Your journey to the ancient city of Petra starts here! As-Siq, Arabic for shaft, is a 1100-metre-long gorge that is the passageway to the city. Begin at the Bab As-Siq – the gate to the gorge – which gives a glimpse of what is to come: tall, impressive structures carved out of stone. Once you enter the gorge (known as the Siq in Arabic), you’ll feel like you’re walking into another world. This narrow passage is surrounded by tall stone cliffs, which are carved with votive niches that were once sacred to the residents of Petra. In the Siq, you’ll also discover multi-coloured rocks arranged in interesting formations. Be awestruck as you marvel at the beauty of this grand entryway to the ancient city of Petra.
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PETRA
TRAVEL IN PETRA
One of the amazing 7 Wonders of the World, the city of Petra is a sight to behold. Get excited to go within the city walls and dig up the secrets of this ancient city!
Your journey starts at the Bab As-Siq. This impressive gate is carved into the face of a giant rock, and you have to walk under its arch to enter the Siq itself. This narrow, kilometre-long passageway is surrounded by tall stone walls. Marvel as different shades are revealed to you through the stone. Keep your eyes peeled to notice different carvings and votive niches inside the Siq!
At the end of your walk, step out into the inner city, where you’ll be greeted by the Al-Khazneh. Known as the Treasury, this building is the most beautiful and well-preserved in the city. Check out its incredible architecture, which is a unique mix of Greek and Nabataean styles. Take a moment to note the colour of the stone: when you pass it on your way out of the city, it’s sure to have changed hue with the setting of the sun.
With so many things to do in Petra, it’s easy to spend days getting familiar with all the buildings of this archaeological site, as well as talking to the local Petra guides about the city’s fascinating history. Our suggestions? Take some time to stroll down the Colonnaded Street, which was once the liveliest street in the city, or snap a selfie in front of the stunning Royal Tombs. If you love a good vista, trek it up to Al-Deir, the Monastery of Petra. Here, you’ll find the best view of the city.
After a solid day of exploring, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. With so many amazing restaurants at your fingertips, you’ll never go hungry in Petra. From Jordanian staples like falafel and mansaf, take the opportunity to try the unique Beoudin cuisine. Our suggestion? Hit up some lamb zarb. There’s no better way to wind up an incredible day at Petra Jordan.
Your journey starts at the Bab As-Siq. This impressive gate is carved into the face of a giant rock, and you have to walk under its arch to enter the Siq itself. This narrow, kilometre-long passageway is surrounded by tall stone walls. Marvel as different shades are revealed to you through the stone. Keep your eyes peeled to notice different carvings and votive niches inside the Siq!
At the end of your walk, step out into the inner city, where you’ll be greeted by the Al-Khazneh. Known as the Treasury, this building is the most beautiful and well-preserved in the city. Check out its incredible architecture, which is a unique mix of Greek and Nabataean styles. Take a moment to note the colour of the stone: when you pass it on your way out of the city, it’s sure to have changed hue with the setting of the sun.
With so many things to do in Petra, it’s easy to spend days getting familiar with all the buildings of this archaeological site, as well as talking to the local Petra guides about the city’s fascinating history. Our suggestions? Take some time to stroll down the Colonnaded Street, which was once the liveliest street in the city, or snap a selfie in front of the stunning Royal Tombs. If you love a good vista, trek it up to Al-Deir, the Monastery of Petra. Here, you’ll find the best view of the city.
After a solid day of exploring, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. With so many amazing restaurants at your fingertips, you’ll never go hungry in Petra. From Jordanian staples like falafel and mansaf, take the opportunity to try the unique Beoudin cuisine. Our suggestion? Hit up some lamb zarb. There’s no better way to wind up an incredible day at Petra Jordan.
FAST FACTS
Language: Arabic
Currency: Jordanian dinar
Electricity: 230V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Jordan.
Dialing Code: +962
Time Zone: GMT+3
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See more about ContikiTHINGS TO DO IN PETRA
Explore the As-Siq
Admire the Treasury
As soon as you emerge from the kilometre-long walk through the As-Siq, you’ll discover the Al-Khazneh. As the most well-preserved monument in the city, this ancient Treasury has become the icon of Petra itself. With a unique mix of Hellenistic and Nabataean architecture, the Treasury was originally built to serve as the tomb of a prominent Nabataean king, but was later used as a temple instead. But the architecture of this building isn’t the only impressive thing about Al-Khazneh: its beautiful façade changes colour with the day. In the morning, the building is considered to have a peach tint, while it darkens to rose in the afternoon and becomes blood-red by sunset.
Explore the Royal Tombs
One of the most fascinating aspects of the city of Petra is the sheer volume of buildings dedicated to burial sites. There are four distinct buildings that were the final resting place of the aristocracy of Petra, which have become known as the Royal Tombs. Varying in size and grandeur, the four tombs you’ll discover in this ancient city are: the Urn Tomb, which is marked with a jar at its crest; the Silk Tomb, which takes its name from its richly-coloured stone; the Corinthian Tomb, which can be identified by the water basins located in front of it, and; the Palace Tomb, which resembles a royal palace. Explore the inner chambers of these tombs and learn about the stories of those who built them.
Walk down the Colonnaded Street
One of the main streets of ancient Petra, get a taste of what life was like for the Nabateans on the Colonnaded Street. This street is believed to have been the heart of the city and centre of commercial life during the 3rd – 6th centuries, during both the Roman and Byzantine empires. With a portico, a square for the market and a gate that leads to the Temple of Qasr Al-Bint, walk back in time as you wander down this ancient street. At the Temple and the street’s Nymphaeum (a monument to the nymphs), make sure you take the chance to learn about the religious beliefs of the Nabateans.
See the Monastery (Ad-Deir)
Carved from a pyramid-like rock at the top of the city of Petra is Ad-Deir. This grand monastery reaches an incredible 45 metres in height and is similar in design to Al-Khazneh. The monastery used to serve as a religious site for the Nabataeans, and was later converted to a church in the Byzantine Era. In fact, you can still spot some of the crosses that were drawn on the walls about a thousand years ago. Reaching this ancient monastery is a bit of a pilgrimage, as you’ve got to climb a flight of 800 steps that have been cut directly into the rock. While the one-hour climb is a great burst of cardio, why not rent a donkey and enjoy the scenery along the way?
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FOOD IN PETRA
If you think Petra is just an archaeological site, you’ve got another thing coming! As the heart of the Jordanian desert, the city of Wadi Rum is home to the Bedouin community, making the Petra food scene one of the best in the country. Here are five foods you need to try in Petra.
Falafel
Everyone’s favourite Middle Eastern snack, you’ll find some amazing falafel in Petra. These balls of ground chickpeas are spiced with garlic, cumin and parsley and deep-fried. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these delicious balls are usually served with hummus or tahini, or stuffed between flatbread.
Best eaten at - Basin Restaurant, Wadi Mousa, Wadi Musa
Moutabel
You’ve probably heard of baba ghanoush, but this Jordanian take on the more common eggplant dip will definitely leave you wanting more. Made with roasted eggplant that’s been combined with yoghurt, tahini, garlic and lemon juice, this delicious dip is served with flatbread and plenty of olive oil. Yum!
Best eaten at - Red Cave Restaurant, near Petra Visitor’s Centre, Wadi Musa
Best eaten at - Red Cave Restaurant, near Petra Visitor’s Centre, Wadi Musa
Galayet Bandora
A popular main meal in Jordan, put galayet bandora on your ‘to-eat’ list. Cubes of tender meat are stewed in a tomato sauce, flavoured with garlic, olive oil, and salt. Served with rice, grilled and fermented vegetables and a whole lot of pita bread, pick up a plate at Al Saraya Restaurant in Wadi Musa.
Best eaten at - Al Saraya Restaurant, Tourism Street, Wadi Musa
Best eaten at - Al Saraya Restaurant, Tourism Street, Wadi Musa
Zarb
One of the staples of the Jordanian desert, sampling zarb is a must for all visitors to Petra. To create this iconic dish, lamb, chicken, rice, onions and vegetables are placed in a square hole in the ground, which is then covered with hot coals and blankets. The dish is cooked underground for several hours, making it succulent, tender and incredibly delicious.
Best eaten at - Al Saraya Restaurant, Tourism Street, Wadi Musa
Mansaf
Hands-down the most beloved national dish, you can’t visit Jordan without trying mansaf. For this incredible delicacy, roast lamb is cushioned on a bed of spiced rice, which is then coated in jameed. This sauce is made using fermented goats’ milk yoghurt, which is dried out and then re-hydrated to create the ultimate Jordanian dressing. This stuff is crazy-good.
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