Is Petra Worth Visiting?
Absolutely yes! Well, we know we’ve spoiled the surprise a little early, but we wanted to let you know straight away. Often, travel blogs take a long time to get to the answer, but not this one.
The answer to the question - is Petra worth visiting? - is unequivocally, yes!
Don’t let us convince you with only one word, though. In this article, we will highlight all the reasons why we believe Petra is worth visiting all year round.
Ticket 4 Two Please standing in front of the epic Monastery
To this day, visiting Petra remains one of the best travel experiences we have ever had! Nothing can quite prepare you for the moment you see the famous Treasury for the first time.
It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen it in photos. Viewing it with your own eyes is something you’ll never ever forget - trust us!
Stick around to discover why we think Petra is totally worth the hype and why we consider it to be one of the best travel experiences you can possibly have!
So, let’s dive into: Is Petra Worth Visiting?
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Is Petra Worth Visiting?
100%, we believe Petra is worth visiting. It’s rare for us to have our breath taken away when we see somewhere that is so popular and well-known, but Petra was certainly one of those rare occasions.
We will never forget the moment we laid eyes on the Treasury for the first time when we did the Petra by night experience. It was a memory that will stay with us forever!
We were shocked by just how massive the entire site of Petra is - it’s way more than just the Treasury. The sheer expanse of the ‘Lost City’ is one of the reasons we always encourage people to visit Petra. It goes on and on, which makes it even more impressive.
With all that being said, we think it is important to address one issue with Petra - it is very overcrowded!
There is no escaping the fact that Petra has grown to become a global phenomenon at the very top of many traveller’s bucket lists, and as such, the crowds can be a little overwhelming during the high season.
If, however, you go in with an open mind and come to terms with the fact that you’re realistically not going to get ‘that’ Instagram photo of The Treasury that magically has 7 people in it, then we still think Petra is totally worth visiting.
The Treasury - the facade that makes Petra worth visiting on its own!
How many days should I spend in Petra?
Realistically, Petra can be visited in one day - it will be an incredibly busy and rushed day, but most sites in Petra can be seen in one day if you are reasonably fit, enjoy walking and don’t mind a very early start.
During our 1-week road trip in Jordan, we spent 1 day and 2 nights at Petra. It was the perfect amount of time to spend in Petra.
We were able to experience Petra by Night on the evening we arrived and then spent the entire following day exploring the ancient city in the daylight. It was a busy couple of days, but we were happy with everything we saw.
It is always better to visit any place for longer but don’t be put off if you only have one day free on your Jordan travel itinerary.
Where to stay near Petra?
When deciding whether Petra is worth visiting, it’s important to look at the accommodation options near Petra to see whether they are worth investing in.
Thankfully, there are lots of options when it comes to amazing places to stay in Petra (Wadi Musa), and below we have highlighted our personal favourites.
We have given you suggestions of the best place to stay near Petra for every budget, so any traveller should find something that suits their preferred budget style.
Best Luxury Place to Stay near Petra: Bubble Luxotel Petra - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay in a luxury bubble hotel under the stars in the desert. It even has a private hot tub, what more could you want?!
Best Mid-Priced Place to Stay near Petra: Petra Guest House - this hotel is unique because it is actually inside the Petra Visitor Centre, giving you unrivalled access to Petra. Best of all, you don’t need to get up as early as everybody else to avoid the crowds because you’re already sleeping there!
Best Budget Place to Stay near Petra: Nomads Hostel Petra - an excellent budget-friendly option only 1km from the Petra visitor entrance. You can stay in a shared dorm room or, as we did, stay in your own private room! We loved staying here as it’s the perfect budget-friendly option in Petra!
Petra Guest House - the most convenient place to stay in Petra
When is the best time to visit Petra?
What is the best month to visit Petra?
The best months to visit Petra are during the Spring between March-May, or late Autumn between September-November. We visited in November, and the crowds were manageable; it wasn’t too hot, and it seemed like the perfect time of year to visit Jordan.
What is the best time of day to visit Petra?
In terms of when to visit Petra during the day, we recommend being there first thing in the morning.
The Petra Visitor Centre lets people in at 6 am and we recommend beginning to line up around 5:50 am to be able to avoid all the crowds that arrive later.
Yes, we appreciate this is incredibly early, but to have the very best chance of only sharing the Treasury with a handful of people, this is the only time to visit.
We have heard reports that by around 3pm Petra begins to get less crowded and some people recommend starting your visit at this time. We weren’t brave enough to take this advice, though, because we were too nervous about missing anything out because visiting Petra is definitely a full-day event.
Reasons to visit Petra
What better way to give you reasons to visit Petra than by outlining all the best things to see in Petra - it’s more than just the Treasury, you know!
Best Things to See in Petra
The Treasury
The most famous, iconic and memorable thing to see in Petra is the Treasury. It appears on all the photos of Petra, and for good reason.
It is an incredible work of craftsmanship. To be able to carve something that beautiful and that functional into the rock over 2000 years ago is nothing short of miraculous.
Being able to see the incredible red-stone facade in person is certainly one of the main reasons why visiting Petra is 100% worth it in our eyes.
Ben standing outside the iconic Treasury in Petra
2. The Monastery
We were guilty of not knowing what the Monastery was before our trip to Petra, so we were completely in awe of this place when we finally reached the top of the 800+ steps you need to climb to reach the Monastery.
Perhaps the steps are why many people skip out the Monastery, but in our opinion, it is even more impressive than the Treasury. We know it sounds controversial, but the 45m high facade is absolutely phenomenal.
A bonus of the Monastery is that it’s always nearly empty because people don’t want to face the stairs, and there is even a small cafe that overlooks the facade so you can have a nice cool drink while staring at this epic wonder!
The Monastery - our personal favourite sight in Petra
3. Petra by Night
We didn’t think Petra could be any more magical, but seeing the Treasury lit by candles at night time was a truly special experience.
The Petra by Night Experience begins around 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. By purchasing the Petra by Night ticket, you get the chance to visit this wonder in the depths of night, with only little candlelit lanterns illuminating the path.
It’s a popular experience, which makes it very crowded, but once you get over that, it really is quite magical.
Lanterns during Petra by Night
4. The Siq
An often overlooked reason to visit Petra is to observe the area's natural beauty. Yes, of course, the manmade wonders of the carved stone facades are incredibly intricate, but just as impressive are the natural wonders dotted all around Petra.
One of our favourites was the Siq - the slot canyon you walk through to reach the Treasury.
It’s the first part of Petra you really get to see, and it’s actually one of the most memorable.
The Siq - the slot canyon you walk through to reach the Treasury
5. High Place of Sacrifice
If you don’t mind a bit of a hike, another incredibly overlooked thing to see in Petra is the High Place of Sacrifice.
You can discover this amazing gem after a 30-minute hike from the main street in Petra, just past the Theatre. The place of Sacrifice is where animals were likely sacrificed during Nabataean times and while the altar is barely recognisable today, there is something even more impressive up here.
The view from the High Place of Sacrifice is something else! From up here, you can see the site of Petra, including the Street of Facades from above!
High Place of Sacrifice - our favourite view in Petra
Did you know? It is possible to trek the Dana Trail all the way into the back of Petra. It’s one of the most adventurous things to do in Jordan and will live long in the memory!
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Petra
Is Petra a Wonder of the World?
As of 2007, Petra was officially named one of the New Wonders of the World alongside the Great Wall of China (China), Machu Picchu (Peru), the Colosseum (Italy), Taj Mahal (India), Chichén Itzá (Mexico) and Christ the Redeemer (Brazil).
Is Petra Expensive?
When compared to other Wonders of the World, Petra is a relatively expensive place to visit. For example, a one-day entry ticket to Petra is around 50 Jordanian Dinars (£57/$71) per person. When you think that a one-day entry pass to Machu Picchu costs in the ballpark of 150 Peruvian Soles (£31/$40), you see how expensive a ticket can be.
However, do we think Petra is worth visiting, irrespective of the cost? Absolutely yes! Thankfully, the entry fee is the most expensive part of a visit to Petra. You can cut costs by eating cheaply in Wadi Musa, bringing snacks with you into Petra, and staying at a budget-friendly hotel/hostel nearby.
What is the most famous sight in Petra?
Undoubtedly, the most famous sight in Petra is the iconic Treasury - it’s the photo you see of Petra all the time. With that being said though, there are many other incredible things to see in Petra, including our personal favourite The Monastery.
Is Petra Safe?
A quick answer to this question is easy - yes, Petra is safe to travel to. We understand that travelling always poses certain risks, and we advise you to use regular travel caution when visiting Petra. But in general, we felt 100% safe in Petra and in Jordan more widely. The Jordanian people are amongst the most hospitable we have ever come across during our travels - particularly the Bedouin people who live around Petra and Wadi Rum.
Is Petra a City?
Technically, yes, Petra is a city. It was inhabited by the Nabataean people and served as an important crossroads between Arabia and Egypt as it lies in between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. Today, except a couple of families that still live in Petra, the city is uninhabited and guests just come and go for the day.
The closest town to Petra is actually called Wadi Musa, but sometimes people just call it Petra. Wadi Musa is where the entrance to Petra lies and likely where you will stay during your visit to this famous archaeological site.
Why is Petra called the Lost City?
Petra is often called the ‘Lost City’ because, despite its incredibly important history at the crossroads between Arabia and Egypt, it was completely lost to the Western World by around 700 AD.
In 1812, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a wealthy Swiss explorer, rediscovered the ‘lost’ red sandstone city of Petra and today it remains one of the most significant archaeological sites on the planet.
Can you do Petra without a Tour Guide?
In reality, yes, you can see Petra without a tour guide's help. There is absolutely no obligation to hire a guide and it is possible to visit everything in Petra on your own devices.
This is perhaps the preferred option for visiting Petra, particularly for budget-conscious travellers. You can visit at your own pace and don’t have to pay for the guide.
However, with that being said, we strongly suggest taking a guided tour around Petra. As we’ve mentioned, the entire site of Petra is absolutely massive and at times when we were walking around, we didn’t really know what each part was or whether it was historically significant or not. If we’d had a guide, they would have been able to tell us!
It is possible to hire a Petra guide at the Petra Visitor Centre, or there are a number of Great Guided Petra Tours from Amman where transport to and from Petra is included in the overall price. This is a great option for anyone planning to visit Jordan on a short trip!
One of the best photo spots in Petra - overlooking the Monastery
Before you get to Petra, you’re likely to fly into Amman. Is Amman worth visiting? We absolutely this so, and yet it is still criminally overlooked in favour of spending more time elsewhere in the Middle East.
There we have it, folks, our round-up of why we believe Petra is worth visiting. Yes, it is overcrowded, and yes, it can be expensive to visit, but that doesn’t deter us from encouraging everybody to visit Petra at least once in their lifetime. It really is a magical experience!
We hope we have managed to answer the question - is Petra worth visiting? What are you waiting for? Go ahead and book your trip to Jordan right now!
