Petra is a massive archaeological site that demands more than a drive-by visit. To see it correctly, you need a 3 day Petra itinerary that balances the famous monuments with the rugged back-trails. Over three days, you will focus on three essential landmarks: the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the Monastery (Ad Deir), and the High Place of Sacrifice. Most tourists rush the main trail and leave by noon. You will do the opposite. Staying for three days allows you to beat the crowds arrivals, hike the rim of the canyon, and see the Nabataean capital from multiple elevations.
Day 1: The Classic Entry and the Royal Tombs
Your first day focuses on the main artery of the park. You will enter through the Siq and end your day at the massive burial complexes carved into the eastern cliffs.
Morning
- The Siq: Start at the Visitor Center at 6:00 AM. This is a 1.2-kilometer gorge. Walk it; don’t take a golf cart. The light changes as you move deeper, ending with the famous sliver-view of the Treasury.
- The Treasury (Al-Khazneh): You will arrive here before the tour buses from Amman. Do not climb the "Insta-view" cliffs yet. Take 15 minutes to photograph the facade while the plaza is empty.
- Street of Facades: Continue past the Treasury into the wider canyon. You will pass dozens of tombs built into the rock walls. These are less ornate than the Treasury but show the scale of the city.
Afternoon
- The Theater: A massive 4,000-seat stadium carved directly into the mountain. It is the only theater in the world carved into rock rather than built with blocks.
- The Royal Tombs: Turn right after the theater. Visit the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, and Palace Tomb. These are arguably more impressive than the Treasury because you can walk inside them. The interiors are vast, cool, and feature natural swirling colors in the sandstone ceilings.
- The Colonnaded Street: Walk the Roman-style main road. This was the commercial heart of the city. Stop at the Great Temple to see the triple-colonnaded ruins and the remains of the residential quarters.
Evening
- Cave Bar: Located at the entrance of the park in Wadi Musa. It is a 2,000-year-old Nabataean tomb converted into a bar. It is the oldest bar in the world.
- Wadi Musa Dinner: Head into the town center. Look for places serving Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan (lamb cooked in fermented dried yogurt). Avoid the restaurants directly at the gate; walk 10 minutes up the hill for better quality and lower prices.
Day 2: The Monastery and The Back Gate
On day two of your 3 day Petra itinerary, you will avoid the crowds by starting at the "back door." This requires a short 15-minute taxi ride from Wadi Musa to the Little Petra entrance.
Morning
- Little Petra (Siq al-Barid): This is a smaller version of the main site. It served as a "suburb" for camel caravans. Spend 45 minutes here looking at the rare Nabataean frescoes on the ceilings.
- The Back Trail Hike: Instead of walking back to the main Siq, take the 4x4 shuttle or hike from Little Petra toward the Monastery. This trail offers panoramic views of the Wadi Araba desert that you cannot see from the main valley.
- The Monastery (Ad Deir): Arriving from the back trail means you hit the Monastery first. It is larger than the Treasury. While others are exhausted from climbing 800 stairs from the center, you will arrive on level ground.
Afternoon
- The Viewpoints: Walk past the Monastery cafe to the "Top of the World" signs. These viewpoints look out over the edge of the Jordan Rift Valley.
- The Descent: Walk down the 800 steps that everyone else is walking up. Along the way, stop at the "Lion Triclinium," a hidden tomb tucked into a side canyon off the stairs.
- Qasr al-Bint: At the bottom of the stairs, you’ll reach the largest freestanding structure in Petra. This was the main temple of the city. It marks the end of the paved Roman road.
Evening
- Petra by Night: If your second day falls on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, buy a separate ticket for Petra by Night. You walk the Siq by candlelight to the Treasury, where hundreds of lanterns are lit. It’s crowded, but the silence of the Siq at night is worth the price.
Day 3: High Altitudes and Alternate Perspectives
The final day is for the hikers. You will see the city from above and explore the religious heritage of the Nabataeans.
Morning
- The High Place of Sacrifice: Start early at the trailhead near the Theater. It is a steep but short 30-minute climb. At the top, you will see the circular altars used for religious ceremonies. The view of the entire valley from here is the best in the park.
- Wadi Farasa: Don’t go back down the way you came. Take the trail down the back of the mountain into Wadi Farasa. This is the "hidden" Petra. You will pass the Garden Hall, the Roman Soldier Tomb, and the Renaissance Tomb. You will likely be the only person on this trail.
Afternoon
- Al-Khubtha Trail: This is the most demanding hike of the trip. The trailhead starts near the Royal Tombs. It leads you up the cliffs to the plateau directly overlooking the Treasury from above.
- The Treasury Viewpoint: At the end of the Al-Khubtha trail, there is a small Bedouin tent. Buy a tea and sit on the edge of the cliff. This is the classic "drone-style" photo spot.
- Petra Museum: Before leaving the site for the last time, visit the museum near the Visitor Center. It is modern, air-conditioned, and provides the context for the engineering you just witnessed.
Evening
- Turkish Bath: After three days of hiking 15-20km per day, go to a Hammam in Wadi Musa. It includes a steam room, a scrub, and a massage.
- Farewell Meal: Find a rooftop restaurant in Wadi Musa to watch the sunset over the mountains you just spent 72 hours exploring.
Where to stay for this itinerary
Stay in Wadi Musa, specifically near the "Tourist Street" or "Petra Gate." If you want luxury, the Mövenpick is 50 meters from the entrance. For a mid-range startup vibe, try the Old Village Resort. Staying up the hill in Wadi Musa is cheaper, but you will need a 2-minute taxi to reach the gates each morning.
Add a day if you have time
If you have a fourth day, leave Petra for a day trip to Wadi Rum. It is only 90 minutes away by car. You can do a 4x4 desert tour of the red sand dunes, see the inscriptions in Khazali Canyon, and return to Wadi Musa by evening. Alternatively, use Day 4 to hike up to Mount Hor (Jabal Haroun), the highest peak in the area and the traditional burial site of Aaron.