Asia / Jordan
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Petra archaeological area · outside Wādī Mūsá
The entrance to Petra is a long, winding sandstone canyon (about 2 km). There are minor carvings spotted here and there throughout the Siq, but the most impressive sights are the colorful and unusual sandstone patterns in the rock walls. There are also remains of terracotta pipes built into the sides of the canyon that were used in Roman times to carry water.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Petra archaeological area · outside Wādī Mūsá
Past the next bend is this part also sometimes called outer Siq, a large canyon lined with the facades of various tombs.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
Petra archaeological area · outside Wādī Mūsá
The largest carved monument in Petra, dates back to the 1st century AD. The interior, like that of the Treasury, is underwhelming in comparison to the façade. The more than 800 steps up to the Monastery can take over an hour, and even if you take a donkey you will have to walk and climb for about 10 minutes near the end.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Petra archaeological area · outside Wādī Mūsá
The approach to the Treasury through the Site is lit only by candles. Musicians will play about 15 min of Bedouin music, and you'll be served some tea in paper cups while you sit on mats at the Treasury. It's best to see this before you see Petra by day, as it becomes far less impressive if you already walked up to the Treasury during daytime. It's not amazing, but it's something nice to do during nighttime.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Petra archaeological area · outside Wādī Mūsá
Just inside the entrance to the park. As you can witness inside Petra, not all donkeys, horses and camels are treated right. A few are overworked, carrying overweight tourist or being excessively whipped. The Brooke charity educates owners about the treatment of equestrian working animals and treats the animals for free. The clinic is happy to tell you about conditions for working animals in Jordan. You can give a donation to the clinic.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Start with Siq, then decide whether Street of Facades deserves a separate visit rather than rushing both. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Princess Alia Clinic, Brooke Hospital for Animals before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Donkeys are exploited by small groups of Bedouin youths who use 75 cm electrical cable sections to strike them all the way up to the Monastery. So if you can walk, it's better to spare the animals. The donkeys have wounds under their saddles from carrying excessively heavy loads (overweight tourists). The donkeys are beaten by the owners (you'll see this; they do it in front of you). Many of the owners are children that would otherwise be in school if you didn't encourage them to be skipping education by giving them money.
Siq and Street of Facades are about 0.6 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
Add a few stops, choose your days, and leave space between them.
Time estimates cover visits only. Add time for meals, travel, queues, and breaks. Map links open Google Maps with your selected stops.
Save personal booking references elsewhere. Clearing browser storage removes your plans; download a copy to keep.
This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
KEEP EXPLORING