Petra is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, and a treasure that most travelers dream of discovering at least once in their lifetime. It’s not hard to understand the allure of this city carved into rock, and in this article, we want to give you a series of tips for visiting the archaeological site and making the most of the experiences you can have here. We will talk about the best time to take a trip to Jordan, which excursions to join, what to see, and how many nights to stay in Petra.!
Planning a Trip to Petra
Organizing a trip to Jordan, specifically to Petra, is not as difficult as it might seem. First of all, Italy boasts direct and very frequent flights to Jordan. Then, once you arrive in the Middle East, you can stay overnight and rent a car at a low cost to move around independently.
However, although Jordan is a peaceful and calm country, the idea of traveling alone to such a distant destination can be intimidating. In that case, giving up on visiting Petra is absolutely not an option!
A good solution might be to join a group trip, like the ones we organize at Meeters. Currently, we have scheduled an eight-day trip to Jordan that includes the unmissable visit to Petra, for which you can find all the information by clicking this link..
Or you can click this link to discover another planned trip, also an intense and beautiful tour in Jordan and Petra, but with an additional night spent in the desert under the stars!
How to Get to Petra
The route to Petra is very simple, and you can comfortably start from the country’s capital, Amman. If you rent a car or are accompanied by a driver, you can take the beautiful and scenic King’s Highway. Otherwise, if you choose a bus or other public transport, you can take theDesert Highway..
In any case, we recommend asking for more information at the hotel where you are staying. Some accommodations include shuttle services to the archaeological site. Alternatively, you can also decide to take a taxi, as they are really inexpensive compared to Italy.
Regarding the best time to visit Petra, it is undoubtedly spring or autumn. During these months, the climate is always warm but milder. In the summer months, temperatures can easily reach 40 degrees Celsius, making it a truly exhausting experience!
How Many Nights to Stay in Petra
A common misconception about Petra is that the archaeological site begins and ends with that beautiful red rock facade seen in all promotional photos. In reality, this is the Treasury of Petra, just one of the many attractions you can see here.
The site is truly vast, but to see it all properly, 1 or 2 days are enough. So if you like the idea of staying overnight in Petra, you can take your time during the visit and enjoy spending at least one night there.
Where to Stay?
Sleeping in Petra is absolutely not a problem. The site is indeed in the Wadi Rum desert but it’s not isolated in the middle of nowhere. The area offers numerous services catering to every type of traveler, and it won’t be difficult to find what suits you.
You can stay at the Visitor Center, near Petra’s entrance if you want to wake up early to avoid morning queues. Otherwise, the closest town is Wadi Musa, just 15 minutes from the site, from where you could also take a walk with the many people heading to Petra.
If you’re looking for a thrill and don’t mind sleeping outdoors, you can also sleep in the desert to feel part of the wonderful landscape, illuminated by stars and protected by mountains! It’s definitely worth it!
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Visiting Petra by Night
Petra by Night is an initiative promoted by the Visitor Center to make Petra accessible to the public during nighttime hours as well. It’s a truly evocative experience that will show you this wonder of creation in all its splendor, but with a completely new magic.
Petra by Night takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for two hours, starting at 8:30 PM. It’s a guided tour that leads visitors inside the site, along the Siq to the Petra Treasury. Once there, you are welcomed by a musician playing the rababa, a traditional instrument, and you listen to stories about the site.
The experience has an additional cost, is not included in the daily visit tickets, and can be easily booked at the Visitor Center.
What to See in Petra
The city of Petra was carved into the rock of the Wadi Rum desert over 2,000 years ago by the Edomites. However, it is known as the capital of the Nabateans, a tribe of warriors and traders who settled here for centuries, establishing flourishing trade throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
Following natural disasters, Petra was abandoned and intermittently inhabited by Bedouins. The West discovered the site in 1812 and only afterward did conservation efforts begin.
There are many things to see in Petra. Once you have your tickets, the walk will immediately lead you to the most famous and spectacular part. This is the Siq, the main entrance through a high gorge carved into the rock. The Petra Treasury will appear before you, leaving you speechless despite the thousands of images you’ve seen before!
It almost looks like a temple that blends Nabatean art with Hellenistic art, but its purpose is unclear. Perhaps it housed tombs or was used as a place for sacrifices.
To take sensational photos and admire it from another perspective, the advice is to take the short hike along the Kubtha Trail to see Petra from above.
Then, following the map provided at the entrance, venture to the Theater and the Royal Tombs. Here you can admire splendid facades carved into the mountain walls. The most spectacular is the Urn Tomb, which was later modified to be used as a church.
You will then proceed along the colonnaded street built during the brief Roman period which, together with the Nymphaeum fountain, is the only remaining structure from that era. Finally, add to your list of Petra attractions the Qasr al-Bint, one of the main temples in the area.
Now that you know how many nights to stay in Petra and what to see, don’t delay your trip any longer. Jordan is a wonderful land waiting to be discovered!