Best Time to Visit
March to May and September to November (18-28°C, comfortable for walking)
Language
Arabic; English widely spoken in tourist areas
Currency
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Time Zone
AST (UTC+3)
Airport
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, 235 km from Petra; King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) in Aqaba, 130 km from Petra
Population
35,000 (Wadi Musa town adjacent to Petra)
Climate
Semi-arid, hot dry summers (32-38°C), mild winters (5-15°C), occasional rain
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1) — Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East
Petra's most iconic monument — a 40m-tall Hellenistic facade carved directly into the rose sandstone cliff face around the 1st century BC. Reached after a 1.2 km walk through the Siq canyon. Arrive before 8AM to see it without crowds. The facade glows golden in the early morning light. No entry inside — it's a tomb, not a building.
A 1.2 km narrow natural gorge with walls rising 80m on either side — the dramatic entrance to Petra. Free (included in Petra ticket). Walk slowly and look for the ancient water channels carved into the cliff walls and remnants of the original Roman-era paving stones. The first glimpse of the Treasury through the Siq's end is unforgettable.
Larger than the Treasury at 50m wide and 45m tall, reached via a 850-step climb (45-60 minutes from the basin). Less crowded and equally impressive. The cafe at the top has refreshments. Go in the afternoon when sunlight hits the facade directly. The total return hike is approximately 8 km from the main entrance including the Siq.
A magical experience walking through the candlelit Siq to the Treasury illuminated by 1,500 candles. Runs Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:30PM. Tickets: JOD 17 (~$24) in addition to your day pass. Duration: 2 hours. Book at the Petra Visitor Centre. Arrive 30 minutes early for the best seating position facing the Treasury.
A row of massive carved facades on the eastern cliff face — the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb. Free to explore (included in Petra ticket). The Urn Tomb interior was converted to a Byzantine church in 447 AD and has remarkable carved arches. Less crowded than the Treasury. Allow 1-1.5 hours for all four.
A hidden gem hilltop altar with panoramic 360-degree views over Petra's basin. Steep 30-minute climb from the Street of Facades. Free. The sacrificial altar and obelisks at the top date to the 1st century BC. Descend via the back route past the Lion Fountain and Garden Tomb for a different perspective. Carry water.
Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman and transfer to Wadi Musa, the town adjacent to Petra. The 235 km drive south takes about 3 hours. Alternatively, fly into King Hussein Airport in Aqaba (130 km, 2 hours to Petra).
Airport transfer to Wadi Musa(3 hours)
JETT bus from Amman's 7th Circle at 6:30AM (JOD 11 one-way, book at jett.com.jo). Private taxi JOD 60-80. Rental car from JOD 25/day. The Desert Highway is faster; the King's Highway is scenic but adds 2 hours
Hotel check-in in Wadi Musa(1 hour)
Stay near the Petra Visitor Centre for easy access. Movenpick Resort Petra is directly at the entrance. Budget options from JOD 20/night, mid-range from JOD 50/night. The Petra Guest House has a cave bar
Evening orientation walk in Wadi Musa(1 hour)
The town has restaurants, ATMs, and shops along the main road descending to the Petra entrance. Stock up on water (minimum 3 litres per person for tomorrow) and snacks
Dinner at Al-Wadi Restaurant(1 hour)
Local restaurant on the main road. Mansaf (Jordan's national dish — lamb in yoghurt sauce over rice) is the must-try. JOD 8-15 per person. Simple but authentic
Your first full day in Petra. Start at 6AM gate opening to beat the heat and crowds. Today focuses on the main basin — the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, and Royal Tombs. You'll walk approximately 12-15 km total.
Enter Petra at 6AM through the Siq(45 minutes)
Buy your ticket at the Visitor Centre (Jordan Pass recommended — JOD 70-80 includes visa fee waiver). The 1.2 km Siq canyon with 80m walls is dramatic. Walk slowly — notice the ancient water channels and Roman-era paving. The first glimpse of the Treasury through the Siq's end is unforgettable
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)(45 minutes)
Arrive before 8AM to see the 40m facade without crowds. The morning light makes the rose sandstone glow golden. No entry inside — it's a tomb. The Treasury viewpoint trail (unofficial, opposite cliff) adds a different perspective. Photos are best before 9AM
Street of Facades(30 minutes)
Row of carved Nabataean tombs along the main path past the Treasury. Free (included in ticket). Each facade shows a different style of funerary architecture
Royal Tombs(1.5 hours)
Climb the short trail to the eastern cliff face — Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, Palace Tomb. The Urn Tomb interior was converted to a Byzantine church in 447 AD. Less crowded than the Treasury. Remarkable carved arches
Lunch at Basin Restaurant(1 hour)
The only proper restaurant inside Petra, near the museum. Buffet lunch JOD 15-18. Overpriced but convenient. Alternatively, bring packed lunch and eat at one of the shaded rest areas
Colonnaded Street & Great Temple(1 hour)
The Roman-era main street of the ancient city. The Great Temple (partially excavated) gives a sense of Petra's scale beyond the famous facades. Free
Walk back through the Siq at sunset(45 minutes)
The return walk through the Siq in late afternoon light is magical — the walls glow pink and orange. Much quieter than the morning. Most tour groups leave by 3PM
Day two tackles Petra's two major climbs — the Monastery (850 steps) and the High Place of Sacrifice. Start early again. The two-day ticket is only JOD 5 more than single-day and you'll see 3x more.
Hike to the Monastery (Ad-Deir)(3 hours)
850-step climb from the basin (45-60 minutes up). Larger than the Treasury at 50m wide x 45m tall. Go in the morning for the best light on the facade. The cafe at the top sells tea and snacks. Continue past the Monastery for viewpoints over the Araba Valley. Total 8 km return from main entrance
Tea at the Monastery viewpoint(30 minutes)
Bedouin tea tent past the Monastery with views into the desert below. JOD 2-3 for a glass of sweet sage tea. One of the most serene spots in Petra
Descend and lunch break(1 hour)
Return to the basin area. Eat at Basin Restaurant or your packed lunch. Rest in the shade — the midday sun is intense
High Place of Sacrifice(2 hours)
Steep 30-minute climb from the Street of Facades. 360-degree panoramic views over Petra's basin. The sacrificial altar and obelisks at the top date to the 1st century BC. Carry water. Descend via the back route past the Lion Fountain and Garden Tomb for a different perspective
Dinner at Petra Kitchen(2 hours)
Cooking class + dinner experience. JOD 35. Prepare traditional Jordanian dishes (hummus from scratch, fattoush, main course, dessert) then eat everything you made. Book ahead — popular and intimate (max 60 guests)
Day trip to Wadi Rum, the spectacular desert valley 110 km south of Petra. Lawrence of Arabia's 'vast, echoing, and god-like' landscape. Self-drive or arrange transport (JOD 40-60 return).
Drive to Wadi Rum(1.5 hours)
Rental car or arranged taxi from Wadi Musa. The desert highway is straightforward
4x4 jeep tour of Wadi Rum(4 hours)
Join a Bedouin-guided jeep tour through the desert. JOD 40-60 per person. Visit Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon (petroglyphs), red sand dunes, and the natural rock bridges. The scale of the sandstone formations is overwhelming
Bedouin lunch in the desert(1 hour)
Most tours include a Bedouin-prepared lunch — zarb (underground BBQ), rice, salads, and tea. Eaten sitting on carpets in the shade of a rock formation
Sunset at a viewpoint(1 hour)
Your guide will take you to a dune or rock formation for sunset. The desert turns from orange to red to purple. Wadi Rum sunsets are consistently among the best on earth
Return to Wadi Musa(1.5 hours)
Drive back in the evening. Alternatively, spend the night in a Wadi Rum desert camp (from JOD 40 per person including dinner and breakfast) — sleeping under the stars here is exceptional
Day trip to Dana Nature Reserve, 50 km north of Petra — Jordan's largest nature reserve with dramatic canyon landscapes and wildlife. A quieter, more contemplative day after the intensity of Petra and Wadi Rum.
Drive to Dana Village(1 hour)
Follow the King's Highway north from Wadi Musa. Dana Village sits on the edge of a canyon with stone houses from the 15th century
White Dome Trail hike(3 hours)
8 km trail through sandstone formations and juniper woodland. Free with Dana reserve entry (JOD 10). Moderate difficulty. Views into the Wadi Araba rift valley. Start from Dana Guest House
Lunch at Dana Guest House(1 hour)
Simple but excellent local food with canyon views. JOD 7-12 for a full meal. The terrace overlooks the entire Wadi Dana valley
Dana Village walk(1 hour)
Explore the restored stone village. The RSCN (Royal Society for Conservation of Nature) runs it as an ecotourism project. Local crafts, herbal soaps, and silver jewelry available at the cooperative shop
A restful day to recover from hiking. Sleep in, explore Wadi Musa at your own pace, and end with the magical Petra by Night candlelit walk.
Sleep in and late breakfast(2.5 hours)
Your legs will thank you. Many hotels have rooftop terraces with views over the Petra hills
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)(1.5 hours)
A miniature Petra 9 km north of Wadi Musa. Free entry. A short siq leads to carved facades, triclinium banquet halls, and a painted Nabataean ceiling (one of the only surviving ones). Far fewer people. 20-minute drive
Late lunch at Al Saraya Restaurant(1 hour)
In central Wadi Musa. Jordanian grills, hummus, and fresh tabouleh. JOD 8-15. The mixed grill platter feeds two
Petra by Night(2 hours)
Walk through the candlelit Siq to the Treasury illuminated by 1,500 candles. Runs Mon, Wed, Thu at 8:30PM. JOD 17 in addition to your day pass. Arrive 30 minutes early for the best seating position facing the Treasury. The Bedouin music under the stars is haunting
Last morning in Jordan. Head north to Amman airport or south to Aqaba, with optional stops along the way.
Optional stop: Shobak Castle(45 minutes)
Crusader castle ruins 25 km north of Wadi Musa on the King's Highway. Free entry. Less restored than Kerak Castle but more atmospheric. Quick stop if driving to Amman
Drive to Queen Alia Airport (Amman)(3 hours)
Desert Highway is fastest (235 km). JETT bus departs Petra at 5PM (JOD 11). Or drive the King's Highway for stops at Kerak Castle, Dana viewpoint, and Madaba mosaics — adds 2-3 hours but is worth it if you have the time. Allow 3 hours before international flights
The Jordan Pass (jordanpass.jo) includes Petra entry and visa fee waiver for stays of 3+ nights. Petra Wanderer (1-day Petra): JOD 70 (~$99). Petra Explorer (2-day): JOD 75. Petra Expert (3-day): JOD 80. Without the pass, Petra alone costs JOD 50/day + JOD 40 visa on arrival. The 2-day pass is the best value — Petra genuinely needs 2 full days.
Petra is 235 km south of Amman (3 hours by car). JETT bus runs daily from Amman's 7th Circle station at 6:30AM (JOD 11 one-way, book at jett.com.jo). Return bus departs Petra at 5PM. Rental cars from JOD 25/day. The Desert Highway is faster; the King's Highway is scenic with stops at Madaba, Mt. Nebo, and Kerak Castle.
Single-day Petra ticket for non-Jordanians: JOD 50 (~$70) — one of the most expensive archaeological sites in the world. Two-day: JOD 55, three-day: JOD 60. The Jordan Pass makes it much better value. Accommodation in Wadi Musa: budget hotels from JOD 20/night, mid-range from JOD 50/night. Meals: JOD 5-15 at local restaurants.
The most common tourist mistake is doing Petra in one day. Day 1: the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, and the main basin. Day 2: the Monastery climb (morning), High Place of Sacrifice, and revisiting the Treasury in different light. The two-day ticket is only JOD 5 more than single-day. You'll see 3x more of the site.
Petra covers 264 sq km — a full day involves 15-20 km of walking on uneven rocky terrain. Wear broken-in hiking shoes (not sandals). Carry minimum 3 liters of water per person. Start at 6AM gate opening to beat the heat and crowds. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are essential. There are basic refreshment stalls inside but prices are inflated.
Handlers at Petra aggressively offer donkey, horse, and camel rides. Animal welfare organizations report widespread mistreatment. The rides are not cheaper than walking (horse to Treasury: JOD 5-10 'tip' expected, donkey to Monastery: JOD 15-25). If you do ride, agree on the total price including tip before mounting. The walk is far more rewarding.
Travel GuidesYou've seen the Treasury photo a hundred times. But walking through the Siq at dawn, climbing 850 steps to the Monastery, and watching candlelight on ancient stone is something else entirely.
Travel GuidesIs the Jordan Pass worth it? Can you do Petra in one day? Should you ride the horses? A repeat visitor answers the questions nobody else will.
StoriesI came for the Treasury. I stayed for the Monastery climb, the Siq at dawn, and a conversation with a Bedouin tea seller who'd lived among the tombs his whole life.
