Petra in one day, from our door.
Updated October 2026
One day in Petra is enough for the main trail: the Siq, the Treasury, the Royal Tombs, the city centre and the climb to the Monastery. Start at the gate when it opens at 6, carry water and lunch, and expect about 20 kilometres of walking, back by late afternoon.
The plan
This is the route our guests walk when they have one day. It puts you in the Siq before the coaches, at the Monastery in the early afternoon, and back on the hotel roof for the sunset.
| Time | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 | Gate opens | Walk the one minute from Edom to the Visitor Centre |
| 6:15 | The Siq | 1.2 km of canyon, best in the first light |
| 7:00 | The Treasury | Almost empty; take the photos now |
| 8:00 | Street of Facades and the Theatre | Easy walking on the main trail |
| 9:00 | Royal Tombs | Climb the steps to the Urn Tomb for the view |
| 10:30 | Colonnaded Street, Great Temple, Qasr al-Bint | The heart of the old city |
| 12:00 | Lunch | Your packed lunch, or the restaurant near Qasr al-Bint |
| 12:45 | The Monastery | About 800 steps, 45 minutes up |
| 14:30 | Back down | The long walk out, about 4 km |
| 16:30 | Out of the gate | Hammam, pool, then the roof |
Morning: the Siq and the Treasury
Be at the gate at opening. The first kilometre is open valley with the Djinn Blocks and the Obelisk Tomb, then the Siq begins: a split in the mountain, in places only a few metres wide, with the old water channels cut into the walls. Twenty minutes later it opens on the Treasury. At this hour it is in shade, and you may share it with a handful of people.
Carry on along the main trail past the Street of Facades and the Theatre. Climb the steps to the Royal Tombs, the Urn Tomb first, then the Silk Tomb with its striped stone. The view back over the valley from the Urn Tomb’s terrace is one of the best in Petra.
Midday: the city centre
The Colonnaded Street was the main street of the Nabataean city. Walk it to the Great Temple and Qasr al-Bint, the one free-standing temple still standing. This is the place for lunch. Ask reception for a packed lunch the evening before, or use the restaurant near Qasr al-Bint.
Afternoon: the Monastery
The Monastery, Ad-Deir, is bigger than the Treasury and far quieter. The path climbs about 800 rock-cut steps, which takes most people 40 to 50 minutes. Go slowly, drink at the tea stalls, and keep going past the Monastery to the viewpoints over Wadi Araba. Donkeys go up and down the steps; walking is kinder to them and to you.
Back for the evening
The walk out is about four kilometres and mostly uphill at the end. You leave by late afternoon, before the closing time. From the gate it is a minute to Edom: the hammam for the legs, the pool if the season allows, and the roof for the last light. If it is a Petra by Night evening and you still have energy, read this first.
What to carry
- Two litres of water each, more in summer
- Lunch and snacks
- Sun hat, sunscreen and a scarf
- Shoes with grip for the steps
- Cash for tea, water and toilets inside
Short answers.
Is one day enough for Petra?
One full day is enough for the main trail and the Monastery. Two days let you add the High Place of Sacrifice and the quieter trails.
How far do you walk in Petra in one day?
About 20 kilometres for the main trail to the Monastery and back.
What time should I start in Petra?
At opening, 6 am. The Siq and the Treasury are quietest in the first hour.
How long does the Monastery climb take?
About 40 to 50 minutes up roughly 800 steps.
Can I get food inside Petra?
Yes, there are tea and snack stalls along the trail and a restaurant near Qasr al-Bint. Many people carry a packed lunch.