The Ultimate Petra Travel Guide: Itinerary, Highlights, Tips, and Map

In this guide, we’ll provide all the essential details to help you plan your visit to Petra: where to stay, the best time to visit, detailed one and two-day itinerary options, and much more.

Petra, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is undeniably the crown jewel of Jordan’s attractions. Many people will visit Jordan with the sole intention of visiting Petra. Exploring this ancient city was on my bucket list for so long and it exceeded all my expectations. It’s not just about the famous Treasury; it’s a whole ancient city with plenty to explore and beautiful hiking paths with great landscapes.

Planning a trip to Jordan? Check out our Jordan Ultimate Guide and Detailed Itinerary.

Guide to the Dead Sea, Jordan: Where to Float, Stay, and Things to Do.

---

---

1. Where to Buy Tickets to Petra?

When it comes to buying tickets to Petra, you have several options: the Jordan Pass; buying the ticket at the Petra Visitor Center on the day of your visit; or guided tours that already include the entrance ticket.

Jordan Pass

If you buy the Jordan Pass, it includes the entrance to Petra. The cost of your Jordan Pass will vary depending on how many days you want to spend exploring Petra.

What is the Jordan Pass? The Jordan Pass is a single-fee package that allows visitors to the country to enjoy hassle-free entry to over 40 of Jordan’s most popular tourist attractions, including Petra. It also includes the cost of a tourist visa. Acquiring the Jordan Pass does not serve as a substitute for obtaining a visa or gaining entry into the country.

You must purchase the Jordan Pass before your arrival in Jordan and you need to stay a minimum of three nights in the country. All the information about the Jordan Pass here.

Petra Visitor Center

If you don’t have the Jordan Pass, you can buy your ticket at the Petra Visitor Center in Wadi Musa on the day of your visit. The Visitor Center is the entry point to the ancient city of Petra. From there, you can also purchase book guides, ask for information, and hire an official guide.

Petra Organized Tours

If you’re on an organized tour arranged by your hotel or companies like GetYourGuide, they may or may not include the entry ticket to Petra. It’s important to check what each tour includes to avoid unexpected expenses. Usually, most tours will have a more expensive option to include the ticket if you don’t have the Jordan Pass.

---

2. How Many Days Should You Spend in Petra?

To see the main highlights you should spend at least one full day in Petra, half a day is just not enough. You can see all the highlights and walk the most beautiful walking trails in one day if you spend 8 to 12 hours in the place (if you’re moderately fit and don’t mind walking more than 20 km in one day).

We spent two days in Petra, and even though we covered a lot of ground on the first day, we took it slowly, otherwise we would have nothing new to see on the following day. You may also opt to focus just on one area on the first day and on another the following day without exhausting yourself.

For a more enjoyable experience, where you can explore all the highlights and walking trails at a leisurely pace, we recommend spending two days in Petra. I think three days would be too much of the same for the common traveler.

Related article: Jordan Travel Guide: 9-Day Detailed Itinerary

---

3. Where to Stay to Visit Petra?

To visit Petra, it’s best to stay at Wadi Musa, the town where Petra is located. There are plenty of accommodation options for all budgets and you can easily walk to the entrance of Petra. Our accommodation was a 15-minute walk to the entrance of Petra.

If your accommodation is a bit far away, there is a large car park adjacent to the entrance of Petra. There are also plenty of taxis in the area if you need one.

---

4. What’s the Best Time to Visit Petra?

Petra is an all-year-round destination, but for the best weather and fewer tourists, consider visiting during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). The weather is mild and pleasant during these months, with average temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. To properly explore Petra, you’ll need to walk a lot, so it’s better not to visit during summer, as the scorching sun can make walking around challenging and uncomfortable.

Another factor to consider is the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan. In Jordan, as a foreigner, you are not required to fast during Ramadan and it’s actually a great time to visit if you want to avoid crowds. We visited during Ramadan in April, and there were very few tourists wherever we went. The only inconvenience is that many businesses and restaurants, especially in less touristy areas like Amman, may be closed during the daytime. However, in Petra and Wadi Musa, everything operated as usual, and all restaurants remained open throughout the day.

---

5. Petra: Top Attractions You Can’t Miss

The Treasury and the Monastery are undoubtedly the most popular places in Petra. However, there’s so much more to explore.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular places that you cannot miss, and also the places we liked the most:

• The Siq
• The Treasury
• The Al-Khubtha Trail (view to the Treasury)
• The Royal Tombs
• The Monastery
• The Trail to the High Place of Sacrifice

Fortunately, it’s possible to visit all of these locations in a single day if you dedicate 8 to 12 hours to exploring and are moderately fit. If you spend two days in Petra, you’ll also be able to explore other places out of the beaten path and see everything at a more relaxed pace. Here’s a list of other lesser-known places worth seeing:

• Petra Great Temple
• Street of Facades
• The Church
• Colonnaded Street

To ensure you don’t miss any of the highlights, we’ve prepared both a one-day and a two-day Petra itinerary. Keep reading for more details.

You may also like: Guide to the Dead Sea, Jordan: Where to Float, Stay, and Things to Do

---

6. Map of Petra

To make sure you can visualize the location of the most popular places and hiking trails you can use the following map of Petra as a reference.

The Trail marked in a thick orange line is the Petra Main Trail. The trail marked with a thinner green line is the Al-Khubtha Trail which will take you to the view of the Treasury from above. The thinner orange line represents the trail to the High Place of Sacrifice. Finally, the trail marked with a red line represents the stairs to the Monastery.

Here’s some more information about the most popular trails (included in the map, but now shown in the previous picture):

Trail	Approximate round-trip walking distance	Duration
Main Trail	8 km	3.5 – 4h
Al-Khubtha Trail	3.5 km	2.5 – 3h
High Place of Sacrifice Trail	3 km	5 – 4 h
Ad-Deir (Monastery) Trail	2.5 km	2.5 – 3h

---

7. Petra One-day Itinerary

If you just have one day in Petra, but you want to cover all the main highlights and some beautiful walking trails, consider starting your day at 6 AM or 7 AM. You’ll not only experience fewer crowds early in the morning, but you’ll also walk at a pleasant temperature. If you’re not keen on walking long distances (more than 15 km) in just one day and you don’t like early starts, consider spending two days in Petra and following our two-day itinerary.

With only one day in Petra, your route will follow the Main Trail, extending from the entrance at the Visitor Center to the Monastery. This main trail is straightforward to follow as it consists of a large, easy-to-walk path. It spans a distance of 4 km, but since you’ll need to return the same way, your total walking distance will be at least 8 km. While the estimated time to complete this trail is approximately four hours, it’s likely to take longer as you’ll stop frequently to take pictures. Additionally, if you want to hike some of the side trails, which we absolutely recommend, you need to add approximately four more hours of walking.

Start at the Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is the first entry point to Petra. It’s also where you can buy tickets if you don’t have the Jordan Pass. From there you can also hire an official guide. Any “guide” you may find after the Visitor Center is not an official guide.

The Siq

After walking for about 10 minutes, you’ll reach the Siq, a stunning narrow gorge that serves as the entrance to Petra. Entering the Siq in the early morning, accompanied only by the sounds of birds, is an absolutely incredible experience.

The Treasury

After walking roughly 1.2 km into the Siq, it opens up to reveal Petra’s most renowned façade: the Treasury. If you arrive early in the morning, you’ll have this place almost entirely to yourself. Nevertheless, as the day progresses, it becomes the most crowded spot in Petra, except in the late afternoon, close to the closing time at 6 PM.

In front of the Treasury, you’ll be approached by several Bedouins asking you if you want to go to “The View”. They are referring to the most popular view of the Treasury from above. They will take you there using a shortcut. We opted for the official walking trail instead (which takes about 2 hours round trip—more details about reaching the viewpoint here).

If you want a shortcut, you can go with the “guides”. I heard people were paying like 15 JOD to go there. I’m not sure, but maybe you can negotiate a better price.

The Street of Facades and the Theatre

From the Treasury continue walking the main trail and you’ll pass by the Street of Facades, the name given to a row of monumental Nabatean tombs carved in the cliff after the Treasury.

If you keep walking, you’ll reach the beginning of the trail to the High Place of Sacrifice. We suggest saving this trail for later and heading to “The View” as soon as possible (unless you opted for the Bedouin shortcut).

Keep walking a bit farther, and you’ll come across the Theatre, an enormous amphitheater carved into the rock. It’s the world’s only theater of its kind carved directly into the rock.

The Royal Tombs

After the Theatre, you’ll see the Royal Tombs, which is the name given to the four magnificent facades on the right side at the end of the main path through the middle of the city. Take some time to explore this place. The views from there are also amazing.

The Al-Khubtha Trail (The Treasury from Above)

Next to the Royal Tombs, you’ll see a sign for the Al-Khubtha Trail. This is the official path to reach the “View” overlooking the Treasury from above. Along this trail, you’ll also enjoy splendid panoramic views of the Theatre and the entire city.

This trail involves a lot of stairs, but it’s not difficult if you’re fairly active. However, it may be a bit challenging if you have mobility issues.

First, you’ll need to climb stairs for approximately 45 minutes. The scenery is beautiful, and the shapes and colors of the rocks are truly spectacular.

After reaching the top, you’ll come across a sign indicating the “Panoramic View of the Treasury“. Follow the trail on the left and walk for approximately 10 to 15 minutes to reach the viewpoint overlooking the Treasury.

You’ll see that the best view is not directly accessible. You’ll need to go inside a bedouin tent to actually see the view. You just need to buy something and you can stay there for as long as you want. They sell coffee, tea, orange juice, lemon mint, and other beverages.

After spending some time at the viewpoint, you need to walk all the way back. Take some time to appreciate the panoramic view of the Theatre before walking down the stairs.

The Trail to the Monastery

After getting back to the Main Trail, continue your walk towards Qasr al-Bint. Here, you can rest for a while before starting the climb to the Monastery. The climb involves roughly 850 steps. Along the way, consider making a brief detour to catch sight of the Lion Triclinium before rejoining the main path.

I had read many blogs that mentioned how challenging the climb to the Monastery could be. To be honest, I found it quite manageable. If you don’t have mobility issues and the sun isn’t scorching, it’s not overly difficult.

Upon reaching the Monastery, you’ll notice that it’s far less crowded than the Treasury. We opted to go to the Treasury on our second day and we reached it around 9 AM and we had the place just for ourselves.

If you’re tired, you can go back on the same main trail passing by the Petra Great Temple, the Colonnaded Street, and appreciate other details along the way.

The High Place of Sacrifice

If you still have energy left, we highly recommend doing the Wadi Al Farasa trail leading to the High Place of Sacrifice, which starts right next to Qasr al-Bint.

Along this route, you’ll be treated to magnificent views and you’ll pass by lesser-known, more modest tombs that are equally fascinating. Before reaching the High Place of Sacrifice, you’ll also encounter two obelisks.

Please note that this trail is somewhat challenging, spanning a distance of 3 km and taking approximately two to three hours to complete.

From the High Place of Sacrifice, you’ll enjoy exceptional panoramic views of the entire city of Petra. Continue along the trail, and you’ll eventually reconnect with the Main Trail in front of the Street of Facades. At this point, you can choose to make your way back to the entrance, finishing your day in Petra.

This is a pretty packed itinerary, encompassing virtually all of Petra’s highlights and the most picturesque trails. If you have two days in Petra, you can consider visiting the Monastery on the second day, starting early in the morning. Furthermore, if you’re feeling particularly fatigued, you have the option to skip the trail to the High Place of Sacrifice, although it was personally my favorite trail.

---

8. Petra Two-day Itinerary

If you have two days in Petra you can split the one-day itinerary into two days and add some other landmarks along the way like the Church, the Great Temple of Petra, and the Colonnaded Street.

Here’s a summary of the two-day itinerary for Petra (most of the places were already described in detail in the one-day itinerary).

Day 1 in Petra

• Go through the Siq to the Treasury.
• Continue the Petra Main Trail to the Royal Tombs, passing by the street of Facades and the Theatre.
• Explore the Royal Tombs.
• Walk the Al-Khubtha trail to see the Treasury from above and for panoramic views of Petra.
• Get back to the Petra Main Trail and admire the beautiful mosaics at the Church.
• Rest near Qasr al-Bint.
• Hike the Wadi al Farasa trail to the High Place of Sacrifice starting next to Qasr al-Bint.
• Once on the High Place of Sacrifice continue that trail until converging into the Petra Main Trail.
• Get back to the Treasury and go through the Siq once again to end your day.

Day 2 in Petra

• Hike the Petra Main Trail to Qasr al-Bint.
• Climb the steps to the Monastery.
• On the way back, make a stop at the Lion Triclinium.
• Return to the Petra Main Trail and explore the Petra Great Temple and the Colonnaded Street.
• Delve deeper into the Street of Facades.
• Return to the Treasury and make your way back to the entry gate via the Siq.

This was the exact itinerary that we followed. On the first day, we spent the whole day in Petra starting at 7 AM and finishing at 6 PM. We walked at a very relaxed pace and stopped for two hours during lunchtime.

On our second day, we started around 7 AM and finished our day around 3:30 PM. On your second day, if you don’t want to do the Petra Main Trail twice, you can enter Petra from the back door. You’ll start a hike near Little Petra and you arrive at the Monastery. From there you can walk the main trail to the entrance gate. To do this, you need to arrange a guide and transportation to the starting point.

---

9. How to Get to the Treasury Viewpoint?

To get to the view of the Treasury from above, you have two options. You can go via a shortcut with a Bedouin “guide” or you can reach it by walking the official trail.

Go With a “Guide”

When you reach the Treasury you’ll be approached by several Bedouins asking you if you want to go to “The View”. You don’t have to look for them, they will come to you. They will take you to the viewpoint using a shortcut.

We didn’t do this option, so I’m not sure how it is, but I read that it will take 10 to 15 minutes or less to reach the viewpoint via a super steep path. Please be aware that this path can be challenging and even somewhat risky, although the “guides” make an effort to ensure your safety.

Regarding the cost, I’ve heard that some visitors paid around 15 JOD for this service, but it may be possible to negotiate a better price.

Via The Al-Khubtha Trail

The Al-Khubtha trail is the official path to get you to the panoramic view of the Treasury from above. It starts right next to the Royal Tombs and takes approximately 3.5 km way and back. The path is a bit challenging as it involves approximately 45 minutes of walking stairs.

Nevertheless, the effort is highly rewarding, as it provides outstanding panoramic views not only of the Treasury from above but also of the Theatre, and other landmarks. We’ve detailed the route to the Panoramic View of the Treasury from above earlier in this article.

---

9. How to Get Around Petra?

The best way to get around Petra is by walking. There are other official transportation options if you have mobility issues:

• horses: from the Visitor Center to the entrance of the Siq (it’s free, but they’ll demand a tip at the end of the ride);
• carriages: from the Visitor Center to the Treasury;
• camels: from Qasr al-Bint back to the Treasury.

There are also unofficial mule rides to climb the steps (approximately 850 steps) to the Monastery.

While the horses appeared to be well cared for, the camels in front of the Treasury and the mules that go to the Monastery did not appear to be receiving proper treatment.

---

10. Facilities Inside Petra

Inside Petra, you’ll find facilities such as restrooms, a restaurant, numerous coffee shops, and a first-aid clinic.

I had particular concerns about the availability of toilets because I couldn’t find this information online, and we were planning to spend two full days there. Fortunately, there are toilets scattered along the main path, so it’s not something you need to worry about.

Additionally, there’s a restaurant located near Qasr al-Bint, along with coffee shops dotted throughout the area. Bedouins also sell refreshing drinks at almost every corner, and you’ll come across souvenir stalls all around Petra.

---

11. What to Wear in Petra?

When visiting Petra, it’s important to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate attire given the local culture and weather conditions. Loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants or skirts are the best choices to protect you from the sun while wearing something conservative at the same time. Use a hat or scarf to protect your head and don’t forget your sunscreen.

If you’re visiting during the winter months, consider layering your clothing and bringing a waterproof jacket based on the weather forecast.

Choose comfortable footwear as you’ll be doing a significant amount of walking. There’s no need for specialized hiking boots or shoes; your regular, well-worn sneakers will be fine.

---

12. The Petra Museum

Just beside the Visitor Center, you’ll find the Petra Museum—the entrance is free. We suggest visiting the museum a day before your Petra excursion. We, unfortunately, went at the end of our second day in Petra when we were quite tired. Nevertheless, we learned some interesting facts, especially about the way the Nabateans collected and used the water in Petra.

---

13. The Petra by Night Event

“Petra by Night” is a special evening event in Petra, where you can experience the ancient city by candlelight. It includes a candlelit walk through the Siq, leading to the illuminated Treasury, accompanied by traditional music and tea. It seems to be an enchanting experience, but every travel blog I read mentioned that it was not that special, so we decided to skip it.

However, one of our readers shared that he had an amazing experience. So, if it’s something you think you’ll like, just go for it. I now regret not having done it.

Petra by Night requires a separate ticket (you also need a regular daylight ticket) and is held on every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings (starts at 20:30 and you’re back at the entrance around 22:30). More information here.

---

14. Little Petra

Little Petra, also known as Siq al-Barid, is an archaeological site near the Ancient City of Petra. It’s an excellent place to explore the day before heading to Petra itself. Little Petra is like a smaller, less-visited version of Petra, featuring narrow canyons, rock-carved facades, and tombs in the sandstone cliffs.

We recommend visiting Little Petra before Petra because otherwise, you might not find it as special since they share many similarities. When we visited, there were very few people, allowing us to capture great pictures as a couple. Another plus is that entry is free.

Enter Petra Via the Back Door

If you’re up for more adventure, there’s an option to hike from Little Petra to Petra’s Monastery. We didn’t do this because you need a guide and transportation to the starting point, which we hadn’t arranged in advance. However, it’s certainly a great choice if you wish to avoid walking Petra’s main path twice on the same day.

---

Wrapping Up

We hope you found this guide to visiting Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, useful. We’ve shared all of our tips and itineraries to ensure you have a fantastic time exploring the ancient city of Petra. While the Treasury is a highlight, remember that Petra has much more to offer, so take the time to thoroughly explore the surroundings, and you won’t be disappointed.

Petra is a magnificent destination, but Jordan has so much more to offer beyond Petra. Therefore, consider spending at least one week exploring this beautiful country.

Other Jordan travel guides:

• Jordan Ultimate Guide and Itinerary for more information
• Guide to the Dead Sea, Jordan: Where to Float, Stay, and Things to Do
• How to Spend One Day in Amman, Jordan

If you’re planning a trip to Jordan, be sure to check out our detailed itinerary.

Finally, you can use our links to book your accommodation, and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more for it and you’ll be supporting our work.

Thanks for reading.