Discover Petra Beyond The Treasury
Petra is a must-see travel destination that should be on every traveller’s bucket list.
History reveals that it was built around 312 BC, but by the middle of the 7th century, it was lost to all except the local Bedouin. Then, in 1812, it was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer, receiving the nickname “The Lost City.”
In 1985, Petra became a UNESCO World Heritage site, then became one of the New Seven Wonders Of The World in 2007.
The famous Indiana Jones movie scenes make the Treasury the most Instagrammable spot of Petra, and my guide said many tourists do not go beyond this point.
Please avoid making that mistake and continue to read on to discover what you can do in this rose-sandstone city and beyond during your visit.
Explore Little Petra
I recommend starting your trip with a visit to Little Petra, also known as Siq al-Barid. It’s a great build-up to its more significant, well-known sister Petra.
Like Petra, this was also home to the Nabateans and part of Petra’s archeological park.
The site is beautiful and consists of different areas for you to explore the buildings carved into the walls of the sandstone canyons.
Little Petra is free to enter and less crowded as many tourists skip it or do not know it exists. A guide is optional here, but you do not need one. It is easy to explore on your own.
However, saying that, along my way I met a local. He offered to show me a viewpoint and a rocky climb up to a cave, which was great fun as I got to explore more of the area. He never asked for money, but I gave him a tip anyway, as he took so many photos for me and took me to hidden corners I would not have found on my own.
I also sat and had tea with him and another local while they told me about their local life in Petra and growing up in a cave. This really added to my experience, as I love learning about local culture and interacting with the local people.
Book A Guide & Get Off The Beaten Track At Petra
On my first morning visiting Petra, my guide Ahmed met me at the Petra visitor center at 6 a.m. He asked me if I wanted to walk the traditional way through the Siq, which is a narrow gorge of natural rock formations that leads to the Treasury, and then start from the trail from there.
OR we could cut into what looked like woods near the visitor center and go off the beaten track to a high view point.
You guessed it, I went off the beaten track, which was terrific. There was no one around other than us. I walked through breathtaking scenery, capturing thousands of photos of the beautifully carved sandstones and natural rock formations.
I hiked over rocks and climbed stony stairs until I came to the most beautiful viewpoint! And you want to know the best part? No one was there but me and Ahmed of course.
We managed to get around an hour to enjoy tea from a little stand and talk about life while overlooking the Treasury until another tourist showed up. We then left, continued the trail onto the mountain of sacrifice, and followed the backway to the Treasury. We explored for around 6 hours, with stops for tea from local vendors and taking many photos.
I really enjoyed this trail and I highly recommend booking it with Ahmed who goes by Lost_in_petra. He was an amazing tour guide and photographer.
Treasury From Above
The high view point from the Treasury above was absolutely spectacular, and Ahmed went above and beyond to capture the best photos and videos of my special moment while we waited for the sun to come up.
The High Place Of Sacrifice
The high place of sacrifice, also known as al-Madhbah, was used to sacrifice animals to the Nabatesn God Dushara. It is also one of the tallest locations in Petra.
The Treasury From The Ground
On my second day of visiting Petra, I walked the traditional way through the Siq, which opened up to the magnificent breathtaking Treasury.
Even though I had seen it the day before. Approaching the Treasury from the ground level through the gorge and standing in front of it at 6 a.m. with hardly any people around was magical and a memory I am so grateful to have.
Petra By Night Experience
Petra by Night runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays every week from 20:30-22:30
It is a magical experience to see the rock rose city lit by candlelight as you walk the entire Siq to the Treasury with over 1,500 lit candles at dark.
Once you arrive at the Treasury, you will be asked to take a seat on the floor and be served tea ready to watch the show.
The show itself is not something to write home about. However, the candlelit walk down to the Treasury and the view of the Treasury lit up in different colours was well worth doing the experience, and I had a beautiful evening.
Ticket Price: 17JD.
Please Note: Advance reservation is unavailable for the Petra by Night experience. Tickets must be purchased on the day at the Petra visitor center or your hotel. It is also required that you have a valid Petra day ticket.
The Monastery
Reaching the monastery demands some hard stair climbing, but was it worth it? Abso-freaking-lutely! The monastery is unbelievably stunning and is the largest monument in Petra.
The views on the way up are breathtaking, like nothing I have ever seen. I had to pinch myself occasionally to ensure I was not dreaming.
The monastery reveal was STUNNING. Its beauty blew me away, and the hard work to get there paid off.
It was so peaceful and had a beautiful cafe facing the monument where I enjoyed breakfast with a view.
I recommend hiking the monastery trail at 6 a.m. to avoid tourist crowds and beat the midday sun. On my way back from the monastery, I saw many other tourists struggling up the 850 steps in the heat and was happy I went nice and early.
You can take a donkey to a certain point in the trail, but the donkeys look small, and I was not fond of the idea.
Petra Theater
Petra Theater is a first-century AD Nabataean theatre carved out in sandstone. The theatre was once used to hold cultic or cultural performances.
Shopping & Restaurants On Site
Petra has tea stands and a few places where you can get light snacks or head to the buffet restaurant for a hearty meal.
After my daily tours, I stayed inside Petra for extra time, having tea and light snacks in front of the Treasury. There is also a place with a view where you can climb up and have meat skewers, which were delicious.
If you fancy picking up a few souvenirs to take home, there are shops, too. However, bear in mind the shops inside Petra are expensive. So either get your haggling skills out, or just have a browse for something to do.
Cooking Class At Petra Kitchen
Every country I travel to, I love taking part in a cooking class. It’s a great way to round up your evening. Why not try a hands-on cooking experience at Petra Kitchen? The cooking class will allow you to interact with other tourists.
Then you have local chefs showing you how to prepare soup, cold and hot mezza, salads, and a main course. It was so much fun getting an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the regional cuisine.
Things To Do Nearby
Watch The Beautiful Sunsets
Jordan has some of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen during my travels around the world. Fortunately, my Petra guide, @ Lost in Petra, took me to a spectacular viewpoint in the evening.
Have Dinner in The Cave Bar
Enjoy dinner or a drink in the world’s oldest bar located in a cave attached to the Petra Guest House. The bar is covered in rock carved by the Nabateans 2000 years ago. It has really cosy indoor seating, or you can enjoy the BBQ and Mezze outside. If you have time, visit this place, even if it is just for a drink.
Relax With A Turkish Bath
After all the walking and hiking up the sandstone over the last few days, You are probably ready for some relaxation. Why not unwind and have a Turkish Bath at one of the many places close to the Petra site? It is a very popular thing to do after a visit to Petra among tourists and a perfect end to your Petra visit.
5 Tips For Travelling Petra
Buy a Jordan Pass to save money. You need to purchase this before arriving in Jordan. The Pass waves Visa entry fees and gives you access to over 40 sites across Jordan. Plus, you get free downloadable digital brochures covering Jordan tourist attractions.
Hire a guide to get off the beaten track. I recommend booking with Ahmed. You can book through Trip Advisor or book directly with him Here
Get an early start! The entrance opens at 6 am, so make sure you are there for then so you can enjoy the place near enough to yourself for a while before the tour busses and group tours arrive.
Bring water! You will be doing a lot of walking, and water will not be easily accessible once you start hiking trails.
Wear comfortable shoes! As I mentioned above, you will be doing a lot of walking, so wear sensible, comfortable footwear that gives you a good grip and does not slide off easily.
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