Best Things To See In Petra
You're planning a trip to Petra, but you’ve only ever seen photos of the Treasury and are wondering what else there is to see?
You have to come to the right place as we outline Petra's best things to see.
The Treasury is one of those places that every budding traveller around the world wants to visit at some point in their lifetime - but the site of Petra is more than just that one beautiful stone facade.
We give you a brief Petra overview before running through the best things to see in Petra.
We round off the article with some handy Petra travel tips, including the best places to stay when you’re visiting the famous site.
So, let’s dive into the Best Things to see in Petra:
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
Best Petra Accomodation
Our best Luxury Stay in Petra: Bubble Luxotel Petra
Our best Mid-priced Stay in Petra: Petra Guest House Hotel
Our best Budget Stay in Petra: Nomads Hotel Petra
Petra Overview
Is Petra worth visiting? Well, the City of Petra, the capital of the Nabatean community, is not only one of the highlights of Jordan but is one of the wonders of the world. So yes, it’s definitely worth visiting!
It is not known when Petra began to be constructed, though estimates suggest the city began to prosper around the 1st Century B.C. It was at the heart of the Nabatean World and grew rich largely in part due to the successful trading of materials such as Frankincense and Myrrh.
The Romans effectively annexed the city of Petra until late into the 4th Century A.D. when a large Earthquake appeared to have decimated the city.
By the early 7th Century, Petra was virtually deserted, only inhabited by a few local Bedouin communities whose descendants still call Petra home to this day.
In 1812, Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt ‘rediscovered’ the city, which has remained a bucket-list-worthy destination to visit ever since.
How long do you need to visit Petra?
Petra can be visited in one day - it will be incredibly long and busy, but most sites in Petra can be seen in one day if you are reasonably fit and enjoy walking. It is always better to visit for longer, but don’t be put off if you only have one day free.
During our 1-week road trip in Jordan, we spent 1 day and 2 nights at Petra. We were able to experience Petra by Night on the evening we arrived and then spent the entire day following day exploring the ancient city in the daylight. It was a busy couple of days, but we were happy with everything we saw then.
Generally, though, it is probably best to split your visit to Petra over 2 separate days to avoid feeling rushed and to make sure you see absolutely everything.
Ticket 4 Two Please in front of the Monastery at Petra
Best Things to see in Petra
As you may have gathered by now, Petra is a vast complex that would take days and days to explore fully. As you can imagine, then, there is plenty to see and do.
We are going to outline 10 of the best things to see in Petra so you will know exactly what you need to see when you visit the famous site.
Petra Museum
We will start our round-up of the best things to see in Petra by highlighting where we believe you should start.
The newly furbished Petra Museum can be found just outside the entrance to the Petra visitor centre and contains over 280 Nabatean artefacts excavated from the site.
The numerous exhibits teach you about the history and life of the Nabatean community and are a brilliant introduction to your trip to Petra. Best of all, the museum is entirely free and is open daily until 8 pm.
The Siq
The Siq, an impressive 1.2km thin canyon, is the main entrance to Petra and is one of the first sights you will see once you enter through the gates. The narrow gorge winds through the rock until it opens out onto Petra’s most famous component - the Treasury (Al Khazna).
Unlike traditional slot canyons, which are formed through water erosion, the Siq was formed due to a shift in the tectonic plates deep below the Earth’s surface.
The canyon is incredibly deep, with the walls forming the canyon standing anywhere between 90-180m high. At times, The Siq is only 3m wide, giving a sense that the walls are completely enveloping you.
Around every corner you see a magnificent display of rich, red sandstone towering directly above you. Walking through The Siq at Petra is a truly magical experience.
The Siq Canyon leading to the Treasury
Street of Facades
The Street of Facades is the name given to the remarkable row of Nabatean tombs carved deep into the rock, just past the Treasury.
While a number of the facades are fairly weather-beaten, the Street itself is a brilliant example of the vastness and complexity of the ancient city of Petra.
When you stand in the middle of the street, flanked on either side by impressive ruins and structures, you would be forgiven for thinking you are standing in the middle of a fully functioning community.
One of the best aspects of the Street of Facades is that you can go inside many of the tombs, giving you a sense of how they would have looked all those years ago.
Street of Facades
High Place of Sacrifice
The High Place of Sacrifice is accessed by a steep, 30-minute walk from the main street, just past the Theater.
The first thing that greets you at the High Place is two 6m high obelisks, likely dedicated to the two Nabataean Gods, Al ‘Uzza and Dushara.
Once you pass the Obelisks, you find yourself at the main altar area where the animal sacrifices would have taken place. You can just about make out the drainage system that would have drained the blood of the unfortunate animals.
As well as being an impressively preserved place of sacrifice, the area also provides some of the best views you can find in Petra. Just on from the High Place of Sacrifice, you are treated to a view of the city centre, the Street of Facades from above, and even a panoramic view of the Petra Mountains.
The incredible view from the High Place of Sacrifice
Our tip: this is a great place to sit and just hang out for a while. If you have brought a packed lunch with you to Petra, it’s the perfect place for a picnic.
Theatre
Carved deep into the mountainside that is overlooked by the High Place of Sacrifice is the mightily impressive Theatre. The 4000-seater auditorium towers over the Street of Facades and is one of the major attractions at Petra.
The auditorium is believed to have been built during the reign of King Aretas IV (4 B.C.- 27 A.D.) and was later partially rebuilt by the Romans.
Unfortunately, you are not able to ascend up any of the 7 stairways that lead to the top of the Theatre, but you are still able to marvel at the structure from ground level.
Camels in front of the Auditorium
Note: if you are wanting to ascend a Theatre while in Jordan, one of the best things to do in Amman is to climb to the top of the superb Roman Amphitheatre in the heart of downtown. It’s a great activity to do in Jordan’s charismatic capital city.
Roman Soldier’s Tomb
While the majority of the tombs in Petra are/were dedicated to notable people within the Nabatean community, there are a few outliers.
One such tomb is the extraordinary Roman Soldier’s Tomb - named after the statue of a Roman Soldier that lies above the entranceway to the tomb.
The Tomb lies directly on the Wadi Farasa - an unmissable trail that gives you incredible views of Petra, on top of less-visited archaeological gems like the Roman Soldier’s Tomb.
The inside of the Roman Soldier’s Tomb
Great Temple
A prominent feature of the Colonnaded Street, which itself is one of the best things to see in Petra, is the Great Temple.
The prominent Nabatean Temple was constructed around 1 B.C. but is believed to have been badly damaged by an Earthquake not long after its completion. Despite this, it remained functional in some guise or another until the late Byzantine period.
Excavators from Brown University in the USA have been working on the site since 1993 and have found evidence to suggest that the Great Temple was later used by the Romans as a Civic Centre.
The architecture at the Great Temple
Qasr-al Bint
One of the most impressive features of Qasr-al Bint is that it is largely a free-standing building (not carved out of existing rock), which is somewhat of a rarity at Petra.
The temple dates back to around 30 B.C. and was initially built as a dedication to Nabatean Gods. It was one of the most important temples in the whole of Petra.
Qasr-al Bint features a prominent sacrificial altar in front of the temple, leading to suggestions that it was probably the main place of worship for the Nabateans.
Donkeys in front of Qasr-al Bint
The Monastery (Ad Deir)
The Monastery is arguably the most impressive monument in Petra, certainly one of the largest. Built in a similar style to the Treasury, it derives its name from the crosses found inside, lending to the common thought of its use as a church by the Byzantines.
The Monastery can be found high above the main monuments of Petra and requires climbing over 800 steps. It is certainly worth the exertion, however, as the 45m high structure is one of the highlights of Petra - particularly when basked in the afternoon sun.
Our tip: a little tea house sits directly opposite the Monastery and offers a welcome relief for those who have braved the 800-step ascent in the Jordanian heat.
The Monastery
The Treasury (Al Khazna)
It wouldn’t be fair to round up the best things to see in Petra without mentioning the most famous element of all, the Treasury.
Despite being used as a tomb for Nabatean King Aretas III, The Treasury derives its name from the story that an Egyptian Pharaoh hid his treasure inside the tomb when pursuing the Israelites - no such ‘treasures’ were discovered inside the Tomb.
The Treasury is the place where visitors first tend to fall in love with Petra and begin to truly appreciate the impressive craftsmanship of the area.
Our tip: the sun shines brightly on the Treasury between 9am-11am, but there will be hundreds of other visitors around at this point. For uninterrupted shots of the Treasury it is best to get there before 7am.
Camels in front of The Treasury
Other notable places to see in Petra
Little Petra
Accessible via a 6km hiking route from the Monastery, the often overlooked cousin of Petra, despite being smaller than the main site, is home to a vast array of Nabatean structures and monuments. Did you know? You can trek to Little Petra from Dana Biosphere Reserve along the great Jordan Trail. Trekking the Jordan trail is one of the most unforgettable adventure activities in Jordan.
Bab Al Siq
Found halfway between the Petra Visitor Centre and the Siq, on the left-hand side of the main trail, Bab Al Siq (‘Gateway to the Siq’ in Arabic) is topped with 3 impressive Djinn Blocks, squat monuments sometimes referred to as the God Blocks.
Temple of the Winged Lions
Named after the winged lions that once topped the columns outside, the Temple has only recently been excavated and is definitely worth a visit if you have the time.
Petra by Night
A wonderful candlelit ceremony is conducted in front of the Treasury three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday). Tickets for Petra by Night can be purchased at the ticket office, and it is certainly worth paying extra for.
Lanterns at Petra by Night
Tips for visiting Petra
Get there early - arrive at the gate for 6 am to avoid the crowds. We know this sounds early, but trust us, if you want to avoid having hundreds of people surrounding you at all times, then getting there for when the gates open is definitely advised.
Don’t miss the Wadi al Farasa Trail - while Petra is brimming with fascinating ancient and Nabatean ruins, it is easy to forget just how stunning the surrounding area is. The best views in Petra can be found on the Wadi al Farasa Trail!
Pay a little extra to get that ‘perfect photo’ at the Treasury - as soon as you arrive at the Treasury, you will get a number of local Bedouins coming up and asking whether you want to go a little higher to get a better photo. Haggle a price before saying yes, but it is definitely worth it!
Bab Al Siq - found between the Petra Museum and the Siq
Be prepared to walk A LOT! You’re looking at a minimum of 15-20000 steps if you do Petra correctly. Particularly if you walk all the way to the Monastery, which is an absolutely unmissable sight!
Eat at ‘My Mum’s Recipe Restaurant’ - while most hotels in Wadi Musa feature their own restaurants, we recommend visiting ‘My Mum’s Recipe Restaurant’ on the main street in town. The cheerily named restaurant specialises in Jordanian classics such as Mansaf and Maqluba - both were delicious!
Booking a private tour can make your entire trip - finding yourself an affordable private Petra tour helps you discover the famous site's history and ensures you never get lost in the vast site.
Where to stay in Petra?
As you will no doubt already know, you will be walking a lot during your visit to Petra. This means it’s very important to choose a great place to stay in Petra as you are going to need as much rest and relaxation as possible.
In our review of the best places to stay in Petra, we outlined nine accommodation options in Wadi Musa, ranging from lavish bubble tents in the desert to cheap and cheerful capsule hostels in the centre of town.
Here are our top 3 recommendations for where to stay in Petra, suitable for any budget:
Bubble Luxotel Petra
Our best Luxury stay in Petra
Bubble Luxotel Petra - there are very few places in the world where you are able to stay in a luxury pod in the middle of a desert. You should definitely take advantage of this during your stay in Petra. It’s going to be a costly stay, but definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that is hard to pass up.
Our best Mid-priced stay in Petra
Petra Guest House Hotel - for sheer convenience and the chance to dine in the famous Nabatean Cave Bar, the Petra Guest House Hotel takes our favourite spot for mid-priced stays in Petra. Fun fact: The Guest House Hotel is actually found at the Petra Visitor Centre.
Our best Budget stay in Petra
Nomads Hotel Petra - this is the hotel we stayed at during our time in Petra, and it was excellent. The staff were lovely and friendly, and the rooms were spacious and tidy. It’s exactly what you’d hope for when you book a relatively cheap hotel, and we can’t have any complaints about it.
Nomads Hotel Petra - photo courtesy of Nomads Hotel
There we have it, folks, a complete round-up of the Best Things to see in Petra.
It is no exaggeration to suggest that Petra is one of the most amazing places we have ever visited on our travels, and we hope this article has helped you decide which elements of the famous ancient city you want to discover when you visit.
The majority of Jordan itineraries focus on visiting Petra and then Wadi Rum, so discovering how to get from Petra to Wadi Rum may prove very useful for you.
