How to Visit Petra, Jordan in Two Days
In this guide, I’ll show you how to make the most of your time with two days in Petra, from exploring the iconic Treasury to hiking off-the-beaten-path trails, ensuring you capture both the must-sees and hidden gems.
Jordan is home to one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites, Petra. The legendary city of Petra is a bucket list destination and Jordan’s most famous tourist attraction.
Petra, also known as the “Rose City,” is an ancient city carved into the red sandstone cliffs by the Nabateans over 2,000 years ago. Its impressive remains are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Planning a trip to Petra can feel overwhelming, especially with so much history and beauty packed into one site. But in two days, you can experience the highlights and immerse yourself in its ancient wonders without feeling rushed. If you love ancient cities, hiking, and nature, this travel guide is for you!
History of Petra, Jordan
Petra is so much more than the famous view of the Treasury. It was a full blown city, estimated to have about 20,000 inhabitants back in its prime (which is about twice the size of my hometown)! I really had no idea it was so big until I spent two days walking the site and trying to cover as much ground as possible.
Petra was established by the Nabateans, an Arab tribe that transformed Petra into a thriving center of trade and culture by controlling the major caravan routes connecting the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean world. The city is renowned for its sophisticated water management system and impressive architecture, all carved directly into the rock face.
Petra flourished until it was gradually abandoned after a series of earthquakes and changes in trade routes. Eventually the nomadic Bedouin tribes took refuge in the city until it was “rediscovered” in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. Petra is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, attracting visitors from around the globe with its ancient wonder and beauty.
In 1985 the Jordanian government relocated most of the Bedouins to a nearby village called Umm Sayhoun to preserve Petra and to manage tourism.
The Bedouins continue to maintain their cultural and economic ties to Petra. Some work as guides, offer camel or donkey rides, sell handicrafts, or run tourist-related businesses in the area. Most importantly, they are still present and offer insights into their traditional way of life.
Wadi Musa
The inviting town of Wadi Musa is the gateway to Petra. This lively little town caters to travelers visiting its main attraction, Petra. The busy road leading to the Petra Visitor Center and main entrance is thoughtfully named, Tourism Street.
Aside from the typical array of hotels, restaurants, and gift shops there isn’t much to do in town. As you will find out, you don’t need much more than a place to eat and sleep. Exploring Petra is an all day event involving a lot of walking. After each day of exploration all we wanted was food and rest.
I can’t for the life of me remember the name of this restaurant, but it was our favorite. The decor was traditional Bedouin style which we loved and the Jordanian food was really good!
Logistics for Visiting Petra
Petra and the Visitor Center are open to visitors daily from 06:30 till 17:30. Visitors are asked to leave the site before sunset. The Visitor Center sells tickets, arranges for tour guides, provides informational brochures in multiple languages and maps of Petra.
You can purchase tickets at the Visitors Center or show your Jordan Pass with your passport at Petra’s entrance.
Ticket Price:
- One day = 50 JOD (JOD = Jordanian Dinar)
- Two day = 55 JOD
- Three day = 60 JOD
The Jordan Pass offers entry to Petra with options for one to three days. If you are traveling around Jordan and plan to visit other sites, purchasing the Jordan Pass ahead of time is worth the money.
Or Jordan Pass 1 Day = 70 2 Day = 75 3 Day = 80
If you would like to book a licensed tour guide at the Visitor Center, there are 3 options:
- Main Trail = 50 JOD
- Main Trail + High Place of Sacrifice = 100 JOD
- Main Trail + Monastery = 100 JOD
For more information about planning your trip, check out Petra’s official website.
Petra Museum
I suggest visiting the museum prior to entering the actual site. It provides an excellent introduction to Petra and brings its history to life with valuable historical context about Petra, its Nabatean inhabitants, and the significance of the ancient city.
This background can enhance your experience and understanding of Petra. It’s free to enter the museum, plus it’s air conditioned with modern and clean bathrooms.
What to See in Petra
Exploring Petra takes you on a trip back in time, allowing you to visualize what this ancient city might have looked like in its prime. Surprisingly, many of the rock structures are very well preserved and only a small percentage of Petra has been excavated, which is mind blowing!
With its extensive network of tombs, temples, and trails the ancient city of Petra is an adventurer’s dream. Here are the major points of interest.
The Siq
The journey into Petra begins with a 20 minute (1.3 mile) walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding path between towering rock walls. As you approach the end of the Siq, the rock walls will begin to unveil the incredible first view of the Treasury.
Along the way, you can see the evidence of the ancient water channel the Nabateans used to bring water from a spring in Wadi Musa into the city of Petra.
The Siq is the most enjoyable in the early morning and in the evening right before closing when it’s calm and peaceful. By noon, there is no shade and the narrow walkway is a flurry with visitors going in each direction and fast moving horse carriages carting visitors down the path.
The Treasury
Nothing will prepare you for stepping out of the Siq and into full view of the Treasury. This moment is magic! This iconic facade is the most famous structure in Petra, with its intricate carvings and grand scale. The details of the columns and statues are impeccably preserved and showcase the craftsmanship of the Nabateans.
As with such a view, comes crowds. This is the busiest area of Petra as people are posing with camels for photo ops, tour groups assembling in a line for group photos, and in general a busy walkway to enter and exit the site. As well as locals offering tours and offers for pictures, hikes, etc. It can be difficult to get a picture without masses of people in it. However, there is a little nook off to the right side that provides a good angle to block out most people if you time the photo right.
There are also a few options to capture incredible photos and views of the Treasury from higher ground, more on that later!
Street of Facades
After the Treasury the path widens into the Street of Facades. Similar to a row of townhomes, the rock cut facades are a series of large, impressive tombs and houses lining the cliff walls.
Along the street there are many vendors selling trinkets, handmade goods, and souvenirs.
Nabatean Theater
The amphitheater near the Street of Facades has a capacity for 4,000 people and was built before the Roman occupation by the Nabateans. What’s most impressive about the architecture is that it was carved into the rose colored rock in typical Nabatean fashion.
High Place of Sacrifice
Religious ceremonies and sacrifices were performed atop a mountain at the High Place of Sacrifice. The ceremonial altar is still intact. It is the highest point in Petra and offers panoramic views of Petra and Wadi Musa.
The Royal Tombs
The Royal Tombs are a group of four large and intricately carved tombs perched on a cliff above the main trail. They are visible from the ground but worth taking the stairs up to see the facades up close.
The tombs are empty, but quite large inside and offer shade. I loved the colorful swirls in the rock and you can see remnants of Bedouin fires on the ceilings.
Colonnaded Street
Somewhere between the Treasury and the Monastery the Street of Facades becomes Colonnaded Street, a stone paved street with remnants of large columns lining the sides. This was once the lively heart of Petra. I can only imagine how impressive it must have been.
The Great Temple
You can’t miss the Great Temple off of Colonnaded Street. There are very few intact structures left after it was damaged by an earthquake. However, if you take some time to walk around and explore the ruins you can imagine its grandeur. This is also a great spot to take a sit break and enjoy the views.
Qasr al-Bint
You are unable to go inside this site, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s a massive free standing building which stands out compared to all of the other rock cut structures. It’s located at the end of Colonnaded Street.
The Monastery
The Monastery is a hilltop temple and the largest structure in Petra. It is less detailed than the more famous Treasury, but equally impressive.
The Monastery is located at the “back” of Petra, opposite of the Treasury and requires a bit of a hike to get there. To reach the Monastery, you need to walk uphill approximately 800 stairs along a scenic path. The effort is well worth it.
This area of Petra is much quieter, less busy, and has incredible views of the surrounding desert and mountains. But don’t worry, there are plenty of places to rest and admire the views along the way.
There is a cafe with a front row view of the Monastery where you can relax and refuel. Make time to explore the area while you’re there, there are lots of places to climb up on rocks and walk around for good views.
Petra by Night
This special event allows visitors to experience Petra illuminated by thousands of candles, with traditional Bedouin music and storytelling. It offers a totally different perspective of the ancient city.
Plan accordingly because Petra by Night is only available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. You can purchase tickets at the visitors center ($24 USD).
Petra Itinerary: Day 1
We got a late start around noon because it was a rainy morning and spent some time in the Petra Museum learning about the history. Despite the late start, we were still able to visit a lot of the sights. Here’s how we spent our first day in Petra.
- Petra Museum
- Walk through the Siq
- Treasury
- Explore other views of the Treasury (Al Khubtha Trail)
- Royal Tombs
- Walk the Street of Facades
- Nabatean Theater
- The Great Temple
The crowds really thinned out later in the day. On our walk back the Treasury area was almost empty and we were able to snap a few photos without any other people!
Petra Itinerary: Day 2
On our second day we were at the entrance as soon as Petra officially opened. We had a big day of exploration planned and we wanted to see the early morning light in the Siq and Treasury. Prepare for a lot of walking, day 2 itinerary is packed.
- Walk the Siq to Treasury (much more peaceful without the crowds)
- High Place of Sacrifice Trail connecting to the Wadi Farasah Trail
- Colonnaded Street
- Al Dier Trail to Monastery
- Explore the area around the Monastery
- End of the World Cafe
Hiking in Petra
Aside from the main path through the ancient city, Petra offers numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty and amazing views. I consider everything in Petra loosely as a “hike.” Come prepared with comfortable walking shoes and hydrate.
The Siq to Treasury Trail
A little over a mile in length, this is an easy walk on flat ground along a well maintained pathway.
Al Khubtha Trail (Treasury Viewpoint)
This trail leads to the best view of the Treasury! You do not need to pay anyone to take you to the viewpoint, the trail is well marked.
The trail begins in front of the Royal Tombs. Follow the signs for “Al Khubtha Trail” up approximately 45 minutes of stairs. Once you finish the stairs the trail flattens out a bit and offers a Birds Eye view of Petra. Next, follow the sign for “Panoramic View of Treasury.”
The first view of the Treasury will be partially obstructed through rocks, but continue on and you will see a Bedouin tent setup as a cafe with THE view. You will need to make a purchase at the cafe, but it’s a small price to pay for such a view.
As of 2024, a few accounts online report the Al Khubtha Trail and access to the viewpoint are closed. Check in with the Visitor’s Center during your visit for trail updates.
High Place of Sacrifice Trail
You will find the start of the trail on the left side of the Street of Facades beside the toilets before the Theater. It’s a steep trail up several hundred stairs with signs to lead the way. It is not difficult, but can be tiring considering all of the hiking you will be doing at Petra.
After visiting the site, you can either go back down the same path to return to the Street of Facades or continue onward on the Wadi Farasa Trail. I recommend continuing on the trail since the hard part of going up the stairs is over.
Wadi Farasa Trail
The start of the trail is the same access point as the High Place of Sacrifice, on the left side of the Street of Facades beside the toilets before the Theater.
The trail is approximately 2.5 miles and will take you through a less visited area of Petra ending at Colonnaded Street.
I really enjoyed this trail because it was quiet and away from the crowds. Along the trail you will pass the High Place of Sacrifice, the Lion Fountain, the Garden Temple, Triclinium, Roman Soldier Tomb, and the Renaissance Tomb.
Ad Deir Trail (To the Monastery)
The trail to the Monastery begins near the Basin Restaurant at the end of Colonnaded Street. It’s a 2 mile out and back trail (one mile to the Monastery) with approximately 800 stairs.
The trail is tiring, but not necessarily difficult. Some of the steps are uneven and can be slippery, so take your time. There are many stalls along the path selling water, snacks, and souvenirs. I recommend stopping at the restrooms near the start of the trail before the hike.
Alternative trail to Monastery: The “Back door” trail to Petra
This alternative route from Little Petra to the Monastery is favorable for multiple reasons. First, you can avoid the slog of the uphill stairs on the main trail. Secondly, if you start the trail early there’s an opportunity to visit the Monastery without crowds since you will be starting closer to the back than the traditional trail. And finally, the walk from the Monastery to the Treasury will be a smooth sailing downhill walk.
First, make sure you have valid tickets or have your Jordan Pass scanned at the Visitor’s Center before going to Little Petra. You will need to show your ticket at the Little Petra entrance.
To get to the trail you have two options; take the free shuttle from the Visitors Center to Little Petra or you can pay for a taxi to Little Petra. The shuttle service runs about every 30 minutes from 7am-3pm daily and takes approximately 15 minutes to get to Little Petra.
If your goal is to start the hike as early as possible, it would be best to pay for a taxi either from the Visitors Center or from your accommodation in Wadi Musa to drop you off at Little Petra. This way you can avoid waiting for the shuttle and you can be at the entrance when it opens.
After getting dropped off at the Little Petra entrance you have two options. Either start the hike from the Little Petra entrance, which is approximately 4.2 miles to the Monastery. Or pay for a 4×4 truck ride to take you even closer to the start of the steps of the Monastery, approximately 1.3 mile walk to the Monastery. The cash fee for the truck = 5 JOD.
You can find it on Google Maps as the “Back Door hiking route to the Monastery.”
Tips for Visiting Petra
One Day isn’t Enough
The Petra archaeological site is huge. I recommend getting a multiple day pass to have time to hike the trails and get the full experience. Although you could hit the highlights in a one day visit, the terrain and potential heat can be challenging. With more than one day to explore, you won’t have to rush to see it all in one visit.
We purchased the Jordan Pass that offered 2 days in Petra. I felt this was a good amount of time to hit all the highlights.
Get an Early Start
Start early so you don’t get run over by the horse carriages in the Siq 😂 I’m only partially kidding. Jokes aside, early morning in Petra is very peaceful and the trails are mostly empty. Plus the morning light really makes the rocks glow!
If you’re not a morning person, you can find similar peace in the last few hours before Petra closes. By then the crowd thins out and big tour groups are gone. This is the time when you can soak up the magic of closing hour.
Petra’s “Back Door” Trail
For something off the beaten path, try the “back door trail” to the Monastery. Most visitors take the main trail, but this trail offers a unique experience through the less visited back entrance to Petra.
Avoid the Donkey Rides
You will definitely get multiple offers for animal rides throughout your visit. If you have the ability to do so, avoid paying for a donkey ride and just walk! Honestly, the donkey rides looked miserable and sketchy. It also caused unnecessary crowding on the trail for the walkers.
The animal handlers are known to be a little pushy with the constant barrage of animal ride offers…don’t let it get to you, politely decline and enjoy your time in Petra.
Safety
The same day of our visit there was a really unfortunate accident involving a rock falling from above and killing a tourist standing in the area of the Treasury. This really shook me, it could have been anyone standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is just a reminder to be aware of your surroundings and to never kick or throw rocks from higher areas.
Visit the Petra Museum
Inside the archaeological site there are no educational signs to teach you about the different structures. If you want to learn history about Petra, I recommend visiting the museum for information. The museum is right by the Petra entrance.
Little Petra
If you have more time, consider a visit to Little Petra. It’s completely free and offers a smaller but still beautiful experience without the crowds.
Come Prepared
Plan and prep for a long day of walking and being outside. Comfortable shoes are a must and depending on the season you might need layers of clothing for cold weather or sun protection for warm weather.
Visitors are allowed to bring in food and drinks, which is a good time and money saving move. However, if you prefer to have a sit down meal, there are a few restaurants and cafes around the site.
Plan accordingly and pack lunch, snacks, and water and you will have the freedom to have a nice picnic wherever you choose! We carried a backpack with all of our essentials.
Do I need a Guide for Petra?
No, a tour guide is not necessary for visiting Petra. All of the sites are accessible by following the signs and the Visitor’s Center provides maps. The same goes for the hiking trails, you do not need to hire a guide unless you want to. The maps on AllTrails are very accurate and there are signs to guide the way.
However, a tour guide can improve your visit to Petra by offering more in-depth information, history, and insight that you wouldn’t get otherwise. You can hire a local guide at the Visitors Center.
Exploring Petra at our own pace felt like a “plan your own adventure” day and I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Visiting Petra is an unforgettable experience that offers a glimpse into one of the world’s most impressive ancient civilizations. It is a destination that every traveler should strive to visit because seeing it in person is even more impressive than any photo. I love my memories from Petra and hope to re-visit someday!
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