Things to see and do in Petra

Petra is an ancient Jordanian city carved out of the desert rocks that you’ve seen in a thousand pictures. It’s known as the‘Pink City’ for the colour of its buildings, temples, tombs and ruins that transport you to another era. In the city, you can walk along winding paths that will take you through narrow gorges to discover the grandeur of its buildings. And all this in a unique setting in the Desert of Wadi Rum. There is so much to see in Petra.

The city of Petra today is a tourist resort where no one lives, so tourists stay in Wadi Musa, the nearest town. In this post, as well as telling you what to see in Petra, we give you a number of travel tips that will make your stay more enjoyable. We also tell you the best way to get to Petra and the best places to eat. If you’re ready to embark on your journey, read on and let’s get started.

What are the best places to see in Petra?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. The Siq, the gateway to Petra

The Siq is a narrow canyon that serves as the main entrance to the ancient city of Petra. It is 1.2 kilometres long and in addition to the breathtaking view it offers when you emerge, it is characterised by the curious pink colour of the rock and the unique geological formations that have formed over the years. Along the way you will come across the ‘Tomb of the Obelisk’, a curious construction in the rock that houses 5 tombs.

2. Roman Amphitheatre of Petra

Another must-see in Petra is its Roman amphitheatre, an impressive historic structure built in the 1st century AD, when it was used as a place of entertainment and spectacle. It is carved into the rock and has a capacity for 7,000 spectators. Over time, it has become quite eroded and deteriorated, but you can still make out the seats and aisles that led to the stage.

3. Al Khazna or the Treasury, a must-see in Petra

The Treasury of Petra is one of the world’s most iconic and recognisable archaeological treasures. This impressive building carved into the pink sandstone rock is located in the heart of the city and its façade is approximately 40 metres high. The value of the building lies solely in the façade as there is nothing inside.

If you want to enjoy the view to the full, we recommend going up to the viewpoint just in front of it. It takes about 5 minutes to get there along a path just below. If you don’t want to wait in long queues, it’s best to go up as early as possible. Also be warned that there is no handrail, so be careful!

4. The Royal Tombs

The Royal Tombs are a group of rock-cut tombs and mausoleums dating from the Nabataean period, between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD. They feature elaborate architecture and ornate detailing, such as columns, friezes and hand-carved reliefs, and are named for their size and majestic design, suggesting that they were built to house people of high rank and status.

5. The Great Temple

This imposing religious structure is the main temple to see in Petra. It consists of a large courtyard surrounded by columns, a central cella and several side chambers. Although it was partially destroyed by an earthquake, the façade still displays impressive architectural details, such as decorated pediments and friezes sculpted with geometric figures and motifs.

What to see around Petra?

1. Aqaba, Jordan’s most famous coastal city

A mere two hours’ drive from Petra is Aqaba, a city on the coast of Jordan located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea. It is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations due to its beautiful coastal setting and abundant marine life that inhabits its coral reefs, where you can scuba dive and snorkel. Aqaba is also known for its rich history, which is embodied in monuments such as the city’s castle.

If you want to know more about Aqaba we invite you to read this post: Things to see and do in Aqaba

2. Amman, the capital of Jordan

Amman, as well as being the country’s capital, is a city of history and a modern, contemporary atmosphere. In Amman you can visit archaeological sites such as the Citadel and the Roman Theatre, modern skyscrapers, bustling souks and fascinating museums. And all this in a unique setting amidst rolling hills. It’s a city that fascinates as you can read in this post: Things to see and do in Amman

What to see in 1 day in Petra?

Although in one day you’ll have time to see the must-sees like the Treasury and the Siq, it’s generally recommended to spend 3 days to see the entire city of Petra, which is home to many archaeological sites of interest. Also, bear in mind that there are usually a lot of tourists, which slows down the visit, and that the distances between monuments are long, which means you’ll have to walk quite a bit.

Depending on the time of year you travel, you’ll also have to take into account the heat, which will make you want to retire to the hotel pool early to replenish your energy and return the next day to continue discovering the city.

Where and what to eat in Petra?

Jordanian cuisine is characterised by a rich variety of dishes with Arabic, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. Some of the dishes you have to try on your trip are:

• Mansaf: is the national dish of Jordan. It consists of lamb meat cooked in fermented yoghurt and served over rice and flatbread called shraak. It is usually reserved for special occasions and celebrations.
• Falafel: Fried croquettes made from chickpeas or broad beans mixed with spices such as coriander, garlic and cumin. They are usually served in pita bread with salads and tahini sauce.
• Mezze: are a set of small plates or starters served to share.
• Maqluba: consists of a stew that is cooked in layers: rice, meat (usually chicken or lamb), vegetables such as aubergine, cauliflower and carrots, and spices. After cooking, it is turned over on a plate so that the layers are inverted.

Best restaurants in Petra

At restaurants in the area you can try these and many other traditional local dishes. In the case of Petra, there are only a couple of restaurants within the tourist precinct. They’re quite expensive compared to the rest of the country, so you can take your own food from home as an alternative. Here are some of the best restaurants in the city of Wadi Musa:

• Reem Beladi Restaurant:is a restaurant specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine. The service is excellent and the food is delicious. The price is very affordable.
• Rainbow Restaurant: This local restaurant is the perfect place to sample typical Jordanian dishes. The price is moderate and the service is impeccable.
• Falafel Time: You can’t leave Petra without trying falafel. In this restaurant as well as trying other typical dishes of the region you can taste the falafel in its purest form. The price is very affordable, and you’ll eat very well and in abundance for less than €20.

Where to stay in Petra?

The closest hotels to Petra are in the town of Wadi Musa, where in addition to many accommodation options there are shops and restaurants. In general the accommodation is a bit pricey for the quality they offer. Iand if you want to find a good option, it is recommended to book at least 6 months in advance. Here are some of the best accommodations in Wadi Musa:

• Rafiki Hostel: This pleasant hostel with a swimming pool is a good option at a very affordable price and where you can also meet people. It has common areas such as garden, lounge and terrace and offers WIFI and bike rental. Bunk beds in shared rooms cost €8 and private rooms cost €32. Breakfast costs €5.
• Petra Desert Dream Hotel: This desert-view hotel is a unique place to stay. It has a garden and rooms with private bathrooms. The price per night starts at €103 and breakfast is included.
• Seven Wonders Luxury Camp: If you’re looking for a different kind of accommodation, this resort offers private cabins and luxury tents in a unique setting. The resort has a restaurant and offers accommodation for the whole family. Prices start at €110 per night and breakfast is sometimes included.

How to get to Petra?

Petra is arguably the most touristy destination in Jordan, which means it won’t take you long to get there. Here areall the options you have for getting from the airport in Amman, Jordan’s capital city.

• Air: from Amman International Airport you can take a domestic flight to Aqaba Airport. These are infrequent, so plan your trip with flights in mind.
• Car: Amman airport is where you can hire a car and drive to Petra, which is a 4-hour drive away.
• Autobuss: you can also take a bus from Amman. The JETT bus company offers regular services between the two cities.
• Organised tours: Many people choose to travel to Jordan on an organised tour so that they don’t have to worry about anything. These trips include transport and food, but they also take away from freedom.

What should I consider before travelling to Petra?

• If you’re travelling to Jordan for more than 3 days it’s worth getting the Jordan Pass, a pass that includes entry to the main sights. The price is 1 day: 70 JOD / 2 days: 75 JOD / 3 days: 80 JOD.
• Petra entrance fee is 65 for one day, 71 for two days and 78 for three days.
• The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian dinar.
• Arabic is an oficial language in Jordan, but you’ll be able to make yourself understood in English at tourist sites.
• The water in Jordan is safe to drink, but we recommend buying bottled water to avoid problems.
• In Jordan the common voltage is 230 V, the frequency is 50 Hz. and the plugs are of type C / D / F / F / G / J.
• The best time to travel to Petra is in spring and autumn as winter is quite cold and summer is excessively hot.
• Always bring sun cream, water and comfortable shoes.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
• Be very wary of lookouts that have no security measures.
• Petra is a very touristy destination, so get up early.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Petra?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary for your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app to inspire other travellers with your experience and tell them what to see in Petra.
• Enjoy your trip in Petra!

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Petra