Petra Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Petra, Jordan

An ancient city carved into rock in the Jordanian desert and (quite rightfully!) a Wonder of the World, Petra is a vast archaeological site. It was founded by the Nabataeans around 300 BC and later occupied by Romans.

The most recognised buildings are the Treasury, Monastery and the Siq. However, there is so much more to see in Petra including Royal Tombs, a theatre and reservoirs.

Visiting Petra is an incredible experience and really feels like a bucket-list activity. In this guide I will be covering everything you need to know before visiting including ticket prices, how long to spend there, where to explore and helpful tips for making the most of your visit!

Where is Petra?

Petra is located in the South of Jordan, in a village called Wadi Musa. Wadi Musa is a 3 hour drive from Amman and 1.5 hours from Wadi Rum. It is just less than 2 hours from Aqaba.

Ticket Options

The most convenient way to visit is by having the Jordan Pass. The pass waives your visa fee (which is usually 40 JOD) and also includes entry to 40+ attractions including Petra. The pass starts at 70 JOD and increases slightly depending on how many days you will be visiting (you can choose 1, 2 or 3 days entry to the complex).

If you don’t get the Jordan pass, the fees for visiting are:
1-day entry – 50 JOD
2-day entry – 55 JOD
3-day entry – 60 JOD

Best Time to Visit

I’d recommend visiting Petra early in the day to experience the Treasury when it’s quiet. We arrived around 7am and by the time we reached the Treasury, there were only a handful of people! By the afternoon though, there were a lot more people around.

Petra can get very hot during summer months so I would avoid this if possible. We visited in February and the weather was perfect. There isn’t much shade at Petra so you won’t be able to escape the heat of summer!

How Long Do You Need at Petra?

Petra can be done in a day if you’re only seeing the Treasury and Monastery but I would recommend spending 2 days. There are so many more trails and parts of the complex you will miss if you only visit for a day. Not spending longer here is a regret of mine after visiting Jordan!

Do I Need a Guide?

You can hire a guide at the entrance if you would like but we didn’t feel it was essential. When we checked in to our hotel (Esperanza Petra) they talked us through the different trails, gave us some tips and a map, so we were happy to explore the complex ourselves!

What to See in Petra

The key attractions are the Siq (canyon which is the path down to the Treasury), the Treasury itself and also the Monastery.

There are so many other attractions to see though if you have time. Some are:

• The Royal Tombs
• The Street of Facades and Amphitheatre
• The High Place of Sacrifice
• The Colonnaded Street

What to Pack

Petra will be a long day so the main things to pack are comfortable clothing and shoes! Breathable clothing like linen will be perfect to keep you cool as there is not much shade.

I’d recommend comfortable trainers or hiking shoes as you will be on your feet all day. Suncream is also an essential and a hat. I would also recommend bringing plenty of water, some cash, your Jordan pass and camera!

Food and Facilities

Inside Petra, there are some facilities available such as toilets, a restaurant and different Bedouin stalls. Toilets are located in the visitor centre, near the treasury and also at a restaurant on the path up towards the Monastery.

There are a few spots to get drinks and snacks too but I would recommend bringing plenty of water as it can get hot on the trails. There is a buffet restaurant available for lunch.

Petra by Night

If you have chance, I would definitely recommend adding Petra by Night to your itinerary! While it does cost 30 JOD extra and is not included in the Jordan pass, it is so beautiful and really rounds up a trip to Petra.

The path from the Siq to the Treasury is lit only by candlelight. When you arrive at the Treasury, there are candles, a short show and also tea. It was definitely worth the extra cost in my opinion.

I visited Petra by Night the same day as I visited Petra. This was a lot of walking though (we did about 34,000 steps that day) so I would recommend visiting at night on a separate day if possible.

Where to Stay

There are a range of different hotels to stay in Wadi Musa. I stayed at Esperanza Petra which was a great option with a free breakfast and only a 5 minute walk to the entrance.

The closest hotel to the entrance is Mövenpick Resort Petra which is literally opposite the gates! Some alternative options are:

• The Old Village Hotel & Resort
• Town Season Hotel
• Petra Plaza Hotel

Top Tips for Visiting Petra (screenshot this!)

• Stay in Wadi Musa: it’s a great base for Petra. There are also some great accommodation options and restaurants in the area
• Arrive early if you can: we arrived at 7am and almost had the Treasury to ourselves!
• Wear comfortable shoes: you will do so many steps. Wear trousers or hiking shoes instead of sandals
• Bring plenty of water and some snacks: there are some options to get food and drink but it can get very hot so come prepared
• Spend at least 2 days at Petra: the complex is huge and you will only see the main highlights in one day
• Don’t miss the Monastery: there’s a hike to get there but the hike itself is so beautiful and the Monastery is an amazing view
• Bring some cash: there’s a lot of small stalls along the hike to the Monastery

Final Thoughts

Visiting Petra is truly a bucket-list experience and something I would absolutely recommend. Everything about the complex is just incredible. Exploring the Siq, catching the first glimpse of the Treasury and hiking to the Monastery are all moments you will never forget.

If you’re planning a trip to Jordan, a few days in Petra should be at the top of your itinerary. If you’re planning a wider trip around the country, be sure to check out my other Jordan travel guides for more tips and inspiration in locations such as Amman, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.

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