How to Explore Best of Petra in a Day

Considered to be one of the new seven wonders of the world, the town of Petra is famous for being home to the historical and archaeological sites. Nestled on the slopes of Jebel al-Madhbah, this town is also known as the Rose City as it is carved out of the stones that carry pinkish taint. If you want to plan a trip to Petra, keep in mind that the best season to visit Petra is March to May and September to November. It is an awe-inspiring experience to stand in front of the structures that date back to the early 1st century. If you have only a day to discover what Petra has to offer, read on, as this article is just for you!

Be prepared to walk a lot and start your morning (as early as possible) by visiting the main entrance to the ancient city which is known as Siq. You will be fascinated by the gorgeous rock formations and its colors. This unique narrow gorge is more than a kilometer long and will lead you to the temple of Al-Khazneh. The treasury is carved out of a sandstone rock face and carries the influence of a Greek architecture. The magnificence of the tomb of the Nabataean king is enough to leave you speechless.

After exploring the wonders of this exquisite treasury, hike through the rugged landscapes to reach the Street of Facades. This vast open area is surrounded by tombs and houses built into the sandstone mountains that date back to more than 2000 years. The street, which was once the major connecting route of the city, is home to tombs that are easily accessible.

The same streets will take you to the ancient Roman Theater that can accommodate over 4,000 people at a time. Though there are numerous Roman Theaters around the world, this one is special as it is carved into the side of the mountain. It is recommended to take a guided tour here to understand more about this site. Use an online vacation planner to have a wholesome experience because it is always hard to visit and explore historical tourist attractions around the world.

Exploring all the tombs and walking around easily takes more than 5 hours. So, if you start early in the morning, you will still have half a day to visit some other tourist attraction in Petra. The best thing you can do is walk for an hour to reach the majestic monastery. You will need to climb more than 800 steps, but it will be worth all the efforts. This structure is larger than the treasury and is much more impressive with its huge size. And do not worry if walking is not your cup of tea! You can rent donkeys that will take you to the door of the site.

As the sun goes down, you will get an opportunity to witness this city lit by thousands of candles. It is an extraordinary experience to watch the same rock structures that you have explored in the broad daylight basking in the magical glow of candlelight. This unique tour is known as ‘Petra by night’ and is organized thrice a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

There are numerous other attractions in Petra including Little Petra, High place of sacrifice, museums, the Royal Tombs, and the Byzantine Church. The ruins that are thousands of years old will keep a piece of heart so that you will long to come again to explore other corners of Petra.