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Petra
Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Empire from around the 4th century BCE, carved into and from the rose-red sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan. The approach through the Siq — a kilometre-long crack in the rock that suddenly opens to reveal the Treasury — is one of the great theatrical reveals in world travel. The Treasury is the icon, but Petra is enormous. The lesser-visited Royal Tombs, the Great Temple, and the Monastery at the top of 800 steps are all significant monuments that see a fraction of the Treasury's visitors.
Crowd pressure
The Siq and Treasury facade are very crowded at peak times. Arriving before 7am gives 1-2 hours before the day-trippers arrive. The monastery trail is significantly quieter.
Why visit
The Treasury carved into rose-red sandstone is one of the most extraordinary architectural achievements in the ancient world. The broader Petra Archaeological Park is enormous — most visitors see less than 20% of it.
Best window
March to May and September to November — avoid July and August heat
Getting there
Drive from Amman (3hrs) or Aqaba (2hrs). Wadi Rum usually combined in same trip.
The honest version
Entrance fees are high (JOD 50 for one day). The donkey and camel touts inside the site are persistent.
Instead of Petra
Instead of
Petra
Jordan
Try
Wadi Rum
Jordan
Wadi Rum offers the extreme landscape drama of southern Jordan — just desert rather than carved city. Most Jordan itineraries do both; Wadi Rum deserves to be the longer stay.
Instead of
Petra
Jordan
Try
Dana Biosphere Reserve
Jordan
Dana is Jordan's finest nature destination — a multi-day trek from the Rift Valley to the desert that most Petra visitors drive past without stopping.
Layers
Region
At a glance
- Country
- Jordan
- Region
- Ma'an
- Heat Score
- 86/100
- Cost level
- $$
- Alternatives
- 2