Quick answer: Walk the Siq to the Treasury at opening, climb to the Monastery, hike the High Place of Sacrifice and see the Treasury from above. Add Petra by Night (JD 17) and Little Petra.
Main trail
- The Siq – a winding 1.2 km gorge with Nabataean water channels.
- The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) – Petra’s icon; arrive before 8am for an empty view.
- Street of Facades – rows of carved tombs.
- The Theatre – cut directly into the rock.
- Royal Tombs – the Urn, Silk and Palace tombs, best in afternoon light.
- Colonnaded Street and Great Temple – the Roman-era city centre.
- Qasr al-Bint – one of the few free-standing buildings.
Hikes
- The Monastery (Ad-Deir) – roughly 800 rock-cut steps; allow 1.5–2 hours return.
- High Place of Sacrifice – altar and views; descend via Wadi Farasa’s tombs.
- Treasury from above – via the Al-Khubtha trail.
- Jebel Haroun – a long hike to Aaron’s tomb for serious walkers.
Beyond the main site
- Petra by Night – candlelit Siq and Treasury on selected evenings.
- Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) – a free, compact site 15 minutes’ drive away.
- Petra Museum at the visitor centre.
- Wadi Rum – desert jeep tours and a Bedouin camp night, 1.5–2 hours away.
Tips
- Enter at 6am; it’s cooler and quieter.
- Be wary of animal rides: many animals are poorly treated. Walking is best.
- Bring at least 2 litres of water per person.
FAQ: things to do in Petra
Is the Monastery hike hard?
It’s steep but manageable for most people with reasonable fitness; go early or late to avoid the heat.
Is Petra by Night worth it?
It’s atmospheric, though crowded. It works best as a bonus if you’re staying overnight.
More Petra guides
- Petra travel guide
- Petra itinerary: 1 or 2 days
- Where to stay in Petra
- Best time to visit Petra
- Amman to Petra
- Petra tickets and Jordan Pass
- Wadi Rum guide
- Jordan itinerary: 7 days
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