Have you ever wanted to visit Petra in Jordan? One of the seven world wonders is the main reason people travel to Jordan. It offers breathtaking views and a rich history. We spent two days visiting Petra and trying to find the most spectacular views. Here is the list of the best viewpoints in Petra and how to get there!
Petra Archeologic Park was one of the top places on our Jordan itinerary and one of the things to see in Jordan, that I was looking forward to the most. Next to camping in Wadi Rum and hiking in Dana Biosphere Reserve, exploring Petra ruins and the amazing viewpoints in Petra was one of the highlights of my stay in Jordan (or the whole Middle East?).
Everyone wants to visit Petra in Jordan, but not everyone knows where the best Petra views are! This magical site has many breathtaking views worth seeing.
Petra is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage. It is believed to be settled as early as 9000 BC, showcasing enormous knowledge and skill of the people from the era with building the rock city. Petra is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and a bucket list destination for many travellers.
VISIT PETRA IN JORDAN – THE BEST PETRA VIEWS AND VIEWPOINTS
Here are some of the best viewpoints, that we visited in Petra. They offer striking views of the ancient city and the mountains surrounding it. They will take your breath away and leave a lasting memory from your trip to Jordan. I recommend spending at least 2 days in Petra, as one day might not be enough to fully experience it.
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#1 The Siq view in Petra
The Siq is the ancient entrance to the city of Petra. The canyon reaches up to 80 meters and is from 3 to 12 meters wide. Walking through the windy and narrow rock corridor is a perfect mystical introduction to the journey in Petra. The Gorge finishes with the dramatic opening to the view of the Treasury. Be prepared for that moment – you can really imagine how the explorers (or Indiana Jones) first arriving in the ancient city of Petra felt.
I recommend going there early. Later on, it’s hard to take photos without people as the tour groups and the day tours arrive.
How to get to the Siq view in Petra
You will walk through the Siq in order to get to the Treasury and other places in Petra. There is no way you can miss it – it is the main trail in Petra.
Read more: Where to stay in Jordan – a guide to the best hotels in Jordan
#2 The best views of the Treasury in Petra – the main reason to visit Petra in Jordan
The Treasury is the main reason people visit Petra, and when you see it, you’d understand why. Petra’s most magnificent façade also called Al Khaz is 40 meters tall, richly decorated.
There are several places in Petra where you can see the famous Treasury from.
#2.1 The main view of the Treasury in Petra
The first view of the Treasury in Petra is when you exit the Siq. The building appears in front of your eyes and you can see it directly from the front. It is not possible to enter inside.
You get the best view if you get there early. Go there as soon as the gates are open (it was 6 am in winter). That way, you will make sure to have some photos without many people.
PHOTO TIP: This is useful when there are some people in front of the Treasury, that you don’t want to have in your picture (or the camels that locals bring). Navigate to the right-hand side from the Treasury. You will see the wall with a small bump, that it’s possible to sit on, as on the photo below. You can take a photo in a way that the wall covers the people.
How to get to the Treasury in Petra
The Treasury is the first building after you exit the Siq. There is no chance to miss it.
The view to Treasury in Petra, Jordan
# 2.2. The view of Treasury in Petra from above
The best view of the Treasury is from the end of the green Al-Khubtha Trail. You can see the view of the Treasury from above from different angles. It’s fun to watch the people down below looking like small ants.
On the top, at the very left of the trail, that offers the best, straight view down to the Treasury, you can find a cafe. The locals working in the cafe require you to buy a drink in order to sit there and take a photo. If you feel like it, go for it, although the drinks are pricey. If you don’t want anything, just move towards the right side of the cafe (back from where you came) and there you will have several spots with a view to the Treasury.
It passes through many other beautiful views.
One of the best views in Petra – the view of the Treasury from above from the spot on the right side.
The view to the Treasury from the above, from the cafe. Petra, Jordan
There are two cats chilling in the cafe on the top. They can enjoy the view to Petra all the time!Some of the other views you can see on the trail.
The view of the mountains of Petra
The view to the Theatre and the ruins of Petra from above, JordanHow to get to the Treasury view in Petra
To get to the top, you need to follow the green Al-Khubtha Trail. It takes around 45min-1 hour one way. The path is rocky and quite steep. After walking in the main street in Petra, pass the Theatre. On the right-hand side, you will see the path going to the Royal Tombs. You can visit them on the way. After the Tombs, you will see the signs to Al-Kubtha Trail. Follow it to the top.
Signs during the Al Kubtha trail
Sign to the cafe on the top of the view to the Treasury in Petra
The cafe on the top with an above view to the Treasury in Petra
The sign in the cafe on the top of the Petra view, Jordan#2.3. An alternative view of Treasury from above
There are two shorter (but steep) trails, that can get you above the Treasury. They start on the left and right sides of the Treasury. However, the trails are taken by the local kids, who act as guides to get some money. They will likely try to stop you if you go there by yourself. They normally take from 5-15 JOD depending on the size of the group.
#3 The view of the Petra Monastery
The Petra Monastery trail is probably the most famous trail in Petra. The view of the Monastery is definitely worth a 45 minutes walk. But don’t just stop there! A few minutes further beyond the Petra Monastery, are the best viewing spots in Petra. From there, you can see the Monastery from above and also a beautiful panorama of the mountains on the other side.
In front of Monastery, Petra, Jordan
View to the Monastery in Petra. And the cat. The cats are everywhere :-)
And this is the view of the mountains on the other side.
How to get to Petra Monastery view
After you reach the Petra Monastery, go past it. After a few hundred meters you will see two paths – one going left and climbing a hill, and another one to the right. The one with the view that you can see in the photos above is the one to the left. Halfway, you will see the view to the Monastery from above and from the top, you can also see the mountain panorama. There is a small cafe on the top, and, you guessed it, a cat ;-)
Signs to the cafes with a Petra Monastery view#4 The High Place of Sacrifice trail view in Petra
The High Place of Sacrifice Trail has some of the most amazing views in Petra and in Jordan. I highly recommend doing the full trail (and not only a shorter part to the High Place of Sacrifice), and going from the left towards the right, especially if you decide to do it for the sunset. Then, you will be closer to the exit and you will just have a short descent from the stairs to get down.
On the top of the trail as well as from the path, you can admire the mountains of Petra, the wide view to the valley, the views to Petra city with the main street and the Royal Tombs, and even Wadi Musa.
The view to the Petra mountains from the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra, Jordan
The flag at the little cafe at the top of the viewing point overlooking Petra
From the top, you can see down to the main road in Petra with the Tombs on the right.
How to get to the High Place of Sacrifice
I recommend starting the trail from the left side, near the Qasr al Bint. You can find the start of the trailhead when you turn from the Colonnaded Street towards the Great Temple. Pass the temple and follow the trail straight ahead. Along Wadi Al Farasa you will have amazing views of the valley and different colours of the rocks. You will also pass several of the tombs. The trail is steep and requires climbing flights of stairs, but the views are breathtaking. I recommend taking it in the late afternoon when the sun is lower with the golden light.
After you reach the Obelisk, turn left and climb into the High Place of Sacrifice. Pass the middle area and go towards to end of the rocks to find a little cafe with a view.
The view from the beginning of the High Sacrifice Trail in Petra
Different colours of rocks during the hike to the High Sacrifice in Petra, Jordan
Tombs on the hike
You need to climb a lot of stairs on this Petra hike, but it’s worth it!
On the top, you will find another cafe and a sign of the most beautiful view in the world. The locals working there are very friendly and don’t force you into buying anything unless you want to.#5 Visit Petra’s caves and colourful rocks
Petra is also called a “Pink City” because of the colour of the rock it was carved into. But as it turns out, there are many more colours there than only pink. The layers of sandstone create beautiful natural mosaics, that can be found all over the city.
Another place worth looking into in Petra are the caves. They used to be inhabited in the time when people were living in Petra. It’s crazy to think about how beautiful views and wonderful interior on the walls and ceilings they had!
You can see a lot of caves in Petra
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How to find the caves in Petra
You will see many caves when you will be exploring Petra. The one from the post above is located in front of the Theatre. That’s the place when you can find a lot of caves around the main road in Petra.
#6 The amazing Petra view from Al-Habis mountain
Not many people know about this place or care to wander up there. It’s a shame because the views are simply stunning! The Al-Habis mountain is located not too far from the main Petra trail. It’s more a small steep hill than a mountain, but it offers an amazing view of the vast valley and the city below.
View to Petra from above
Can you see the face? ;-)
How to get to the Al-Habis mountain
The Al-Habis mountain is located near the Qasr Al-Bint temple in Petra, on the right side from the beginning of the High Place of Sacrifice Trail.
# 7 The view of Wadi Musa and the mountains around Petra, Jordan
Petra is full of wonderful views, but you can also find plenty of interesting places and viewpoints outside of its gates. Walk around Wadi Musa town and drive in direction to Little Petra for some best views of the surrounding mountains. And if you do it during the sunset – amazing effect guaranteed.
Wadi Musa
Sunset over the Petra mountains and Uum Sayhoun town, Jordan.
#8 Petra by night – Petra night view
Another pretty view of Petra happens at night. It is illegal to stay inside Petra city after the sunset unless you have a ticket for the Petra by Night show. It is a magical time in Petra with lots of candles in front of Treasury and some enchanting stories. We were not able to take part in it, as one night it was cancelled and another one it was raining. Let me know if you’ve tried it! The night tour runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week, it lasts 2 hours and starts at 20:30 at the Petra Visitor Center.
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Map of Petra in Jordan
Below you can find a map of Petra in Jordan with all the trails and main places marked. When you visit Petra in Jordan, you will get the map in better resolution with your ticket at the entrance.
Where to stay in Petra, Jordan – the best hotels in Petra /Wadi Musa/Al Baydha:
For more information about where to stay in Jordan and in Petra, click here.
Budget hotels in Petra:
- Petra Gate Hotel – we stayed there for one night, it is peaceful, clean, warm water, good location, and a rooftop terrace.
Mid-range hotels in Petra, Jordan:
- Rocky Mountain Hotel – we spent there a second night in Wadi Musa, loved the interior, breakfast and a view!
- Little Petra Bedouin Camp – camp and cave accommodation in Al Baydha, rooms from simple to more advanced like sleeping in a cave lit up by fairy lights, magical! It gets booked quite quickly (we didn’t manage to get a room). Check availability and prices here.
Luxury hotels in Petra, Jordan:
- Mövenpick Resort Petra – we haven’t stayed there, but the hotel was recommended to me by several people. Amazing interior and great location (directly in front of the gates to Petra). Check availability and prices here.
- Petra Bubble Luxotel – you can stay in the bubble room with a jacuzzi bath. Check availability and prices here.
Did you visit Petra in Jordan yet? What are your favourite Petra viewpoints? Have you visited the ones here or maybe you know about even better ones? Let me know in the comments!
Read more about Jordan:
Where to stay in Jordan – the best Jordan hotels
Jordan Wadi Rum Camping Guide & Best Bedouin Camps On The Desert
Hiking in Wadi Rum – the highest mountain in Jordan Jabal Umm Ad Dami
Dana Reserve – Jordan’s hiking paradise
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pretest place.
Wonderful pictures of petra