As you wander by a deep slim canyon for what looks like far too lengthy, you may all of a sudden hear a buzz of individuals. You will flip, and there stands a bit of historical past: the traditional metropolis of Petra. Shrouded in thriller and intrigue, Petra needs to be seen to be believed. This complete information to Petra in Jordan, will present you methods to get there, what to see, what to do, and methods to take advantage of your go to.
The traditional metropolis of Petra is likely one of the hottest vacationer locations in Jordan. Situated about two hours from the capital metropolis of Amman, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Website that’s identified for its rock-cut structure and gorgeous surroundings.
Greater than 500,000 vacationers go to “The Misplaced Metropolis” of Petra every year, and it is likely one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. In case you are planning a visit to Petra, right here is every part it’s essential know!
For the reason that early 1900s there have been ongoing excavations of Petra with over 800 monuments discovered. However archaeologists are simply scratching the floor with MUCH extra to find.
I toured Petra with Globus Escapes and this gave me essentially the most effectively rounded expertise attainable. I extremely advocate it! Extra info under! Additionally, should you’re looking for a full guide to Jordan, check out my full itinerary here.
Seeing Petra ought to completely in your bucket checklist. This awe-inspiring place will provide you with a lot inspiration. To not point out… nice Instagram shots. This is your full information with every part it’s essential know together with the historical past of Petra.
Find out how to get to Petra :
There are just a few other ways to get to Petra. The simplest means is to fly into the Queen Alia Worldwide Airport in Amman after which take drive to Petra.
I like to recommend taking a tour! This ensures that you just beat the crowds and get the very best views in addition to info on this unbelievable place.
The easiest way to see Petra is with a guided tour. There are lots of completely different excursions accessible, however I like to recommend choosing a small group tour so to get a extra intimate expertise. I toured Jordan for every week with Globus, you can see my entire guide here.
My expertise in Petra with Globus was solidified after I realized simply how way more we noticed and discovered! We truly snuck up the again entrance which meant nearly no crowds and loads of lovely websites. Your tour with Globus contains round-trip transportation from Amman, your lovely lodge (we stayed proper by the doorway), an expert information, and entrance charges to the archaeological website.
How lengthy to spend in Petra
You will want at the very least one full day right here to get pleasure from and relish within the historical past and awe-inspiring structure. If you wish to discover each nook and cranny of Petra, and to see Little Petra as effectively, at the very least two days is right.
I like to recommend getting there as early as attainable on the primary day so to keep away from the crowds. You will wish to depart time to see Petra through the day, and to return for Petra by Night time.
What to deliver to Petra
I like to recommend you put on mountaineering boots or tennis sneakers, light-weight clothes, and remember a hat, sunscreen and loads of water.
You can be doing loads of strolling, so snug sneakers are a should. The common temperature in Petra is round 20-25 levels Celsius (68-77 Fahrenheit), however it could get a lot hotter through the day, so light-weight clothes is greatest.
I additionally advocate bringing a hat and sunscreen, as there may be little to no shade.
There are eating places and retailers alongside the best way promoting meals so no have to fill up an excessive amount of however I introduced alongside some Cliff bars as effectively.
For those who’re all for a information for what to wear in the Middle East, check out this post.
Historical past of Petra
Petra is called the “Misplaced Metropolis” since, for lots of of years it lay undiscovered. It is also referred to as “The Rose Metropolis” due to the intricate stone carving within the rose-colored sand stone.
The town of Petra is believed to have been settled as early because the 4th century BCE, making it one of many oldest cities on the planet. It wasn’t till the late sixth century BCE that the Nabataeans made Petra their capital. The Nabataeans carved their properties and temples into the crimson sandstone cliffs.
The town of Petra flourished beneath Nabataean rule, because it was situated on the main commerce routes of the area. The Nabataeans had been additionally professional irrigators, they usually created a posh system of dams and canals to deliver water to the town. You may nonetheless see the stays of the water pipes – actually unbelievable! The individuals of Petra charged a tax for many who handed by and have become very rich.
The Roman Empire annexed Petra in 106 CE, and the town continued to prosper throughout Roman rule. Nevertheless, after the decline of the Roman Empire, Petra fell into obscurity and was ultimately deserted.
It wasn’t till 1812 that Petra was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Since then, the town has undergone intensive excavations and it’s now one of the crucial standard vacationer locations on the planet.
Touring to Petra, I used to be amazed by the magnificent constructions and historical past of this historical metropolis. The positioning is really one of many planet’s marvels, with its lovely stone temples and tombs remaining intact for millennia. Indiana Jones and the Final Campaign was filmed right here, and it is easy to see why this space was picked!
Getting out and in of Petra (Professional Suggestions!)
Going to Petra is unquestionably a hike! There are two methods to enter Petra:
- The entrance entrance – about 3 miles to get to the Treasury + extra to see the websites
- The Again Entrance – 9 miles whole – an extended hike however an unbelievable technique to see Petra
The Siq is a tiny crack within the sandstone that is bordered by partitions that soar lots of of ft into the sky. As you stroll by this mystifying hall, you may be full of pleasure about what lies forward.
If you lastly catch your first glimpse of the Treasury, (aka Al Khazneh) it takes your breath away. The Al Khazneh is an unbelievable feat of engineering, and it is no marvel that it is one of the crucial photographed buildings in Petra.
Or, you’ll be able to take the again entrance. It is a longer hike of 9 miles but it surely provides you an unbelievable view of Petra and the land surrounding it in addition to the Monastery with no vacationers! Our Globus guide provided us this feature and it was unbelievable to see Petra with out the crowds.
For those who’re drained after seeing the sights and do not wish to stroll just a few miles again, there are alternatives of getting again: camels, donkeys, horses, and even golf carts. They may let you know that it is free, or included in your ticket value, it’s not. They anticipate a tip. However should you’re drained, that is undoubtedly an choice.
What to see in Petra
Essentially the most well-known website in Petra is Al Khazneh, also referred to as the Treasury. This magnificent temple was carved into the sandstone cliff within the 1st century CE, and it is one of the crucial well-preserved buildings in Petra.
Different must-see websites in Petra embrace the Monastery, a big temple advanced that is situated on the high of a 800-step staircase; and the Excessive Place of Sacrifice, an historical sacrificial altar with gorgeous views of the encircling desert.
There are additionally many less-known websites to discover in Petra, such because the Roman amphitheater, the royal tombs, and the avenue of facades. It doesn’t matter what you select to see in Petra, you are positive to be amazed by this historical metropolis.
If you would like the “Instagram shot” head to “The Greatest World View” tent on the high of the Al-Khubtha Path. It is a hike to rise up right here however an incredible view level.
Our Globus guide actually introduced the expertise to life and instructed us so many tales and attention-grabbing details they’ve uncovered over time.
Petra by Night time
White paper luggage full of sand and candles are the one sources of sunshine that heat the crimson stone partitions. As you meander down the slim gorge the intense stars above you beckon you right down to the music.
Top-of-the-line methods to expertise Petra is to go to at night time. Each night time, there is a mild and sound present that illuminates the Treasury and tells the story of Petra’s historical past.
From the customer middle to the Treasury, greater than 1,000 candles illuminate the trail. The Treasury is lit up because the Bedouins play music for round 40 minutes earlier than telling a short historical past of Petra’s growth.
After the sunshine present, you’ve the choice to stroll again or take a donkey journey. We opted to stroll and it was such a magical expertise strolling by Petra beneath the celebrities.
Customer’s Middle and Museum
Between going to Petra through the day and Petra by Night time, you’ll be able to spend a while within the Customer’s Middle. The Customer’s Middle is the place you may purchase your tickets, and it is also residence to a small museum with some attention-grabbing artifacts from Petra’s historical past.
The museum has three fundamental sections: the historical past of Petra, the Nabataeans, and a piece on current excavations. The Historical past of Petra part has info on how the town was constructed, and the Nabataean part has info on the individuals who lived there.
Essentially the most attention-grabbing a part of the museum is the part on current excavations. This part has a number of the artifacts that had been discovered throughout digging, and it is fascinating to see what they’ve uncovered.
Greatest Time to Go to Petra
Petra is open all 12 months, though the season for tourism to the area is spring and fall, when temperatures are nice. Summertime is likely to be unbearably sizzling, and January and February are the chilliest months, with sometimes rain. The excessive elevation of three,000 ft makes it chilly at night time, so deliver a sweater whatever the time of 12 months.
The place to Keep in Petra (Wadi Musa)
One of the best place to remain in Wadi Musa is close to the doorway of Petra! That means, you’ll be able to stroll to the positioning early within the morning and keep away from the warmth and crowds.
I like to recommend Movenpick Resort Petra. It is a hike to get to Petra and this lodge is sort of actually as shut as you will get! This 5-star lodge is true by the Petra Customer Middle and Museum and is the proper place to get up, beat the crowd and head to the sight.
The buffet breakfast was significantly good and the inside of the lodge seems like an opulent spa. Marble flooring and delicate inlaid fixtures made for a good looking place to relaxation.
Know Earlier than You Go to Petra
Petra opens at 6 am and guests are requested to depart proper after sundown. Petra by Night time begins at 8:30 pm and ends at 10 pm.
I can’t stress this sufficient. Petra opens at 6 am and the crowds are a lot smaller within the morning. Not solely will you keep away from the warmth, however you may additionally keep away from the crowds.
Petra Entrance Charges
- 1-day go: 50 JOD per particular person or 90 JOD if not staying in Wadi Musa
- 2-day go: 55 JOD per particular person
- 3-day go: 60 JOD per particular person
- Petra by Night time: 17 JOD per particular person
With these costs I extremely advocate you go together with a information!
Little Petra
When you have additional time in Petra try “Little Petra” also referred to as Siq al-Barid. It is an archaeological website situated north of Petra and the city of Wadi Musa with smaller variations of buildings carved into sandstone. It is a smaller website, but it surely’s equally as lovely and has loads of the identical options as Petra.
Little Petra is about half-hour from Wadi Musa by automotive, and it is an awesome place to discover if in case you have an additional day.
See my full guide to Jordan here!
Going to Petra needs to be on everybody’s bucket checklist. It is an unbelievable archaeological website with a lot historical past. Petra is a must-see when visiting Jordan! Going with a Globus is completely the best way to go! Take a look at Globus Escapes proper right here! Discover aggressive pricing, nice guides, glorious motels, and the proper technique to discover!
This publish is in collaboration with Globus, however all opinions are my very own.
