John William Burgon—an English Anglican divine—described Petra as “A Rose-Red City Half as Old as Time”. Once lost to the modern civilization, Petra caves in Jordan are giant stacks of red and brown sandstone located in the present-day Jordan. One of the world’s most spectacular archeological sites, Petra is a necropolis of ruined temples cut into lofty cliffs of rose-red sandstone.
For the curious travelers, it’s too difficult not to peek inside each cave they pass. The long, narrow canyon called “The Siq” that passes through the dark places under the mountains also allures those who want to familiarise themselves with the past of Petra caves.
Best time to visit Petra caves in Jordan
The best time to visit Petra is Spring and Autumn months when days are slightly warm and nights are cool. Exploring the caves of Petra in this climate is pleasant and it’s also not too hot for hiking in the region.
During the summer season, the temperature of the city hits 40 degrees, which is certainly not the best time to visit it. Nevertheless, if you’re not adversely affected by heat and want to have Petra all to yourself, it is worth considering a trip to the city during summer months too.
How much time it takes to explore Petra and its caves: One can explore Petra and its caves in a day, but if you want to take your own sweet time to explore the place, it’ll be a two-day affair.
Best things to do in Petra caves
1. Petra looks stunning at night, experience it
Visiting and seeing Petra during daytime is an experience you’ll never forget, but seeing it at night by the light of about 2,000 candles is an out-of-the-world experience. It might turn out to be the best part of your Petra trip, yes, it’s that good!
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2. Meet the generous Bedouins people
Meet the Bedouin people who keep the charm of this place alive. The lives of these people revolve in and around Petra. You’ll see handcrafted jewelry stalls, food stalls, and stalls of other knickknacks run by these people. The pressure to buy is very little; instead, you’ll see the smiling faces and their typical Bedouin humor will make your laugh. Sit with them, talk to them, they’ll be happy to tell you the past stories of Petra.
3. Buy authentic souvenirs from Petra
You’ll come across many handcrafted, authentic pieces you would want to buy in the caves of Petra. Some of the things you can’t miss buying are antique showpieces, tribal jewelry, Kohl, Bedouine dresses, ceramics, Aladdin lamps, and the beautiful sand art in a bottle.
Must Read: Top 7 Reasons To Visit Jordan Right Now
The most important places to see in Petra
1. The Siq – The long and narrow canyon leading to The Treasury
The entry through the Siq itself is so dramatic and it’ll be your first introduction to the ancient city. To reach the entrance of the Siq, you have to walk about a kilometer along Bab as-Siq valley. If you’re already rolling your eyes, then there’s good news for you, you can also rent a donkey or a horse to carry you there. As soon as you cover the distance, you can see The Treasury, which is a temple carved out of a single rock.
2. The Treasury – The most-photographed part of Petra city
Al-Khazneh or The Treasury was designed to impress and it has been doing its job even 2,000 years later. Carved on the face of a rock, standing 40 meters high—the Treasury remains one of the world’s most elegant ancient sites. The structure shows to what extent Nabatean culture was an incredible amalgamation of the Middle Eastern and the Hellenistic world.
3. Petra Theatre – A massive theater cut out of solid rock
At the foot of the High Place of Sacrifice, Petra theater is carved into the side of the mountains. It consists of three rows of seats that can accommodate as many as 7,000 people. The caveat of the theater faces north and east to keep the sun out of viewers’ eyes. It’s one of the most mesmerizing parts of Petra caves in Jordan noone should miss.
4. The Great Temple of Petra – A mesmerizing structure from Nabataean period
Right in the heart of the lost city of Petra lies The Great Temple of Petra. It is one of the largest Nabatean complex dating back to the 1st century BC. The ruined temple of Nabatean style is now a World Heritage Site. If you’re interested in history, this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you.
Suggested Read: 8 Best Things To Do In Jordan To Make The Most Of Your Trip
While you’re exploring Petra, stay in Petra caves!
There are a few hotels, inducing Rocky Mountain Hotel, Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp, and Al Rashid Hotel around Petra where you can stay while you’re still exploring the city, but staying in a Bedouin cave carved in a sandstone rock in Bedouin-style is an incredible experience.
Whether you’re planning to book a Jordan tour package or just fantasizing about the idea of visiting Petra caves in jordan, this little guide will surely help you on your journey to the ancient city.
Further Read: 20 Ancient Lost Cities Of The World That Were Eventually Discovered
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A journalism graduate with a love for reading, writing, and travel, Kiran has trekked through various offbeat paths in the Himalayas. She writes travel stories and indulges in landscape photography every now and then, which, considering where you’re reading this, makes perfect sense.
