Petra is one of those rare places that actually exceeds the photographs. Walking through the Siq — a 1.2-kilometre slot canyon whose sandstone walls close to just a few metres overhead — and then rounding the final bend to catch your first glimpse of the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is an experience that genuinely stops people in their tracks. No filter, no trick of lighting: the rose-red facade carved directly into the cliff face at the end of that narrow gorge is simply stunning.
The Nabataean capital, known to its builders as Raqmu, was carved and inhabited from around the 4th century BC through the 2nd century AD, when the Romans absorbed the Nabataean kingdom. It was largely forgotten by the Western world until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt visited in disguise in 1812. UNESCO inscribed the site in 1985. Today it covers roughly 264 square kilometres of protected archaeological area, with only a fraction excavated so far.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a visit: tickets, opening hours, what to see on each day, how to get there, and the honest trade-offs between one, two, and three days inside.
What to expect when you arrive
The entrance is at the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa. From there you walk about 800 metres down a gentle slope — the Outer Siq — before you enter the narrow canyon itself. The Siq runs 1.2 kilometres and takes around 20–30 minutes at a leisurely pace. Along the walls you can spot Nabataean water channels cut into the rock, votive niches, and carved inscriptions.
The Treasury emerges suddenly at the end of the Siq, 39 metres high and 25 metres wide, its Hellenistic facade rising from the pink-orange sandstone. Despite the name (a 19th-century Bedouin legend claimed a pharaoh hid treasure in the urn at the top), the Khazneh was almost certainly a royal mausoleum or temple, probably built for King Aretas III around 100 BC.
Opening hours: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (last entry). In practice, the site is accessible to Jordan Pass holders until dusk. Ticket offices open at 6:00 am.
Ticket prices 2026:
- 1 day: 50 JOD (~70 USD) for non-Jordan Pass holders
- 2 days: 55 JOD
- 3 days: 60 JOD
- Jordan Pass: entrance included (verify locally — prices are set annually by the Jordan Tourism Board)
The Jordan Pass (from 70 JOD including visa) makes sense if you plan to visit Petra plus 3+ other paid sites during a stay of at least 3 nights. See the full calculation at /guides/jordan-pass-guide/.
Day one: the classic route from the Siq to the Royal Tombs
For a single day, this is the non-negotiable itinerary. Start at opening time (6:00 am) to reach the Treasury before the tour groups. By 8:30 am, the space in front of Al-Khazneh fills with people and camels. The difference between 7:00 am and 10:00 am at the Treasury is significant.
Treasury (Al-Khazneh) — Allow 30–45 minutes here. The interior is a plain rock-cut room — the elaborate facade is the point, not any frescoes or treasures inside.
Street of Facades — After the Treasury, the canyon opens and you walk past dozens of Nabataean tomb facades carved into the cliff face on your right. These are not as photogenic as the Treasury but give a sense of the scale of the necropolis.
Theatre — A Roman-period theatre with seating for around 3,000 cut directly into the hillside. Built probably in the 1st century AD, it was enlarged after the Roman annexation in 106 AD.
Royal Tombs — Visible as a massive carved wall to the east, the Royal Tombs are a cluster of four large mausoleums: the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb. The climb to the Urn Tomb interior (re-used as a Byzantine church in 447 AD) offers a good view back over the Colonnaded Street.
Colonnaded Street (Roman Cardo) — The main axis of the Roman city, lined with column stumps. At the far end stands the Great Temple complex and the Qasr al-Bint, the only freestanding Nabataean temple still partly standing at Petra.
Lunch break — The Basin Restaurant near Qasr al-Bint serves a buffet. The food is mediocre and expensive but the location is practical. Alternatively, pack sandwiches: you are not allowed to bring in large bags but smaller daypacks are fine.
By early afternoon you will have covered the main valley. If energy allows, climb to the High Place of Sacrifice (45 minutes up, marked trail from the Street of Facades) for a panoramic view before heading back through the Siq.
For a guided introduction to the site, a 3-hour private tour with a licensed Petra guide is a smart first move:
Book a 3-hour private guided tour of PetraDay two: the Monastery (Ad Deir) and the back routes
If you have a second day, commit it primarily to Ad Deir — the Monastery. It is Petra’s largest monument at 48 metres wide and 45 metres high, dwarfing even the Treasury. The trail from the valley floor involves approximately 800 rock-cut steps and a 45–60 minute climb. The effort is real but the path is well-maintained and there are rest stops with tea sellers along the way. At the top, a small terrace in front of the facade allows you to sit and absorb the view.
Start the Monastery climb early (before 8:00 am) to avoid the midday heat and the donkey traffic on the narrow path. Allow 3–4 hours for the round trip including time at the top.
In the afternoon, if energy holds, walk the back of the Monastery to the ‘end of the world’ viewpoint for a sweeping panorama over Wadi Araba and the Israeli hills in the distance.
Other second-day options:
- Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) — A smaller Nabataean site about 8 km north of the main entrance, free to enter, and far quieter. The painted biclinium (dining room) with its vine-scroll ceiling paintings is exceptional.
- Coloured Canyon / Bab al-Siq — The entrance area before the Siq has its own tombs and the obelisk tomb-banqueting hall combination worth seeing early morning or late afternoon.
For a private day trip from Amman that covers both days efficiently:
Private day trip Amman to Petra and backPetra by Night: is it worth it?
Petra by Night runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The route is the Siq lit by candles, ending at the Treasury where you sit on cushions while a musician plays traditional Bedouin instruments. The show lasts about 45 minutes.
Ticket price: approximately 17 JOD (sold separately — not included in the Jordan Pass). The experience is atmospheric rather than spectacular. If you are in Wadi Musa on one of those evenings and have the budget, it is worth doing once. If you only have one night and the show conflicts with sleep before an early start, skip it.
Book Petra by Night (includes hotel transfer)How to get to Petra
From Amman: The most common route. By private taxi or car, the journey takes about 3 hours via the Desert Highway or 4 hours via the King’s Highway (the scenic route through Madaba, Karak, and Shobak). JETT buses run from Amman to Wadi Musa once daily (departs ~6:30 am from Abdali terminal, arrives ~10:00 am). See /guides/petra-from-amman/ for full logistics.
From Aqaba: 2 hours by car. Minibuses run from Aqaba’s central bus station. See /guides/petra-from-aqaba/.
From Wadi Rum: 1 hour 45 minutes by car. No public bus — combine with a private transfer or rent a car. See /wadi-rum/.
The vast majority of visitors stay in Wadi Musa, the town immediately adjacent to the Petra visitor centre. Options range from budget guesthouses to the well-positioned Mövenpick Resort Petra (right next to the entrance gate). See /destinations/wadi-musa/ for a full breakdown by budget.
Practical tips
Wear comfortable walking shoes — the main valley trail is sandy and involves some uneven paving. If you plan to do the Monastery hike, closed-toe shoes with grip are strongly recommended.
Water — Carry at least 2 litres. In summer (June–August), 3 litres is a minimum. There are shops inside the site but prices are high.
Sun protection — Hat, sunscreen, and a light long-sleeved layer. The Siq offers shade but the main valley is fully exposed.
Beware of pressure selling — Horse rides from the visitor centre to the Siq entrance are included in your ticket (a short ride, ~300 metres). Beyond the Siq, horse-drawn carriages, donkeys, and camel rides are available for hire at negotiated prices. Agree the price before you mount — this is non-negotiable advice.
Photography — The Treasury is at its best early morning and late afternoon when the light enters the Siq and illuminates the facade. The Monastery faces west and is best in the afternoon. Most of the site can be photographed freely.
Avoid Friday midday — The main tourist cluster converges mid-morning on Fridays. Early start mitigates this but it is the busiest slot of the week.
Petra for people with mobility limitations
The main valley floor from the Siq exit to Qasr al-Bint is largely flat on sand and paved surfaces. Horse-drawn carriages operate along this route (negotiate a return fare). The Monastery trail and the High Place of Sacrifice involve extensive stair climbing and are not accessible with wheelchairs or for travellers with severe mobility limitations. See /guides/accessibility-jordan/ for wider accessibility notes on Jordan.
What to combine Petra with
Petra works best as part of a south Jordan loop:
- Wadi Rum: 1h45 drive from Petra. The classic combination. An overnight camp in the desert plus a jeep tour makes for a seamless 2–3 day add-on. See /wadi-rum/.
- Aqaba: 2 hours from Petra. Add a snorkeling or diving day in Jordan’s Red Sea port. See /destinations/aqaba/.
- King’s Highway: Drive the scenic route between Amman and Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo, Karak Castle, and Shobak Castle. See /guides/karak-castle-guide/ and /guides/shobak-castle-guide/.
- Dana Biosphere Reserve: 2.5 hours north of Petra. The 4-day Jordan Trail trek from Dana to Petra is the best long-distance walk in the country. See /destinations/dana-biosphere-reserve/.
For a broader itinerary, /itineraries/jordan-5-days/ and /itineraries/jordan-7-days/ show how Petra fits into the wider country.
Frequently asked questions about Petra
Is one day enough for Petra?
One day is enough to see the most important monuments — the Treasury, Street of Facades, Theatre, Royal Tombs, and the Roman Cardo. You will not have time for the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice. If Petra is a bucket-list destination and you are unlikely to return, two days is strongly recommended.
When is the best time of year to visit Petra?
March to May and September to November are ideal: temperatures between 15°C and 28°C, good light for photography, and fewer extreme crowds than summer. July and August see temperatures above 35°C in the valley; the Monastery hike becomes exhausting by 10:00 am. December to February is quieter and cooler, but Petra can occasionally experience light snow on the plateau, which is both beautiful and cold.
Can I visit Petra without a guide?
Yes. The main path is well signed in English and Arabic. A free map is available at the visitor centre. That said, a licensed guide adds considerable context — the Nabataean history, the iconography of the tombs, and the orientation of the site all become much richer with an expert. The 3-hour private guided tour option is particularly useful for first-time visitors.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it for Petra?
If you are visiting Jordan for at least 3 nights and plan to see Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum protected area permit, and a few other paid sites, the Jordan Pass almost certainly saves you money while including the visa. Run the calculation at /tools/jordan-pass-calculator/ before buying. See also /guides/jordan-pass-guide/.
What is the Petra by Night experience like?
Candles line the 1.2 km Siq path to the Treasury, where you sit on cushions and watch a brief musical performance. The atmosphere is genuinely magical when conditions are good (clear skies, not too crowded). At approximately 17 JOD it is not cheap, and the content of the show itself is limited. Most visitors find it worthwhile once for the atmospheric walk through the candlelit canyon alone.
Are there restaurants inside Petra?
The Basin Restaurant operates near Qasr al-Bint (buffet lunch, overpriced). There are also tea and snack stalls along the main trail, particularly near the Monastery trail base. Most visitors prefer to eat before entering or after exiting in Wadi Musa town, where restaurants offer far better value. The Cave Bar at the Petra Guest House serves food and is atmospherically housed in a Nabataean rock-cut tomb.
How fit do you need to be to visit Petra?
The main valley trail is manageable for most people with average fitness. The Monastery hike (800 steps, 45–60 minutes up) requires some stamina and is not suitable for very young children or people with knee problems. Horse-drawn carriages offer a motorised alternative for the flat main valley. Donkeys are available for hire at the base of the Monastery trail, though this is controversial from an animal-welfare perspective.
What should I wear to visit Petra?
Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are essential. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) in line with Jordanian cultural norms. A hat and sunscreen are non-negotiable between April and October. The canyon can be considerably cooler than the open valley — bring a light layer for early mornings.
Plan your visit
Petra sits at the heart of a /destinations/south-jordan/ road trip. Whether you drive the /itineraries/jordan-self-drive-10-days/ or join a private tour, the combination of Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba gives you the most iconic three-day stretch in Jordan. For the best panoramic trail within the site, see /guides/high-place-of-sacrifice/ and /guides/monastery-petra-hike/.
Start with a guided introduction to Petra’s history