
With 7 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.
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.
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.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
The Siq
Experience The Siq, one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.
💡 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.
Monastery (Ad Deir)
Experience Monastery (Ad Deir), one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Royal Tombs
Experience Royal Tombs, one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.
💡 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.
Petra by Night
Experience Petra by Night, one of Petra's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Jordan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
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.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 4: Explore Street of Facades & Theater District
Trade the big landmarks for a neighborhood day in Street of Facades & Theater District, one of the best areas to see everyday life in Petra.
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. This area feels like walking through a living archaeological site with tombs at street level.
💡 Tip: Don't miss: The Street of Facades (over 40 tombs), The Roman Theater (3,000 seats), The Royal Tombs (Urn, Corinthian, Palace, Silk).
The Garden Tomb Complex
A rarely visited group of tombs and triclinium rooms near the Basin Restaurant, featuring unique architectural details and peaceful surroundings away from main paths.
💡 Tip: You'll likely have this entire complex to yourself, offering a quiet moment to appreciate Nabataean craftsmanship without crowds.
Day 5: Day Trip to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Leave Petra behind for a day and head to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) (15 minutes by taxi from Wadi Musa).
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
A compact version of Petra with similar rock-cut architecture but far fewer visitors. This was likely a suburban area or trading post for the main city, featuring beautifully preserved facades, triclinium rooms, and ancient water systems.
💡 Tip: Highlights: Painted House with surviving frescoes, Complete dining triclinium rooms, Narrow canyon entrance similar to Siq, Peaceful atmosphere without crowds.
Day 6: Day Trip to Wadi Rum Protected Area
Leave Petra behind for a day and head to Wadi Rum Protected Area (1.5 hours by car from Petra).
Wadi Rum Protected Area
Jordan's spectacular desert landscape of red sand and dramatic rock formations, famous for Lawrence of Arabia connections and Mars-like scenery. Many visitors combine Petra with an overnight Wadi Rum desert camp experience.
💡 Tip: Highlights: Jeep tours through desert valleys, Ancient Thamudic and Nabataean rock inscriptions, Sunset views from Burdah Rock Bridge, Overnight in Bedouin camps under starry skies.
Day 7: 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.
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.
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Petra Visitor Center, Local craft shops and markets, Restaurants with terrace views.
Al-Habis Museum
A small museum housed in a cave within the ancient city itself, displaying artifacts found in Petra with explanations in English and Arabic.
💡 Tip: The cave setting makes artifacts feel more connected to their original context than the modern Petra Museum.
The Snake Monument
An unusual carved stone snake on the path to the High Place of Sacrifice, representing an important Nabataean religious symbol often missed by visitors.
💡 Tip: It's a subtle but significant religious artifact that reveals the spiritual beliefs behind the more dramatic monuments.
Top tours and experiences in Petra
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.



Aqaba Shore Excursion: Private Petra Sightseeing Tour with Lunch
from €218
Check availability
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
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.
Explore an entire city carved from living rock, not just individual monuments. The Nabataeans created a complete urban environment including the 3,000-seat Roman Theater, the Great Temple complex, colonnaded streets, and sophisticated water management systems that still function today.
Experience Petra's transformation through light—from the soft morning glow on the Treasury to the dramatic sunset views from the Monastery and the magical Petra by Night experience where the Siq is illuminated by 1,500 candles leading to the Treasury.
Find cheap transport to Petra
Compare prices for trains, buses, and flights to Petra
Enter your departure city to see prices
Ready to explore Petra?
How much do 7 days in Petra cost?
Plan on roughly €336 on a budget, €784 mid-range or €1,610 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Petra.
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 7 days | €336 | €784 | €1,610 |
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.
Budget
Mid-range
Upscale
LuxuryHotel 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.
- 6With 7 days, consider a day trip outside Petra to experience more of Jordan.
Must-Try Food in Petra
💡 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.
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 7 days in Petra, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
Shobak Castle (Montreal)
A Crusader castle built by Baldwin I of Jerusalem in 1115, standing dramatically on a rocky knoll with commanding views.
Plan your Petra adventure
Let AI create the perfect itinerary for your trip to Petra. Just describe what you want to experience.
Plan Petra trip