Petra: reviews, price and practical tips

+13
recs
4.9/5 8 reviews
Village de Wadi Musa, 71810 Petra, Jordan
Village de Wadi Musa, 71810 Petra, Jordan
Guided tour from $80*
Booking recommended
Book now
Ruines de Petra
Tombes creusées dans la roche
Le bar...

Visiting the Ruins of Petra, the Jewel of Jordanian Heritage

Located in southern Jordan, 200 km from the capital city of Amman, right at the edge of the desert, the ancient Nabatean city of Petra is a cliff dwelling designated as a Unesco World Heritage site. It is famous for its Treasury, Al-Khazneh, a red and pink sandstone temple carved directly into the rock of the Siq. Agatha Christie, Hergé, and numerous Hollywood filmmakers have drawn inspiration from it.

History and Nabatean Heritage

It was in the 6th century BC that the Nabateans, nomadic Arab peoples who played a major role in the spice and aromatics trade, settled in this part of the country of Edom. Situated along the incense route, the city prospered, which attracted envious rivals. Yet Europeans discovered it quite late, with the first archaeological excavations taking place in 1929.

Must-See Sites and Visiting Tips

A true highlight of exploring the Middle East, Petra will captivate you with its atmosphere. Since the site is vast, you will explore it on foot and climb a good thousand steps. While camel or mule rides are available, most of the time you will need to walk, so pack proper footwear. The Royal Tombs, the El-Deir Monastery, the high place of sacrifice, and the Petra by Night event held on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings remain absolute highlights.

Recommended Itineraries and Photogenic Moments

When you reach the lower city, two routes open up before you. Head left toward the El-Deir Monastery along the classic path, or take the right path toward the Royal Tombs. By choosing this second route, you will avoid a large portion of the crowds and experience the trail in reverse. It is best to photograph Al-Khazneh at 8:30 AM for optimal lighting and to visit the Royal Tombs at sunset. Although the Bedouins no longer live inside the ruins, you will interact with them frequently since they run the restaurants and souvenir shops.

You will need your passport to pick up your tickets. If you want to enjoy the site before tour buses arrive, aim to get there between 6 AM and 8 AM.

Guided tour from $80*Booking recommended
Check availability

Opening hours

Open daily during the following hours:
- November to March: 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- April to October: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Petra by Night show: every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Petra

Summary of 8 reviews
4.9/5
Average rating
+13 recs +13 -0 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
3.9
As a couple
5
With friends
4.9

Avygeo ranking

#429
in the world
#33
in Asia
#1
in Jordan
#1
in Petra

Impressive

The archaeological site is super big, so you can give yourself a few days to see it all. That said, you spend a lot of time walking, climbing, and going down steps, so it is a workout!

25
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Wonderful

Petra is a magical place. After walking through the Siq for a kilometer, the Treasury gradually reveals itself and, as has been written before, it is impressive.
But I recommend continuing the visit and climbing the 800 steps up to the Monastery. The climb itself is sublime, with all those multicolored rocks and the panoramic view of the Nabataean tombs, but the Monastery is truly breathtaking, especially since the hike discourages many tourists!

By continuing along the path after the Monastery, you also get access to a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains, which is worth a look.

Everyone recommends going in the morning to avoid the hordes of tourists, but the light of the setting sun and the reflections on the sandstone are also worth the trip at the end of the day, and the site is almost empty, which allows you to appreciate its immensity in peace.

25
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Most beautiful archaeological site in the world?

Of all the archaeological sites I have seen around the world, this is the most impressive. In the middle of desert canyons, these huge structures carved directly into the rock made a much bigger impression on me than just a few old columns standing here or there.

22
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A mesmerizing place

In the middle of the desert, these temples carved directly into the rock are both impressive in their size and enchanting because of the atmosphere that radiates from them.

21
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Living stones

In a relatively wild and desert-like natural setting, these remnants of the past, carved directly into the rock, will impress you. With age, you would think the stone took this shape all on its own, as the traces of the human hand have faded.
Avoid the summer, it is a furnace.

15
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Old stones that have aged well

I am not really that into old stones.

For example, I was a little disappointed when I visited the Parthenon in Athens.

The ruins of Petra are a very different experience. It is hard to believe that these structures, these statues carved right into the rock, have been there for thousands of years. The amount of work it must have taken back then with the tools they had to achieve this result!

4
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Impressive

During my travels, I have already had the chance to visit quite a few archaeological sites. The site of Petra happens to be one of the most impressive I have ever seen.

3
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Monumental

It is impossible not to be impressed by these monumental structures carved right into the rock. Whether you are a fan of old ruins or not, you will keep a huge memory of this visit.

There is so much to see that you can give yourself 2 or 3 days to explore it all at your own pace.

5
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