The Ultimate Amman Travel Guide
Travelers come to Amman for the unique culture and ancient ruins. Use this ultimate Amman travel guide to plan an exciting and unforgettable trip to Jordan!
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The Rose City of Petra is a wonderland of an ancient civilization. Carved into the rock face by the nomadic Bedouin tribe, it remained hidden from the West until 1812. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the Modern World. With so much history and architectural wonders, Petra deserves a spot on any Jordan itinerary. Here’s my guide to visiting Petra!
Opening Hours: From 6 am to 7 pm in summer and 5 pm in winter. Check the official Jordan tourism site for details.
Entrance Fee: The longer you stay in Petra, the better value you’ll get for your money. A one-day ticket costs JD50 ($70) per person, but a two-day ticket is JD55, and a three-day is JD 60. You can buy your ticket at the visitor’s center when you arrive. Be sure to withdraw enough cash before you arrive. You can buy maps and guidebooks and tour guides are available for JD 50-100.
If you’re planning on visiting Jordan, I would highly recommend getting the Jordan pass as it offers discounts on some major sites, including Petra.
How Long to Stay: With so much to see in Petra, I recommend staying at least two days to see everything. It will give you enough time to explore the Lost City at your own pace, and you won’t have to worry about rushing between sites. Depending on your energy levels, one full day and one night in Petra are ideal.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Petra is during Jordan’s cooler spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) months. The temperatures are cool, and you won’t have to worry about the unpredictable winter rains. But if you can handle the summer heat or the freezing winter, you’ll have the incredible Lost City all to yourself.
Once you arrive, try to plan your visit around the early mornings or late afternoons. You’ll avoid the heat, and there won’t be crowds of people in front of top sites like The Treasury and the Royal Tombs.
Petra is a massive site that stretches over 60 square kilometers. It’s going to take some time to get from each of the main sites. The most popular ways to get around Petra are:
Walking: Pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes and explore all the amazing trails around Petra. It’s free, and you’ll get to wander around at your own pace.
I don’t recommend riding a camel, a donkey, or taking a carriage ride. Safety is always my number one priority on a trip, and these animals are tired and hot. I can’t attest to how well they are taken care of. If you are physically abled, plan to walk a lot in the hot sun. If you want a photo with a camel—go for it, but I would suggest posing with it instead of riding one.
Every time I’ve visited Petra, I’ve spent a minimum of 8 hours there. It’s a long day.
Popular Route: One of the more popular paths to take in Petra is through the Siq to the Treasury through the site to the Monastery and then returning to the Treasury via the Royal Tombs. This is about 20,000+ steps and a minimum of eight hours. If you have time, you can spread it over 2 days, but just the walk through the Siq to the Treasury is about a mile. There’s really no quick way to do Petra. That said, definitely wear sunscreen, a hat, and lightweight clothing.
When visiting Petra, you’ll need to say at one of the accommodations in the nearby city called Wadi Musa, which sits about a mail from the entrance gates to Petra! Unfortunately, that’s as close as you can get, but there are a lot of great hotel and restaurant options throughout the city.
Here are the top hotels to stay at in Petra!
The Petra Guest House is a four-star hotel that is steps away from the entrance of Petra. It boasts stunning views of the nearby mountains and is known for its popular Cave Bar, a restored 1st Century Nabatean house.
This is where I stayed when I visited Petra and loved the luxurious Arabic-style hotel. Though it is a bit pricier than some other surrounding hotels, you’ll have close access to the ruins, a serene pool area, an extensive morning buffet, and dining options.
The Petra Moon Hotel is located only 5 minutes away from the park gates and is perfect for travelers visiting Petra on a budget. There’s also a rooftop bar with a pool overlooking the landscape.
There are a handful of great restaurants in Wadi Musa, and most are serving authentic Jordanian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Be sure to try some of the local delicacies when visiting—my favorites include hummus, pilaf, falafel, and baklavas.
Here are the best restaurants to eat at in Petra!
My Mom’s Recipe is cozy and welcoming with its Bedouin-style decor and friendly service! Located on the second floor, just a block from Petra’s site entrance. The restaurant is traditional Jordanian—you have to indulge in their hummus, rice pilaf, and traditional meat offerings!
Located in the center of town, Al Wadi is one of the highest-rated spots in the area and features delicious local and international cuisine. Sit on the patio, and watch the sun go down while enjoying their kebabs and local dishes. They are very veggie-friendly too!
If you’re after something sweet, make your way to Sanabel. It’s an adorable bakery that makes some of the best baklavas in Jordan! Plus, they make great bread and breakfast pastries, great for snacks during a long day exploring Petra.
The Cave Bar is the best place in Petra for sundowners. The drinks menu is robust, and there is a selection of light meals if you get hungry.
Petra in itself is a full-day activity! There are so many different areas of the complex to see, so be sure to have a plan (or a guide) to make the most of your time there. If you’re a serious history buff, I’d recommend splitting your adventures over two days because it is a LOT of walking!
And please, do not ride the camels, donkeys, or horses you might see available for rent within the entrance gates.
The Siq is a dramatic passageway that is the entrance into Petra. Carved by nature and the Nabataeans, it’s an awe-inspiring natural wonder that sets the tone for the rest of the site.
For a unique experience, go on a tour of Petra after dark. The ancient walls of the Siq are lit up by 1,500 candles every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Along with the dramatic views, you’ll have the chance to listen to traditional Bedouin music while listening to the folklore of the local people.
It’s really popular, so I’d recommend hanging back so you can walk down slowly and experience the Siq away from the crowds. Tickets cost 17 JD ($24) per person.
The Monastery is one of Petra’s top attractions, but it’s not an easy place to reach. You’ll need to climb over 800 stairs, which can take 45-minutes to one hour before you make it to the top. Helpful tip: there are no bathrooms at the top, but there are lots of opportunities to buy snacks and drinks!
Along the Street of Facades, you’ll find the ancient Royal Tombs. The most famous is the Urn Tomb, which was used as a place of worship during the Byzantine Empire.
The Treasury is the most famous site in Petra. The monument was built as a tomb for the Nabataean King Aretas III and is believed to have held hidden treasures.
Built in the 5th or 6th century, the church was abandoned after a fire and earthquake hit the city. During excavations in 1993, over 150 papyrus scrolls were discovered, making it the largest find of it’s kind in Jordan.
If you want that iconic photo of the Treasury from above, hike up the Al-Khubtha trail. It starts by the Royal Tombs and will take you up a long rock staircase to the plateau. Follow the path, and you’ll eventually get to the edge of the cliff face with an incredible view of the Treasury below.
For the best views of Petra, climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice. It’s a 45-minute hike, but the alter boasts 360-degree views of the Rose City.
The best way to get to Petra is to hire a car or book a driver. Located 250km from Amman, you can follow a scenic 2.5-hour route to the ruins.
If you want to cut down your travel time, you can fly from Queen Alia International Airport to Aqaba. I recommend arranging a transfer directly with your hotel or booking a car in advance. Once you arrive, you won't have to worry about haggling and can avoid getting ripped off.
The most important thing to pack for Petra is a good pair of walking shoes. You're going to spend hours wandering around the ruins and rocky ground.
There is hardly any shade around the site. Keep the sun off your face by bringing a hat and putting on plenty of sunscreen. I also recommend wearing loose, breathable fabrics that cover as much skin as possible.
If you're staying in Petra after sunset, you can pack an extra layer of warm clothes for when the temperatures drop—but this really depends on the time of year, so check before you go!
Check out What to Wear in a Conservative Country for my recommendations!
Travelers come to Amman for the unique culture and ancient ruins. Use this ultimate Amman travel guide to plan an exciting and unforgettable trip to Jordan!
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