Petra Jordan is archaeological site in Jordan, Middle East. It’s one of the new seven wonders of the world and you can make a Petra day trip. Things to do in Petra include;
- Treasury
- Siq (a gorge that formed when tectonic forces broke the mountain in 2)
- Street of Facades
- Hike through Petra
- Royal Tombs
- Colonnaded Street
- Great Temple
- Monastery (Al-Deir)
Petra is a huge site and if you really want to take your time and study every detail I’d recommend a 2-3 day trip staying at a nearby hotel in Wadi Rusa. If, like me a day is enough time then you can visit on a day trip from Amman or Madaba.
The Siq
The Siq is a split in the mountains and also the entrance you’ll walk through to enter Petra. As a matter of fact, the Siq was created when tectonic forces cause the mountain to split in two. The height of the gorge is well over 100 meters and is the perfect build up to your first glimpse of the famous Treasury.
Petra Movies
Famous movies filmed in Petra are;
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- The Mummy Returns
- Transformers – Revenge of The Fallen
- Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger
The famous British travel show, an Idiot Abroad also made an episode in Petra.
The Treasury
We’ve all seen a picture of the Treasury somewhere before but the question remains, what is it? The treasury was carved into the rock in 100 BC as a tomb for the Nabataean King, Aretas III. The Nabataeans were a people whose kingdom stretched across Arabia and the capital of the kingdom was Raqmu (now known as Petra).
Where is the best place to photograph the Treasury? My answer would be right in front of it with a fisheye lens (above). If you don’t have a fisheye lens it is possible to climb the mountain opposite and the best time to do this would be at sunset.
Royal Tombs
As you walk from the treasury to the royal tombs (above), you’ll pass the street of facades and a huge theater. Virtually everything you see you’ll want to photograph so make sure you have enough battery and memory. The royal tombs are the tombs of Nabataean royalty, royalty not as important as the Nabataean King, Aretas III who has his tomb in the Treasury but still important enough to have a tomb built.
The Great Temple
From the royal tombs you walk on the colonnaded street to the great temple (above) which is estimated to have been built at the end of the first century. It’s the largest structure at Petra covering around 7500 square meters. This temple was only discovered in 1992 so is a reasonably new attraction at the Petra site and it’s still being excavated to this day. From the great temple it’s quite a walk to the monastery but worth it for the photo opportunities on the way there and of the monastery itself.
Enjoy your Petra Day Trip
Petra can be very hot, especially in summer, there are plenty of places to buy water as you are walking around. Water is not the same price at every place, so shop around. Did you consider combining a Petra day trip with a trip to Wadi Rum? It will be the best decision you could make!
Visit the other new seven wonders of the world, Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Brazil, Colosseum, Rome and the Great Wall of China in Beijing, China.
Great info!! I especially love that you include the best place to photograph the treasury (and which lens to use!) and movies that were filmed here. Before I go I will definitely be watching those movies to get myself excited for the trip! Thanks for sharing – it was fun to read.
Wow, Petra is on my bucket list since forever! I’d love to see it. It must be impressive! Thanks a lot also for these near pictures
Thank you for sharing your experience of Petra. Jordan remains one of the memorable countries I have ever visited. I also really like your recommendation to use a fish eye lens to capture monuments. Never thought of it! Thanks for sharing that tip! 🙂
As a huge history buff, Petra has been on my bucket list for a long time. Your post did not lessen my desire to go. Great information, including tips on taking pictures. When I go I guess a day trip would not be enough for me 🙂
Petra has been on my list for so long and I still haven’t made it!! It looks amazing and I never realised how big it was and how much there is to see. I saw it on Idiot Abroad, that was a funny episode!! Might be a while before I can get there, but I will be there one day.
Wow Petra is stunningly gorgeous! The Royal Tombs is quite a site to see, definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Great tips on taking the photos with the fish-eye lens at sunset! Thanks for sharing your experience. I will need to put this on my bucket list!
Petra looks so stunning! I would love to visit The Royal Tombs. Lot of friends have been there already. Guess it’s a matter of time for me to visit it.
Petra looks spectacular. I didn’t know so many famous movies were filmed there. The Siq is a beautiful entrance to walk through to Petra. The Treasury would be something to photograph for sure! Thanks for the tips on the best way to capture its’ beauty.
Nice post and very informative. The one place I’d love to go in the Middle East is Petra. The Treasury looks so amazing. What an experience to have there.
Petra always looks so incredible in photos, but I have yet to make it to that part of the world. I love that there are camels sitting outside the Treasury. I would love to ride a camel. The tombs look huge but also so intricately carved, which is probably what makes it such a breathtaking sight.
SOOO BEAUTIFUL. Petra is one of the places I’ve always dreamed of going to, I am so jealous! Which month did you visit and how hot was it?
Loved Petra, it was one of my favorite places! I’m stunned by the combination of natural rocks and their amazing colors, with the ingenuity of people who curved them into their homes. And coming out of the Siq to see the Treasury… That was some experience! Your photos of the place are great, of course. The fish eye view makes the place even more surreal! 🙂
Petra does look amazing and love your photographs. Did you see everything comfortably in a day? As with most this is a bucket list destination!
Now i know Petra needs 2-3 full days to be explored properly. The Siq is so fascinating, isn’t it? By the way, the fish lens really got me thinking. Should read up more on that.
Nice tips. I will get to Petra at some point, I know it and as a fellow photo fiend, I really appreciate the tip about taking a fish-eye lens. I enjoyed reading the facts about it too, I’ll be prepared for my visit.
Ok, ever since I saw Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Petra has been on my bucket list. All those years ago, I remember thinking “that place can’t be real?!?” I would love to go here one day – thank you so much for sharing your experience. Pinning this for later!
Those photos are really beautiful. I never would have thought of using a fish eye lens, so thanks for the tip. I hope to go to Petra soon, either as a day trip or a longer trip.
Petra has always amazed me from my childhood. But I’ve never got a chance to go there yet. Jordan is a fascinating place along with Israel with all its thousands of years of history and life. Thank you sharing your experience at Petra.
Great tips and Jordan is somewhere I’ve really been looking to go lately – its mix of history and stunning natural beauty is so attractive! Thanks for sharing – Petra looks amazing!
Interesting read about Petra. Thanks for sharing!
I’m heading to Jordan in the next couple of months and Petra can not be missed obviously. Your info is great. I wasn’t sure if a day would be enough but it looks like it could be. Great pics as always. Note to self…. must learn to use fish-eye lens.
Living in Jordan for years I was fortunate to visit Petra many times, well before I started blogging. Great post! I’m happy to see people are still visiting Jordan and others are interested in going.
The Siq looks unbelievable. I like that photo. Did you feel like that you were about to enter a different world? The different rock formations and shapes look magnificent.
Petra is high up on my wishlist! Main reason is ofcourse as you may have guessed – it being a UNESCO site and a one of the 7 wonders of the world! Many a times it also reminds me of Ellora, an Indian UNESCO site, which has some similarities in the overall look. Thanks for the tips of photography as well!
What time would you suggest to go to Petra if it’s too hot in summers? I really want to visit this place after reading your post 🙂