Visiting Petra: Things to Know Before Your Trip

Visiting Petra: Things to Know Before Your Trip

If Christ the Redeemer is the most overwhelming experience of the Seven Wonders of the World, then a visit to Petra must be the opposite. This “rose-colored city, half as old as time” was carved from sandstone thousands of years ago.

Petra may have been founded by the Nabataeans as early as 312 BC. Built in the 1st century BC and developed into a thriving trading center with over 30,000 residents. It was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom from 400 BC. to 106 AD, when the Romans officially took possession of it.

As trade routes moved seaward, the city's importance began to decline and declined further after a devastating earthquake in 363 AD. The City of Roses reached its lowest point in 700 AD towards the end of Byzantine rule and was subsequently forgotten. Petra remained “lost” to the Western world until the Swiss geographer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in the early 19th century.

Today, visiting Petra is on every serious travel list – and understandably so. It is undoubtedly the most captivating landscape in a country full of captivating landscapes. Below we share our best tips for visiting Petra.

Plan your visit in advance

To get the most out of your visit to Petra, plan your approximate route before you arrive. It is a huge area (264 square kilometers / 102 square miles). So if you just “show up and see,” you’ll likely miss some of the best sights.

Below are some of the unmissable ones, listed in route order (not best to least). It's worth noting that after the treasury, we went straight to the monastery (#10) and visited the rest in reverse order, which was a great way to avoid the crowds.

alt=“A useful map for visiting Petra”>Fair useA useful map for visiting Petra

Dress appropriately

Jordan is a Muslim country and Petra is a workplace for a number of Bedouins. Therefore, you may want to cover it up not only as a sign of respect, but also to protect yourself from the scorching sun. Petra is a desert country and the sun can get extremely hot!

alt="Kia in the treasury during a visit to Petra">Atlas & BootsKia in the treasury

Finally, wear sensible shoes as you will be walking a lot. The walk from the entrance to the Siq is 1km and it's another 1km to the famous Treasury - and that's just the beginning! My Converse sneakers didn't exactly match my harem pants, but trust me: When you visit Petra, choose comfort over style.

Get there early

Petra opens at 6am and we arrived soon after. We stopped at the Treasury to take photos and then walked straight to the monastery, which meant we couldn't see it with anyone else around.

You can stay in a hotel nearby (Mövenpick, Petra Guest House and Crowne Plaza are just seconds away) or take the 20-minute early morning walk from Wadi Musa.

If you're really looking to beat the crowds, you can access the Treasury live cam to monitor the crowds!

Purchase the two-day pass

Visiting Petra is one of the most expensive day trips we have ever done – but it was worth it. We opted for the one-day ticket, but recommend the two-day ticket. It was pressure to see everything in one day and we were exhausted by the end. Two days cost just a little more but give you twice as much time to explore.

• Tageseintritt: 50 JOD (70 US)
• Zweitägiger Eintritt: 55 JOD (77 USD)
• Dreitägiger Eintritt: 60 JOD (84 USD)
• Besuche ohne Übernachtung in Jordanien: 90 JOD (127 USD)
• Petra bei Nacht: 17 JOD (24 USD)

The Petra by Night tour takes you through the Siq to the Treasury by candlelight, where you can enjoy traditional Bedouin music and mint tea. The tour takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and lasts two hours (8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.). You can purchase tickets in advance at the visitor center or at your hotel reception.

alt="Petra at night">DreamtimePetra at night

It's not unusual for 150-200 visitors to book a tour, so stay in the back if you want some privacy. You can also go in front of the group. You may want to take the tour after seeing Petra by day, as some of the splendor is lost in the darkness and crowds.

Take cash

The Petra Visitor Center does not accept cards, so bring cash. Loose change is useful if you want to buy jewelry or snacks from the Bedouin stalls set up throughout the site.

alt=“A horse-drawn carriage in the Siq”>DreamtimeA horse-drawn carriage in the Siq

Note that although your entry ticket includes a horseback ride (either at the start or end of your visit), you will be expected to leave the guide a fairly large tip (15 JOD / 21 USD). We decided to go both ways to avoid the additional costs. If you prefer to ride, do so at the end of the day when you are tired and hot. You can upgrade to a carriage, but this costs 20 JOD ($28) per person and you may be asked to pay a tip on top.

Take plenty of water

I'll say it again: Petra is very hot and very dry. You will need a lot of water, so take it with you. If (when!) you go out, you can buy something inside. It's more expensive, but this is not the time to save!

Accessibility can be an issue

If you have mobility issues, be warned that you may not be able to see everything. Petra was carved out of sandstone rock and some of its sights require quite a climb in the heat. For example, to get to the monastery you have to climb about 850 steps.

alt="The monastery can be reached via 850 very strenuous steps">Atlas & BootsThe monastery can be reached via 850 very strenuous steps

Visitors can book donkey rides, but there have been reports of mistreatment by tour guides, so you may want to avoid this option.

Get a perfect picture

Petra is a goldmine for photographers. In fact, Peter's photos from Jordan are among his best sellers on Shutterstock.

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Late afternoon is a good time for photography: most tourists have left, the rose red of the rock is vibrant, and the light is soft. Bring a wide-angle lens if you have one so you can take photos in tight places. A circular polarizing filter is also useful for reducing glare. (I have no idea what this is, but Peter tells me it's useful.)

Needless to say, bring plenty of storage and a spare battery.

Search for hidden treasures

Our friend Laura in Amman told us not only to take the shorter route to the high place of sacrifice, but also the “longer” route down.

alt="The Lion Fountain can be seen on the way back down from the High Place of Sacrifice">Atlas & BootsThe Lion Fountain can be seen on the way back down from the High Place of Sacrifice

This route takes you down the back of the mountain into Wadi Farasa, revealing some breathtaking views, carvings and tombs along the way. It takes about two hours (as opposed to the 45 minutes up), but the detour is worth it.

alt="A hidden vantage point in the treasury">DreamtimeA hidden lookout point in the Treasury

At the Treasury, you can access a great viewing point by climbing the stairs behind the Royal Tombs. Keep left on the path. You'll pass a small building and it looks like the path is over, but keep going until you reach the viewpoint.

Look out for the best saleswoman this side of Aqaba

She was tiny, maybe 3'2". She was wearing traditional robes and a shy headscarf that didn't suit her personality. She asked me if I wanted to buy a piece of stone. I looked around Petra - also known as the City of Stone - and smiled at her cheek. She returned my smile and asked if she could have my packet of chips.

Now I have 20 nieces of nephews, so I'm used to the charm of little children, but the knowing curl of her lips amused me so much that I handed her the chips. Next she asked for my bottle of Coke. And then she sold me a piece of stone in a city full of stuff.

Visiting Petra: The essentials

What: Visit to Petra, Jordan.

Where: We stayed at Mövenpick right across from Petra, which was super comfortable and had friendly, welcoming staff. Other hotels nearby include Petra Guest House and Crowne Plaza Hotel. There are also many options in Wadi Musa. Details can be found on Booking.com.

When: Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures day and night. Winter (January to February) can be cool and rainy, while summer brings temperatures up to 38°C (100°F). Peak season is February to March and October to November, so opt for mid-spring or early fall. Petra is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter.

How: Petra can be reached in 20 minutes on foot from Wadi Musa city center. If you live further away, your hotel or hostel may offer a free shuttle service to the Petra Visitor Center. Taxis cost around 5 JOD (7 USD) from Wadi Musa. If you arrive by car, there is a free parking lot opposite the bus stop in front of the Petra Moon Hotel.

From Amman you can take a JETT minibus to Petra (3 hours, 10 JOD, 14 USD). See timetable here. There are several international airlines that fly to Amman. Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

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