7 Day Petra Itinerary: The Comprehensive Guide to Jordan’s Lost City
Most people visit Petra for a single day. They see the Treasury, walk the Siq, and leave exhausted. They miss 80% of what the UNESCO World Heritage site offers. A 7 day Petra itinerary allows you to move beyond the tourist crowds and see the Nabataean capital like a local.
This guide covers the iconic monuments, hidden high-altitude trails, and the surrounding desert and mountains. You will need a Jordan Pass to cover your entry fees and visa costs. For a week-long stay, a 3-day Petra pass is standard, as the site offers diminishing returns on ticket prices after day three, but local knowledge and surrounding hikes fill the remaining time.
Day 1: The Classic Introduction
The first day is about scale. You will see the landmarks that made Petra famous. Start early—the gates open at 6:00 AM.
Morning
Enter through the Main Gate in Wadi Musa. Walk the Siq, the 1.2km canyon that serves as the grand entrance. Arrive at the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) before 8:00 AM to avoid the tour bus rush. Don’t stop for long; continue to the Street of Facades and the Theater.
Afternoon
Climb the 800+ stairs to the Monastery (Ad Deir). It is larger than the Treasury and offers a wide plateau with a cafe. The climb is strenuous but manageable for most fitness levels. On your way down, stop at the Lion Triclinium, a side trail most tourists skip.
Evening
Rest your legs. Head to a rooftop bar in Wadi Musa for a sunset view over the mountains. The Cave Bar, located at the entrance of the site, is set inside a 2,000-year-old Nabataean tomb.
Day 2: High Altitudes and Royal Tombs
On the second day of your 7 day Petra itinerary, you look down on the city from above. This requires more vertical movement but offers the best photography.
Morning
Take the "Al-Khubtha" trail. This path starts behind the Royal Tombs. It leads you to the cliff edge directly overlooking the Treasury from above. It is a steep climb, but the view of people looking like ants below is the definitive Petra photo op.
Afternoon
Explore the Royal Tombs in detail: the Urn Tomb, the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the Palace Tomb. These were built for kings and are massive. Afterward, walk the Colonaded Street to the Great Temple. This was the civic heart of the city, featuring incredible marble work and early plumbing systems.
Evening
Visit the Petra Museum near the visitor center entrance. It is modern, air-conditioned, and free. It provides the historical context you need to understand the ruins you just climbed over.
Day 3: The High Place of Sacrifice
This day focuses on the religious and sacrificial history of the Nabataeans. It involves a "back way" return that most visitors never see.
Morning
Ascend to the High Place of Sacrifice. Start the climb early to beat the heat. At the top, you’ll find two large obelisks and a circular altar where ancient rituals took place. The 360-degree view covers the entire Wadi Musa valley.
Afternoon
Do not go back down the way you came. Take the Wadi Farasa trail down the back side of the mountain. You will pass the Garden Triclinium, the Roman Soldier Tomb, and the Renaissance Tomb. This path is quiet, scenic, and feels like a private tour of the ruins.
Evening
Book a "Petra by Night" experience. It runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Over 1,500 candles light the Siq and the Treasury. It is touristy, but seeing the Treasury by candlelight is a core part of the experience.
Day 4: Wadi Musa and Local Life
Three days of hiking the ruins is physically demanding. Use day four to recover and explore the town of Wadi Musa, which supports the site.
Morning
Sleep in. Walk through the downtown area of Wadi Musa (the "Circle"). Visit the local fruit and vegetable market. This is where the residents shop, away from the souvenir stalls. Try a "Manakish" (Middle Eastern flatbread) for a cheap, authentic breakfast.
Afternoon
Visit the Moses Spring (Ain Musa). Local tradition claims this is where Moses struck a rock and water gushed forth. It is a small site but culturally significant. Afterward, find a local "Hamman" (Turkish Bath). A traditional scrub and steam session is the best way to recover from three days of desert hiking.
Evening
Take a cooking class at Petra Kitchen. You will work with local chefs to prepare a multi-course Jordanian meal, including Tabbouleh, Baba Ganoush, and Magloubah. You eat what you cook, and you get the recipes to take home.
Day 5: Little Petra and Beidha
A 7 day Petra itinerary must include the "suburbs." Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) was a trading post where caravans rested before entering the main city.
Morning
Take a 15-minute taxi or shuttle to Little Petra. There is no entry fee if you have a Jordan Pass. Explore the Narrow Siq and look for the "Painted House," which contains one of the only surviving Nabataean frescoes. It depicts birds, vines, and flowers in incredible detail.
Afternoon
Walk from Little Petra to Beidha, a Neolithic village. This is one of the oldest archaeological sites in the world, dating back 9,000 years. You can see the excavations of early human dwellings. The landscape here is white sandstone, a sharp contrast to the red rose city.
Evening
Dinner at a "Bedouin Camp" in the Ammarin territory. Many camps near Little Petra offer traditional Zarv—meat and vegetables slow-cooked in an underground oven.
Day 6: Day Trip to Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a two-hour drive from Petra. While some stay for days, a focused day trip shows you the "Martian" landscape of the red desert.
Morning
Hire a driver or take the early morning bus to Wadi Rum. Meet your Bedouin guide at the visitor center for a 4x4 Jeep tour. Visit the Lawrence of Arabia spring, the red sand dunes, and the Khazali Canyon to see ancient inscriptions.
Afternoon
Continue the Jeep tour to the rock bridges (Um Frouth or Burdah). If you are feeling adventurous, scramble to the top for a view of the vast desert floor. Have lunch around a campfire with traditional Bedouin tea.
Evening
Stay for the sunset—the desert colors change from orange to deep purple. You can choose to sleep in a "Martian Dome" tent or take a private transfer back to Petra for the night.
Day 7: The Back Door and Farewell
On your final day, use the "Back Door" entrance to reach the Monastery without the 800-step climb, providing a final, serene look at the site.
Morning
Take a 4x4 shuttle from the Wadi Musa visitor center to the start of the Back Door hike. This trail winds through the mountains for about 90 minutes. It offers incredible views of the Wadi Araba desert and leads you directly to the Monastery from the opposite side.
Afternoon
Walk down from the Monastery back into the main city. This is your chance to visit any spots you missed or want to see again. Use this time for souvenir shopping—look for locally made silver jewelry or sand art, but skip the "ancient" coins (which are almost always fakes).
Evening
End your 7 day Petra itinerary with a meal at one of the upscale hotels near the entrance. The Mövenpick’s Al Iwan restaurant offers high-end Levantine cuisine. Reflect on a week spent in one of the world's most impressive archaeological landscapes.
Where to stay for a week in Petra
Choosing the right base is essential for a week-long stay. You have three main options depending on your budget and preferences.
The Luxury Gate Zone: If you want to be steps away from the entrance, stay at the Mövenpick Resort Petra or the Old Village Resort. These hotels allow you to be the first in line at 6:00 AM. They offer high-end amenities, pools, and multiple dining options.
Wadi Musa Center: For those on a mid-range budget, the town of Wadi Musa has numerous hotels like Petra Moon or Hayat Zaman. Staying in town gives you better access to local restaurants, pharmacies, and ATMs. It is a 10-15 minute downhill walk to the site, but you may want a $3 taxi for the uphill return.
Bedouin Camps: For a more rugged experience, stay in a camp near Little Petra or on the outskirts of Wadi Musa, such as Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp. These offer tent accommodations (often with modern bathrooms) and communal dinners around a fire. It is quieter and provides a better view of the stars, but you will need a shuttle or car to get to the main Petra entrance daily.