Where to stay in petra: best areas and hotels guide
- Wadi Musa: The Main Base for Most Visitors
- Little Petra (Siq al-Barid): The Quiet Option North of Town
- Bedouin Camps: The Most Distinct Way to Sleep Near Petra
Jordan
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Petra
The Siq is 1.2km long and in some places only 2 meters wide, and walking it in the early morning with the walls rising 80 meters on either side is the closest thing to a proper arrival that I’ve experienced anywhere. Petra is not a half-day site. The main trail from the entrance to the Treasury is what most people photograph, but the real scale of the place only becomes clear when you keep walking past it. Budget at least two full days if you want to reach the Monastery at Ad Deir without rushing, and wear shoes you’ve already broken in.
Everything Worth Knowing About Petra
Honest guides to where to stay, what to do, and what to skip.
7 Best Things to Do in Petra: A Guide to Jordan’s Lost City
- The Siq: The 1.2km Walk That Does Something to You
- The Treasury (Al-Khazneh): The One You Came For
- The Royal Tombs: The Part Most People Rush Past
- The High Place of Sacrifice: The View That Costs You Legs
10 Best Petra Photography Spots for Your Instagram Feed
- The Treasury (Al-Khazneh): The Reveal Shot
- The Siq: Light Beams and Canyon Walls
- The Monastery (Ad-Deir): Bigger Than You Think
- The Royal Tombs: Valley View from the Urn Tomb
More to See in Jordan
Discover Other Destinations
Questions About Petra
March to May and September to November are the best months. Summer temperatures inside the canyon regularly exceed 38°C, and the exposed trails to the High Place of Sacrifice and the Monastery become genuinely difficult by midday.
Yes, Petra is safe and well managed. The main frustration for most visitors is persistent pressure from horse and donkey vendors near the entrance, and the firm answer is to say no once and keep walking.
A one-day pass is JD 50, a two-day pass is JD 55, and a three-day pass is JD 60. The Jordan Pass covers entry to Petra across all days and is worth buying if you're also getting a visa on arrival, since it includes the JD 40 visa fee.
JETT buses run a daily service from Amman's 7th Circle station to Wadi Musa, the town at the entrance to Petra, for around JD 10 each way. The journey takes roughly three hours. Private taxis run JD 70–90 for the full trip and are worth it if you're in a group.
Two days is the minimum to do the site properly. Day one for the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades, and the Royal Tombs. Day two for the Monastery at Ad Deir, which is 850 steps up and takes most of the morning.
Petra by Night runs Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings and costs JD 17. The Siq and Treasury are lit by around 1,500 candles and there's a short music performance. It's atmospheric but brief, and not worth rearranging your schedule for unless you're already staying nearby.
Staying in Wadi Musa puts you five minutes from the entrance and means you can be at the Siq before 7am when the light is best and the crowds are thin. Budget guesthouses start around JD 20–25 per night and mid-range hotels with breakfast run JD 50–70.
Follow Us On Instagram
For daily travel inspiration and stunning photos, follow @travelbits.info
@travelbits.info
The World
is a canvas to the imagination
