Imagine a place where rose-colored slot canyons are bathed in shadows of lavender and gold. Curious pathways wander off into the surrounding mountains, in search of sacred spaces. Labyrinthine passages echo with the sound of camel caravans, while up above, hidden alcoves peer through a haze of frankincense at monuments carved out of stone.

This is magical, dazzling Petra, a place where one step inside is all it takes to feel transported to another era.

It's the stuff of legends, where you hear whispers of hidden treasure and round every corner half-expecting Indiana Jones to appear (it was where they filmed Last Crusade, after all!).

Located in southern Jordan, Petra is one of the New Wonders of the World. Sometimes referred to as the Lost City or the Rose City, it dates back to at least the 2nd century BC - over 2,000 years ago! Founded by a nomadic tribe called the Nabateans, the site was a major spice trading fortress, and eventually fell under the control of the Romans and Byzantines.

Planning a visit to Petra soon, or maybe have it pinned on your bucket list? Here's everything to know before you go.

Pssst! Visiting other places in Jordan? Check out my comprehensive guide to the country here!

Entrance fees

A one-day ticket to Petra costs 50 Jordanian Dinar (~USD$71.) A 2-day ticket costs 55JD, while a 3-day ticket will run you 60JD. You can purchase tickets on-site at the Petra Visitor's Center.

When planning your trip, I highly recommend you get the Jordan Pass, especially if you intend on seeing other sites around Jordan. The pass includes free entry to Petra along with 40+ tourist sites around the country. Plus, if you purchase it before arrival, your tourist visa is also included - it's a win-win!

The pass starts at 70JD (~USD$98) and can be purchased online here.

How to get there

The easiest way to get around Jordan is to rent a car. Not only does this provide flexibility to see places like Petra at your own pace, but it’s cost-effective – our rental cost around USD$45 per day with insurance. Plus, it’s an epic road trip.

Given Petra's popularity, though, you have options on how to get there:

From Amman: Not counting traffic, it’s a 3-hour drive south down the Desert Highway.

If you don't have a car, you can opt to take the once-daily 6:30AM JETT Bus (11JD one-way), or else rely on a local bus, which is cheapest but usually only operates once completely full. A cab ride will run you about 85JD one-way.

If staying the night in Wadi Musa (the town outside of Petra), inquire with your hotel about possible shuttle service to/from Amman. There are also a plethora of tour companies based in Amman that offer day trip excursions to Petra.

From Wadi Rum: It’s about a 2.5-hour drive through some seriously stunning desert scenery. (Expect rugged foothills, rows of wind turbines, and spectacular sunsets as you cruise across the badlands.)

You can hire a taxi for about 45JD. There is a public bus that departs Wadi Rum daily between 8:30-9AM and arrives at Petra between 10:30-11AM. It costs 7JD per person. It operates on demand, which means service may be affected during the off-season.

From Aqaba: It will take you around 2 hours to drive from Aqaba's southern port location up to Petra.

A taxi runs about 50JD. Like in Amman, you can opt to take the once-daily 8:30AM JETT bus (12JD one-way), or else rely on a local bus, which is cheapest but usually only operates once completely full.

From the Dead Sea: It's around 3 hours by car, give or take with traffic. There is no public transit between the two destinations, but you can hire a cab for around 80JD.

When to go

Petra is located in a desert climate, which means scorching dry heat is common during the summer. I can only imagine how horrific the hiking trails are during this time, as most of them feature very little shade.

Alternately, winter in Petra sees chilly temps (particularly at night) and a rainy season.

The most popular time of year to visit is during the springtime (March-May), when temperatures are at their mildest and the rains have eased. This usually means larger crowds and higher rates.

I visited Petra the last week of February, and it was absolute bliss. While temperatures dropped at nighttime the weather was practically perfect during the day, averaging in the upper 60s/lower 70s. Shoulder season for the win!

How much time to spend there

It’s recommended to spread your visit to Petra over multiple days. I definitely think this is the way to go if you want to explore the ancient city in-depth. The site is huge - it encompasses over 100 square miles! More days will provide you the chance to take things at a slower pace and really get a feel for the site’s importance.

That being said, if you have less time to see Petra, it's okay! Time restraints for my group meant we could only spend one full day there. Despite this, we were still able to see almost everything we wanted.

The trick is to get there early and stay until close. Petra is open from 6AM-6PM May through September and 6AM-4PM the rest of the year. If you plan to hike the 850+ stairs leading up to the Monastery or do other excursions like the High Place of Sacrifice, you’ll definitely want to start early. You’ll also want to do this if you’re visiting during the summer when Petra experiences crushing heat.

What to see

Whether you've got limited time in the Lost City, or simply want to ensure you check off all the top sites, here's what not to miss:

The Siq

As the winding slot canyon entrance into Petra, the Siq packs on the wow factor to ensure visitors are swept up in an instant love affair. Quite truly, the only way to describe walking through the Siq is, well, epic.

Unlike other famous slot canyons (such as Antelope Canyon in Arizona), which were formed by water, the Siq was formed by tectonic plates splitting apart. The result is a narrow, impressive gorge, which was used in ancient times as the Grand Caravan entrance into the city.

Featuring rock carvings and an ancient water circuit route designed to bring water into Petra, the pathway echoes with the sounds of horse hooves and adventurous tales of a distant past. Some parts of the walkway are as narrow as 10 feet across - and the canyon walls reach as high as 600 feet!

Just when you think it may wind into eternity, you turn a corner and catch a glimpse of...

The Treasury (Al Khazneh)

This is typically what most people picture when they think of Petra. It's the most intact and well-known structure in the city, made world-famous by its appearance in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In short, it's the money shot - and seeing it in person will take your breath away.

Surrounded by legends of hidden treasure and Egyptian pharaohs, the Treasury was thought to serve as a royal mausoleum for Nabatean King Aretas IV.

One of the most fascinating things about the Treasury it that it was carved entirely out of sandstone - from the top down! You may notice a series of slots flanking either side of the enormous structure; these were used by builders to scale the rock, and to support scaffolding structures.

Pro-tip: To the righthand side of the Treasury is a short hike that scales the side of the canyon. It takes you to this insane lookout point, where you're greeted by Bedouins burning frankincense and myrrh. There you can take a seat, gaze across the canyon and truly take in the site's awe. (Not to mention, it's a killer photo op.)

The Royal Tombs

These are a row of four large mausoleums carved into the cliffs of Jebel Al Khubtha. You can climb up to them to have a look around, or else admire them from the main path - they're easily visible from there!

The High Place of Sacrifice

Built atop Jebel Madbah, this was a site for Nabatean religious ceremonies, including animal sacrifice. Despite only being used by the holy back then, it's now one of the most accessible High Places in Petra, and features panoramic views of Wadi Musa far below. The site features a large platform, altar and dais.

You can get to the High Place of Sacrifice by traversing up a steep but well-maintained rocky path. The trail starts near the Street of Facades, with a marked series of steps that divert from Petra's main path.

I'll be honest, we didn't make it all the way to the top on this hike (although to be fair, we thought we did - it's not a super well-marked trail! You'll know you're almost there when you come to a pair of massive obelisks on your left-hand side - don't be like us and turn back at this point, keep going!)

All this said, the parts of the trail we did see were spectacular. Despite wanting to die from all the stairs (which were really just a warm-up for the Monastery), the High Place of Sacrifice trail provided plenty of stunning bird's-eye glimpses onto the city below. It's worth it!

The Great Temple Complex

This is one of the largest excavations in Petra, helmed by the archaeology team at Brown University. It encompasses the remains of a massive temple and a theater-like public forum space. A lot is still unknown about the complex's function, but the details and sheer size of the excavation are impressive. Plus, it features sweeping views of the surrounding city.

The Monastery (Ad Deir)

Resembling a larger and less intact version of the Treasury, the Monastery is located high in the hills at the far end of Petra. It's one of the largest monuments in the entire city, and served as a meeting place for religious associations.

It's definitely a bit of a trek to get there (somewhere between 850 and 950 stairs, but who's counting?) but the payoff is in its architectural wonder. I simply couldn't wrap my head around how the Monastery was carved entirely out of stone!

While the hike can be brutal, there are plenty of places along the way to take a break and shop for souvenirs. If you don't think you're suited for the trek, mules are available for hire to take you up there.

What to wear

You'll cover some serious ground during your visit, most likely in the heat, so comfort is key.

Wear sturdy hiking boots or tennis shoes, with breathable clothing suitable for physical activity. Bring a hat or scarf to ward off the sun, and consider dressing in layers if you're visiting during the cooler months.

I wore leggings, a tunic-type top layered over a t-shirt, tennis shoes, and a hat. My visit was at the end of February, so it was a little chilly in the morning but got pretty toasty as the day wore on. That being said, it was insanely windy up at the Monastery, so I was grateful for the extra layers.

What to bring

Petra is located in a hot, arid environment. Be prepared with the following:

Water
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Hat/scarf
Backpack
Camera
Portable charger
Snacks (there are places to purchase refreshments inside, but it's always best to be prepared!)
Cash (for any souvenirs you want to buy)
Map (you can get this from the Visitor's Center at Petra's main entrance!)

Things to note

Here are some final useful tidbits to know before you go:

There are multiple ways to enter Petra.

The most popular option is the main gate entrance, which leads through the Siq to the Treasury, past the Royal Tombs and Great Temple Complex before eventually winding up towards the Monastery. Most visitors who enter this way then backtrack to exit out the same way they came.

Alternately, you can enter through the "backdoor", right next to the Monastery at the far end of Petra. Entering here cuts your total walking distance in half, but involves a bit of backroad navigation; you'll want to hire a taxi to drop you off as close to the entrance as you can, and then hike the rest of the way in (about 30 minutes.) If I had multiple days to spend in Petra, I would definitely try to enter this way on one of the days!

The horse ride from the Visitor's Center to the Siq isn't really free.

When entering through the main entrance, you will embark on an approximately half-mile dusty path that leads from the Visitor's Center area to the start of the Siq. All along this path are local horse handlers encouraging visitors to hitch a ride for "free" instead of walking.

While the horse ride is actually included in your ticket, you will be heckled for tips before disembarking at the Siq. So...no, it's not really free.

Cars are not allowed inside.

You'll see some electric buggies on the trail, but those are reserved for guests with disabilities. Everyone else must rely on their own two feet to explore the city (or else hire a camel, horse, or mule.)

If you choose to hire an animal transport, pay attention to how they're treated.

If you witness animal abuse or suspect that an animal is being mistreated, report it. Tell a police officer or the staff at the Visitor's Center. Do not give your money to anyone who is disrespecting our four-legged friends.

The morning is the most crowded time of day at the Treasury.

You will see a noticeable difference in the amount of people admiring the Treasury on your way out of Petra at the end of the day versus first thing in the morning. This is largely because the Treasury is the first (and, in some cases, only) stop for many visitors.

Overall, Petra is a spellbinding place.

Once you're within Petra city limits, surrounded by its architectural intrigue, scenic splendor, and dusty echoes of an ancient past, there is little doubt how it became a Wonder of the World. It is truly a place of marvel - a rose-colored portal that seems to suspend you in time forever. You're in for an absolute treat!

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