The Ultimate Guide to Petra Jordan
Out of all of the places I dreamed about visiting while growing up in Cuba, the Rose City of Petra was probably number 1. I spent countless hours imagining what life was like thousands of years ago in this magical place.
When I visited Jordan, I finally had the chance to visit Petra and experience it for myself. It was a very spiritual experience for me to touch and feel all of the vestiges of this treasure of ancient civilization. Petra is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While we’ve all seen Petra on Instagram and of course in Indiana Jones, actually visiting the site blew me away. How many people have walked through those canyons before me (and how many people will visit in the future) is unimaginable.
The city has been standing for centuries, hidden from the Western world until the 1800’s and now welcoming thousands of visitors each year. If you grew up dreaming about history (like me!) and you love to travel the world to discover the treasures of the past, make Jordan a designated stop in your travel itinerary this year. Here is my guide to visiting Petra and all of the important things you should know before arriving!
When is the best time to visit Petra?
The best time to visit Petra is either during the spring (from March to May) or fall (from September to November). You’ll avoid the high temperatures of the summer months and the rain and cold of the winter days. I visited at the end of March and it was definitely the perfect time to fully enjoy The Lost City of Petra, Jordan. The temperature was comfortable, and I was able to wear sun-protective clothing without worrying about excessive heat.
I will also recommend visiting the city in the early hours of the morning or in the late afternoon before the park closes. You’ll avoid not only the highest temperatures of midday and the strong sun, but also the majority of the crowds. So you can snap that dream picture in front of the treasury with no one in the background. Perfect!
Getting To Petra
From Amman to Petra
A 3 hour drive will bring you from Jordan’s capital Amman to the Rose City. Either the King’s Highway or the Desert Highway will get you to Petra easily. We did the drive and it was definitely an experience you don’t want to miss, with gorgeous views and scenic vistas that will keep you entertained. It’s a decent length drive, but luckily there’s a perfect place to stop along the way: Al-Karak. The amazing ruins of this Crusader castle offer plenty of opportunity to explore, and you’ll find gorgeous views of the Dead Sea in the distance as well. We stopped there to enjoy the views, took a self-guided tour of the castle, and enjoyed a delicious lemon and mint juice with local coffee in the small restaurant outside the castle.
Travel tip: There’s no official parking area outside of the castle, but the locals working at the restaurants near the entrance will watch over your car if you stop by one of the cafes on the way out for some refreshments. You can also enjoy a tasty lunch there, but we decided to skip the meal since we couldn’t wait to get to Petra.
If you are not an experienced driver or you aren’t used to driving in foreign countries, buses and private car hires are also options to get to Petra. While many travel bloggers and travel websites will recommend arranging the transfer directly from your hotel, I actually recommend against it. The two times we decided to arrange a taxi through the hotel, the prices were considerably higher than when we hailed cabs on the street. So my advice is to read a little more about how the taxi system works in the different areas of Jordan and just find one on your own. As long as you go in an official taxi, the prices will be cheaper and you will be completely safe.
From Aqaba to Petra
If you are still not convinced that the drive from Amman is for you, another great option is flying into Aqaba, the closest large airport to Petra, and driving from there. The drive to Petra from Aqaba is under 2 hours, and there are tons of cars for hire and buses that will take you straight to the ancient city.
What to Wear in Petra
There are a couple of items that were essential on my trip: a long sleeve shirt/duster, a pair of comfortable sneakers, and scarf!
Since I traveled to Petra with just my carry-on bag and a personal item, I didn’t have much room so I had to pack just the essentials. If you are planning to visit Petra, Wadi Rum, etc, a pair of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes is fundamental. While you could bring a pair of hiking boots, I think the area is too hot for those and honestly the vast majority of the trips can be more easily done without large boots. Other types of shoes like espadrilles could work as well, just keep in mind that you’ll have to walk a lot (especially if you are planning to climb all the way to the Monastery at Petra).
Since you will be in the desert, be prepared for the temperatures to change drastically from day to night. That’s why I recommend wearing layers! For me, the easiest was to wear a long sleeve shirt/duster and a scarf. I used them to protect myself from the strong sun during the day and also to keep myself warm during the nights. If you get too hot, you can always take off the scarf for a bit and cool down in some shade.
Before going to Petra, I saw many pictures of girls wearing long skirts on Instagram. I actually decided to go with a pair of loose breathable pants instead of a skirt, which turned out to be a great idea. If you are taking a camel ride or ride a horse to the top of the mountains to see the Treasury from above, you’ll definitely want to wear some pants for a more comfortable ride. I saw several girls in skirts struggling to get onto the camels, so I definitely recommend the pants!
Don’t forget sunscreen! If you do forget (...guilty!), there are several local shops in the tourism center just outside Petra that sell different types of sunscreen. I bought some there and I actually loved how well it protected my skin while exploring the ancient city.
Getting around Petra
Getting around Petra can be a bit tricky! It seems confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it you won’t have any problems. Since most of us have probably seen pictures of the famous Treasury building, you might think that Petra is just that. The Treasury is indeed one of the largest and grandest buildings, but it’s just the beginning. There is so much more to see in the city! Once you walk through the entrance canyon (the Siq) and pass the Treasury (the first building) you will find the street of facades, numerous tombs, the theater, temples, and last but not least the Monastery. There will be plenty of walking to get to the Monastery, so make sure to bring some water with you. There is actually a small restaurant serving drinks and light refreshments located along the Facades, so you can take a quick break there before continuing on the Monastery.
If walking is not really your thing but you still want to enjoy all of what Petra has to offer, right at the entrance of the city (and along the way as well) you will find horses, carriages, donkeys, and camels available to hire.
We decided to walk and explore until the Museum area before finding donkeys to get up to the Monastery. This turned out to be a great idea! The climb up to the Monastery is very steep and can be slippery, and is VERY long! If you choose to climb, be prepared for a long journey. We saw lots of people taking breaks and resting along the way. It didn’t seem like camels or horses could make the climb, so you’ll have to find a donkey to ride up.
Where to stay in Petra
There are a few famous hotels near Petra. The Mövenpick, The Marriott, and the Petra Guest House are some of the better known options. The Mövenpick and the Marriott are both 5 star hotels, so if you are looking for luxury choose one of these. The Mövenpick in particular has a pool and very nice facilities. We stayed at the Petra Guest House. The hotel is literally right outside Petra (you can’t get a closer) and for me it had more of an authentic feel (without taking the nice amenities and the luxury away). Another big thing for me was the entertainment area. They have the popular Cave Bar and a garden area with live music on most nights. Since I wasn’t visiting in the summer and I was heading to the Dead Sea soon after, I decided to swap the pool for the amazing mountain views and to make Petra more of an exploration and adventure vacation.
It’s also worth mentioning that I spend two days in Petra. I feel like this was enough time to see most of the city and to do what we wanted, but I don’t think I would have had extra time to lay by the pool.
For those visiting on a budget, check out the Petra Moon Hotel and the Al Rashid Hotel.
Things to do in Petra
There are many things to do in the lost city of Petra, so make sure to take full advantage of your time there and enjoy all of what Petra has to offer. Here are some of the best ideas:
Take a horse ride to one of the Monastery view points to truly enjoy the full view of the mountains and appreciate the majesty of the city and surrounding desert.
Stop for a cold drink in one of the locals cafes inside the Rose City. Get a mint and lemon drink!
Climb up to the Monastery and buy a souvenir in one of the shops along the way!
Take a carriage ride on your way out of the city. If you only want to do one ride, I would recommend saving it for your way out. You’ll be tired and sore from walking all day, and the quick ride out through the Siq will be a great treat to end the day.
Visit Petra at Night! You’ll need an extra ticket for this, but seeing the Treasury lit by candlelight and hearing local Bedouin music is a truly magical experience.
Where to Eat in Petra
If you want to enjoy some of the tasty local cuisine, head to AL WADI RESTAURANT to enjoy a true Jordanian meal. The restaurant is known for both its delicious food and its hospitality.
The Cave Bar in the Petra Guest House (right outside the park entrance) is the perfect place to enjoy a light meal, great cocktails, and some awesome entertainment.
The line of restaurants and cafes (just up the road next to the Mövenpick) is perfect to find either a more international lunch or a very traditional dinner. Check out the Red Cave and the Oriental Restaurant, or just walk along and find the one you want most! I got a delicious pizza lunch here before leaving Petra.
Essential Tips for Visiting Petra
The language spoken in Petra (and Jordan in general) is Arabic, though many of the locals know decent English and Spanish. This is especially true at the tourist sites like Petra.
The road signs are also in English, so you’ll have no problems getting around if you choose to rent a car and drive. The roads are very safe as well.
The currency used at Petra is the Jordanian Dinar, which has a value somewhat similar to the US dollar. Check the current exchange rates here to learn more.
You’ll need a visa to enter Jordan. Make sure to get the Jordan Pass! The Jordan Pass includes your entry visa as well as entry to almost all of the tourist sites, including Petra. You’ll be able to visit everything from the amazing Jordan Museum in Amman to the ancient city, all admissions included! You will only have to pay an extra fee if you decide to go see Petra at night.
If you get the Jordan Pass, don’t forget to bring a photocopy of your passport. You’ll need this so they can verify that the Pass belongs to you at the visitor center. This only happened to us in Petra, but it’s better to be safe and bring a photocopy. Most hotels will be happy to make a photocopy for you.
Jordan is a conservative country, but they are also understanding, friendly, and easy going with tourists. Although I recommend to dress a bit modestly and always be respectful of different cultures and traditions, you don’t have to worry too much about the dress code. I notice that many of the locals were more fashion forward and understanding that foreigners often dress differently.
Discovering Petra was truly amazing, but there’s so much more to Jordan that made me fall in love with the country! Discover our Amman guides and read about swimming in the Dead Sea here.
Once you have explored Petra, come prance around the rest of the world with us! Check out the rest of our Travel Guides, Tips and Trick (here). If you love to travel, seek out adventure, and discover new places and ideas, please subscribe below to hear about new posts and travel destinations!
Don’t forget to Pin It, so you remember later!
Besitos from the Ancient City of Petra,
Laura
Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves. All opinions are our own. This post may contain some affiliate links and if you choose to purchase some services or products using these links, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We participate in the Amazon LLC Associates Program. Thank you for being part of our community and prance around the world with us!
MORE MIDDLE EASTERN DESTINATIONS:
There’s a lot to do in Egypt, and the country is not as expensive as some of its Middle Eastern neighbors. Read Prancier’s Egypt Travel Guide to get some ideas and inspiration for your own trip!