22 Must-Know Tips for Visiting Petra, Jordan

Last Updated on August 27, 2025

Going on a trip to Petra, Jordan? These must-know tips for visiting Petra will kickstart your planning.

Alongside the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum, the ancient city of Petra is one of the most popular tourist sites in Jordan.

Petra is a massive site that can take days to hike. It was, after all, a large city during the Nabatean period! Because Petra is so expansive, it’s important to learn must-know tips for visiting Petra ahead of your trip. This will help ensure your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site goes smoothly!

22 Tips for Visiting Petra

Let’s dive into 22 essential tips for visiting Petra, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World! And be sure to read to the end of this blog for quick FAQ answers to common Petra questions.

1. Buy the Jordan Pass for your trip to Jordan.

The Jordan Pass is a sightseeing pass that you can buy before arriving in Jordan. The pass includes your visa fees as well as access to more than 40 tourist sites, including Petra, and the fees to visit Wadi Rum. 

There are 3 different Jordan Pass packages which range between 100 USD and 120 USD. The main difference between the packages is the amount of days each pass allows for visiting Petra. 

The cheapest Jordan Pass includes 1 day in Petra, and the most expensive pass includes 3 days in Petra.  

The pass has to be bought before you arrive in Jordan. When entering Jordan you will present that pass (printed, along with ID) to receive your on arrival visa – the pass will waive all visa fees. You will present the pass and ID at tourist sites as well, to enter for free. 

We purchased the basic Jordan Pass, which was more than worth it because Jordan’s visa fees and the entrance fees to visit sites like Petra and Wadi Rum are expensive. 

For example, our visa cost 40 JOD, and Petra fees start at 50 JOD. The pass, which we bought for 70 JOD, was already worth it just by entering Jordan and going to Petra! 

2. Book to stay in Wadi Musa.

Wadi Musa is a small town, nicknamed the “Guardian of Petra” because it’s so near the ancient city. The town is small, but has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and even a Turkish bath. 

From most hotels in Wadi Musa, it’s just a 10 minute walk to the entrance of Petra. This makes Wadi Musa a convenient home base for exploring Petra. 

There’s a range of accommodation to choose from in Petra, from budget hotels to luxury hotel chains. Just be sure to book your accommodation in advance, because this town is typically busy with tourists.

3. Spend more than one day at Petra. 

It is definitely possible to see the highlights of Petra in one day, but because this ancient city is so big, it can be tiring to fit it all into a single visit. 

Spending 2 or 3 days in Petra makes it possible to explore the city at a more leisurely pace. And, you’ll have time to see some of the lesser known sites, and walk some of the less busy trails. 

4. Get an early start when you visit Petra. 

This is one of the most important tips for visiting Petra. You’ll want to start as early in the morning as possible when visiting Petra. Especially if you have one day to visit the ancient city! An early start will mean you have more time to see all there is to see. 

Another benefit of arriving early is that you beat the crowds, and the midday tour groups. If you are visiting Petra in the summer, you’ll also avoid the midday heat. 

We got the Petra entrance gates for 6:00 AM sharp when we visited, which is when the city opens to tourists. 

Although waking up at 5:00 AM was hard, the early morning was worth it. Our hike through the Siq (approx. 1.2 kilometers) was beautifully quiet, and we were entirely alone!

When we reached the famous Treasury, there was a small group of other early starters. Everyone there respected each other’s wish to have a photo in front of the Treasury. 

5. Know what you should see at Petra. 

Petra is massive! In fact, I had no idea how big the city was until I actually hiked around it. Because of Petra’s size, it’s important to be familiar with the sites that are notable to visit. Here’s a summary of the main sites to see at Petra: 

The Siq

The Siq is the main entrance to the Nabatean city of Petra. Also known as “Siqit”, it’s a path that winds through a narrow gorge for 1.2 kilometers, before arriving at Petra’s most famous ruin, Al Khazneh (also known as The Treasury). The Siq is a given when you visit Petra, because it’s the only way to enter and exit the city. 

Al-Khazneh (the Treasury)

Al-Khazneh is one of the most elaborate temples in Petra. The structure is believed to have been the mausoleum of the Nabatean King Aretas IV in the 1st century AD. The facade of Al-Khazneh is intricately carved out of a tall sandstone cliff, standing almost 40 meters high. 

The Theatre

Carved into the side of the mountain at the foot of the High Place of Sacrifice, The Theatre is an auditorium that has three rows of seats which are separated by passageways. There are 7 staircases which ascend into the auditorium, which accommodate up to 4000 spectators at a time. 

Royal Tombs

The Royal Tombs are high up on the side of a cliff, overlooking Petra. To reach them you climb a stairway that leads to the famous Urn Tomb, which was used as a place of worship during the Byzantine Empire. 

Next to the Urn Tomb are several other ancient tombs. From the tombs, you have sweeping views of Petra and the surrounding desert. 

Colonnade Street

The Colonnade Street runs through the center of Petra. The street was originally created by the Nabataeans, and then later refurbished during the period of Roman occupation. 

It would have been one of the main shopping districts of ancient Petra. Although the street is now mostly in ruins, it’s an interesting walk to see the many excavated (and unexcavated) sites on either side. 

Ad Deir (The Monastery)

The Monastery is high up in the hills of Petra. The monument has a similar design as The Treasury, but is much larger. Built originally as a Nabatean tomb, it likely served as a church during the Byzantine period. 

High Place of Sacrifice

The High Place of Sacrifice is quite literally that: an ancient altar that was likely used for sacrificing animals, which is up at the top of a mountain. 

To reach this monument, you have to take on the challenge of climbing many many steps, but it’s worth it for the beautiful views of ancient Petra that you’ll be treated to at the top. 

The Treasury Viewpoint

There are two main Treasury viewpoints that you can climb to for spectacular views of Al-Khazneh. Later in this guide, I’ll cover how to access the viewpoints without a guide. 

6. Plan your Petra itinerary in advance.

Petra is a large city, and so it’s important to plan your itinerary in advance so that you can make the most of your visit. Plan a walking route that will cover the sites that you definitely want to see.

A classic “highlights” visit to Petra should include the Siq, the Treasury, and Al-Deir Monastery. These three sites can be visited within 6 hours, potentially less time depending on how quickly you walk. Just note that the trek from the Treasury to the Monastery takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, each direction. 

To see the 8 main sites of Petra (The Siq, The Treasury, The Monastery, Theatre, Royal Tombs, Colonnade, High Place of Sacrifice, and the Treasury viewpoint) you’ll have to have a long day. Alternatively, plan to spend 2-3 days exploring Petra.  

7. Don’t pack too much into one day at Petra.

Petra is a massive archaeological site, and so you don’t want to pack too much into one day. The distances between sites often don’t look far on a map, but in fact, the walks are long. 

Budgeting your time while hiking in Petra will depend on what you intend to see, and your pace. Keep in mind that Petra closes daily at 6:00pm in the winter, and 8:00pm in the summer. The peak traffic hours are between noon and 4:00pm, this is when the tour groups from other parts of Jordan and Israel arrive by bus.

8. Plan for the weather. 

The best time to visit Petra is during the spring and autumn months because temperatures aren’t too high, and the crowds are smaller. The summer months (July and August) tend to be super busy, and very hot. The winter months are cooler.

We visited in February, which is Jordanian winter. In the morning it was quite chilly, and so I wore a lightweight down jacket with a long sleeve shirt underneath. Later in the day when the sun was high in the sky, I switched into a t-shirt.

This may be one of my unusual tips for visiting Petra, but I think visiting in winter is a good call. In the winter the weather is better for hiking, and, there are less tourists, so Petra isn’t as packed. Traveling anywhere in off-season is a great way to reduce overtourism, too!

9. Wear good walking shoes to Petra.  

The ancient city of Petra is expansive, mountainous and rugged. This tip for visiting Petra will save your feet! Throughout your Petra visit you will do lots of walking, and so wear comfortable walking shoes, hiking sandals, or lightweight hiking boots. 

10. Pack a lunch for your Petra visit.

There are restaurants and shops within Petra where you can buy food and water, but packing a lunch will make for a smooth day. 

Many hotels in Wadi Musa will prepare a lunch for you if you request one in advance. If you bring a packed lunch, you have the freedom to find a scenic spot to sit down and enjoy a picnic.

And of course, bring lots of water. You’ll be walking all day in the sun, and so it’s important to stay hydrated.  

11. Don’t forget your sunscreen. 

Petra is located in southwestern Jordan, and the ancient city is surrounded by desert. And in many areas of Petra, it’s impossible to stay in the shade. It doesn’t take much sun to end up with a sunburn in this region of the world!

Pack eco-friendly sunscreen and be sure to apply it repeatedly throughout the day. You can also supplement sunscreen with a good hat, sunglasses, and clothing that covers your skin. 

12. Dress comfortably and respectfully. 

It’s important (as with traveling anywhere) to respect the practices of the region you’re visiting. So while traveling Jordan and visiting Petra, be mindful of local customs and culture. 

It’s custom in Jordan for people, especially women, to dress modestly. Local women generally cover up their legs, arms, and sometimes their hair. 

Visitors don’t necessarily need to follow local dress exactly, but out of respect, stick to your more modest outfits.

13. Download offline maps to navigate around Petra. 

Maps are provided at the entrance gate to Petra. While the maps they give are helpful, an offline downloaded map will help you to accurately follow walking routes, and calculate how long it will take to reach specific sites.  

You can use the offline maps application Maps.Me, or download Google Maps (offline) for your visit. While there is some data connectivity as well as wifi available within Petra, having your maps downloaded offline will ensure you always have access to them. 

14. Learn the history of Petra ahead of your visit. 

The ancient city of Petra has a long and fascinating history. Learning that history is part of what makes a visit to Petra so engaging and special! 

Before visiting Petra, dive into some resources to discover how the city was built, how it evolved over decades, and how it was lost for many years, before being “discovered” by a Swiss explorer in 1812. 

This free documentary by Geographics is a great starting point for your Petra learning!

15. Consider hiring a guide in Petra (but it isn’t necessary).

Hiring guides is a wonderful way to learn about history and culture, and hiring a guide also helps to support local economies while you travel. There are plenty of guides available at the entrance of Petra, and also inside Petra. 

You can’t go wrong with a guide, but it’s also perfectly fine to visit Petra without one. Just be sure to take the time to learn Petra’s history ahead of your visit. That way, you’ll be able to visit the sites with an understanding of their history and significance.

16. Hike to the famous Treasury viewpoint.

It is probably the most popular image of Petra on social media: the view of the Treasury from above. It’s popular for a reason. The views of Al-Khazneh from high up are spectacular! If you only take away one of these tips for visiting Petra, let it be this one. Hike up to the Petra viewpoints!

There are two main viewpoints of the Treasury that you can access when you visit Petra. One is quicker to reach, but is overseen by Bedouins who charge money to take you up to the point. 

Treasury Viewpoint 1

The quicker to reach viewpoint is accessed by turning left when facing the Treasury (just after the Siq). Local Bedouins will be happy to show you the start of this trail if you can’t find it. 

Throughout the day this viewpoint has an ongoing assembly line of tourists waiting to have their photo taken. It’s a great viewpoint, but the other viewpoint is quieter.

Treasury Viewpoint 2

To reach the other viewpoint, go first to the Royal Tombs. The trail to this viewpoint is at the Palace Tomb, which is clearly marked on your map. 

Follow the path past the Palace Tomb, and you will see a set of stairs which veer to the right. This is the starting point.  

The first half of the trek is about 30 minutes of grueling staircases, but they eventually level out. Once the path has leveled, it becomes a little harder to follow the route – this is where an offline map on your phone comes in handy. 

When you arrive at this viewpoint, you’ll find a tent with a small cafe inside. While it’s free to sit at this viewpoint, I do recommend buying a drink from the little cafe run by Bedouin men.

Although it was a longer hike to reach this point, it proved worth it because there was barely anyone else there.

17. Carry cash on you while visiting Petra. 

Be sure to carry cash on you for any souvenirs, meals, or drinks you might want to buy while visiting Petra. If you think you will be hiring a guide, donkey, horse or camel, be sure to bring at least 20 JOD. 

It is customary to negotiate prices in Jordan, but don’t expect to be able to negotiate more than 30% off the originally given price.

And out of respect for local tradition and religion, do your best to not interrupt praying shopkeepers (this goes for traveling all over Jordan).

18. Skip the donkey and camel rides in Petra. 

All throughout Petra you’ll be invited to ride donkeys or camels. Although it looks like fun (and makes getting around Petra much easier), staying away from riding any animals is one of the tips for visiting Petra that you shouldn’t ignore.

There are concerns about the well-being of animals who work in Petra, and so by skipping any rides you can avoid supporting animal labour. If you are physically able, stick to hiking the site. This means you’ll also have the freedom to stop, rest, and take pictures as you go.

19. If you have time, visit Little Petra, too. 

Little Petra, also known as Siq al-Barid is an archaeological site located north of Petra and the town of Wadi Musa. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Little Petra from Petra. 

Little Petra tends to have fewer tourists, is easy to walk around, and it’s a fascinating site. It’s less demanding to explore compared to Petra because all of Little Petra’s main sites are within a 30 or 40 minute walk.

If you have time while in the area, it’s worth making the trip to this archaeological site. 

20. Check for tickets to see Petra by Night. 

Petra by Night is a special experience of Petra. After the sun goes down, the ancient city is lit up with thousands of candles. The experience includes the walk from the entrance of Petra to The Treasury.

At The Treasury, you’re seated on mats, served tea, and get to listen to live music. Once the show is done, you walk back the way you came. You aren’t able to go beyond the Treasury during Petra by Night. 

I’ve read mixed reviews about the Petra by Night experience. My partner and I weren’t in Petra on the right nights to be able to do it, so I can’t give my personal thoughts on it. 

Petra by Night runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week, starts at 20:30 from Petra Visitor Centre and delivers you back by guide to the Visitor Centre around 22.30.

21. Pack in and pack out: Don’t leave litter behind at Petra.

This tip isn’t specific to visiting Petra. No matter where you are in the world, be sure to pack in and pack out. “Packing in and packing out” is the practice of leaving zero trace when you’re exploring nature. 

This means you should avoid leaving any litter behind, even if it’s organic. If you end up with litter while exploring Petra, hold onto it and dispose of it properly when you can.

22. Practice responsible tourism when visiting Petra. 

Responsible tourism is all about making choices that minimize the negative impacts of your travels in favor of ones that are neutral, or contribute positively when traveling. It’s about traveling in a way that is better for people, the planet, and wildlife.

You can be a responsible traveler in Jordan by supporting local communities as you travel, minimizing your waste, respecting and following local customs, and paying fair prices (stay away from bartering too low!).

Your Guide to Visiting Petra: Petra FAQ

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