Petra is Jordan’s top attraction, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the world’s largest and richest archaeological sites. The Petra Archaeological Park was declared one of the Seven New Wonders of the World - and is considered unforgettable among travelers.
The park encompasses the well-preserved remains of the ancient Nabataean capital which was a thriving city, and home to about 30,000 residents from 400 BC to 106 AD. But what makes it so unique is the “buildings'' which were not built with bricks but were carved out of massive red sandstone cliffs.
The Petra Treasury at night
The city consists of Nabatean temples, palaces, residences, and other structures hewn from the cliffs by the Nabateans as well as structures built by the Romans and Byzantines in later years.
Petra was a stop along the ancient trade routes that stretched from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean carrying silk from China, spices from India, and incense from Arabia. Imagine merchants and camel caravans stopping at this desert oasis to rest and restock their supplies before continuing on their journey.
The Petra Monastery in ancient times (by David Roberts, Cleveland Museum of Art)
Petra lies in the desert of southwestern Jordan surrounded by mountains. The park entrance is from the town of Wadi Musa where there are hotels, restaurants, and tourist amenities. Petra is situated about 241km south of Jerusalem and 150km from Amman, the Jordanian capital. The archaeological park can be reached via the Desert Highway which connects with the Israeli/Jordanian border crossing in Eilat.
Petra is a city with several names but it was originally known by Nabataeans as Raqmu ("colored stone"). The name "Petra" originates from the Greek “Petros” meaning rocks.
It is also known as "The Lost City": Following a period where it was a powerful and thriving metropolis, it was abandoned and forgotten from the 14th century AD until being rediscovered by Western explorers in the 19th century. The Arabic name for Petra is Al-Batra and Petra is also referred to as Rose City because of the red hue of the stone cliffs.
The Petra Treasury
Petra during the Iron Age (1200-600 BC): The Edomites (descendants of the biblical figure, Essau) settled in the area around present-day Petra where the natural basin between the mountains allowed water to collect and provided the Edomites a steady water supply. A battle between the Edomites and King Amaziah, the King of Judah left Petra free for new settlers, the Nabataeans.
Nabataean Petra (400 BC-106 AD): Nabataeans are believed to have been a nomadic Bedouin tribe that existed in the Arabian Desert. They arrived in Petra in about 312 BC and began building their city. Its location at a crossroad between Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and the Mediterranean allowed them to control the trade routes that ran through the Levant.
They developed irrigation technology, building methods, and skills to survive in the desert. The Nabataean civilization began to disintegrate when Byzantine rule emerged and the Roman empire took hold of the region in the 2nd century AD. By the 7th century AD Petra was virtually abandoned.
The Lost Years (600s-the 1800s): Petra became a ghost town. Sea routes meant that the desert crossing was no longer essential, and Petra was no longer visited by traders. Apart from Bedouin locals, the massive Nabataean structures stood empty, unknown to those in the west, and hidden by the mountains and desert sand.
Modern History of Petra: In 1812 Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across the Lost City of Petra and brought it to the attention of the west. Soon it became a travel destination and point of interest for intrepid travelers, historians, and archaeologists. In 1985 Petra Archaeological Park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And in 2007 it was declared one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.
The Park has many attractions and most visitors say they were surprised by the sheer number of temples and views considered must-sees. This is why it's important to plan your visit and leave enough time to reach the outskirts of this 8km park. The easiest solution is to take an organized Petra two-day tour to make sure you won't miss a thing. Here are the most prominent, celebrated attractions in Petra.
This unique structure combines Nabatean, Egyptian, Hellenistic, and even Indian designs. It was constructed over 2,000 years ago as a final resting place for a Nabatean merchant and his family. The Obelisk Tomb's four pylons made it one of Petra's most photographed attractions.
The Obelisk Tomb
The Djinn Blocks are immense, chiseled rocks made by the Nabateans to house desert phantoms - the Djinn. These legendary apparitions were the inspiration behind the wish-granting Genie we all know today. The Nabateans built these structures to appease the spirits, hoping they'll guard their surrounding tombs. People still believe if you'll place your hand on the stone and make a wish, the spirit might help it to come true.
The Djinn Blocks (by Gerd Eichmann CC BY-SA 4.0)
All visitors to the Petra Archaeological Park enter through the Siq, a narrow route flanked by 76-meter-high cliffs. You can enter on foot or hire a donkey to take you through the Siq.
ProTip: use the colorful Siq walls to frame your pictures, and create great shots even before you reach the main attractions.
The SiqAt the end of the Siq you are met with the breathtaking sight of the Petra Treasury (Al Khazneh). This is the most photographed and recognizable image of the park. The Treasury was a royal tomb and beyond the stunning facade, is a small interior chamber. The facade features Greco-Roman architectural features like the giant urn and impressive columns. It's called the Treasury because locals still believe it holds a hidden treasure of untold wealth.
The Petra Theater dates back to approximately 25 AD and was originally built by Nabateans and then expanded by the Romans after 106 AD. The seating cut into the rock would have accommodated about 8,000 in the audience. Following an earthquake in 363 AD most of the structure was destroyed.
The Petra Theater, all carved in rock
Opposite the theater, Mount Al-Khubtha is covered with the facades of the famous Royal Tombs. There are five main tombs, of which the Urn Tomb is the most impressive. The other tombs include the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, the majestic Palace Tomb, and the Tomb of Sextius Florentinus, the 2nd-century Governor of Arabia.
ProTip: plan to spend there at least an hour, if not more; the tombs look like the setting of an Indiana Johns movie, and you'll just love exploring them and taking pictures.
The Royal Tombs
On the southern side of the Colonnaded Street is Petra’s Great Temple. It is a huge structure covering 7,500 meters square, and with several floors. In some places, you can still make out the red and white stucco that once covered the temple walls. At the highest point in the Great Temple structure is a small theater or odeon.
ProTip: From the odeon, there are spectacular views of the Royal Tombs.
The Great Temple of Petra (by Bernard Gagnon CC BY-SA 3.0)
As you reach the end of the Colonnaded Street you will pass beneath a gateway and arrive at Qasr al-Bint, a former residence. Locals believe this temple was built as a vacation home for the biblical Pharoh's daughter.
ProTip: Near Qasr al-Bint is a pleasant restaurant with outdoor seating under shady trees.
Qasr Al-Bint TempleFrom the restaurant near Qasr al-Bint there is a rock-cut steep staircase leading to the Petra Monastery (Ad-Deir). It takes about an hour to climb the trail to the Monastery. It is Petra’s largest structure with a facade 40 meters high and 47 meters wide. The best path to the temple is up on the ridge and will spoil you with breathtaking views of the red mountain range all the way.
ProTip: Take a break at the snack store across from the Monastery where there are also great views of the structure. For even better views climb the hill behind the store.
The Petra Monastery
The Colonnaded Street is an ancient Roman road that ran through the city and once was lined with columns. It is flanked by Petra’s rock-cliff structures.
Pro Tip: By following the Street you can reach many of the archaeological park’s top sites.
Columns at the Colonnaded Street
A flight of rock-hewn steps leads to the top of Mount Madhbah to the High Place of Sacrifice. It takes about 30 min to reach the top. Apart from the remains of a sacrificial altar and courtyard, there are magnificent views.
At the entrance to Petra is a relatively new museum holding archaeological finds from the site. Here you can escape the heat for a while and see things that you won’t see in the park itself. Many tourists like to conclude their visit to the site with the Petra Museum, to put all that they've seen and experienced in the Archeological Park into a Historical context.
The Petra Museum (by Davide Mauro CC BY-SA 4.0)
There are several hike trails inside Petra Archaeological Park where you’ll get away from other tourists and enjoy a different side of Petra.
Jebel Al-Khubtha Trail cuts through the mountain between the Palace Tomb and the Tomb of Sextius Florentinus leading to a higher sacrificial site.
ProTip: Follow this trail for the best views of the Treasury from above.
The Temple of the Winged Lions can be found on a hill on the northern side of the Colonnaded Street. It is one of the often overlooked sites of Petra.
The 5th-century Petra Church and the Ridge Church are also often missed by visitors. You can spot these two churches by the protective canvas roofs covering the sites that are still being excavated.
The path leading to the High Place of Sacrifice
Jebel al-Habees is probably overlooked by most tourists because it is tucked away at the end of the Colonnaded Street behind Qasr al-Bint. After following the trail up Jebel al-Habees you will reach the ruins of a Crusader fortress. But the real reason for making the hike is for the panoramic views across Petra.
Little Petra (Al-Barid) is 6km from the main site of Petra. It is similar in style, with a valley lined with cliffs that were carved out to create chambers. There is a hiking trail from the Monastery to Little Petra but it is only recommended for experienced hikers and preferably with a local guide.
From the High Place of Sacrifice you can take the Wadi Farusa Trail which leads to Qasr al-Bint. On the way, you’ll pass ancient ruins like the Garden Triclinium and the Roman Soldier Tomb.
Pro Tip: Petra can be used as a base for exploring other nearby attractions like Wadi Rum.
Join Us
Keep in Touch
Login / Register
Contact Us
Show On Map
Certificate of Excellence
Guaranteed Departure
Low Prices Guaranteed
24/7 Support
