Petra is the primary reason why many travelers choose to visit Jordan. This ancient city, situated in the heart of the desert, is surrounded by immense red and orange rock formations. Over 2,000 years ago, the Nabateans inhabited this place, carving houses, tombs, and temples into the rock faces. Being a crucial intersection for various trade itineraries, Petra flourished as a prosperous city. It is an awe-inspiring destination and undoubtedly the highlight of your journey through Jordan. In this article, you will find all our tips with essential information to make the most of your visit to Petra!
Explore Petra with the Jordan Pass
Petra holds a significant place in Jordan, and the entrance fees reflect its importance. The entrance fees for Petra are as follows:
- $56 for 1 day
- $61 for 2 days
- $67 for 3 days
However, you can save money by purchasing the Jordan Pass. This pass grants you access to over 40 attractions, including Petra, and covers your visa fee as well. The Jordan Pass starts from $78. Considering the minimum entrance fee of $56 for Petra and the $45 visa fee, the Jordan Pass offers a more cost-effective option.
Arrive early in the day
This is the most obvious and beneficial tip we can provide. Petra attracts thousands of visitors each day, and the crowd can sometimes diminish the experience of this remarkable place. Fortunately, few travelers are willing to wake up early during their trip or vacation, which means you can enjoy the wonders of Petra almost entirely to yourself. Therefore, aim to arrive at the entrance of Petra by 6 a.m. Although waking up early may be a bit challenging, trust us, witnessing Petra without the crowds is a truly magical and unforgettable experience. The first photo below was taken at 6:20 a.m., while the second photo was taken at 11 a.m. The contrast in ambiance and overall experience was astonishing.
Don’t forget your passport
Whether you’re visiting Petra with the Jordan Pass or purchasing individual tickets, you’ll always need your passport. So, don’t forget it, or else you’ll have to go back to your hotel.
Hire a guide or watch this documentary beforehand
Your visit to Petra will be much more interesting if you learn about the history of this ancient city. It’s astonishing to imagine that a city was built here out of nowhere in the 1st century BC, with a population of around 25,000 people at its peak. And all of this in the middle of the desert. You can arrange for a guide at the entrance to accompany you for a morning or a full day. If you prefer to explore Petra on your own, it’s highly recommended to watch this free documentary the evening before. It will give you a different perspective and appreciation for Petra compared to visiting without any prior knowledge.
Discover the most beautiful spots in Petra
Petra boasts hundreds of small and large attractions, with only about 20% visible to visitors. The most impressive places include the Siq, the Treasury, the viewpoint of the Treasury, the Royal Tombs, and the Monastery. Don’t Google them all right away; let yourself be surprised. Use the app maps.me to navigate offline in Petra. You can mark all these locations and easily find them.
Visit the Monastery via the backdoor
The Monastery is the farthest attraction from the entrance. It takes about 1.5 hours to walk from the entrance, including a climb of approximately 850 steps. However, you mustn’t miss the Monastery because it may be the most beautiful part of Petra. While you can walk through Petra and backtrack the same way, it’s a better option to enter through the “backdoor.” This alternative itinerary starts at Little Petra and offers a fantastic hike of about 1.5 to 2 hours to the Monastery. By taking this itinerary, you avoid climbing the 850 steps and get to see more of Petra’s beautiful surroundings. Since the recent maintenance in 2022, you no longer need a guide for this trail as the itinerary is well marked. Buses depart from the entrance of Petra to Little Petra, and the transportation is included in your Petra ticket. Eventually, you will arrive back at the regular entrance of Petra. Depart early in the morning to avoid the heat and make sure to bring enough water.
Note: You cannot purchase an entrance ticket for Petra at the backdoor entrance, so make sure to buy it in advance at the main entrance if you don’t have a Jordan Pass.
Allocate two days for Petra
You can see everything in Petra in one day. However, it would require at least 11 hours of walking, and personally, we enjoy the experience more when taking it a bit slower. The cost difference between one and two days is negligible, and having more time is very enjoyable. If you start early in the day, you’ll be back before it gets too hot. We spent about 5 to 6 hours per day exploring Petra over two days, and we found it much more pleasant than rushing through it in one day. If you have two days, you could consider following this two-day itinerary.
Al Wadi Restaurant
After a full day of exploring Petra, you’ll likely be ready for a satisfying meal. In that case, make sure to visit Al Wadi Restaurant in Wadi Musa. We have eaten here multiple times, and each time the food was incredibly delicious. They bake their own bread, which is served as a complimentary side dish with most meals. We also received a tip from a reader about a restaurant called Beit al Bakarah, located across from Al Wadi. They serve equally delicious food at a slightly lower price point.
Avoid using horses or donkeys
At the entrance of Petra, there’s a trick that some locals play on tourists. They offer you a “free” ride on a horse or donkey that takes you to the beginning of the Siq (800 meters). They tell you that this is included in your ticket, but they don’t mention that they expect a significant tip at the end of the ride. The tip is mandatory, and if you don’t give it, you may end up in an argument. It’s not a pleasant way to start your day in Petra, and it’s also unnecessary because it’s just a short walk. Throughout Petra, you’ll find numerous offers for animal rides, including camels, donkeys, and horses. We advise against taking these rides as the animals are often mistreated.
Wear sturdy shoes
When visiting Petra, you’ll undoubtedly be walking several kilometers. You’ll climb viewpoints and traverse many sets of stairs. As all paths are unpaved, it’s important to wear sturdy shoes.
Skip Petra by Night
You may have heard of Petra by Night. It is an evening event held at the Treasury every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Hundreds of candles are lit, and with the Treasury as the backdrop, musicians perform while a speaker shares some history. It sounds beautiful, but unfortunately, it was quite disappointing. The organization was a complete mess. Firstly, it was excessively crowded because they sell an unlimited number of tickets. When we were there, there were easily 1,500 people. During and even after the performance, more people kept arriving, creating a lot of disturbance. The speaker and musicians didn’t have microphones, making it difficult to hear anything, and visitors were constantly shining flashlights and lasers. Additionally, Petra by Night is not included in the Jordan Pass, and tickets cost $24 per person. In our opinion, it’s not worth the time and money.
Bring drinks and packed lunch
While there are some restaurants in Petra, they often charge high prices for water bottles and lunch. You can usually order a packed lunch from your hotel. Buy snacks and water bottles from the supermarket in Wadi Musa, and you’ll save money compared to purchasing everything in Petra.
Visit Little Petra as well
Just 10 km from Petra is Little Petra. As the name suggests, Little Petra is a smaller version of Petra. Unlike Petra, Little Petra attracts fewer tourists. If you’re traveling by rental car, you’ll pass by it, and you can visit it in about half an hour. If you’re planning to hike the backdoor trail to the Monastery, you’ll start from Little Petra, so it’s a good opportunity to take a stroll there. In Little Petra, you’ll find a few ancient structures, and at the end of the canyon, you’ll have a beautiful view of the mountains.
The ideal base for Petra
The city of Wadi Musa is the perfect base for your visit to Petra. The entrance to Petra is right next to Wadi Musa, and you’ll find many shops and restaurants there. There’s no shortage of hotels, but finding good-quality and affordable ones can be a challenge. Tourists come to Wadi Musa to visit Petra, and it sometimes seems like the quality is less of a priority. However, don’t worry, there are a few hotels that offer a good price-quality ratio. But you need to book them in advance as they tend to fill up quickly.
Our favorite places to stay in Wadi Musa
One of the best affordable hotels is Nomads Hotel. It offers a beautiful view from its large rooftop terrace, and it’s a delightful place to relax after visiting Petra. The rooms are modern, and there’s a fun common area with football and air hockey tables. The location is perfect, just a 10-minute walk from the entrance of Petra. If you’re looking for a unique accommodation experience, Infinity Lodge is an absolute treat. You’ll stay in charming rooms, and you won’t need to leave the lodge for delicious meals as they serve fantastic breakfast and dinner. It’s just a few minutes’ drive to the parking area near the entrance of Petra. Both hotels are situated at higher elevations, providing fantastic views of Wadi Musa and the surrounding mountains.
  Nomads Hotel Petra |
  Infinity Lodge |
