Travel guide · Jordan
Petra: what to see and when to go
Petra is the rose-red city carved into the cliffs of southern Jordan by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Beyond the famous Treasury, trails lead to monasteries, tombs and viewpoints over the desert.
What to see and do in Petra
The Siq and the Treasury
A narrow canyon that suddenly opens onto the famous carved façade.
The Monastery
Around 800 rock-cut steps up to a huge temple façade.
Royal Tombs and Street of Façades
Tombs carved into sandstone streaked with colour, lining the valley.
Petra by Night
The Siq and the Treasury lit by candles on several evenings a week.
Wadi Rum
Red desert, jeep tours and nights in a Bedouin camp, two hours to the south.
Best time to go
Pleasant all year except January.
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 5 hr, 30 min | ≈ €320 · See flights |
| New York | 12 hr, 30 min | ≈ €590 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 16 hr, 30 min | ≈ €680 · See flights |
| Dubai | 3 hr, 15 min | ≈ €190 · See flights |
| Singapore | 10 hr, 45 min | ≈ €550 · See flights |
| Sydney | 18 hr, 30 min | ≈ €730 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €560 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- Jordan
- Currency
- Jordanian Dinar
- Good for
- culture · nature · wild · mountains
- How long to stay
- 2–3 days
- Where to stay
- Wadi Musa, next to the entrance; a camp in Wadi Rum for the desert.Find a place to stay in Petra
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for Petra, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €320 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in Petra (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
Links open a sample search (Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 6, 2 people): change it on each site. If you book through these links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep improving diceando. Legal notice
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in Petra and when should you go?
Pleasant all year except January. Average highs range from 13° in January to 32° in July.
How many days do you need in Petra?
2 to 3 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in Petra cost?
Accommodation runs at around €80 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €560 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 5 hr, 30 min.
Where should you stay in Petra?
Wadi Musa, next to the entrance; a camp in Wadi Rum for the desert.
