If you are a travel enthusiast, you will surely enjoy Petras mystic nature and the beautiful tombs and structures carved into the sandstone cliffs. To learn everything you need to know to start planning your trip, keep reading this quick travel guide to Petra, Jordan.
Travel Guide to Petra, Jordan: Everything You Need to Know
Important Facts About Petra:
- The city used to be at the center of the Great Arab Kingdom in the Hellenistic and Roman times.
- Petra is called the Rose City as its temples and tombs are carved into the pink sandstone cliffs.
- Its home to more than a 1,000 tombs.
- Petra became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the serenity and romanticism about this place will indeed surpass all your expectations!
What are the Visiting Hours?
Petra is open to visits from 6 am to 6 pm in summer and 6am to 4pm in the winter.
Three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) Petra is also open on nights. Starting at 20:30 and closing around 22.30pm.
*Tip: avoid crowds by visiting early in the morning or late afternoons.
How Much Does Entrance at Petra Cost?
For one day, itll cost you 50 JD. For 2 days, it will cost you 55 JD. And, for 3 days, it will cost 60 JD. Children under 12 years are allowed free passage to the city. Besides this, if you want to attend Petra by Night, it will cost you and extra 17 JD.
How Long Should I Spend in Petra?
The beauty of this place is such that you would like to stay longer. But, 5-7 hours is good enough to cover the important sites. Otherwise, you may want to visit Petra for about 2-3 days to cover the entire city!
What is the Best Time to Visit Petra:
The best time to visit Petra depends on what you are looking for. It is very hot during the summers, so if you dont like hot weather, it is not recommended visiting Petra then. Spring (March-June) or Autumn (September-November) is the best time to visit Petra. Temperatures are relatively mild during this time. However, this is the high season, so you can expect larger crowds.
Most tourists prefer mornings (5-11 am) to witness the beautiful sunrise and walk inside the city. But, if you are one of those who are not comfortable with the morning, then you can visit between 3 – 4 pm when the weather gets relatively cooler.
Travel Guide to Petra, Jordan: Top Things to See
There is so much to see when visiting Petra, but Al-Khazneh or the Treasury, the Siq & the Monastery are must-sees for any tourist.
The Siq is mostly used as the grand entrance into Petra. It is a narrow 1-kilometer path. The trek may be harder than it looks, yet itll allow you to understand the exquisiteness of the Rose City.
When exiting the Siq, Petra rewards its visitors with the delightful glimpse of the most iconic monument, the famous Treasury or Al-Khazneh.
This facade covers a 24.9 meters wide and 38.77 meters high Hellenistic and Greek style of architecture under the influence of the great city of Alexandria.
The Great Temple, as the name implies, is another great sight to behold. It is quite the walk. But, what is an 800-step trail compared to reaching the top of the majestic Monastery?
If you still have time and energy on your side, you can see The High Place of Sacrifice, Wadi Farasah, Garden Tomb, Royal Tombs, and Colonnaded Street. If trekking is not your cup of tea, riding a camel, horse, or cart drawn by donkeys can be an option to cover the sites.
You can also save some energy for the night time, as you can also experience the Petra Night Show guided by around 1,500 candles.
Petra Travel Guide: What to Wear
When visiting Petra, men can wear trousers or pants, t-shirts or shirts and team up with hats and sunglasses.
Women can wear whatever they want. It is not expected for tourist to follow a dress code. However, Jordan is a Muslim country, so you might not want to wear clothing that draws additional attention to you.
It is advisable to wear scarfs, as it will help protect you from the sun, and the lower temperatures at night or early mornings.
Shoes are very important! So dont forget to wear walking shoes or sturdy trainers, as you will have to trek inside the city for hours.
Also, when visiting Petra, dont forget to carry a jacket, it could get chilly and windy at times.
Now lets list a few things that you must carry when traveling to Petra:
- Breathable clothing
- Sturdy shoes
- Sunscreen & Lip Balm
- Sunglasses
- Passport
- Drinking water
- Dry fruits, nuts and snacks
- Cash
- Hat
- Scarf
- Jackets or cardigans
You will climb steep slopes and walk a lot, so wearing comfortable but sturdy clothes and shoes is essential. It will also be smart to respect Jordans culture and not wear too many flashy clothes or too little clothes. Which may attract attention as well as may be uncomfortable to wear on the course of your Petra trip.
Cook and Eat like a Jordanian
No one should leave without digging into the delicious cuisine of Petra, which offers eastern Mediterranean-style dishes. There are dozens of restaurants in the area.
Also, if you want to learn how to cook some traditional middle eastern cuisine like, mezes, salads and even some main dishes. There are plenty of options you can choose from in Wadi Musa, like Petra Kitchen.
Finally, we hope this quick travel guide to Petra, Jordan is helpful. If you are a wanderlust and love exploring ancient and historical places, visiting Petra will surely be an experience to remember!
Check out Planning a Trip to Jordan: Everything You Need to Know for a full guide!
