Petra with children is entirely possible — and genuinely rewarding — but the gap between the brochure version and the reality of an afternoon with a five-year-old on rough cobblestones is significant. This guide gives you the practical truth: what works, what doesn’t, what age the Monastery becomes feasible, and how to make the Treasury reveal at the end of the Siq the best moment of your family trip.
The geography of Petra: what you’re actually dealing with
Petra Archaeological Park is vast — over 250 square kilometres — but most families visit a central corridor that is roughly 4–5 kilometres each way on foot from the Visitor Center to the Treasury, and a further 1.5 kilometres to the Royal Tombs and Colonnaded Street. Understanding the terrain before you arrive saves you from making promises to your children that the site itself will break.
The Siq: The approach canyon is 1.2 kilometres of smooth-to-moderate stone path, often shaded by towering 80-metre cliffs. It is the best part for children — dramatic, mysterious, full of carved niches and ancient Nabataean water channels. Width varies: wide enough for a stroller in most sections, but there are narrow points and the ground is uneven in places. Horses pull carriages from the entrance to the Siq mouth (included in entry, though tips are expected); beyond that, you walk.
From Siq exit to Treasury: Flat and open. The Treasury façade appears suddenly as you round a corner — one of the great travel moments, and children invariably react visibly.
Treasury to Royal Tombs: Roughly 1 kilometre, mostly flat, some gentle rises. This is the area called the Outer Siq. Children aged 5 and above manage comfortably.
Colonnaded Street and Great Temple area: Flat, dusty, open — manageable for all ages.
High Place of Sacrifice trail: Approximately 2 kilometres uphill on carved steps, rising about 200 metres. Not suitable below age 8–9; better at 10+. Spectacular views from the top.
The Monastery (Ad Deir): 800 steps of carved stone each way, gaining around 300 metres of elevation. This is genuinely arduous even for fit adults. Children under 10 should not attempt it. Children aged 10–14 can do it but will be exhausted. Teenagers manage fine.
Strollers: the honest verdict
Strollers are rentable at the Visitor Center entrance for a small fee (around 2 JOD per day). Whether they are worth it depends entirely on your child and your philosophy.
The Siq floor is compacted stone with sections of ancient paving. A standard stroller can be pushed through it but requires effort — the path is not smooth, and there are stretches where you are navigating cobbles and gravel. A lightweight travel stroller handles it better than a full-size pram.
Beyond the Treasury, the terrain becomes more varied. On the main Colonnaded Street it is fine. If you venture off-path, it becomes impractical quickly.
The honest recommendation: For children aged 1–3, bring a quality baby carrier (Ergobaby or similar) rather than relying on a stroller. You will be more mobile, your child will be cooler in the shade of the carrier, and you will not exhaust yourself pushing against the grain. For children aged 3–5 who can walk in short bursts, a lightweight stroller gives you the option of resting the child while covering ground.
Donkey rides: what parents need to know
Donkeys — and horses — are a Petra institution. They carry visitors along the Siq and on shorter routes within the site. For children aged five and above, a donkey ride to the Treasury is a legitimate highlight, not just a tourist gimmick.
Pricing: Negotiate before mounting. The typical range is 10–15 JOD for a return trip from the entrance to the Treasury gate. Some operators will quote high (20+ JOD); be politely firm. If they will not budge below 15 for a straightforward return, find another. There are many donkeys.
What to specify: Confirm the route (entrance to Treasury and back), confirm the price includes return, and confirm your child will be accompanied by a handler on foot the entire way. Children should never be left alone on a donkey.
Age and size: Most handlers are comfortable carrying children aged 5 and above. Below 5, the saddle size and stability become concerns — assess based on your child’s size and confidence, but do not feel pressured.
PETA concerns: There are legitimate welfare questions about Petra’s working animals. The situation has improved with monitoring by Jordan’s tourism authorities, but if you have strong feelings about animal welfare, skip the donkey and walk. The Siq is perfectly manageable on foot for children aged four and above.
Planning your Petra day: timing is everything
The non-negotiable rule: go early
Petra in high season (April–June, September–October) can be intensely crowded by 10:00. With children, heat and crowd management are your two biggest enemies after the distances themselves.
Target arrival: 7:00. The Visitor Center opens at 6:00. The magic hour is 7:00–10:00 when the light is low and golden, the crowds are thin, and temperatures are cool. By 11:00 the site is full and the sun is harsh. Plan to be back at your hotel for a rest by noon, then return in the late afternoon (15:00–17:00) if your children have the energy.
Route recommendations by age
Under 5 with carrier or stroller: Siq → Treasury → brief walk to Treasury gate area → return. Total walking: 2.5–3 kilometres. Duration: 2.5–3 hours including rests and photos. This is enough. Do not push further on a first visit with very young children.
5–8 years: Siq → Treasury → Outer Siq → Royal Tombs (short scramble, children love this) → return. Total: 4–5 kilometres. Duration: 4–5 hours with breaks. Budget for a donkey back from the Treasury area if energy flags.
8–12 years: All of the above plus High Place of Sacrifice if they are keen hikers. Allow a full day (6–7 hours). Pack a substantial lunch — the site restaurant near the Colonnaded Street is expensive and mediocre. Bring sandwiches.
Teenagers: Full site access. The Monastery is feasible. Petra Back Door (the back route from Little Petra) is excellent for teens who want the path less taken.
Petra by Night with children
Petra by Night runs three evenings per week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday), beginning around 20:30. Visitors walk the Siq by candlelight — approximately 1,500 candles in paper bags — and gather at the Treasury for traditional Bedouin music and tea. The atmosphere is ethereal.
With children, the key question is age and bedtime. The walk is easy. The pace is slow. The candlelight is beautiful and not frightening. If your children typically stay up past 21:00, take them — it is one of Petra’s most memorable experiences. If they are typically asleep by 20:00, skip it or accept that you will be carrying a sleeping child back through the Siq.
Cost: approximately 17 JOD per adult. Children under 12 are generally free or discounted — confirm at the Visitor Center.
Essential supplies for Petra with children
The Visitor Center sells water and snacks but at elevated prices. Prepare in Wadi Musa town the evening before:
- Water: 1.5 litres per person minimum for a half-day; 2–3 litres for a full day. Children dehydrate faster than adults in heat.
- Sunscreen: SPF 50+ for children. Reapply every two hours. The Treasury faces east, so morning sun hits it directly — hats are essential.
- Snacks: Energy bars, dried fruit, easy sandwiches. Children need fuel every 90 minutes or so on active days.
- Closed-toe shoes: The paths have sharp stones and irregular edges. Sandals are workable for the Siq and main route, but trainers are better.
- Baby carrier or papoose: As discussed — more practical than a stroller for young children.
- Small first aid kit: Antiseptic spray, plasters, antihistamine. Minor scrapes are likely if children scramble on rocks.
Where to eat in and around Petra
Inside the site: The Basin Restaurant (near the Colonnaded Street) has a reasonable lunch buffet for around 12 JOD per adult. It is convenient if you are doing a full day and do not want to walk back to the entrance. Quality is average but the location is genuinely dramatic. Children eat at reduced rate.
Wadi Musa town: Far better value. Al-Wadi Restaurant, Petra Kitchen (a cookery class-style restaurant with family options), and the various hotels along the main street offer full meals at reasonable prices. The Mövenpick Petra hotel (walking distance from the Visitor Center) has a good buffet and pleasant terrace — a solid choice if cost is not the primary concern.
Guided tours with children
A private guide makes a significant difference with children at Petra. A good guide knows which rocks to climb for photos, which shortcuts avoid crowds, where the carved Nabataean niches are low enough for children to touch, and when to suggest it is time to head back before meltdown. Hotels in Wadi Musa can arrange guides; booking via a reputable operator avoids the licensed-but-aggressive tout situation at the entrance.
Petra: private 3-hour guided tour with hotel pickupFor families visiting from Amman as a day trip, a private car with driver is vastly more comfortable than a shared group tour — you can stop for bathroom breaks, adjust pace to your children, and leave when energy runs out rather than when the tour schedule dictates.
From Amman: private day trip to Petra with pickupFAQ
Are strollers allowed in Petra?
Yes, they are permitted and rentable at the Visitor Center. However, the terrain makes them more effort than they are worth on most sections. A baby carrier is practically superior for children aged 0–3. For children aged 3–5 who still need occasional rests, a lightweight foldable stroller is workable on the main routes.
Is Petra safe for young children?
The main Siq-Treasury route is safe. The main hazards are heat, sun, slippery stone in some areas, and the temptation for children to climb on ruins that may have unstable edges. Keep children away from the Royal Tombs chamber interiors if they are not steady on their feet. The site is well patrolled. No significant safety incidents with children are reported in normal visiting conditions.
How long does Petra take with children?
Budget 3–4 hours for a family with children under 5 (Siq, Treasury, short exploration, return). Budget 5–7 hours for children aged 6–12 doing the fuller route. A full-day Petra experience covering the Monastery is realistically 8 hours, appropriate only for children aged 10 and above who are comfortable hikers.
Can I breastfeed at Petra?
Yes. Jordanian culture is generally discreet but not restrictive about breastfeeding. There is no official designation, but finding a quiet spot — in the shade of the Royal Tombs, or at the Basin Restaurant — is straightforward. A nursing cover or muslin offers privacy where you prefer it.
What time does Petra open?
The Visitor Center opens at 6:00 daily. The site stays open until 18:00 in winter (October–March) and 19:00 in summer (April–September). Petra by Night is separate, ticketed, and runs three evenings per week from around 20:30.
The Little Petra option for families
Little Petra — Siq al-Barid, located approximately 8 kilometres north of Wadi Musa — is a smaller, less visited Nabataean settlement with its own short canyon, carved facades, and painted rooms. Entry is free. It is almost never crowded.
For families with young children, Little Petra has practical advantages over the main site: the canyon is shorter (15–20 minutes through and back), the terrain is easier, there are no admission queues, no vendors aggressively touting, and children can explore with less crowd management pressure. The painted ceiling in one of the rock-cut dining rooms — ancient Nabataean fresco work showing vine scrolls and exotic birds — genuinely captivates children who are engaged with the question “who painted this 2,000 years ago?”
Little Petra works well as a half-day add-on to a Petra visit, either the morning or afternoon of a second day. Arriving early (8:00) almost guarantees you will have the canyon to yourself for 30–40 minutes.
The Jordan Pass: what parents need to budget
For a family of two adults and two children aged 8 and 10, the Jordan Pass calculation is:
- Two Jordan Pass Wonders (70 JOD each, includes Petra): 140 JOD
- Two children aged 8–10 at Petra standard entry without Pass: 25 JOD each = 50 JOD
- Two children at Jerash without Pass: 10 JOD each = 20 JOD
Children under 12 are generally free at most sites covered by the Jordan Pass (including Petra), so the children’s entry fees above would apply only if the adults are using the Jordan Pass and the children are not — and children under 12 enter free regardless. Children 12 and above require a Jordan Pass (70 JOD) or pay standard fees. Always verify current pricing at jordanpass.jo before purchasing, as fees are reviewed annually.
Getting the Jordan Pass before Petra
The Jordan Pass must be purchased and activated before arriving at the Petra entry gate to count as visa-free entry to Jordan. Purchase at jordanpass.jo before departure. Print the QR code or save it to your phone — Petra Visitor Center scanners read both paper and screens reliably.
One common family error: purchasing the Jordan Pass at the airport or at a travel agent at inflated prices, or waiting to purchase inside Jordan (technically allowed but risky if systems are offline). Purchase online at jordanpass.jo for the official JD 70 price.
Weather and family timing for Petra specifically
Petra occupies a high plateau approximately 900–1,000 metres above sea level. The altitude moderates the temperature compared to the Jordan Valley, but the conditions still matter significantly for families:
- March–April: 18–24°C, occasional showers. Ideal. Wildflowers along the canyon approaches. Petra is busy with Easter pilgrims and European spring break visitors — book accommodation well ahead.
- May–June: 25–32°C. Getting warm. Early morning (7:00–10:00) remains comfortable; midday is too hot for young children in the open.
- July–August: 35–40°C midday. Not recommended for families with young children. If unavoidable: 7:00–10:00 maximum activity window, full shade retreat from 11:00.
- September–November: 20–30°C. Excellent. Slightly less crowded than spring. October is peak for clear skies and moderate heat.
- December–February: 5–18°C. Cold at night (down to 0°C). Occasional frost. Petra has seen snow once or twice per decade — rare but possible. The site is less crowded and the stone has a different quality in winter light. Bring layers; children need warm base layers for the morning walk into the canyon.
Using Petra as a base vs a day trip
For families, staying in Wadi Musa for two nights is significantly better than attempting Petra as a day trip from Amman or Aqaba. A day trip forces a rigid schedule that does not accommodate family pacing. Two nights in Wadi Musa allows:
- First afternoon: arrival, settle, brief Visitor Center reconnaissance, no pressure
- Second day: full day at Petra, starting at 7:00, paced for children, rest at midday, optional late afternoon return
- Third morning: Little Petra before departing south to Wadi Rum or north to Amman
The Mövenpick Petra, positioned directly at the Visitor Center entrance, makes the logistics of multiple entries and midday retreats painless. It is the correct base for families doing Petra properly.