Is Petra Worth Visiting? Why It’s the Best Wonder of the World
Out of all the Wonders, Petra was my favorite!
Petra honestly feels like something out of a movie – as if you’re walking through a dream that someone carved into the side of the desert. But it’s real, and no pictures can do it justice. The entire city is carved straight into rose-colored cliffs, and what’s wild is that over 2,000 years ago, it was a thriving capital for the Nabataean people. These guys weren’t just good at carving but they were also brilliant engineers. So is it worth visiting?
Is Petra Worth Visiting?
YES! Such an astounding YES. Out of the 7 wonders, it is my personal favorite place to visit. Ever.
Even if you’re not a history buff, the sheer beauty and atmosphere of Petra will stay with you forever. I left with dusty shoes, a tan face and the feeling that I’d just walked through time. Whether you visit at sunrise when the canyon is quiet and golden, or at night for the magical Petra by Candlelight, it’s one of those rare places that actually lives up to the hype. If Jordan is on your travel radar, Petra should be #1 of your list.
Petra is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and after seeing it in person, I actually feel like it is under-hyped! It is so much more beautiful in person. It’s massive but also spiritual and way more advanced than you’d expect.
The Nabataeans built an entire water system with hidden channels and reservoirs that would impress modern day engineers. And yet, for all its brilliance, the city was eventually abandoned and lost to time. Visiting Petra reminded me that even the most incredible civilizations can disappear—but their stories live on if you’re lucky to go back in time.
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Why Petra is Worth Visiting
1. The Treasury will stop you in your tracks
Let’s start with the obvious—seeing the Treasury in person is going to be a highlight of your life. After walking through the narrow, winding Siq canyon, you suddenly step into the sunlight and there it is: magnanimous and carved straight into pink sandstone. It’s every bit as breathtaking as the photos, but being there in person makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a secret canyon. It’s not just beautiful—it’s cinematic, spiritual, and surreal all at once.
2. Petra is way more than just one monument
Most people know the Treasury, but what they don’t realize is that Petra is an entire ancient city. You could easily spend a full day—or two—exploring the vast network of tombs, trails, temples, and caves. The climb up to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) alone is worth the sweat, and the views at the top are unforgettable. From the Royal Tombs to the High Place of Sacrifice, Petra keeps surprising you around every turn.
3. The site is far larger than most people expect
Petra spans over 60 square kilometers, with hundreds of structures carved into rock, including temples, tombs, a Roman-style theater, and the iconic Treasury and Monastery. Exploring the full site can take 6–8 hours or even multiple days, making it one of the most expansive ancient cities still standing.
4. The ancient engineering is mind-blowing
The Nabataeans weren’t just carvers of pretty facades—they were ahead of their time. Petra is packed with remnants of advanced water systems: dams, aqueducts, reservoirs, and cisterns that brought life to a desert city. Walking through the site, you start to appreciate how much thought and skill went into making this place sustainable in one of the harshest environments imaginable. It’s a feat of engineering as much as it is a wonder of art and architecture.
5. Many of the structures are remarkably well-preserved
Despite being over two millennia old, many of Petra’s monuments—like the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Royal Tombs, and Ad-Deir (Monastery)—are incredibly well-preserved, showcasing detailed carvings, architectural symmetry, and scale that continue to amaze archaeologists and visitors alike.
6. It played a central role in ancient trade routes
Petra was strategically located at the intersection of major trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. It became a prosperous center for incense, spices, textiles, and other goods, contributing to the rise of the Nabataean civilization between the 4th century BCE and 2nd century CE.
7. It’s one of the most photogenic places on Earth
There’s something magical about the way light hits the rock in Petra. Depending on the time of day, the entire city shifts between glowing rose, deep orange, and soft gold. Whether you’re catching the first light of sunrise in the Siq or watching shadows stretch across the Royal Tombs in the late afternoon, it’s impossible to take a bad photo here. Even if you’re not a “photo person,” you’ll find yourself constantly reaching for your camera.
8. It truly earns its title as a Wonder of the World
Petra isn’t just a place to check off a bucket list—it feels like stepping into another world entirely! Its history is rich, its scale is massive, and its beauty is unforgettable. There’s something powerful about being in a place that was lost for centuries and is now recognized as one of the most incredible human achievements in history. Whether you’re into archaeology, adventure, or just soaking in the vibe of a place that defies expectations, Petra lives up to every bit of the hype. I would go back again and again!
Why Petra Isn’t Worth Visiting
It’s physically demanding.
Petra isn’t a quick stop—it’s a massive archaeological site that requires hours of walking, climbing, and often hiking in direct sun. The trek to the Monastery alone involves over 800 uneven stone steps. If you’re not up for long days on your feet, or you’re traveling with mobility limitations, the experience can be more exhausting than enjoyable.
It gets extremely hot and crowded.
Depending on the season, Petra can be unbearably hot (especially from May to September), and the most iconic spots—like the Treasury—are often swarming with tourists, donkey rides, and vendors. If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy crowds or the heat, you might find the experience overwhelming or disappointing.
It can feel over-commercialized.
Petra is a UNESCO site, but it’s also a major tourist draw, which means you’ll run into pushy souvenir sales people, overpriced food, and animal rides that may raise ethical concerns. For travelers hoping for a serene, untouched archaeological experience, the commercial element can feel like it takes away from the magic.
A Brief History
Petra was a major trade hub between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, and somehow, they figured out how to build an entire city in the middle of dry, unforgiving desert. Just getting water in and out was a feat of its own.
The whole experience of walking through Petra felt like time-travel. You start in this narrow, winding canyon called the Siq, and after all that anticipation, you suddenly turn a corner and—boom—there’s the Treasury. That first glimpse? Think of the theme song to Indiana Jones. No photo can really prepare you for how massive and detailed it is, especially when the light hits it just right.
But Petra isn’t just the Treasury (even though it totally steals the show at first). The site goes on for miles—there are crumbling temples, carved tombs, an ancient theater, and this epic hike up to the Monastery that leaves you breathless in every way.
One of the coolest things I learned is that Petra was actually forgotten by the outside world for centuries. It wasn’t “rediscovered” until 1812 when a Swiss explorer dressed up like an Arab traveler and managed to sneak in. Since then, it’s become one of the most famous archaeological sites on the planet and a UNESCO heritage site. I would go back in a heartbeat and find that Petra is well worth visiting.
Petra Tips for Travelers
Get There Early
Petra opens at 6am and the early sunlight at the Treasury is not be missed. If you are an early person, it’s definitely worth getting there early to see the sunrise view.
Stay for Two Days
A one-day ticket costs 50 JOD (around $70 USD), or you can get a two-day pass for 55 JOD, which I think is totally worth it if you want to hike to the Monastery or explore some of the lesser-known tombs.
Bring Water
It’s a long day of hiking, so make sure you have enough hydration.
Bring Cash
You need it to pay to use restrooms. And buy snacks!
Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes
You are walking probably 6-8 hours the first day.
Bring Sunglasses, Sunscreen and Hats
Sunglasses, sunscreen and sun-hats are a must! There is almost ZERO shade at Petra, and if you are walking for hours, you’ll burn!
Wear Breathable Clothing
You don’t necessarily need to be fully covered. In tourist areas, you’ll notice people in tanks and shorts. I wore a nice kimono over a tank top that was breezy but covered the shoulders — to shield from the burning sun, not because of modesty!
Visit Petra at Night
It can be insanely crowded but the view is worth every penny. It is more than 20 minutes to walk to the treasury at night but once you get there, you’ll see all the candles lit up and it will be breathtaking.
Learn to Haggle
Everything in Jordan is negotiable. Don’t settle on the price they give you. It helps to be next to someone who is buying the same thing as you and see what price they give that person.
How to Get to Petra
Petra is located in southern Jordan near the town of Wadi Musa, about a 3-hour drive from Amman or 2 hours from Aqaba. Most people either rent a car, take the JETT bus, or book a tour.
By Car:
- Renting a car in Jordan is common and roads are well-marked.
- You can drive from Amman to Petra via the Desert Highway (Route 15) or the more scenic King’s Highway.
- Parking is available near the Petra Visitor Center in Wadi Musa.
By Tour Company or Private Driver:
- You can hire a private driver or book a day tour from Amman, Aqaba, or the Dead Sea.
- Your hotel can arrange a private driver.
- You can also just be a part of a tour operator that takes you there.
By Bus:
- The JETT Bus runs daily from Amman to Petra:
- Leaves at 6:30 AM from Amman Abdali Station
- Returns from Petra around 5 PM
- One-way is around 11–15 JOD
- Book in advance (especially in high season)
- The bus drops you near the entrance.
How Long Do You Need to Walk Around Petra?
- Visitor Center to Treasury: ~2 km/1.2 miles – 30-40 minutes one way
- Treasury to Monastery: ~3.5km/2.2 miles plus 800 steps – 1.5-2 hours one way
- Visitor Center to Monastery and back: ~12-14km/7-9 miles – 6-8 hours
If you are just doing the main attractions:
- Treasury only: ~1.5 hours round-trip
- Treasury + Royal Tombs: ~2–3 hours
- Add the Monastery: You’re looking at 5–6+ hours total (It’s worth it!)
- The Monastery hike includes over 800 steps uphill, but you can take it slow and stop for mint tea at little stalls along the way.
- If you’re doing Petra by Night, you only walk to the Treasury and back—~45 min total walking.
I only had one full day there. We arrived the first night and did Petra at night. The next morning we got up and did the entire day at Petra. First we saw the Treasury, then hiked to the Monastery next which was the most physical part with the 800 steps. The rest of the day was exploring the whole area and saw the tombs!
FAQs
How long should you spend in Petra?
2 days is a good enough time to hike all the areas. You can do it all in one day if you must but it will be a lot of walking in one day!
What is so special about Petra?
Petra is a Wonder of the World because of a few reasons: 1) The entire city of Petra was carved into rose-colored sandstone cliffs over 2,000 years ago. 2) The level of detail and scale was impressive 3) Petra also had advanced water engineering ahead of its time since it was a city entirely built in the desert.
What is the best month to visit Petra?
March-May and September-November. These months have the most mild temperatures (65-80F) during the day, and even a little cooler at night. Don’t go in the summer as it will be over 106 F during the day.
How long does it take to walk Petra?
Stay two days if you can. Day 1: Treasury, Royal Tombs, High Place of Sacrifice. Day 2: Hike to the Monastery and slow down to soak it in.
Is it safe to visit Petra?
YES! Absolutely. Safe to walk around alone and with your tour group!
Conclusion: Is Petra Worth Visiting?
YES! My favorite Wonder of the World— the time-traveling experience of Petra is no short of magic! I was completely surprised by how big Petra was — I can’t believe it’s still so well-preserved and how much culture was still enacted. It’s incredible to learn the fascinating and intelligent history of Nabataean civilization. Bring your hiking shoes and get ready for a good workout!
Jordan is amazing country to visit and I’d highly recommend heading to Wadi Rum and staying at a Beaudoin camp next!