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Petra, Jordan
5 Days

5-Day Petra Itinerary

Jordan itinerary: Petra and day trips

Budget · 5 Days
€240
Mid-range · 5 Days
€560
Best months
March to May
Hotel per night (mid-range)
€70

With 5 days in Petra, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. Petra reveals itself slowly, demanding exploration beyond the iconic Treasury. The ancient city sprawls across a vast desert valley, with over 800 monuments waiting to be discovered.

Perfect for history buffs
Perfect for archaeologists
Perfect for photographers

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions

Start your Petra adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.

1

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

Experience The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.

⏱️ 1.5-2 hours

💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.

2

The Siq

Experience The Siq, one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.

⏱️ 1.5-2 hours

💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.

Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods

Experience Petra like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in Jordan.

1

Monastery (Ad Deir)

Experience Monastery (Ad Deir), one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.

⏱️ 1.5-2 hours

💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.

2

Royal Tombs

Experience Royal Tombs, one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.

⏱️ 1.5-2 hours

💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.

Day 3: Art, History & Discovery

Uncover layers of history that shaped Petra. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.

1

Petra by Night

Experience Petra by Night, one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.

⏱️ 1.5-2 hours

💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.

2

High Place of Sacrifice

Experience High Place of Sacrifice, one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.

⏱️ 1.5-2 hours

💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.

Day 4: Day Trip to Shobak Castle (Montreal)

Leave Petra behind for a day and head to Shobak Castle (Montreal) (45 minutes by car from Petra).

1

Shobak Castle (Montreal)

A Crusader castle built by Baldwin I of Jerusalem in 1115, standing dramatically on a rocky knoll with commanding views. Less visited than Kerak Castle but equally impressive, with underground passages and original chapel.

⏱️ Full day

💡 Tip: Highlights: Massive entrance gate and walls, Underground passages and storerooms, Original Crusader chapel, Panoramic views of surrounding countryside.

Day 5: Wadi Musa Town & Hidden Gems

Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Wadi Musa Town and seek out a few places most visitors to Petra never find.

1

Wadi Musa Town

The modern gateway town to Petra, offering accommodations, restaurants, and practical services for visitors. This bustling town provides a contrast to the ancient ruins with its lively markets and Bedouin hospitality.

⏱️ Half day

💡 Tip: Don't miss: Petra Visitor Center, Local craft shops and markets, Restaurants with terrace views.

2

Wadi al-Mudhlim

An alternative canyon entrance to Petra used in ancient times, now a hiking trail that offers completely different perspectives of the rock formations.

⏱️ 1-2 hours

💡 Tip: Experienced hikers can enter Petra through this quiet, dramatic canyon and avoid the main entrance crowds entirely.

3

The Columbarium

A mysterious structure with hundreds of small carved niches, possibly used for ritual purposes or as a dovecote, located near the Theater.

⏱️ 1-2 hours

💡 Tip: Its purpose remains debated by archaeologists, letting you ponder the mysteries of Nabataean culture firsthand.

Top tours and experiences in Petra

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .

Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .

5.0194 reviews2h
Aqaba Shore Excursion: Private Petra Sightseeing Tour with Lunch

Aqaba Shore Excursion: Private Petra Sightseeing Tour with Lunch

4.853 reviews8h
All things to do in Petra →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Why Visit Petra

Discover the intricate craftsmanship of Nabataean architecture, from the elaborate Corinthian columns of the Treasury to the massive, multi-story Royal Tombs and the beautifully preserved Urn Tomb with its interior chambers and carved niches.

Connect with Bedouin culture that has been part of Petra for generations. Local guides share family stories passed down through centuries, while tea stops in cave dwellings offer authentic cultural interactions amidst the ancient ruins.

Witness one of the world's most dramatic archaeological reveals—the Treasury appearing through the narrow Siq canyon. This 1.2-kilometer walk through towering cliffs builds anticipation like no other approach to a monument, culminating in that iconic view immortalized in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

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How much do 5 days in Petra cost?

Plan on roughly €240 on a budget, €560 mid-range or €1,150 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Petra.

BudgetMid-rangeComfort
Accommodation (per night)€30€70€140
Food and drinks (per day)€10€22€45
Sightseeing and activities (per day)€8€20€45
Total per day€48€112€230
Total for 5 days€240€560€1,150

Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport. Compare daily costs across cities

Where to stay in Petra

Hotels close to the centre of Petra, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

Petra Aretas HotelBudget

Petra Aretas Hotel

2.5 km from the centre

€66 / night

Check availability
Window on petraMid-range

Window on petra

1.8 km from the centre

€27 / night

Check availability
Petra Guest HouseUpscale

Petra Guest House

2.1 km from the centre

€114 / night

Check availability
Mövenpick Resort PetraLuxury

Mövenpick Resort Petra

2.4 km from the centre

€144 / night

Check availability

Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Travel Tips

  • 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Petra is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
  • 2The best time to visit Petra is March to May, September to November. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
  • 3The local currency is Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Carry some cash for small vendors and markets.
  • 4A few words in Arabic go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
  • 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
  • 65 days gives you time to see the highlights and discover some hidden gems.

Must-Try Food in Petra

Mansaf (Jordan's national dish of lamb, rice, and fermented yogurt)
Maqluba ('upside down' spiced rice with chicken or vegetables)
Zarb (Bedouin barbecue cooked in underground ovens)
Falafel and hummus from local street vendors

💡 Stay hydrated strategically—carry a refillable bottle and use the free water stations near the Theater and Basin Restaurant rather than buying expensive bottled water inside.

Neighborhoods to Explore in Petra

The Siq & Treasury Area

The dramatic entrance to Petra, featuring the iconic 1.

Street of Facades & Theater District

The heart of ancient Petra's urban center, featuring rows of Nabataean tombs, the impressive Roman Theater, and the beginning of the Colonnaded Street.

The Monastery (Ad Deir) Highlands

Petra's most challenging but rewarding area, requiring an 800-step climb to reach Jordan's most spectacular viewpoint.

Day Trip Ideas

With 5 days in Petra, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:

Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)

15 minutes by taxi from Wadi Musa

A compact version of Petra with similar rock-cut architecture but far fewer visitors.

Wadi Rum Protected Area

1.5 hours by car from Petra

Jordan's spectacular desert landscape of red sand and dramatic rock formations, famous for Lawrence of Arabia connections and Mars-like scenery.

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