Petra, Jordan · attraction
Petra
The rose-red Nabataean city carved into desert cliffs — Treasury, Monastery, and the Siq walk that never ages.
Petra is a 2,500-year-old Nabataean capital carved into sandstone cliffs in southern Jordan — one of the New Seven Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 1.2 km Siq (a natural gorge) leads to the Treasury facade (the "Indiana Jones" shot). A serious visit covers the Treasury, the Roman theater, the tombs, and the 800-step climb to the Monastery — roughly 8-10 km on foot. Petra by Night (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) lights the Siq with 1,500 candles.
Opening hours
Daily 6:00am–6:00pm (summer); 6:00am–4:00pm (winter). Petra by Night 8:30pm–10:30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday.
Ticket price
$70–$130
1-day Petra ticket JOD 50 (~$70); 2-day JOD 55; 3-day JOD 60. Petra by Night JOD 17 (~$24). Jordan Pass ($99) covers Petra + visa + other sites.
Visit duration
6–10 hours
Best time
March-May or September-November — 15-28°C temperatures. Avoid mid-June to mid-September (35°C+ desert heat makes the 8-hour walk brutal). Enter at 6am for the best light on the Treasury and to reach the Monastery before mid-day sun.
How to skip the line
The Jordan Pass ($99, sold at jordanpass.jo) covers Petra + 40+ other sites + waives the Jordanian visa fee — worth it if you're staying 3+ nights. Petra doesn't sell out; tickets are always available on arrival. The bottleneck is heat + fatigue, not queues — book a horse or donkey ride for the Monastery climb if you don't want the 800 steps.
Tours & tickets
Live inventory from Viator — every card bookable, prices refresh hourly.
From Amman: Petra and Wadi rum Private/Group Full day Tour
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
From Amman :Private or Group Full day tour to Petra
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Jordan Private Transportation | The Jordanian Mappers
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
- Private tour
Tour Driver in Jordan one day tour to Petra
- Instant confirmation
2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea from Amman
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Instant confirmation
Petra Jordan by Ferry & bus from Sharm El-Sheikh full day Tour
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Petra and Petra By Night Private Guided Tour
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
- Private tour
Lasting memories in Petra & Jordan
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Petra & Dead Sea - One day Private tour
- 5.0★ · 93 reviews
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
2-Day Jordan Guided Tour Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea
- 4.9★ · 54 reviews
- Instant confirmation
Amman Petra Full-Day Trip
- Top-rated · 4.9★
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Getting there
Fly to Amman (Queen Alia airport, AMM) → 3.5 hours by rental car or private driver to Petra (Wadi Musa town). Public buses (JETT) run from Amman → Petra daily. Most travelers overnight in Wadi Musa hotels adjacent to the entrance.
Nearby food & coffee
Lunch at Basin Restaurant inside the archaeological park; dinner at My Mom's Recipe or Al-Qantarah in Wadi Musa for genuine mansaf (Jordan's national dish). Coffee at Cave Bar (built inside a 2,000-year-old Nabataean tomb — no, seriously) for a memorable sundown.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Petra tickets?
A 1-day Petra ticket is JOD 50 (~$70 USD). 2-day is JOD 55, 3-day is JOD 60. Petra by Night is JOD 17. The Jordan Pass ($99) bundles Petra + visa fee waiver + other sites.
Do I need to book Petra tickets in advance?
No — tickets are always available at the entrance ticket office. The visitor center opens at 6am; buy your ticket, walk to the Siq, and start the visit. Petra by Night tickets can be bought at the same office earlier in the day.
How long do you need at Petra?
A minimum of 6-8 hours for a full day (Treasury + Royal Tombs + Monastery climb). Two days lets you split the highlights and take the "Back Trail" from Little Petra to the Monastery for a quiet afternoon.
Is Petra worth the visit?
Yes — it's one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world. The Siq walk to the Treasury is legendary, and the Monastery hike (800 steps) rewards with a bigger, quieter, more atmospheric facade.
Can you go inside the Treasury at Petra?
No — the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is a facade only; the interior is a small empty chamber not open to visitors. Some other tombs (Urn Tomb, Royal Tombs) you can walk into.
How much walking is involved at Petra?
A full-day visit is 8-10km on foot with some steep climbs. The 800-step Monastery ascent is optional but rewarding. Donkeys and horses (extra fee) can carry you up the Monastery and back from the entrance to the Treasury.