Known as the Rose City, the ancient Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan is one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. It boasts an extraordinary collection of ancient architecture chiselled out of the cliffs, archaeological sites, and breath-taking landscapes. It may have remained forgotten to the outside world for centuries, but the spectacular Petra received around a million visitors last year, many of them day trippers from Israel. Here is my pick of the top 10 things to do in Petra.
Note: Before planning a trip to Jordan, check with your government regarding the current security situation. The British government’s current advice can be found here. At the time of writing, although it was considered safe to travel to Jordan, they advised against all but essential travel to Israel. If you travel against government advice, this is likely to invalidate any travel insurance. In addition, it is also likely that your country’s embassy will be operating a limited service and may not be able to assist if you get into difficulty.
How to get to Petra
We visited from Eilat in Israel, from where it is a 80 mile drive north to Petra. We decided against independent travel and booked a tour. We don’t often join organised tours, but we did to Petra because the border crossing at Eilat is pedestrian, meaning that you would need to organise separate transport in either country and it all sounded a bit fiddly.
Petra Pricing
Ticket prices for Petra are not cheap. In an attempt to boost tourism, the Jordanian government has made tickets for accommodated visitors cheaper than those for day trippers. A one day ticket for a day tripper is 90 JD ($127). For an accommodated visitor, a one day ticket costs 50 JD ($71) while a two day ticket is 55 JD ($78).
One night B&B at the Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp costs JD 55 ($78) for two people or JD 45 ($63) for one person. So, for a couple, that’s one day at $127 per person or two days, including accommodation (and breakfast) for $117 per person. In summary – don’t go on a day trip!
Our two day package from Eilat with Tourist Israel cost $299 including entry fees and accommodation. (A one day trip costs $219). Tourist Israel offer a range of tour options departing from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat.
In addition to the above costs, there are border fees to fork out. Many nationalities can purchase their visa at the border, in which case, the Jordanian visa is $60. There is also a $65 Israeli departure tax to pay.
In summary, Petra is outstanding and we had an amazing time. However, our experience was immeasurably better, but cost little more than the day trip. If you’re travelling from Israel, opt for the two day package and choose the Bedouin Camp!
Where to stay in Petra
Our tour package gave the option of a room in a hotel or a tent in a Bedouin camp for the same price. We opted for the Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp, which was an amazing experience.
The rooms were basic but functional. There was a bathroom block with hot water at specified times. In the evening, the staff cooked dinner over a camp fire.
Best of all, the camp is at the foot of some rocks which are illuminated at night with thousands of fairy lights. It is magical!
Petra: Top 10 Things to do
| 1 | Walk through the Siq for that spectacular first glimpse of Petra |
| 2 | Admire the awesome Treasury |
| 3 | Stroll the Street of Facades |
| 4 | See the Nabataean Theatre |
| 5 | Wonder at the beauty of a Desert Sunset |
| 6 | Walk along the Colonnaded Street |
| 7 | Visit the Royal Tombs |
| 8 | Climb to the spectacular Monastery |
| 9 | Climb some more to the High Place of Sacrifice |
| 10 | Learn more about the region’s history at Petra Museum |
No 1 – Walk through the Siq for that spectacular first glimpse of Petra
A visit to Petra starts by walking down through the Siq into the ancient city. It’s spectacular. A narrow, 1.2 km long gorge deep in the red rocks. It’s also fairly daunting with a constant stream of horse drawn carriages hurtling down laden with tourists who don’t want to walk. It is an acquired skill enjoying the scenery whilst avoiding being run down.
No 2 – Admire the awesome Treasury
The gorge opens up and in front of you, your first glimpse of the Treasury, a huge tomb carved into the sandstone rock. It is indeed one of the wonders of the world.
The Treasury, is in fact the tomb of a king carved out of the rock. Legend has it that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure here while chasing the Israelites.
We have just enough time to walk along the Street of Facades as far as the Theatre. The Street of Facades has around 40 tombs and houses carved into the cliffs.
No 3 – Stroll the Street of Facades
The Street of Facades has around 40 tombs and houses carved into the cliffs.
No 4 – See the Nabataean Theatre
The 2000 year old theatre was built by the Nabataeans and subsequently enlarged by the Romans to seat over 8000 spectators.
No 5 – Wonder at the beauty of a Desert Sunset
We spent a night near Petra in a Bedouin Camp. After dinner in Wadi Musa, we were collected by a man in a pick up truck. He drove for while, then just as it was getting dark, stopped in a layby. He said we should witness a desert sunset. He was right. It was beautiful.
No 6 – Walk along the Colonnaded Street
The Roman Colonnaded Street is lined by columns which would once have been clad with marble. This imposing street once ran through the heart of the city.
No 7 – Visit the Royal Tombs
The Royal Tombs are carved high up in the hillside of Jebel al-Khubtha, a truly spectacular sight.
No 8 – Climb to the spectacular Monastery
The Monastery is a tomb similar in design to the Treasury, only bigger and somewhat harder to reach. Its name is derived from crosses carved on the inner walls, suggesting it was once used as a church. The climb takes about 45 minutes to an hour and includes around 800 steps (no I didn’t count) but the monument and the view are worth it.
No 9 – Climb some more to the High Place of Sacrifice
The High Place of Sacrifice is reached by a flight of steps close to the Theatre. It’s quite a steep climb (taking around 3-40 minutes) but the effort is rewarded with a spectacular view. If the climb is too much, there are donkey rides available.
No 10 – Learn more about the region’s history at Petra Museum
The Petra Museum is located near the entrance to the complex. The museum offers visitors a selection of artefacts found in and around Petra, as well as interactive animation and original size reconstruction models.
I hope you found the above information useful. For more top picks from other destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full Top 10 Things To Do list here.
- Trip taken: November 2017
- Updated: May 2024
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