Here’s Why Petra Is Worth Visiting

Visiting Petra - Best Time is March

There are many places around our world that may be considered dangerous due to political turmoil or civil unrest. As travelers, safety is most definitely a huge concern and nothing that is taken lightly. While there may be some issues with traveling to some of its neighboring countries, Jordan itself is on good terms with everyone. From our experience, Jordan felt safe to travel to and explore within. Initially, our bucket list consisted of travel to Petra, but after spending three days in Jordan, we were introduced to much more. It’s also worth noting that the best time to visit Jordan is in March. There are so many reasons why Petra is worth visiting and this article will make you want to pack your bags and go now!

Upon our recent return from visiting the Middle East, a friend asked: “Is Petra worth visiting?” Just like other avid travelers and those that know of the Seven Wonders Of The World, she has seen plenty of photos of The Treasury at Petra and wondered if there was anything more to Petra.

Of course, The Treasury has achieved it’s fame thanks to being the very first structure you see as you walk through the narrow path carved through towering cliffs. It is quite majestic to see it appear slowly through the crack as if the curtain is being pulled open to start the show.

Is Petra worth visiting - The Siq view of Treasury in Jordan

This in itself is an enchanting and mystical experience in person, but there is so much more to see at Petra. Keep reading, and you’ll find out what I mean.

Travel To Petra – Definitely Worth It!

I was recently reading a blog post about visiting Petra, and there were tons of really great comments at the end. There was, however, one person who commented that they thought Petra was “just some old rocks.” I guess this is true. In essence, it’s a city formed from carved rock, and it is VERY old. If you think of the world in that simplified and unemotional way you would probably say that the Grand Canyon is also a bunch of old rocks, and I assume, you would also say that the Pyramids of Giza are just a pile of old rocks, too.

The Monastery

The Monastery

I’d like to think that my travel expectations go deeper than your average vacationer. When I travel, I’m not looking to be entertained. I’m not looking for anything. More and more, when I travel, I allow myself to be enlightened by the place itself. It’s inevitable to have some sort of assumption, though, with the availability of photos and videos on the internet. At times, these images may not convey the truth about a place thanks to editing software and manipulation of some form. So it’s understandable for some to have doubts about whether a particular “popular” destination will actually live up to its hype.

Is Petra worth visiting The Theatre at Petra Jordan

The Theatre

When it came to my travel to Petra, the reason was simple. It is one of the Seven World Wonders, and the one picture of the Treasury had me captivated.

Visit Petra Jordan - Treasury Viewpoint

Location Of The Treasury In The Canyon Below

I had no idea that there was a whole city formed from the rocks. I had no concept of how well hidden Petra is when looked at from a distance (it’s impossible to see from afar that an entire city exists!). Did I know of the genius architecture of waterways and channel systems that provided life in this area? No.

Visiting Petra - View From Afar

Lost City Of Petra As Seen From A Distance

To read the facts in a book or online is one thing. To see what remains of a civilization from over 2000 years ago and imagine the greatness of what it was, is staggering.

Is Petra worth visiting - Stone Facade, Jordan

So, yes. Petra is worth visiting. You just need to think and feel deeper. Otherwise, you might just want to stick to going to the movies or a theme park. I don’t mean to be harsh, but if you’re looking to be entertained, this may not be the place for you. If you’re looking for something that is REAL but feels like it came from a scene out of a movie like Indiana Jones, then you’ll be thrilled.

Is Petra worth visiting - view of Monestary, Jordan Travel

As far as there being more to see that The Treasury: Yes. There is a lot to see at Petra. I would even say that one entire day is not enough time. I, personally, wish I had another day or two to be able to really take it all in. Other notable structures at Petra include:

  • The Monastery
  • The Royal Tombs
  • The Theatre
  • Street of Facades
  • Colonnaded Street
  • High Place of Sacrifice
  • Visit Petra Jordan - inside the tomb rocks

    Book one of these tours to make it easier!

    Colonnated Road - Petra Jordan Things To See

    By the way, tourism in Jordan is down right now, and this means fewer crowds for those visiting. So, if you’ve been pondering traveling to this area, now is the best time to visit Jordan. With fewer tourists, your visit to Petra will, undoubtedly, be more enjoyable.

    Is Petra worth visiting - hiking in Jordan, Lost City

    Best Time To Visit – Jordan In March

    In speaking with our tour guide as well as our own personal experience, we can say that March is the best time to visit Jordan. Spring, in general, is a good time to visit Petra because the temperatures are more mild and comfortable for being outdoors and sightseeing.

    Visit Petra - Lost City in Jordan

     We dressed in layers because the early morning hours are a bit cold. Having a shawl was perfect as it allowed for some versatility (and wasn’t bulky). Most of the day we were comfortable walking around in a T-Shirt. I think that covering your head is also a good idea. If you plan to go all day, having a hat on will keep you cool and keep the sun out of your eyes.

    Visiting Petra - City Carved in Stone

    How To Get To Petra And Where To Stay

    You can visit Petra by directly flying into Amman and staying there a couple of nights before making your way south. Petra is about three hours from Amman via The Desert Highway. We highly recommend staying at a nearby Bedouin camp to enhance your desert experience.

    Visiting Petra Riding Horses Through The Siq

    Visiting Petra – Riding Horses Through The Siq

    Taxi is probably the best and most comfortable way to get to Petra from Amman. There is also the more budget-friendly option of taking a bus. You can catch the bus to Petra from Amman Bus Station.

    Best Time To Visit Jordan - Petra In March

    We didn’t know what to expect from a Bedouin camp but were pleasantly surprised at the “Glamping” experience it provided us. The camp where we spent two nights provided us very comfortable accommodations. Our Yurt had a comfortable king size bed and electricity (except for overnight). There were clean and comfortable hot showers and toilets on the property. The hospitality and food were absolutely perfect! Obviously, having WiFi was the best part since it allowed us to share our photos and videos with friends and relatives back home.

    Yurt In Bedouin Camp - Petra Jordan Where to Stay

    Here is the Bedouin camp we stayed in near Petra:

    Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp

    If you prefer a hotel, we recommend Candles Hotel or the Petra Marriott Hotel. Or check out some other options below:

    image 8329250 11986709

    Our tour was made through Abraham Tours in Jerusalem. From Jerusalem we were taken to the Allenby Bridge (in Jordan it is known as the King Hussein Bridge) and started our tour from there to Amman. After visiting Wadi Rum, on our third day, we drove to Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein Crossing and crossed back into Israel.

    Here are some resources to make planning your trips easier:

  • Our Travel Insurance Recommendation
  • What we use to book hotels
  • Travel Gear and Products You Might Need
  • image 8329250 12532525The Best Tours and Experiences
  • Pin it!

    21 responses
    1. Robyn Avatar
      Robyn

      Amazing! Great post! Your pictures make me want to reconsider! So glad to see photos of something other than the door. ;) looking on how to get there from Cairo now :)

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        Hope I didn’t leave anything out! It is a pretty amazing place so I really hope you go and enjoy it as much as we did!

    2. Flo Avatar
      Flo

      Petra is so high up on my bucket list! Good to know that March is the best time to visit – I’d love to be able to stay in a Bedouin camp as well. Looks absolutely incredible!

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        The Bedouin camp was an unexpected delight! Really added to the whole desert experience!

    3. Kate Avatar
      Kate

      Petra is super high up on my bucket list. With the area in what we’ll call “unrest” I sometimes worry about traveling there. I’ve also heard about some of the scams. Were you targeted at all?

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        I never felt unsafe at any point, nor did we experience any scams. That isn’t to say it won’t happen. We have been scammed in Asia plenty of times and it happens pretty much anywhere. You just learn from experience. I honestly felt that the people were very genuine and want you to feel safe, because they want and need tourism.

    4. Elisabeth Bunch Avatar
      Elisabeth Bunch

      Incredible! I’m dreaming of visiting Petra someday. I’m bookmarking this post for when I get the chance to go! Thanks for sharing :)

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        Thanks for that! I hope you go soon while it’s not as busy!

    5. Punita Malhotra Avatar
      Punita Malhotra

      I can’t even begin to tell you how fascinated I am about Petra. As a history and architecture fan, this is a place I would absolutely love. A city hidden away in the crevices of rocky mountains…and that approach through…wow! Some of your pictures have extraordinary angles. Very inspiring post.

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        So glad you liked it! They were very smart in how they picked that area and designed it…kind of makes me wish I was there at the time!

    6. Bonita Avatar
      Bonita

      This is a detailed explanation of Petra. I have always been worried about the ‘unrest’. Thanks for this post. I have bookmarked it.

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        It seemed perfectly fine for tourism and travel for us!

    7. oursweetadventures Avatar
      oursweetadventures

      Petra is high on my list to see. Seeing things on an emotional level is incredible. I had no idea there was a whole city carved from rock. Just incredible! Staying at a bedouin camp would be really cool. Great story.

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        Thanks! We hope you can experience it soon!

    8. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      What kind of camera did you use for all these photos??

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        I mostly used my GoPro Hero.

    9. Rosemary Glascoe Avatar
      Rosemary Glascoe

      Wow, I am going to start saving money for a trip! Hopefully this “Corona virus – plague” will dissipate and travel will be possible. I can hardly wait!!

    10. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      I know you used Abraham Tours as part of this vacation. Knowing what you know would you book or could you book this on your own next time? Would you take a private taxi form Amman to Petra?

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        After going on the tour we did feel that we could do it on our own next time. We met a lot of people who were there on their own and took a taxi and had great experiences.

    11. Cinema HD Avatar
      Cinema HD

      Petra is an absolute gem that should not be missed, especially in March! The awe-inspiring rock-cut architecture and ancient ruins make it an unforgettable experience. The weather in March is perfect for exploring this wonder, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. The vibrant colors of the desert landscape surrounding Petra add a unique charm to the whole visit. I highly recommend visiting Petra in March, it will leave you in awe of its beauty and cinematic landscapes.

      1. Taiss Nowrouzi Avatar
        Taiss Nowrouzi

        Yes, you are absolutely right!

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    Hi! We’re Rob and Taiss. We set off to live a life in as many places as possible. To actually live in locations around the world long enough to get to know the locals, the culture, and the food, not just a taste of it.
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