If youâre visiting Jordan, I bet youâll have one spot on your must-visit list – Petra.Â
One of the Seven New Wonders of the World, this ancient city is remarkably well-preserved, with Nabatean, Roman and Bedouin influences.
Carved into the red desert rock, itâs enchanting. But, as it’s such a vast, well-visited site, there are a few important things to know before you visit!
I visited Petra in February 2025, and here are my top tips!
How to get to Petra
Petra is a three hour drive from Amman – or you can take a morning JETT bus that will take four hours (schedule and more information here).
You can also visit by tour – there are a few tours available on Get Your Guide (hereâs a highly recommended option).
If you have never used Get Your Guide before, click here to download the app and use code âclairesfootsteps10â for 10% off your first order!
The other option is to drive.
We rented a car with Monte Carlo and drove it first to Wadi Rum, then to Petra.
Most visitors to Petra take the Desert Highway – a fast but fairly featureless road cutting through Jordanâs vast southern landscapes.
But then, youâll turn onto the Kingâs Highway, which is packed with history!
This is the oldest continuously used road in the world, dating back at least 5,000 years, and was originally built to connect Egypt and Arabia. Over time, it became a vital trade route running through Palestine, Jordan and Syria – linking the ancient worldâs great civilisations.
The landscape along the Kingâs Highway changes dramatically as you drive! Unlike the rugged, rocky formations of the Desert Highway, this route climbs to 800â1,000 metres above sea level, where the terrain shifts to misty, shrub-covered hills.
The road itself is eerily quiet, with barely another car in sight.
Even in broad daylight, the swirling mist and lack of traffic make the drive feel otherworldly.
If you’re heading to Petra in winter, bring layers – this stretch of road is significantly colder than the desert below!
It might be deserted in winter
Petra in February was nothing like I expected.
The usual crowds of tourists? Gone. The baking desert heat? Nowhere to be seen.
Instead, the site was almost empty, and the weather was shockingly cold and windy!
In all honesty, I probably would advise visiting in the warmer months – it was a bit too chilly for us!
It is very quiet at the moment
Jordanâs tourism industry has been hit hard in recent years – with many visitors avoiding the region due to wider conflicts in the Middle East.
But Jordan itself is completely safe, and this is arguably the best time to visit if you want to experience Petra in solitude.
Even in busier months, the sheer scale of Petra means itâs easy to find quieter corners – but in winter youâll often have entire sections of the ancient city to yourself.
Buy the Jordan Pass to Save Money
If you’re visiting Jordan, make sure you purchase the Jordan Pass before entry.
It covers over 40 sites, including Petra, and waives the visa fee.
With different tiers available, you can choose a pass that includes one, two or three days in Petra. If youâre spending multiple days in the site, the savings add up fast.
Without the pass, entry to Petra is one of the most expensive single-site tickets in the world at 50-60 JOD. The pass costs 70-80 JOD AND includes your visa fee and other attractions like Jerash, Wadi Rum and Ammanâs Citadel.
Just make sure to buy it before arriving in Jordanâthe visa fee waiver is only valid if purchased in advance.
When you get to Petra, youâll need to scan the pass at the Visitor Centre to receive your ticket before entering.
This is one of my top Jordan travel tips!
Get Your Petra Ticket at the Right Place
One mistake that catches visitors out at Petra is heading straight for the main entrance, expecting to buy a ticket.
The ticket office at the gate does NOT sell tickets – youâll need to head to the Visitor Centre first. Here, you can scan your Jordan Pass or pay for a ticket before heading back to the entrance to have it checked.
The Visitor Centre is well-organised and signposted, but if you arrive on a busy day, there may be a short queue.
Once you have your ticket, entry is quick – and youâll soon find yourself on the long path leading into the ancient city.
Budget for travel OR walk
Petra is enormous, and the Treasury – the most famous landmark – is a 2km walk from the Visitor Centre.
While itâs a beautiful and manageable route, some visitors opt for alternative transport options – which can quickly become expensive!
Golf buggies are available for 15 JOD per person, but considering the walk itself is part of the experience, this is best saved for those who need extra assistance.
Horses are also an option and are technically âincludedâ in the ticket price – but riders are expected to give a mandatory tip, and the amount isnât clearly defined, leading to awkward exchanges if you donât tip enough!
Unless you really want to take a horse ride, itâs easier (and cheaper) to walk.
If youâre visiting Petra in winter, walking is also a great way to warm up.
The first section of the walk is flat, and once you enter the Siq, the towering canyon walls provide shelter from the wind.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, as youâll be covering a lot of ground throughout the day.
The Best Way to See the Treasury for the First Time
The Treasury is Petraâs most famous site, and the moment you see it for the first time is one of the most dramatic travel experiences in the world!
Thereâs a simple way to make it even betterâdonât look too soon.
As you walk through the Siq, avoid glancing ahead at the gaps between the cliffs.
Instead, keep your head down or focus on the rock formations around you.
Just before you reach the Treasuryâs opening, stop, take a deep breath, and then look up. The sight of the intricate facade, suddenly appearing from the narrow canyon, is unforgettable!
The Treasury itself is 24m wide and 39m tall and carved directly into the rock face.
Unlike some other Petra sites, its surface appears smooth because the Nabataeans covered it with plaster to hide tool marks and protect it from erosion.
Look closely, and youâll see where the original plaster has worn away, revealing the chisel marks beneath.
The best time to visit is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light hits the rock at an angle, bringing out Petraâs deep red and pink hues.
Arriving early also means fewer crowdsâalthough if youâre visiting in the off-season, you might already have the Treasury almost to yourself.
Learn the History of Petra as You Explore
Walking through Petra without understanding its history means missing a huge part of what makes it special.
This wasnât just an isolated desert outpostâit was the thriving capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, a trading hub that connected Arabia, Egypt and the Mediterranean.
The Nabataeans were a group of Arabian tribes who built Petra into a city of wealth, power, and advanced engineering.
The location was carefully chosen.
Petraâs valley setting provided protection from harsh desert weather, while its position along major trade routesâespecially the Kingâs Highwayâensured a constant flow of merchants and goods.
The Nabataeans were skilled builders and incorporated influences from multiple cultures, as seen in the Greek-style columns on the lower part of the Treasury and the Egyptian-style pyramids at the top.
The city remained powerful for centuries, but by the 1st century AD, the Romans took control. No one knows for certain whether the transition was peaceful or forced, but Roman rule brought changes, including the construction of new buildings and roads.
Despite these modifications, Petraâs distinct Nabataean identity remains intact.
Be cautious of flooding during the winter
Petraâs desert setting makes it easy to assume that rain is rare, but flash floods are a major issue here.
The deep canyons and valleys make parts of the site prone to sudden flooding, especially between October and February.
Even in June, there have been reports of heavy rain causing issues.
When it rains, it doesnât just drizzleâit pours.
Floods bring huge amounts of water in a short time, turning dry pathways into dangerous torrents.
Local guides and officials monitor conditions carefully, but itâs still worth keeping an eye on the forecast, especially if youâre visiting in the winter months.
Explore Beyond the Treasury
The Treasury may be Petraâs most famous landmark, but itâs only the beginning.
Many visitors walk to the Treasury, take a few photos, and then leave, missing out on the rest of the ancient city.
In reality, Petra is huge, and you could spend days exploring all of its sites.
The Siq (the narrow canyon leading to the Treasury) is about 2km long, but after reaching the Treasury, the path continues into a vast landscape of tombs, temples and ancient structures.
One of the most fascinating spots is the Jin Caves, a set of carved-out chambers that were once used as tombs.
The name comes from the belief that evil spirits, or “jin,” haunted the caves, discouraging grave robbers from entering.
Further into Petra, the Theatre, carved directly into the rock, is another highlight.
Unlike many ancient theatres built by the Greeks or Romans, this one is entirely Nabataean in style.
Several hiking trails also lead off from the main route.
Even on a busy day, youâll find quieter corners if you venture beyond the main path!
Bring Your Own Food to Save Money
Food inside Petra is expensive.
A simple cup of tea costs 2 JOD (~ÂŁ2.50), and prices for snacks and meals are significantly higher than what youâd pay outside the site.
While there are a few stalls and cafes within Petra, itâs better to bring your own food if you want to avoid overpaying.
If youâre visiting in the hotter months, bring plenty of water, as walking through the site is physically demanding.
Some vendors inside Petra sell drinks, but again, prices are higher than usual.
Before entering, stock up on snacks, sandwiches or fruit from a shop in Wadi Musa, the town just outside Petra.
We shopped at Pick and Save Market, located near the MĂśvenpick Hotel at the entrance to Petra. Itâs run by Jethro, a local who is incredibly friendly and welcoming. He offers tea, local snacks, and plenty of conversation!
Jethro is also a tour guide but hasnât been able to work inside Petra recently due to the lack of tourists. Like many Jordanians, he relies on tourism for his livelihood, so buying from small businesses like his is a great way to support the local economy.Â
Stay at Nomads Hotel for Affordable Comfort
Accommodation in Wadi Musa, the town next to Petra, ranges from budget hostels to high-end hotels, but if you want a clean, comfortable, and affordable stay, Nomads Hotel is a great option.Â
We paid just ÂŁ33 per night and got a private room with a large bed, tea and coffee, and hot water – and breakfast is included.
The breakfast spread is surprisingly good for the price, with hummus, shakshuka, fruit and tea/coffee. Thereâs also a rooftop bar, which serves Jordanian wine and beer.
Click here to read more about Nomads Hotel!
With centuries of fascinating history and incredible landscapes, itâs no surprise that Petra is a world wonder. Armed with these tips, youâll have a hassle-free and enjoyable trip!
