To visit Petra is to truly transport yourself back in time. We believe that three days in Petra is more than enough time to explore the history, beauty, and adventure the area offers. It’s enough time to make Indiana Jones himself jealous! Our three days in Petra guide is here to help you maximize your time exploring Jordan’s Rose City to see all that this magical place has to offer.
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What IS Petra? – Three Days in Petra
Petra, as we see it today, dates back over 2,000 years ago around the 2nd or 1st century B.C.E. It was founded by a group of people known as the Nabataeans, who “before they were conquered and absorbed into the Roman Empire, controlled a vast tract of the Middle East from modern-day Israel and Jordan into the northern Arabian peninsula” (via National Geographic). What we see today, their buildings, water systems, etc., are what we see today. The Nabataeans largely controlled trade between the Near East and Asia, particularly in items such as Frankincense or Myrrh which was found and brought from what would be modern-day Yemen or Oman.
However, after the Romans conquered the region in 106 C.E., Petra and its influence died over the next several centuries. Along with Nabataean remnants, you’ll also find plenty of Roman structures at Petra and structures that were once Nabataean, but converted to something else by the Romans.
Basic Information – Three Days in Petra
Petra does require considerable walking. There are options to arrive at the Treasury, such as by golf cart or horse, and in the park, you can hire a guide and a donkey to help with some of the hikes, but overall, there will be considerable walking, often on uneven terrain, at Petra.
You will need to purchase a pass to visit Petra. Tickets are 60 Jordanian dinars per person (around US$80), but we recommend getting a Jordan Pass. The Jordan Pass serves as a visa INTO Jordan (an additional cost otherwise) and allows you to enter not just Petra but many other sites around Jordan, such as the Dana Biosphere, the baptismal site of John the Baptist at the river Jordan (about an hour west of Amman). A three day Jordan Pass costs 80 Dinar (around US$115).
Petra’s history and technological marvel for the time are well worth the time and cost to see. And even if you are not interested in history, the landscape and surrounding scenery will not disappoint! So check out how to best spend you’re three days in Petra!
Where to Stay
Petra (or Wadi Musa) offers many options for accommodations. You’ll find larger chains such as Marriott, Mövenpick or Crowne Plaza (under a different guise) around as well as plenty of smaller local hotels. We recommend using the smaller hotels as they are run by locals and you get to help the local economy even more. Most of these hotels are wonderful and will offer breakfast as well as the option for paying for packed lunches. Booking.com has plenty of amazing options for your three days in Petra!
When To Go?
Deciding when to go to Petra can greatly impact your visit there. Averaging around 1 million visitors a year, Petra sees a lot of tourists, but not so many that it will ever feel overwhelming like other world tourist sites, such as the Eiffel Tower (closer to 6 million a year!). The time of year also affects the closing hours of Petra. During the summer hours (approximately March 1 to November 1), the park opens from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. During the winter hours, Petra’s opening hours are 6:00 am until 4:30 pm.
Summer is possible, though a bit too warm for our personal preferences. Summer temperatures average between 28-33 celsius. This is warm and not unbearably so, but remember that Petra involves a lot of walking and, likely, hiking. If you go in summer, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water! Summer does mean longer hours in the park, however, so more opportunities to enjoy the history and natural beauty of the area.
The fall/spring are wonderful times to go, with temps ranging from 14-25 Celsius. Warm enough for too easily be outdoors and cool enough that you won’t yet have a heat stroke but not so hot you’ll still be able (and want) to hike around the city.
Winter has some pros and cons and temperatures can run from around 9-10 Celsius in the morning to highs of 19-20 in the afternoons. These are great temperatures for lots of walking and steep hiking, but beware that winter is also the rainy season. Rain means parts of the parks can close or be uncomfortable to be in or even close some of the hiking areas due to possible flooding.
Ultimately, the time of year to go depends on you, your time, and your preferences. No matter when you choose to go, however, we recommend starting each day as the park opens. You’ll find far fewer people and easier access to parking if you are driving yourself each day.
Getting to Petra
We’ll delve just briefly into getting to Petra. TouristJordan does a great job of covering all major types of transportation to and from Petra, generally through Jordan.
Car Rental
Renting a car and driving to Petra is simple enough, whether you’re arriving from Amman or Aqaba. Many visitors opt to rent and drive down from Amman. The drive is about 3.5 hours if you take the King’s Highway. It’s not the most exciting drive, but it is the quickest. If you choose this route, be mindful that there are few gas stations or places to eat, so make sure you have water, petrol, and all the items you’ll need for the drive. Also, know that signage to Petra isn’t fantastic, so we recommend making sure you have mobile data to help guide you. You have great options for purchasing eSims to use around the world with Aíralo! Aíralo is cheap, easy, and works well worldwide!
If you opt for the longer route, through the mountains, and by the Dana Biosphere Reserve. You’ll find this route to be far prettier, but it takes much longer due to any stopping you’ll want to do, as well as the nature of the roads, which are both very windy and not as in good shape as the King’s Highway. If you have the time, we highly recommend making this your drive, as it is stunningly beautiful!
Taxi
You can also choose to hire a taxi to Petra from Amman. This is perhaps easier if you’re nervous about driving in a new country (driving in Jordan isn’t bad at all!), but it can be a pricey option. A private taxi can run you around $120 for a one-way trip. Also, make sure you research ahead so you know your driver is safe and won’t try an scam any money off of you!
Organized Tour
If you are okay with tours, you can also book an organized tour to/from Amman to Petra. These tours, depending on the package, really vary in price. We recommend starting by looking at Trip Advisor (affiliate link). These packages can range in price so, as with time of year, it depends on you.
What to Bring – Three Days in Petra
There is gear you should have with you regardless of when you visit Petra and gear that will be dependent on your time of visit Let’s start with some basics.
- Sunscreen – No matter what time of year you visit Petra, sunscreen should be used. If it’s summer, it’ll be much hotter, but even in the winter, the sun can beat down, and you’ll find yourself sweating and glad (or wishing) you had sunscreen.
- Hiking Shoes – While the Siq and main trail can generally be traversed in regular shoes (we saw people in sandals…sigh), if you want to truly see Petra, good hiking shoes will be helpful. Many paths are rocky and uneven. Many trails have steep, slippery rocks where going down can be quite treacherous. There are no guards if you get too close to an edge, so you can never be too safe.
- Sunglasses – It’s the desert, and it gets bright. You’ll be glad you brought these!
- Jacket – Yes, it’s the desert, but it can be surprisingly cold in the shade of the Wadi. If you go in winter, early mornings can get quite chilly.
- Backpack – For keeping all of your food, water, glasses, sunscreen, etc. Sure, you’ll sweat a bit more, but it’s worth it to hold your gear!
- Water (& Cash) – Several shops are in the area, but many sellers have dropped off post-Covid. Make sure you have water with you for those more strenuous days and hikes.
- Food – Again, there are some shops around to get food, water, tea, etc., but if you’re hiking a lot, you may want a more proper meal. You may choose to bring your own, but also many hotels offer a lunch option where, for a small fee, they’ll prepare and pack you a lunch for the day.
- Hat – We think sunscreen is a must, but depending on when you go, a hat might be as well. It keeps the sweat off your face and the sun and hair out of your eyes.
- Phone/Camera – You’ll definitely want a camera with you out there for all the beautiful vistas. If you have a separate camera, bring it! If you use your phone, bring it! You may also want mobile phone service (it can be spotty at the park), but Airalo offers great options or check out our review of Airalo (we’ve used it in Jordan)!
Must Sees – Three Days in Petra
As we mentioned, three days in Petra is more than enough to take in what this site offers. We’d also like to stress once more to arrive at the park early. You can secure parking and beat the crowds. An early morning visit is required if you want to see the Treasury (Petra’s highlight) without all the tourists.
If walking is a bit more difficult, then Petra can be hard to navigate. However, you can rent a golf cart from the tourist center for 15 Jordanian Dinar to take you directly through the Siq (canyon) to the Treasury and save you the approximately 2 km walk. The first kilometer is on a dirt/gravel/stone road with terrain that can be a bit uneven. Once you enter the Siq proper, it turns to concrete and stone, and the walking becomes much easier.
The Siq & The Treasury
When you enter Petra, you cannot do it any other way than passing through the Siq and by the Treasury (this isn’t, strictly speaking, true, as there are hikes to enter Petra from other areas, but they are long, up to 7 km, and require an official guide so we won’t delve into this).
The Siq is mesmerizing. The walls reach up to nearly 80 meters, and throughout the way, you’ll find signs of civilization, from bas reliefs on the rock walls to a pathway for water running along each side of the canyon. It is difficult not to constantly stop and marvel at the beauty of the canyon, let alone the fact that this culture created a thriving empire essentially out of nothing in the middle of nowhere.
As you exit the Siq, you’ll be presented with the Treasure. This is, in our opinion, the most beautiful building in Petra. Arriving early to see it with as few other tourists as possible makes it extra special. Unlike what you see in Indiana Jones, however, there is actually nothing inside the treasure (and you cannot actually go in yourself). However, it is still a magical place where you’ll automatically feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. Back to thousands of years ago when the world seemed a bit more mystical.
The Siq and Treasury remain our favorites in part because of the sheer impressiveness of the canyon and the structure of the Treasury itself. This in part due to the feelings of awe, wonder, and mysticism as you exit the Siq to find yourself presented with the facade of the Treasury itself.
Ad Deir or The Monastery
On your first day of your three days in Petra, we recommend heading to the Monastery after you have explored the Treasury. There is plenty to see between the Treasury and the Monastery trailhead, but that can be explored more easily at other points in the day or on different days. By heading to the Monastery early, you can beat both the heat and the crowds heading up and can do so on fresher legs. This is also the only trail we think is a ‘must-do’ aside from the main trail.
Accessing the Monastery is a hike difficult 2.5 km or 1.6-mile trail with plenty of stairs and hiking that’s straight up. There are also plenty of places where either hiking up or down is along smooth rock. This can make the trail quite slippery, especially if you aren’t wearing proper footwear.
While 2.5km isn’t overly long, it can get quite warm as your hike (again, we recommend starting earlier in the morning), but the reward is worth it. If you don’t feel like you can hike, there are plenty of men about who is willing to take you up on a donkey for a fee.
The Monastery was originally part of the Nabataean civilization, though it isn’t well-known what purpose it actually served. Its name, the Monastery, came after the Roman conquest, where it was likely repurposed as a church.
Upon reaching the top, there is a small cafe to sit, have a snack, and admire the structure. You can also hike around and find several different viewpoints with views of the surrounding lands in all different directions. The Monastery and subsequent views are well worth the effort of the hike.
After making your way back down from the Monastery, you have a few options.
Main Trail – Three Days in Petra
You may be tired after the trek to the Monastery and choose to call it a day. If so, you can certainly hike, climb, or view the main trail in another of the three days in Petra. If you are not tired after this first day of three days in Petra or if the Monastery hike is too much for you, there’s still plenty the main trail offers!
Along the main trail of Petra, there are many sights to see, ruins to visit, and hills to climb. You almost certainly stopped and marveled at several of them on your way to the Monastery. Let’s take a look at what’s available to see.
Royal Tombs
Right next to the Street of Facades (see below) are some of the most opulent tombs – the Royal Tombs. Like with any part of this three days in Petra itinerary, you can view these at any point. We would recommend, however, hitting two birds with one stone and see these before or after you finish the Al-Khubtha trail, if you choose to do so (more on this trail later).
There are four main Royal Tombs with the first being the Urn Tomb. Believed to be built between 65-75 BCE, this tomb got its name from the Urn-like jar atop the tomb. During the Roman conquest, this tomb was converted into a Byzantine Church. The Silk and the Corinthian tomb. The Silk tomb isn’t overly significant (simply larger the the tombs on the Street of Facade) nor is the Corinithian, but that’s mostly due to erosion of the tomb itself. The final tomb is the Palace Tomb and is by far the lavish. It even included a dam and reservoir that drained into a pool. These are pretty easy to access, easier than most of the tombs on the Street of Facade as you can just walk up a gravel path.
Colonnaded Street & the Church
Remnants of the Roman era are the Colonnaded Street and the Church (there are small other pieces here and there). The Colonnades was one of the main paths through the original Nabataean city. The Romans added the columns and likely reburished the road as well.
Many of the columns are there, but few are in great shape. Despite their condition, they still strike awe as something so seemingly out of place. Here you are in the middle of the desert and there is a paved road and ancient Roman columns. These are near the end of the main trail, but if you’ve hiked to the Monastery, you’ll have passed right by but maybe didn’t stop to enjoy their splendor.
The church is believed to have been built near the end of the 5th century and is truly spectacular to see. The highlight of the church are the mosaics on the floor, one of the few preserved pieces from the original church. These mosaics show the seasons, people, animals, plants, and pottery. They are not fully complete, but overall very well preserved and beautiful to look at. The church is directly opposite the Great Temple (see below) and has plenty of trails leading up to it as well as a small cafe once you’re there.
The Great Temple
The Great Temple, just past the Colonnaded Street, are the remnants of what was once a magnificent temple. It’s believed to have covered over 7,000 sq. meters, held a public pool, and was, in many ways, the center of the Nabataean city. The floor plan is still intact and inside you can find small theaters, bits of color still adorned on the temple walls, and beautifully carved columns. This massive complex is easy to get to being just off the main trail and isn’t difficult to maneuver once you’re inside.
Optional Side Treks – Three Days in Petra
Qasr al-Bint
What was one of the most important temples in all of Petra is not nothing but a facade, but it is still grand! Dedicated to the god, Dushara and dating back to the 1st century CE, Qasr al-Bint remains an interesting piece of Petra’s history, but not nearly as an exciting one in person.
Qasr al-Bint is best viewed from the main trail and while you can walk around some of it, there isn’t much to be seen other than the walls themselves. As of December 2023, most of the temple was off-limits for tourists.
Street of Facades
After you’ve taken in the Treasury, you’ll pass through another short canyon and emerge into an opening where you’ll be treated with a great view of what Petra offers. One of these is the Street of Facades. Many of these you can see from the main trail, but hiking up to the others is optional.
The Street of Facades is a series of tombs carved into, like most everything else, the cliff face. Many different tombs are available to see, though not all of these are accessible to people (as of December 2023). As you emerge from the canyon to the Treasury, you’ll find plenty of either side of you, and those on the right are available for exploration.
Like the trails, including the Monastery, accessing these requires passing through the Siq and by the Treasury. You’ll also need to hike up some cliff side at to access some. These sides have steps and stairs, but they can still be treacherous so make sure you’re wearing good shoes!
If you are willing to hike some stairs, steps and some less defined paths, it’s absolutely worth climbing up to the top of these tombs. You can enter some of the larger ones at the top and while they are empty, they offer great views and are a marvel to stand in and behold.
Other Trails – Three Days in Petra
The Monastery trail is by far the most well-trekked of the major trails in Petra. There are also several other trails that we recommend if you are willing to brave heights, steep trails, and sheer cliffs, you’ll be immensely rewarded! Doing all three trails in just three days would be a LOT of walking. In our experience, we averaged around 25,000 steps a day and anywhere between 14 – 22 km a day. By day three, in which we couldn’t hike a new trail (more on that later), we were pretty wiped and happy we chose to just explore more of the main areas.
The High Place of Sacrifice Trail
This trail is longer than the Monastery trail and definitely a bit more ‘up’, but feels easier than the Monastery trail. The trail starts in the Street of Facades and ends (if you go the whole route) over by the Qasr al-Bint (close to the Monastery trailhead). It is 3 km or 1.9 miles and you’ll definitely want good shoes. Parts of this trail, especially if you go down the same way you went up, are comprised of smooth rock and can be very slippery if you’re not wearing proper gear.
Large swaths of this trail are in the shade (if you go in the morning) and through a canyon where you get a nice breeze. There isn’t much to see on the trail itself, but the views it provides of Petra and the surrounding region are phenomenal! When you get to the top, you’ll find several obelisks dedicated to Roman soldiers and the High Place of Sacrifice where animals were once sacrificed so the blood would run down to the main part of the city.
Al-Khubtha Trail
This is the trail we most wanted to complete after the Monastery, but as you may have noted above, we weren’t able to. Unfortunately for us, this trail was closed the entire time we were there, but that doesn’t mean it will be for you! This is a great addition to any three days in Petra itinerary!
Like the other two trails mentioned here, this trail is difficult as it contains a large elevation gain and plenty of steps as it is about 3.5km or 2.2 miles. Where it leads, however, is worth the hike! This trail starts up by the Royal Tombs and ends high above the wadi where you get to look down on the Treasury from above! While we haven’t been, the views in photos we have seen look lovely and we are extremely disappointed we didn’t get to do this hike.
Like the Monastery hike, there isn’t too much sun cover on this trail, so you’ll want to make sure you have sunscreen and water available with you. You’ll find plenty of viewpoints along the way, overlooking the main valley, the Valley of the Tombs, and eventually the Treasury itself. You’ll also go back down the way you came up!
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Little Petra
About 6-7 kilometers away from Petra stands what is called ‘Little Petra’. This was a place that rich travelers would have spent the night on the way to or from the great city. Like Petra itself, Little Petra has plenty of carved rock, which mostly include small temples and homes of those in the area. You can climb around through some of the homes, but as with Petra itself, much of the rock is slippery. While this area isn’t high up in elevation, a small fall from rock to more rock would be devastating for ankles, wrists, or heads.
This little drive is definitely worth your while. It is short and easy to get to and, compared to Petra itself, far less crowded. There is a view point at the end, but it was raining and we opted to skip it. If you have the time and energy, we would recommend making little Petra part of your three days in Petra itinerary.
Petra by Night – Three Days in Petra
Petra by Night is a separate part of the Petra entry fee (or Jordan Pass). The cost is around 17 Dinar (around US$24) and while it seems cheesy, it is actually quite cool! You arrive after dark and make the trek through the Siq down to the Treasury (note there are no horses or golf carts available – only walking).
As you walk, there are candles lining the entire way. Personally, I recommend curating your own playlist for the walk to avoid listening to others and to make it feel even more magical.
When you arrive, you’ll find chair set out all in front of the Treasury. You’ll take a seat on one of these or at the cafe in the back (it will be closed) and the show will begin. There will be live traditional music as well as storytelling about the ancient Nabataeans. The Treasury itself will be lit with ever changing lights.
We highly recommend making Petra by Night part of your three days in Petra journey. Your hotel will be able to sell you tickets or you can purchase them from the Petra Visitor Center and while some sites state you can only book the day you plan to attend, we did not find that was the case. We simply had to tell our hotel when we wanted to attend and they made the reservation even though we had purchased tickets. Petra by Night is definitely magical and worth the time!
Final thoughts on Three Days in Petra
Three days in Petra is more than enough to truly catch the splendor and awesomeness of this historic place. Visiting Petra was a dream trip for us and it did not disappoint. The history of the place, the technology of those that lived there, and the stunning geography of the region make Petra a worthwhile trip for any traveler, historian, or hiker around the world.
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