Petra – Aravá Valley, Jordan, stands between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, and it is one of the most important attractions of Jordan. In the 3rd century BC, Nomadic Arabs, also known as Nabataeans, carved the city of Petra out red sandstone rocks.
“The Rose Red City, Half as Old as Time”
Petra is the Greek word for rock, and this city is widely known as the Rose City because of the rose-red color of the sandstone hills. Not only is Petra an archeological treasure but an architectural one, since the Rose city is half-built by men and caved into the sandstone rocks.
Activity/Place Highlights
The Siq
The only way to go inside the ancient city of Petra is through a siq which is a long narrow gorge. This main entrance is the result of the erosion of many years of floods. The Siq creates a twisting pathway of solid rock which rises ominously to 100 meters on each side.
Through the 1.2km Siq, there are some zones where its width causes the sunlight to flood in and lift the dark and oppressive atmosphere. But at some points, the Siq is wider than a couple of meters and the walls look to close above your head. If you visit very early in the morning, you will surely live a scary experience. You’ll only feel the wind whistling the Siq, and hear the echo of your own steps.
The Treasury
At the end of the magical journey through the Siq, you will encounter the façade of Al Khazneh. This is also known as the Treasury, which is the representative image of the city. The Treasury remains in good state despite the fact that Bedouin (nomadic Arabs) used the statutes for target practice.
From 9:30 a.m. the sunlight covers the Treasury for a couple of hours. But in the shadow, this building looks pinker. You can have a fantastic view of the Treasury if you climb up the rock face to the right of the Siq.
The Treasury is actually a tomb, as well as all the great facades located in Petra. Even though most dwellings disappeared a long time ago, you can still see a theatre carved out of rock, and a Roman Temple. Apart from that, you can see a Nabatean road leading to an old market zone.
The High Place of Sacrifice
The best way to have a majestic view of the city is climbing up the High Place of Sacrifice. As sunset arrives, climb the steps and get the most breathtaking views of Petra and its size.
How to get there
You can easily get to Petra by car or by bus. Indeed, the Rose city is a couple of hours away from the Jordanian capital.
How long
To fully appreciate the beauty of the big city of Petra, you will need a couple of days. This is especially true if you want to visit the most outstanding places such as the monastery by the hills. Passes for one, two or three days are available from the visitor center.
Opening and Closing Hours
Petra is open to the public from dawn until 6 pm, but if you are already inside, you can stay a little bit longer and appreciate the sunset.
Inside Information
Regarding accommodation, there plenty of options in Petra, but the best is the five-star hotel Movenpick. This hotel is just a few minutes from the gate. Even though there are places that sell food, remember to carry plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
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