How Many Days Do You Need in Petra? 1, 2 or 3-Day Plans from a Local

Most visitors need two days in Petra: one day to walk the main trail from the Siq and the Treasury to the Monastery, and a second day for the quieter trails such as the High Place of Sacrifice, Wadi Farasa or the back-door hike from Little Petra. One full day is enough to see the highlights if you are short on time. Three days suit hikers and photographers who want to explore Petra’s side valleys and viewpoints.

We take guests to Petra all year round. Here is what you can realistically see in one, two or three days, which trails to choose and which Jordan Pass to buy.

How many days in Petra at a glance

• 1 day: the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street and the climb to the Monastery
• 2 days (our recommendation): the main trail on day one, then the High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa, or the Al-Khubtha Trail to the Treasury viewpoint, on day two
• 3 days: add the back-door hike from Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) to the Monastery, Little Petra itself, or quieter trails like Al-Madras
• Evening: Petra by Night runs five nights a week, Sunday to Thursday

Petra in one day

With one day, start as early as you can. From the Visitor Centre, walk down to the Siq, the narrow gorge that winds for about 1.2 km before opening onto the Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Continue past the Street of Facades and the Theatre to the Royal Tombs, then follow the Colonnaded Street to the Great Temple and Qasr al-Bint.

After lunch, climb the roughly 800 rock-cut steps to the Monastery (Ad Deir), Petra’s largest monument, and take in the views from the top. It is a long day: expect to walk well over 10 km, with a steady climb back up to the entrance at the end.

Good to know: a one-day ticket is enough to see the famous sights, but you will be walking all day. If you only have one day, skip extra detours and save your energy for the Monastery.

Petra in two days

Two days let you slow down and leave the main path. On day one, follow the route above. On day two, choose one of these trails:

• High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa: climb stone stairs to an ancient sacrificial platform with views over the city, then descend through Wadi Farasa past the Lion Fountain and the Garden Tomb. Allow 3 to 4 hours.
• Al-Khubtha Trail: climb above the Royal Tombs to look down on the Treasury from above, one of the best photo spots in Petra.
• Al-Madras Trail: a quieter route that leaves the main trail near the Obelisk Tomb and loops through little-visited tombs and hills.

This is the pace of our Petra Off the Beaten Path trip: day one enters Petra through the back door, day two explores the trails away from the crowds.

Petra in three days

With a third day, add the back-door hike. It starts near Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), a smaller Nabataean site worth a visit in its own right, and crosses rugged hills to arrive at the Monastery from above, before you walk down through the city. Experienced hikers can also climb Umm al-Biyara, the mountain that rises behind the city centre, with a local guide.

Our Petra Full Immersion trip covers all three days: the main trail, then Wadi Farasa, the High Place of Sacrifice and the Madras Trail, and finally the back-door hike.

Petra by Night

Petra by Night is a candlelit walk through the Siq to the Treasury, where you sit in front of the façade lit by hundreds of candles while Bedouin music is played. It runs five nights a week, Sunday to Thursday, starting at 8:30 pm and lasting about two hours. Tickets cost 30 JOD and are separate from your day ticket; children under 10 enter free.

It is a lovely atmosphere, but it can be busy. If you only have one evening in Petra, plan your day so you are not too tired to enjoy it.

Which Jordan Pass should you buy?

The Jordan Pass includes your tourist visa and entry to Petra and more than 40 other sites. The three versions differ only in the number of Petra days:

• Jordan Wanderer: 1 day in Petra, 70 JOD
• Jordan Explorer: 2 consecutive days in Petra, 75 JOD
• Jordan Expert: 3 consecutive days in Petra, 80 JOD

Because the extra days cost only 5 JOD each, we recommend the Jordan Explorer to most travellers, even if you are not sure you will use the second day. Without the pass, a Petra ticket costs 50 JOD for one day, 55 JOD for two and 60 JOD for three; multi-day tickets must be used on consecutive days. Children under 12 enter free during the day. Check the official sites for the latest prices before you travel.

Tips for visiting Petra

• Start early: the Siq and the Treasury are quietest in the first hours after opening, and the morning is cooler for walking.
• Stay in Wadi Musa: sleeping next to Petra means you can be at the gate early and come back in the evening for Petra by Night.
• Wear good shoes: paths are sandy, rocky and full of steps. Bring water, sun protection and layers.
• Use a guide on day one: a licensed local guide brings the Nabataean story to life and shows you sights you would walk past.
• Avoid the midday heat in summer: from June to August, plan the Monastery climb for late afternoon.

Not sure when to go? Read our guide to the best time to visit Jordan.

Visit Petra with us

Petra is part of most of our multi-day tours. Our Experience Jordan Tour includes a full guided day in Petra as part of a week around Jordan (see our 7-day Jordan itinerary), while the Jordan Hiking Adventure and the Dana to Petra Trek arrive on foot through the back door. You can also add extra Petra days to any private tour, or ask us to plan your visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is one day in Petra enough?

One full day is enough to see the main sights, from the Siq and the Treasury to the Monastery, but it is a long walking day. Two days let you see Petra at a relaxed pace and explore quieter trails.

How long does it take to walk to the Monastery in Petra?

From the Visitor Centre, allow about 2 to 3 hours to reach the Monastery at a steady pace with stops, including the climb of roughly 800 steps from the city centre.

Which days does Petra by Night run?

Petra by Night runs five nights a week, Sunday to Thursday, from 8:30 pm. Tickets cost 30 JOD and are bought separately from your day ticket.

Which Jordan Pass is best for Petra?

For most travellers, the Jordan Explorer, with 2 days in Petra. It costs only 5 JOD more than the one-day Jordan Wanderer and gives you time to explore beyond the main trail.

Can I visit Petra as a day trip from Amman?

Yes, but Petra is about 3 hours from Amman each way, so a day trip leaves only a few hours on site. We recommend at least one night in Wadi Musa.