How to Visit Petra in 2 Days

Is 2 days Petra worth it?

Absolutely. While it's possible to see Petra's highlights in a single day, spending two days allows you to experience this incredible archaeological site at a much more relaxed pace. You'll have time to explore further than the Treasury, hike to the Monastery, discover quieter trails and enjoy the ancient city before and after the busiest hours. We spent two full days in Petra and never felt like we were running out of things to see.

Our 2-Day Petra Itinerary

Day 1

We started our visit via the Back Door Trail. In our opinion, this is the perfect way to begin a two-day visit. Not only do you avoid some of the busiest areas in the morning, but you'll also experience a quieter and more adventurous side of Petra.

To reach the trailhead, we recommend taking the local jeep from Little Petra. For 5 JOD per person, it saves you from climbing thousands of steep stone steps while still allowing you to enjoy the most beautiful part of the hike. It's well worth the small extra cost and gives you more energy to explore the ancient city itself.

From the drop-off point, the trail winds through breathtaking desert landscapes before gradually leading you towards the Monastery, one of Petra's most impressive monuments.

After exploring the Monastery, continue downhill into the heart of Petra. Along the way, you'll pass ancient tombs, temples and sweeping viewpoints before eventually reaching landmarks such as the Royal Tombs, the Theatre and the Street of Facades.

We finished the day at the Treasury, where seeing Petra's most famous monument after spending the day exploring the ancient city felt like the perfect ending to our first day.

Day 2

After exploring Petra's quieter side on your first day, it's time to experience its most iconic sights. We'd recommend arriving as close to opening time as possible. As you make your way through the narrow sandstone canyon, the Treasury slowly comes into view is a moment that never loses its magic, even if you've already seen it the day before.

From the Treasury, follow the Main Trail past the Street of Facades, the Theatre and the Royal Tombs before starting the High Place of Sacrifice or also called the Wadi Farasa Trail. This rewarding hike takes you high above the ancient city, where you'll be treated to spectacular panoramic views over Petra's sandstone cliffs and monuments. Although the climb is a little more challenging, we found it to be one of the highlights of our visit and well worth the effort.

After descending back into the ancient city, take your time to revisit your favourite spots or visit the places you missed the day before. By the end of your second day, you'll have experienced both Petra's famous landmarks and some of its quieter trails.