Top Five Things To Do in Petra, Jordan

1. Visit Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) The Treasury is a 43-meter-high temple carved in the 1st century as a tomb for a Nabatean king. The best time to visit the monument is at night because you will be guided through the Siq by hundreds of candles that illuminate a path to the Al-Khazneh. The Treasury at night is one of the most magical places in the world and a truly romantic experience.

2. Hike to the High Place of Sacrifice The High Place of Sacrifice is a Nabatean sacrificial altar set atop of a mountain and offers spectacular views of Petra. Less people take the steps up the 100 flights of stone steps making it a good escape from the busy roads and monuments. Make sure to bring lots of water and comfortable footwears because the three mile hike can take three to four hours but the view and detailed information along the way make the trip worth it.

3. Hike to the Ad Deir (The Monastery) Ad Deir is a monumental building carved out of rock and the second most famed monument of Petra. You can hike the 800 steps up the canyon or take a twenty dollar mule ride. The hike up is tough, especially in the heat, but you can take breaks and see little Bedouin huts along the way. Bedouins are Petra’s desert people and they are known to be humble, generous, multilingual and great people to strike up conversation with about their ancestors living in Petra.

4. Spend the Night at Petra Kitchen Petra Kitchen offers nightly cooking classes and dinners, sharing authentic local cuisine in a casual, family atmosphere. Each group cooks about six to eight traditional jordanian dishes with the staff while learning about the cuisine. All of the food is fresh and delicious and you are given the recipes for everything that you make that night. Petra Kitchen is a great way to spend an evening meeting people and discussing the world, travel, and food.

5. Stroll Down the Siq The Siq is the main entrance to the ancient Nabatean city of Petra. The entrance is a narrow gorge bordered by cliffs over 300 feet high and the design of this passage was created to protect the city. The entrance takes about forty minutes to walk and you can take a carriage ride but the walk on thousand year old cobblestones is reflective, humbling, and beautiful.