Things To Do in Petra

The Rose City

Petra was the capital of the Nabataeans two thousand years ago, carved into pink sandstone at the end of a narrow canyon called the Siq. The walk from the gate to the Treasury takes about half an hour, and from there the main trail continues past the Street of Facades, the theater and the Royal Tombs to the Great Temple. The Monastery, bigger than the Treasury and far quieter, is another 800 steps up. One full day covers the main trail; two allow the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice and the viewpoints above the Treasury.

Day Trips from Amman

Most visitors arrive from Amman, three hours north. The shared or private full-day trip leaves early and gives around five hours inside the site, and the private version with a licensed guide is the choice for a first visit, since the guide decodes the tombs and takes you to the lesser-known corners. The combined Petra and Wadi Rum day is a long one, around fourteen hours, but it pairs the two sights for travelers with a single day to spare.

Petra by Night

Three evenings a week the Siq and the square in front of the Treasury are lit by more than a thousand candles, with Bedouin music and tea. The Petra by Night tour from Amman pairs the candlelit visit with an optional daytime walk the same day, and it is one of the most memorable things you can do in Jordan.

Longer Circuits and Treks

The two-day trips from Amman combine Petra with a night in a Wadi Rum camp and a float in the Dead Sea on the way back, and one version adds the salt flats of the Pink Lake. For walkers, the four-day Dana to Petra trek follows the Jordan Trail through the Dana reserve and the canyons of Wadi Feynan, entering Petra on foot through the back door at the Monastery.

Practical Notes

Spring and autumn are the best seasons; summer middays are hot and winter brings cold mornings and occasional flash-flood closures of the Siq. Wear proper shoes, carry water and start at the gate when it opens to see the Treasury before the crowds. Most of these tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.