Petra solo

Your starting point for exploring Petra. Here you can obtain your ticket, rent a donkey or horse, and get a map and basic orientation.

• Arrive early to beat the crowds and the heat.
• Ensure you have sufficient water and snacks for the day.

A narrow, winding gorge over a kilometer long, flanked by towering sandstone cliffs. Walking through the Siq is a dramatic prelude to the Treasury, with its natural beauty and ancient water channels.

• Keep an eye out for the intricate Nabataean carvings and water conduits along the walls.

Petra's most iconic facade, intricately carved into the sandstone cliff face. Its Hellenistic-style architecture is breathtaking, and it's famously revealed at the end of the Siq.

• The best light for photography is typically in the morning, but it's stunning all day.
• Be aware of Bedouin guides offering camel or donkey rides for photos; negotiate prices firmly.

Beyond the Treasury, the valley opens up to reveal numerous Nabataean tomb facades carved into the rock face, followed by a large Roman-style theatre, also hewn from the mountain.

• Climb up to some of the higher facades for different perspectives.

A magnificent complex of monumental tombs including the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb, offering impressive architectural details and panoramic views over the valley.

• The Urn Tomb was later converted into a church, adding another layer of history.

Experience a hands-on cooking class followed by dinner, where you prepare traditional Jordanian dishes. It's a fun, social, and delicious way to engage with local culture.

• Book well in advance, as classes are popular.
• This is a great way to meet other travelers.

An enormous, imposing facade carved high into the mountainside, similar in style to the Treasury but larger and less ornate. The climb is challenging but rewards with spectacular views.

• The hike involves approximately 800 steps and takes about 1.5-2 hours round trip from the basin.
• There are small cafes at the top offering refreshments and stunning viewpoints.

A mountaintop altar offering breathtaking panoramic views of Petra and the surrounding Wadi Araba. The climb involves steep steps and offers a different perspective on the ancient city.

• Consider taking the 'back route' down via Wadi Farasa for more tombs and monuments, including the Garden Tomb and Roman Soldier's Tomb.

One of the few freestanding, pre-Nabataean structures remaining in Petra, this temple complex showcases impressive masonry and offers insight into the city's religious practices.

The main thoroughfare of Roman-era Petra, lined with columns and remnants of shops and public buildings. It connects the Theatre to the Great Temple and Qasr al-Bint.

A smaller, less crowded Nabataean site featuring carved dwellings, temples, and a triclinium with well-preserved frescoes. It offers a glimpse into how Nabataeans lived and worked.

• It's a good option for a quieter experience after the main Petra site.
• Some of the frescoes here are among the oldest known Nabataean art.

A magical experience where the path through the Siq and the area in front of the Treasury are illuminated by thousands of candles. Local Bedouin music and tea are often part of the event.

• This event typically runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
• No regular Petra ticket is valid for Petra by Night; a separate ticket is required.