Petra, What to See in the City Carved into the Rock in Jordan

According to some, it would be one of the wonders of the ancient world. Without a doubt, Petra is the most important archaeological site in Jordan and the most visited. A great deal has been written about Petra, but no words can truly capture the wonder experienced when, traversing the canyon that leads to the city, you suddenly come face to face with the grand treasure carved into the rock.

Siq Bab As-Siq The Treasury Royal Tombs Great Temple Al-Beidha

Petra is located in southern Jordan in the heart of the desert, about 250 kilometers from the capital, Amman. It can be easily reached by car, public transport, or organized tours departing from Jerusalem. Equip yourself with a spirit of adventure, plenty of water, a hat or scarf to cover your head, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

There are numerous tours available offering a single-day trip to Petra. However, to truly explore the archaeological site, uncover its incredible views and many secrets, at least three days are necessary. Motor vehicles are prohibited within the archaeological site, and you can only move around on foot, by mule, or by camel. Most points of interest are reached by walking along rugged paths. Therefore, plan for a stay of a few days in Petra (you can stay in nearby Wadi Musa, which is also the best place to eat in Petra, avoiding the restaurants and tourist kiosks within the archaeological site) to take your time visiting the treasure city of the Nabateans with the care and dedication it deserves.

The first settlements in Petra date back to the 6th century B.C. when a community of Nabatean Arabs reached this point in the desert and established their trade. Petra soon became a favored stop on trade routes between the Middle East and Africa, a bridge between the Silk Road and Egypt, and from there to Greece.

Skilled merchants, the Nabateans accumulated wealth that made Petra a glorious city of antiquity. They particularly traded in incense and experienced their most prosperous period during the reign of Aretas IV. The most famous monuments of Petra, such as the House of the Djinn, the Obelisk Tomb, the Siq, the Treasury, the Facade Street tombs, and the Sacrifice Height, are from this era.

In 106 A.D., the Nabatean city was annexed to the Roman Empire and governed under Roman rule in Syria by Emperor Trajan. The amphitheater, the imperial tomb complex, the colonnaded street, and the Trajanic Gate, along with the great temple and modifications to Qasr al-Bint, were constructed. During the reign of Emperor Constantine, Christian churches arrived in Petra, such as the Monastery of al-Deir and the Byzantine church of Petra. At one point in the Middle Ages, Petra fell into oblivion and was completely forgotten until it was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer in the 1800s. Since then, it has been studied and excavated, and the city continues to reveal its secrets today. The entire area of Petra is four times the size of Manhattan, and most of it has yet to be uncovered.

The visit to Petra begins with entering the Siq, the gorge that is 1.2 kilometers long and about 80 meters deep, leading to the Treasury (Khazneh). The passage, framed by the narrow canyon, is impressive. The Treasury has a facade that is 43 meters tall and 30 meters wide, carved from the rock face in the early 1st century. Continuing along the Facade Street, where about forty Nabatean tombs are carved into the soft pink rock, you will eventually reach the Roman Theater, which could hold up to 3,000 spectators. Here you will find some kiosks, Wi-Fi, and souvenirs. To the right, elevated above the street, are the Royal Tombs where the sandstone creates the most incredible effects.

You continue along the colonnaded street, at the end of which there is a small museum. The Monastery of Ad-Deir is reached by ascending 800 steps carved into the rock. Inside are the Petra Archaeological Museum and the Nabatean Museum of Petra. Another climb leads to the top of the high Sacrifice Palace from where you get a complete view of the Petra canyon.

To enter Petra, a ticket must be purchased. A day visit costs 50 Jordanian dinars, while a two-day ticket costs 55. Little Petra is free, but you need to take a taxi (15 JD) to get there; Petra by Night has a separate ticket costing 17 JD.

Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor's Center at the Siq. They do not accept debit cards, so you must pay in cash and bring your passport and the name of the hotel where you are staying. READ ALSO: WHEN TO GO TO JORDAN

Petra can be reached with a 3-hour drive from Amman and a 2-hour drive from the port on the Red Sea in Aqaba. Numerous public and private buses serve these routes, along with taxis. The Jordan Trail connects Dana to Wadi Rum, traversing the entire country and passing by Petra. Alternatively, you can reach Petra from Jerusalem by booking one of the many private tours that allow for two days in Petra before returning to Jerusalem. Here you will find all the information about the visa for Jordan.

Below you will find the map of Petra highlighting all points of interest. At the entrance of the archaeological site, maps are sold in various languages, although it is best to buy a paper guide for the visit to Petra (a guide to Jordan that dedicates ample space to Petra is sufficient).