Petra travel guide: the rose city and where to stay

Petra is a Nabataean city carved into rose-coloured rock in southern Jordan, about 235 km (roughly three hours) south of Amman by the Desert Highway. It's Jordan's most famous site, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a whole city the Nabataeans cut from the cliffs more than two thousand years ago. To see it without rushing you need a full day at least, and it's better to stay in the town of Wadi Musa next to the gate than to drive there and back in a single day.

The Siq and the Treasury

The visit starts with a walk through the Siq, a narrow rock corridor about 1.2 km long between walls that rise hundreds of metres. At the end the rock opens suddenly onto the Treasury, the famous carved facade about 40 m tall. That reveal is Petra's signature view, and it's best early in the morning when the light is soft and the crowds are thinner.

The Monastery and beyond the Treasury

Petra is much bigger than the Treasury. Behind it the city spreads out with a Roman theatre, palaces, and tombs, and ends with a climb of about 800 steps to the Monastery, a facade even larger than the Treasury but far less crowded. Set aside at least half a day for the walking, and carry water and comfortable shoes. On some nights "Petra by Night" lights the Siq and the Treasury with thousands of candles.

Best time to visit, and getting there

Spring and autumn are best: mild temperatures that suit the long walk through the site. Summer days are hot and winter is cold with possible rain, so start early in any season. You reach Petra from Amman in about three hours by the Desert Highway, and the entry ticket is usually included in the Jordan Pass. Many of the stays are in Wadi Musa, overlooking the valley and minutes from the gate.

Where to stay: chalets near Petra

Staying near the gate means you enter the site as it opens, before the buses. Before you book, check how close the stay is to the Petra gate, whether it fits your group, and that the photos are clear. Most important, make sure the photos are of the actual place, on YallaChalet we verify that before any listing goes live.

We gather the Petra area's chalets in one place so you can compare them easily. Browse the Petra area to see what's available and message the owner directly on WhatsApp, with no commission and no middleman. Many visitors pair Petra with nearby Wadi Rum or with Aqaba on the Red Sea.