Petra, a world wonder, is Jordan’s most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes.
Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge, over 1km in length, which is flanked on either side by soaring, 80m high cliffs. Just walking through the Siq is an experience in itself. As you reach the end of the Siq you will catch your first view of Al-Khazneh (Treasury). A massive façade, 30m wide and 43m high, carved out of the sheer, dusky red rock-face. The Treasury is just the first of many wonders that make up Petra. As you enter the Petra valley you will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of this place and its outstanding architectural achievements.
There are obelisks, temples, sacrificial altars and colonnaded streets, the Roman Theater, which could seat 3,000 people and high above, overlooking the valley, is the impressive Ad-Deir Monastery – about 800 rock cut steps takes you there.
Little Petra, Siq al Barid has been the trading center of the Nabateans. See Little Petra before you visit Petra, to get the first impression of the unique Nabatean architecture. There you can find rock tombs, cisterns and frescoes. No entrance fees required.
For hiking fans highly recommended is the ,Back door route‘: A spectacular, guided hike which leads you on secluded trails through the magnificent mountain world of Little Petra. Some passages are narrow and steep and require caution. Over and over again you have fantastic views of unique rock formations and gorges before you enter Petra at the Monastery.