Petra, Jordan travel guide

The rose-red city carved from cliffs. A 2,000-year-old wonder reached through a mile-long canyon.

Best time to visit: March-May & September-November
Average daily budget: $70 to $160 USD
Ideal trip length: 2 to 3 days

Petra is the closest a real place comes to feeling mythic: you walk a mile through the Siq, a narrow canyon between 100-metre walls, until the Treasury's facade suddenly appears, glowing rose in the morning light. Beyond it lies a whole carved city - tombs, a monastery, a Roman theatre - spread across rugged hills you can climb for hours. The nearby town of Wadi Musa is your base. Joy Plus times your entry for the cool, crowd-free morning and routes the long uphill climbs before the heat.

Petra itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Walk the Siq to the Treasury at opening. Be at the gate at 6am to have the canyon and Al-Khazneh nearly to yourself in soft light.

Afternoon: Explore The Siq & Treasury, The dramatic canyon entrance opening onto Petra's iconic carved facade.

Evening: Petra by Night (Mon/Wed/Thu). The Siq and Treasury lit by 1,500 candles, with Bedouin music.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Climb to the Monastery (Ad Deir). 800 steps up, but the payoff facade and cliff-edge views are Petra's finest.

Afternoon: Explore The Street of Facades & Theatre, Royal tombs and a Roman-era amphitheatre carved into the rock.

Evening: Hike to the High Place of Sacrifice. A steep trail to panoramic views over the entire ancient city.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Treasury viewpoint hike. A guided back-trail climb to look down on Al-Khazneh from above - unforgettable.

Afternoon: Explore The Monastery (Ad Deir), A vast facade reached by 800 rock-cut steps, even grander than the Treasury.

Evening: Visit Little Petra. A serene, free Nabataean canyon with painted ceilings, far from the crowds.

Best neighbourhoods

The Siq & Treasury: The dramatic canyon entrance opening onto Petra's iconic carved facade.
The Street of Facades & Theatre: Royal tombs and a Roman-era amphitheatre carved into the rock.
The Monastery (Ad Deir): A vast facade reached by 800 rock-cut steps, even grander than the Treasury.
Wadi Musa: The gateway town with hotels, restaurants and the park entrance.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid): A smaller, quieter Nabataean site a short drive north.

Must-do experiences

Walk the Siq to the Treasury at opening: Be at the gate at 6am to have the canyon and Al-Khazneh nearly to yourself in soft light.
Climb to the Monastery (Ad Deir): 800 steps up, but the payoff facade and cliff-edge views are Petra's finest.
Hike to the High Place of Sacrifice: A steep trail to panoramic views over the entire ancient city.
Petra by Night (Mon/Wed/Thu): The Siq and Treasury lit by 1,500 candles, with Bedouin music.
Treasury viewpoint hike: A guided back-trail climb to look down on Al-Khazneh from above - unforgettable.
Visit Little Petra: A serene, free Nabataean canyon with painted ceilings, far from the crowds.

Hidden gems

The Al-Khubtha trail to the Treasury overlook, quieter than the main viewpoint route.
Sabra, a remote Nabataean suburb few visitors ever reach.
Sunset from the High Place of Sacrifice when the day-trippers have left.
Tea with Bedouin families who still have deep ties to the site.

Daily budget

$70 to $160 USD per day.

What to eat

Jordanian mansaf (lamb with fermented yoghurt over rice)
Maqluba (upside-down rice and vegetable dish)
Fresh falafel and hummus in Wadi Musa
Bedouin-style zarb (underground-roasted meat) at a desert camp

Getting around

Petra itself is explored entirely on foot - expect to walk 8-15km a day over uneven, hilly terrain, so bring sturdy shoes and water. Horses, donkeys, camels and golf carts are offered inside but involve animal-welfare concerns and pushy pricing. Wadi Musa is small and walkable, though steep. To reach Petra, most travellers drive or take the JETT bus from Amman (about 3.5 hours) or come via Wadi Rum and Aqaba.

Safety

Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East, and Petra is very secure for solo travellers, including women. The main risks are physical: steep climbs, loose rock, heat and dehydration, so carry plenty of water and start early. Vendors and animal-ride touts can be persistent but are not dangerous; a polite firm 'no' works. Flash floods can occur in the Siq during winter rains, so heed any closures.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Petra?

Two days is ideal to see Petra properly without exhausting yourself. One full day covers the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs and the Monastery climb if you're fit and start early. A second day lets you tackle the High Place of Sacrifice, quieter back trails, the Treasury viewpoints and Little Petra at a relaxed pace. The 2-day ticket is excellent value. Time-pressed visitors can do the highlights in one long day, but it's a lot of uphill walking.

Is Petra good for solo travellers?

Yes. Jordan is welcoming and safe, and Petra is easy to explore alone on foot. Solo travellers, including women, generally feel comfortable, though some find vendor and ride touts persistent, a polite firm refusal handles it. Joining a Petra by Night session or a guided viewpoint hike is a good way to meet others. Base yourself in Wadi Musa, where hostels and hotels make it simple to arrange transport and connect with fellow travellers heading to Wadi Rum.

When is the best time to visit Petra?

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the most comfortable weather, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for the long uphill hikes. Summer (June-August) is very hot, often over 35°C, making the climbs punishing, so start at 6am. Winter (December-February) is cold, can be wet, and the Siq occasionally floods, but crowds are thin. For the best balance of weather and manageable crowds, aim for April-May or October.

How do you get to Petra from Amman?

Petra is about 230km south of Amman, roughly a 3 to 3.5 hour drive. The easiest public option is the JETT tourist bus, which runs daily from Amman to Wadi Musa (Petra's gateway town) and back. Many travellers hire a driver or rent a car, which also allows stops along the scenic Desert Highway or King's Highway. Group day tours run from Amman, but they make for an exhausting day, so an overnight in Wadi Musa is far better.

Is Petra worth the hype?

Absolutely. Petra lives up to its reputation as one of the world's great wonders. The walk through the Siq to the Treasury is genuinely breathtaking, and the scale of the carved city beyond, with its tombs, Monastery and clifftop viewpoints, surprises most visitors. It rewards effort: those who hike beyond the Treasury to the Monastery and high places experience a vast, atmospheric ancient landscape. Arrive early, give it two days, and it ranks among the most memorable places you'll ever visit.

How much does it cost to visit Petra?

A one-day Petra ticket costs around 50 JOD (about $70) for visitors staying overnight in Jordan, with two-day (55 JOD) and three-day (60 JOD) options that are far better value. Day-trippers entering from Israel or crossing the border without an overnight stay pay a much higher rate (90 JOD). The Jordan Pass, bought before arrival, bundles Petra entry with the tourist visa fee and other sites, saving most visitors money. Petra by Night is a separate ticket (around 17 JOD).

How much walking is involved in Petra?

A lot. Just reaching the Treasury is about a 2km walk from the gate through the Siq, and seeing the main sites involves 8km or more over a day, much of it uphill on uneven rock. The Monastery alone is roughly 800 steps each way, and the High Place of Sacrifice is a steep climb too. Wear sturdy shoes, carry plenty of water, and pace yourself. Those with mobility limits can reach the Treasury by horse cart, but the wider site demands real walking.

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