Quick Answer
Petra is the 2,000-year-old Nabataean city carved into red sandstone cliffs, the Treasury facade reached through a mile-long slot canyon, and one of the New Seven Wonders. Wadi Rum desert is 2 hours south, Dead Sea 3 hours north. Hotels start from $85/night. March through May and September through November are the best months.
Explore Petra in Detail
Find Hotels in Petra
Hotel listings for Petra are currently being updated.
Top Tours in Petra
Petra Full-Day Guided Walking Tour
Local Bedouin or licensed guide for a full day in Petra including the Siq, Treasury, Royal Tombs, Monastery hike, and the Roman ruins. Lunch included.
Book This Tour →
Wadi Rum Desert Jeep Tour from Petra
Coach to Wadi Rum, 4x4 desert tour to Lawrence's Spring, rock bridges, and ancient inscriptions, with sunset at a Bedouin camp and Mansaf dinner.
Book This Tour →
Petra by Night Candle-Lit Experience
Walk the Siq lit by 1,500 candles, ending at the Treasury for Bedouin music and storytelling. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays only. Book ahead.
Book This Tour →Top Things to Do in Petra
The experiences travelers come back to Petra for, year after year.
Itineraries for Petra
Day-by-day plans built by travelers who actually went.
Petra in 3 Days
The essential first-time itinerary — the must-sees you came for, plus the local moments you came home talking about.
Petra for Couples
Quiet mornings, slow dinners, and the views the brochures don't show. Built for two.
Petra with Kids
Activities everyone enjoys, restaurants that welcome little ones, and downtime built into the plan.
Getting Around Petra
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Petra at your own pace. Compare rates from all major suppliers in one search.
Best Time to Visit Petra
Best months to visit Petra: April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July–August is peak season. December–February is coldest but cheapest.
Why Visit Petra?
Petra is one of those places that genuinely lives up to the photos. The first walk through the Siq, the narrow mile-long sandstone canyon, ending at the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) glowing pink in the morning sun, is one of the great travel moments.
The site itself is much larger than most people expect. The Treasury is just the first famous facade. Beyond it, the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs cut into a cliff wall, the Roman amphitheater, the Colonnaded Street, and the climb to the Monastery (Ad Deir, even larger than the Treasury, reached via 800 rock-cut steps) make this a full-day or two-day experience. Most travelers spend two days in Petra and underestimate. The Petra by Night experience (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) lights the Siq and the Treasury with 1,500 candles and is worth the extra ticket if your dates align. The town of Wadi Musa is where you stay, with hotels stepping down the hillside toward the Petra entrance. Beyond Petra, Jordan’s other essential stops are within driving distance. Wadi Rum (the Mars-like desert where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed) is 2 hours south, and an overnight in a Bedouin camp is unforgettable. The Dead Sea is 3 hours north. Amman, Jordan’s capital, is 3 hours and worth a day. Total cost in Jordan is mid-range: cheaper than Israel, pricier than Egypt. April and October are the goldilocks weather windows.
Frequently Asked Questions — Petra
How much do hotels in Petra cost?
Budget hotels in Wadi Musa start at $35/night. 3-star hotels run $85-$160. 4-star hotels are $160-$280. Luxury 5-star resorts like Movenpick or Marriott are $250-$500/night. Petra is mid-range Jordan pricing.
When is the best time to visit Petra?
March through May and September through November deliver the best weather: 70-85F days, cool nights, no rain. June through August is brutally hot (100F+) and the Siq becomes oven-like. December through February can be cold and occasionally snowy.
How many days do I need in Petra?
Two days minimum to see Petra properly: one day for the Treasury, Royal Tombs, and Roman ruins, a second day for the Monastery hike (Ad Deir). Three days lets you add Petra by Night and the High Place of Sacrifice.
Is Petra safe for tourists?
Petra is very safe. Jordan generally is one of the safest Middle Eastern countries for tourists. Bedouin shop sellers can be persistent but are not aggressive. The hike to the Monastery is hot and tiring, bring water. Solo female travel is comfortable with appropriate dress.
What area should I stay in?
Wadi Musa is the only town next to Petra and where you stay. Hotels closer to the visitor center save you a 15-minute walk in the morning. Higher up the hill (like Movenpick or Hyatt) offer better views but require taxis or shuttle service. Most hotels include transfer.
How do I get around Petra?
You walk. Horse-drawn carriages are available to the Treasury but expensive and ethically questionable. Donkey rides up to the Monastery are also available but the donkeys are not always well-cared-for. The site itself is 4+ miles of walking on uneven sandstone, wear hiking shoes.
What food should I try in Petra?
Mansaf (Jordan's national dish: lamb in fermented yogurt over rice) at the Petra Kitchen cooking class, maqluba (upside-down rice and meat) at any local restaurant, hummus and falafel everywhere, kunafa (cheese pastry with syrup), and Bedouin tea at every stop in the site.