The Extraordinary City of Petra

Petra, Jordan is an ancient city that was built in the 6th century BC. Set in a narrow valley in the southern Levant region of Jordan, it is famous for its formidable rock-cut architecture. Petra was abandoned after the earthquake of 749 AD, but it was rediscovered in 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.

Petra Jordan

Petra is a destination that has been captivating visitors for centuries with its stunning archaeological wonders. Spanning an area of 264 square kilometers (or 102 square miles), Petra is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. The city was once home to the ancient Nabataean civilization and has been lovingly preserved over the centuries.

Urn tomb Petra , Jordan

Petra is believed to have been built by the Nabataeans, an ancient Semitic-speaking people who inhabited parts of the southern Levant region. The Nabataean kingdom was established in 312 BC and flourished throughout the Roman era, becoming a major trade hub between India, Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Greece. Even before the arrival of the Nabataeans, Petra was a place of worship where people came to pay homage to their gods.

Petra, Jordan

Today, Petra is one of Jordan's most popular tourist attractions. As one of the most celebrated archaeological sites in the world, it is no surprise that many travelers from around the globe are drawn to this site and seek to explore its mesmerizing ruins.

Petra, Jordan

Visitors can explore the city's many monuments and tombs carved into the rock face, wander through its narrow alleyways and marvel at its breathtaking landscapes. It also presents an opportunity for adventurers to experience the ancient city in its entirety. Exploring Petra is best done on foot and by taking part in activities such as hiking, cycling, or horse riding.

Views of Petra

Experiencing Petra in person can be an absolute delight and a life-long dream come true. However, it is important to plan out your trip from start to finish and calculate how much time you'll need to spend there to fully experience the wonder of this age-old city. A camera would be one of those essential items to pack for such an unforgettable adventure.

Aerial view from the way to High Sacrifice over Petra, Jordan

Monastery at Petra, Jordan

General estimates suggest that it would take about 4-5 days to explore Petra in its entirety. Of course, this is only a rough estimate and your own explorations may require additional time or less time depending on your preferences. If you're looking for an amazing travel experience, be sure to put visiting Petra in Jordan on your bucket list!

Tamara Bauer
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  • Tamarabauer
  • South Gippsland, Australia
I am one of the remote photo editors for Dreamstime.

My work background is a mixed bag - I trained as a primary school teacher, have had office/retail experience and for the last few years have settled into photography and image reviewing for Dreamstime.

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Rbrucew

December 22, 2022

Very interesting. It's easy to forget that Petra is not just the one site usually shown. A camera would be a must when visiting. Light could be tricky.