Petra
Jordan, Asia
A rose-red city carved into desert cliffs two thousand years ago.
A 2,000-year-old city carved directly into rose-coloured sandstone cliffs in southern Jordan, once the capital of the Nabataean traders. Reached through a narrow canyon that opens onto the towering facade of the Treasury.
Our honest take
The Treasury is jaw-dropping but Petra is much bigger than most people realize. Budget a full two days minimum. The Monastery hike is harder but less crowded and equally impressive. Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer tour groups.
Why go
- The Treasury at first sight through the Siq is a top-5 travel moment
- The Monastery rewards the 800-step climb with solitude
- Petra by Night (candlelit) is genuinely magical
Skip if you can
- Horse rides through the Siq, the animals are often mistreated
- Rushing it in half a day, you'll miss 80% of the site
Things to do
Where locals eat
Jordan's national dish: lamb cooked in a fermented dried-yoghurt sauce (jameed) over rice and flatbread, eaten communally. A special-occasion meal, not fast food.
Al-Wadi Restaurant in uptown Wadi Musa, a long-standing spot for mansaf and maqluba
An 'upside-down' pot of rice, meat, and fried vegetables flipped onto a platter to serve, a Levantine home classic.
A family-run restaurant in Wadi Musa
Fresh falafel, hummus, foul, and flatbread, the cheap, reliable Jordanian breakfast before a long day at the site.
A budget diner in Wadi Musa
Sweet sage-and-mint tea, and in the desert around Petra/Wadi Rum, zarb, meat and vegetables cooked in an underground sand oven.
A Bedouin camp experience near Petra or Wadi Rum
Costs
Per person, per day on the ground, lodging, food, local transport and activities. Excludes international flights (see Getting there).
Jordan Pass: 70-80 JOD (includes visa + Petra). Without pass: 50 JOD/day entry.
Official pricingGetting there
Where to stay
Walking distance to Petra entrance, all budget levels
Desert glamping near Little Petra, unique experience
Good to know
- Bring 2-3 litres of water, no shade inside the site
- Wear proper hiking shoes for the Monastery climb
- Jordan is very safe for tourists but dress modestly
- Petra by Night only runs Mon/Wed/Thu, check schedule
Prices, visa rules, and transport details may change. Always verify with official sources before booking. Last updated: July 2026.