Welcome to Petra

Petra, the great Ancient City that lies half-hidden in the wind-blown landscape in southern Jordan, is one of the world’s most treasured Unesco heritage sites. Voted by popular ballot in 2007 as one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’, it has retained its magnetism even through times of strife in the wider region.

A visit to Petra when it was rediscovered for the wider world by Burckhardt in the 19th century meant going in disguise, speaking in local dialect and engaging the trust of surrounding tribespeople. Today visitors are welcomed both by the Bedouin who still relate to the Ancient City as home, and by the townspeople of neighbouring Wadi Musa whose facilities make a several-day visit to the Ancient City a pleasure. With nearby Nabataean attractions at so-called Little Petra, desert camping and numerous hiking opportunities, at least two days should be allowed to do Petra justice.