th century BCE, strategically located along ancient trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. The Nabataeans, master builders and traders, carved the city’s intricate tombs, temples, and monuments directly into the sandstone cliffs. At its height, Petra flourished as a hub for commerce, controlling trade in incense, spices, and textiles. After being annexed by the Roman Empire in 106 CE, Petra gradually declined, lost to Western knowledge until its rediscovery by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
When is the Best Time to Visit Petra?
Being in the center of a dry desert climate means temperatures can get extremely hot. We recommend avoiding a summer excursion, unless you like being melted alive since temperatures during this period often rise over 100°F (37°C)! We visited in May and were already sweating from the heat, so I couldn’t imagine what peak summer would feel like. Aim to visit during the shoulder seasons of March to May or September to November and you should be fine. Just keep in mind the grounds are huge so there’s tons of walking and most parts have very little shade. Petra’s magic is best experienced early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light paints the red cliffs in hues of gold and pink. Gates are open from 6am to 6pm daily.
Entry Tickets
Tickets to the ancient archaeological site can be purchased at the front entrance ticket booth or as part of your Jordan Pass. If purchasing tickets upon arrival, be sure to have your passport with you as well. Options for tickets are one, two, or three day varieties costing 50 JD (about $70 USD), 55 JD (about $77 USD), and 60 JD (about $84 USD) respectively. I think one full day focusing on the highlights is enough, but for travelers who want to explore every hidden corner at a slower pace, it’s easy to spend multiple days here. I also highly recommend purchasing the Jordan Pass online which covers the cost of your visa and the entrance to Petra along with over 40 other historical landmarks. It’s 70 JD (around $98 USD) but has great value if you’re planning on visiting other sites like Jerash or Wadi Rum and staying in Jordan for over 3 nights.
Getting to Petra
There’s a plethora of transportation options to Petra depending on your budget and style of travel. Budget travelers can hop on a public minibus departing from Amman Southern Station or the private Jett Bus service from Abdalli station for 10 JD (about $14 USD). Reserve tickets online here. Renting a car is another option for those looking to take their time and visit Petra at a more relaxed pace. The roads are well maintained and it’s essentially a straight shot on the Desert highway only 3hrs away from the capital of Amman. The most hassle-free option is by booking a tour with roundtrip transportation. We signed up for a 2-day Petra & Jordan highlights tour which is the best way to see the most iconic sight in the country with a limited amount of time. The tour guide was very informative and we had just enough time to experience the best of Jordan’s most popular attractions!
Essential Tips for Visiting Petra
Expect to spend at least 1 full day, if not more to fully immerse yourself in the marvels of this world wonder. Here are the absolute essential items you’ll need to bring and other tips for making your time at Petra an unforgettable experience:
- Bring multiple water bottles and stay hydrated
- Wear comfortable shoes since there’s a lot of uneven, rocky terrain
- Bring your passport to gain access through the ticket office
- Jordan Pass (if purchased)
- Do NOT ride any animals (horses, camels, etc.). Many tourists have gotten hurt climbing up the narrow passages
- Do NOT buy anything from the locals. Many of the items are counterfeit and overpriced aimed at ripping off tourists
- Do NOT accept any free gifts or tours from anyone inside. Many locals in the area are scammers trying to take advantage of tourists
- Do NOT pay for a ride to any part of the area since they will over charge you
- Bring some cash in Jordanian Dinars just in case. There are a few shops & restaurants about halfway into the archaeological site
- Use the bathroom before leaving the visitors center since it is long walk between any facilities inside Petra
- Arrive early to make the most of this marvelous wonder
Exploring Petra: The Highlights
The tour began with pickup from our hotel in Amman city around 6:30am, with one 30min stop to pickup snacks and water halfway. We arrived at the site around 10am eager to start our adventure through the infamous ruins.
The Art of Arrival – Navigating the Siq
Once inside, you’ll walk past the main entrance for about 15mins through captivating desert landscapes before arriving at the Siq. This natural sandstone gorge, serves as the dramatic path to Petra, extending about 1.2km (a little more than half a mile) before reaching the main attraction: The Treasury. The entire walk between the rift of the soaring canyon walls takes about 20mins, so be sure to soak in the majestic atmosphere (and shade).
The Masterpiece Revealed – The Treasury
The image everyone envisions when thinking of Petra is known as the Treasury. Originally named Al-Khazneh, this magnificent monument stands breathtakingly carved into the side of a massive stone cliff, frozen in time. Embrace the moment of reverence as you admire the incredible construction with influences of Greek and Roman architectural styles. The original purpose remains a mystery lost to the transcripts of time however, legends state it was the hiding place for an Egyptian pharaoh’s secret treasure. This point is almost half way, but there’s so much more to discover beyond here.
Other Highlights
Surprisingly, Petra is much more than just the magnificent sight of the Treasury. Continue walking to dive deeper into the historic immensity the Nabataean city! Other highlights include cave dwellings, Roman amphitheaters, cliffside tombs, ancient ruins of a temple, and stone cathedrals you can even go inside. If time permits and you’re seeking a challenge, consider hiking up to the Monastery. This massive structure is even larger than the treasury but the winding uphill path to reach it is quite strenuous, with over 900 steps to the top. The reward for your effort is amazing panoramic views of the dessert and fewer crowds so you can enjoy the monolith in solace. Watch out for donkey doo doo.
Departing the Nabataean Complex
At the base of the trail to the Monastery, you’ll find local vendors and restaurants where you can take a short break. It’s about an hour and a half walk after the Treasury. Be sure to allot extra time for the return trip, since its on a bit of an incline. Our entire time in the Petra complex was around 6hrs. We met our tour guide at the entrance and enjoyed a delicious shawarma after a long journey. The next portion of the trip included a tour though the majestic Wadi Rum desert and a stay at the authentic Bedouin camp.
Petra by Night
For a radiant experience that shines thru the darkness, consider the evening spectacle of Petra by night. The Treasury glows from the light of over 1,500 candles scattered about the ruins. The event includes a low budget performance and a small cup of tea. A ticket which costs 17 JD (about $24 USD) can be only be purchased at the visitor’s center but a daytime ticket must already be purchased to access it. Petra by Night is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and begins at 8:30pm, lasting for 2 hrs. So is it worth it? I heard multiple opinions claiming it was underwhelming, but it might be a cool experience if you have an extended amount of time in the region and don’t mind paying for a hotel nearby. Maybe we’ll add it to our itinerary on our next trip.
The ancient ruins of Petra is an incredible journey to the past, well deserving of its title as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Like many other of its group, the archaeological site is located in a hard to access remote area, so be prepared to make it a multi-day event. Despite the long drive away from Jordan’s main city and tons of walking in the sun, the site seems well maintained and is easy to explore. In terms of most marvelous first impressions, this one may be tied for 1st with Machu Picchu. Stay tuned on our journey to travel to all seven of the world wonders! Petra alone is reason enough to visit Jordan, but there is also an array of majestic experiences to have while visiting the country. For more tips on planning the perfect trip to Jordan, check out this guide! Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Check out our entire travel vlog to Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, here!
How to Save Money & Travel More! Eclectic Travel Guide
