Petra: reviews, price and practical tips

+13
recos
4.9/5 8 reviews
Village de Wadi Musa, 71810 Petra, Jordan
Village de Wadi Musa, 71810 Petra, Jordan
From 55 JOD (~$78)*
Booking recommended
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Ruines de Petra
Tombes creusées dans la roche
Le bar...

Visiting the ruins of Petra, the jewel of Jordan

Located in southern Jordan, about 125 miles from the capital city of Amman, the ancient Nabatean city of Petra sits right at the edge of the desert. This cave city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, a temple carved directly into the red and pink sandstone walls of the Siq. The site has served as inspiration for everyone from Agatha Christie and Herge to generations of Hollywood filmmakers.

Nabatean history and heritage

The Nabateans, a nomadic Arab people who controlled the ancient spice and incense trade, settled in this part of Edom in the 6th century BC. The city grew wealthy on the back of the incense trade, though it remained largely unknown to the West until the first major archaeological excavations began in 1929.

Essential sites and travel tips

A trip to Petra is a highlight of any Middle Eastern itinerary. The site is sprawling, and you will spend your day on foot climbing nearly a thousand steps. While camel or mule rides are available, you will do the vast majority of your exploring on your own two feet, so pack accordingly. The Royal Tombs, the El-Deir Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice, and the Petra by Night light show, held on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, are all worth your time.

Recommended routes and prime photo spots

Once you reach the lower city, you have two main paths to follow. You can head left toward the El-Deir Monastery along the classic route, or turn right toward the Royal Tombs. Taking the right path helps you avoid the heaviest crowds by walking the site in reverse. For the best photos, aim to be at Al-Khazneh by 8:30 AM for the best light, and save the Royal Tombs for sunset. Although the Bedouin no longer live inside the ruins, you will interact with them frequently as they operate the local restaurants and souvenir shops.

You will need your passport to pick up your tickets at the gate. If you want to experience the site before the tour buses arrive, plan to be at the entrance between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM.

From 55 JOD (~$78)*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 Mon, Wed, and Thu, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Petra

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Summary of 8 reviews
4.9/5
Average rating
+13
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
3.9
As a couple
5
With friends
4.9

Avygeo ranking

#419
in the world
#27
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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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