History of Petra in Jordan: Full Guide to the Rose City (2026)

Quick answer: The best Petra Jordan things to see are the Siq (the narrow canyon entrance), Al-Khazneh (the Treasury), the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, and Ad Deir (the Monastery) high on the mountain ridge. Petra was carved by the Nabataeans starting around the 4th century BC as the capital of their desert trading empire, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of the World. A comfortable visit takes 2 to 3 days, combining the main trail with nearby sites like Little Petra and Wadi Rum, and requires an official entrance ticket or a Jordan Pass, sturdy walking shoes, and, ideally, a licensed local guide to bring the carved history to life.

I’ve walked into Petra through the Siq more times than I can count, and it never once felt routine. I still remember my first trip years ago, when I turned the last bend of the canyon and caught that first sliver of the Treasury glowing pink in the morning sun. Every group I’ve guided since has had that same reaction. This guide pulls together everything I wish someone had told me before my first visit, from the deep history behind the carvings to the practical details of tickets, guides, hotels, and a 3-day itinerary that actually works for families.

Table of Contents

• Ancient History of Petra
• The History of the Siq
• Petra as a Trading Route and Commercial Centre
• The People and Civilisation of Petra
• Details of the Monastery: Ad Deir
• Petra – A New Seventh Wonder of the World
• Other Tourist Attractions Near Petra
• Transportation Inside Petra
• History of the Treasury: Al-Khazneh
• A 3-Day Itinerary for Petra and Nearby Places
• Checklist and Tips for Families Travelling with Infants
• Types of Tickets and Tour Plans
• Availability of Local Guides
• Recommended Tour Operators
• Preferred Hotels Near Petra
• Food Facilities Near Petra
• FAQs – Petra Jordan Things to See
• Official Travel and Government Resources

Ancient History of Petra

Every time I bring guests through Petra, I start with the same question: how does a city like this rise out of solid rock in the middle of the desert? The answer begins with the Nabataeans, an Arab tribe that moved into this region around the 6th to 4th century BC. Before them, Edomites and even older prehistoric groups had already been drawn to the natural springs and hidden canyons here, but it was the Nabataeans who turned the valley into a proper capital, around 300 BC.

What always strikes visitors is that the Nabataeans weren’t just carvers of pretty facades. They were master water engineers, storing rainfall in cisterns and channelling it through the cliffs so a city in the desert could actually survive and grow. Petra hit its peak between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD, when the Nabataean kingdom controlled a huge share of Arabian trade. In 106 AD, Rome annexed the kingdom, and Petra became part of the province of Arabia Petraea. It stayed important under Roman rule, but a devastating earthquake in 363 AD, followed by another in 551 AD, badly damaged the city’s infrastructure. As sea trade routes took over from overland caravans, Petra slowly emptied out, remaining known mainly to local Bedouin families for over a thousand years.

The History of the Siq

If there’s one thing I tell every first-time visitor, it’s this: don’t rush the Siq. This narrow gorge, formed by tectonic movement and centuries of water erosion, is the main entrance into Petra, and it’s about 1.2 kilometres long, with walls rising as high as 80 metres on either side. It’s not just a dramatic corridor, it was engineered. The Nabataeans carved votive niches into the rock, cut water channels along the walls, and laid terracotta pipes to bring drinking water into the city while also managing flash floods.

Walk slowly through it and you’ll spot the original paved Nabataean road still underfoot in places, weathered carvings of caravans and deities on the walls, and shifting shafts of light depending on the time of day. I always tell guests that the walk through the Siq is part of the experience, not just a route to get through. Then, right when you least expect it, the canyon opens and the Treasury appears. It’s a moment I’ve watched hit people over and over, and it never loses its power.

Trading Route and Commercial Centre in Ancient Days

Petra sat exactly where it needed to be. It was positioned at the crossroads linking Arabia, the Levant, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, which made it an essential stop for caravans hauling frankincense and myrrh from southern Arabia, silk from further east, and spices from India. The Nabataeans taxed and protected these caravans, and that income built the monumental architecture you see carved into the cliffs today.

What made it work was infrastructure most people don’t think about: markets, warehouses, and caravanserais built to handle merchants who had travelled thousands of kilometres, plus a water system capable of supporting large numbers of travellers and pack animals in a desert climate. Once Rome expanded sea trade through the Red Sea, Petra’s overland advantage started to fade, and its role as a trading powerhouse declined gradually after the 2nd century AD.

The People and Civilisation of Petra

The Nabataeans built and lived in Petra, and their civilisation is genuinely unique, part nomadic, part deeply urban. Originally from the Arabian Peninsula, they absorbed architectural influences from Egypt, Assyria, Greece, and later Rome, and you can see that blend in the facades carved throughout the city. They spoke a dialect of Aramaic and developed their own script, one that scholars consider an ancestor of the modern Arabic script.

After Rome took over in 106 AD, Petra’s population grew more mixed, and later Byzantine Christians built churches within the city, some with mosaics that have since been excavated and are worth seeking out if you have extra time. And Petra’s connection to its people isn’t just historical. The Bedouin community today, especially the Bdoul tribe, still lives around the site, working as guides, artisans, and caretakers of a place their families have called home for generations. Talking with them is honestly one of the best parts of visiting.

Details of the Monastery: Ad Deir

Ad Deir, or “the Monastery,” is the climb I recommend to anyone who has the legs and time for it. Carved into a mountainside above the main city, likely in the 1st century AD, it probably started life as a Nabataean temple or ceremonial hall before Byzantine Christians later used it as a monastery, which is where the name comes from.

The facade is roughly 45 metres wide and 50 metres high, actually larger than the Treasury, though far fewer people make it up there, which I love. Getting to Ad Deir means climbing about 800 rock-cut steps from the Petra basin, usually 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace and how many photo stops you take. The view over the valley from the top is worth every step, and there’s a small tea shop near the summit where I always stop for a mint tea before heading back down.

Petra – A New Seventh Wonder of the World

In 2007, Petra was voted one of the New7Wonders of the World through a global public poll, joining the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, and the Colosseum on that list. It had already been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, and UNESCO describes it as one of the most precious cultural properties of humanity, largely because of its architecture and its remarkably advanced water-management system. I’ve guided visitors who came purely because it was on a “wonders of the world” bucket list, and every single one left saying photos hadn’t done it justice.

Other Tourist Attractions Near Petra

If you’re building a longer trip, here’s what I usually pair with Petra for guests who have the extra days:

• Little Petra (Siq al-Barid): A smaller Nabataean site about 20 minutes away, likely a trading suburb of the main city. Quieter, and a nice half-day add-on.
• Wadi Rum: A UNESCO-listed desert landscape roughly 1.5 hours from Petra. Jeep safaris, Bedouin camps, and some of the best stargazing I’ve experienced anywhere.
• Dana Biosphere Reserve: Jordan’s largest nature reserve, great for hikers who want mountain and canyon trails away from the crowds.
• Aqaba and the Red Sea: About 2 hours south, ideal for families who want a beach day and some diving or snorkelling to unwind after Petra.
• Shobak Castle: A Crusader-era fortress along the King’s Highway between Amman and Petra, worth a stop if you’re road-tripping down.

Transportation Inside Petra

The main trail runs about 4 kilometres one way from the Visitor Centre to the Treasury and beyond, so it’s worth thinking through how you’ll move around before you arrive, especially with kids or older travellers in your group.

• Walking: How most people explore Petra. Bring proper shoes, not sandals, the ground is uneven rock and gravel.
• Horses: Included with your entrance ticket for the first 800 metres from the Visitor Centre to the Siq entrance. A tip for the handler is customary.
• Horse-drawn carriages: Available through the Siq for an extra fee, useful if someone in your group has limited mobility.
• Donkeys and mules: Can be hired locally for the steeper climbs, like the route up to Ad Deir or the High Place of Sacrifice.
• Club cars (golf carts): An official park service for those who’d rather not walk the full stretch.

One thing I always mention: only use officially licensed handlers for any animal transport inside the park. There’s no public transport or private vehicle access past the Visitor Centre.

History of the Treasury: Al-Khazneh

Al-Khazneh, “the Treasury,” is the monument everyone recognises, and it’s the first grand structure you see as you step out of the Siq. Carved from solid rose-coloured sandstone in the 1st century BC, most archaeologists believe it served as a royal tomb, possibly for the Nabataean king Aretas IV, though there’s still debate about its exact original purpose.

The facade mixes Hellenistic touches, Corinthian columns and a broken pediment, with Nabataean craftsmanship, and stands around 40 metres tall and 25 metres wide. The name comes from a Bedouin legend that the stone urn carved near the top held pirate treasure, and you can still see bullet marks from locals who once took shots at it hoping to crack it open. It’s completely solid stone, no treasure inside. If the facade looks familiar even before you’ve seen it in person, that’s probably because of its cameo in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” back in 1989, which introduced Petra to a whole generation of travellers, myself included.

A 3-Day Itinerary for Petra and Nearby Places

This is roughly the itinerary I recommend most often to families and first-time visitors, spreading things out so nobody burns out on day one.

Day 1: The Siq, the Treasury, and the Main Trail

• Arrive early at the Visitor Centre, ideally by 6:30–7:00 AM, before the heat and crowds build up.
• Walk the Siq slowly, taking in the carvings and water channels.
• Reach Al-Khazneh (the Treasury) and spend time here, it’s worth sitting with a coffee at the small stall opposite and just taking it in.
• Continue along the Street of Facades and past the Royal Tombs (Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, Palace Tomb).
• Have lunch at the Basin Restaurant inside the park.
• Return to your hotel by mid-afternoon to rest before dinner.
• Optional: attend the Petra by Night show (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings), where the path to the Treasury is lit entirely by candlelight.

Day 2: Ad Deir Monastery and Little Petra

• Start early again to beat the heat on the climb up to Ad Deir (around 800 steps).
• Spend time at the top enjoying the view and a mint tea before heading back down.
• Visit the Petra Museum near the Visitor Centre in the afternoon for context on what you’ve seen.
• Head to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) in the late afternoon, a shorter, quieter site that pairs well with a sunset visit.
• Dinner back in Wadi Musa, try a traditional mansaf if you haven’t already.

Day 3: Wadi Rum Desert Day Trip

• Depart Wadi Musa by mid-morning for the roughly 1.5-hour drive to Wadi Rum.
• Take a jeep safari through the desert landscape, stopping at rock formations, Bedouin tea stops, and sand dunes.
• Have lunch at a Bedouin camp.
• Return to Petra/Wadi Musa by evening, or continue onward toward Aqaba or the Dead Sea if your trip extends further.

Families travelling with young children can slow this pace down considerably, splitting Day 1’s walk across two mornings and skipping the Ad Deir climb if needed.

Checklist and Travel Tips for Families with Infants

I get asked constantly whether Petra is doable with a baby or toddler. It is, but it takes planning:

• Use a soft baby carrier rather than a stroller, the terrain from the Visitor Centre onward is uneven rock and gravel and completely unsuitable for wheels.
• Pack extra water, sun hats, and high-SPF sunscreen, shade is limited along much of the Siq and main trail.
• Go early, the park typically opens around 6:00 AM in summer, and mornings are far cooler and quieter.
• Bring your own snacks and baby food, options inside the park are limited to the Basin Restaurant and a few small stalls.
• A horse-drawn carriage can help for the first stretch with a tired toddler, but it’s not recommended for infants given the jolting terrain.
• Talk to your paediatrician beforehand about sun exposure and hydration for very young infants.
• Children under 12 enter free during daylight hours, a nice budget win for families.
• Keep expectations realistic, the Treasury and Street of Facades are manageable with infants, but save the 800-step Ad Deir climb for when the kids are a bit older.

Types of Tickets and Available Tour Plans

Here’s how I usually explain ticket options to guests, since it depends a lot on your nationality and how you’re travelling through Jordan:

• Standard Accommodated Visitor Ticket (for tourists staying at least one night in Jordan): approximately 50 JD for one day, 55 JD for two consecutive days, and 60 JD for three consecutive days, bought at the Visitor Centre.
• Non-Accommodated Visitor Ticket (day-trippers not staying overnight in Jordan): a much higher rate, currently around 90 JD for one day.
• Jordan Pass: A government-issued pass bundling your Petra entrance ticket with a waiver of the Jordan tourist visa fee, plus free entry to 40+ attractions countrywide. Pricing sits around 70 JD (1-day Petra), 75 JD (2-day), and 80 JD (3-day). You must buy it online before arrival, and staying at least three nights in Jordan is required to fully waive the visa fee.
• Petra by Night: A separate evening ticket for the candlelit walk to the Treasury, added on top of a valid daytime ticket.
• Children under 12 enter free during daylight hours; carry a valid passport for everyone at the ticket office.

Tour plans generally fall into three types: a Petra-only day trip from Wadi Musa, a multi-day southern Jordan loop combining Petra with Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, or a fully private, customised itinerary through a licensed tour operator, which I’d recommend for families or anyone short on time.

Availability of Local Guides

Licensed local guides are easy to find right at the Petra Visitor Centre, and you can hire one on arrival or book ahead through a tour operator. These guides are trained and certified by Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and rates vary depending on group size, language, and whether you go half-day or full-day. Honestly, this is the one upgrade I recommend to almost everyone. Most of Petra’s carvings and structures have no on-site signage, and a good guide turns a beautiful but confusing walk into a story that actually makes sense.

Recommended Tour Operators for Visiting Petra

1. Petra Travel & Tourism Co.

Established in 1965, this is one of Jordan’s longest-running travel companies, and I’ve worked alongside their teams on group logistics more than once. They handle incoming tour services, hotel reservations, private transfers, and multilingual guiding for both leisure travellers and business/corporate groups across Jordan.

2. Jordan Select Tours

Founded in 1994, Jordan Select Tours is an independent Destination Management Company (DMC) that specialises in private, tailor-made Petra tours and family holiday packages, as well as conference and incentive travel. Their guides and drivers know the region well, which shows in how smoothly their itineraries run.

Preferred Hotels for Accommodation Near Petra

1. Mövenpick Resort Petra

Sitting directly across from the Petra Visitor Centre, this five-star resort is where I point families and business travellers who want comfort within walking distance of the entrance. Middle Eastern-inspired interiors, an outdoor pool, and several dining options make it easy to unwind after a long day on the trail.

2. Petra Guest House Hotel

Literally steps from the Petra entrance gate, this hotel is known for its Cave Bar, set inside a restored first-century Nabataean structure. It’s one of my favourite places for a drink after a long day of walking, and the spacious family rooms and big breakfast spread make it a solid pick for families too.

Food Facilities In and Near Petra

Inside the park itself, options are limited: the Basin Restaurant near Qasr al-Bint serves a buffet lunch, and there are a few small stalls along the main trail selling bottled water, tea, and light snacks. I always tell guests, especially those with kids, to carry their own water and snacks rather than relying on finding something along the way.

Just outside the park in Wadi Musa, you’ll find everything from casual Jordanian eateries serving mansaf, falafel, and mezze, to full hotel buffets. Both the Mövenpick Resort Petra and Petra Guest House Hotel have restaurants open to non-guests, and the Cave Bar at Petra Guest House is worth a stop even if you’re not staying there.

FAQ: Petra Jordan Things to See

Official and Authentic Travel Resources for Tourists and Business Travellers

Before you book anything, I always recommend confirming current prices, hours, and entry requirements directly with official Jordanian sources:

• Visit Jordan – Official Jordan Tourism Board
• Jordan Pass – Official Government Visa & Attractions Pass
• Visit Petra – Official Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Petra Listing
• Jordan Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
• Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Visa & Entry Information)

Note: Ticket prices, opening hours, and entry requirements change periodically. Always confirm current rates and regulations on the official Visit Jordan and Jordan Pass websites before finalising your trip.