The ancient city of Petra, also known as the "Rose City" of Jordan, is an astounding maze of carved tombs and temples - its landscape looks like something from another planet and the structures look like something straight out of a Sci-Fi movie.
Located amid rugged desert canyons and mountains in what is now the southwestern corner of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Petra was once a thriving trading centre and the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106.
It's carved directly into vibrant red, white, pink, and sandstone cliff faces, the prehistoric Jordanian city of Petra was "lost" to the Western world for hundreds of years.
So, if you do decide to visit Petra and is overwhelmed by the idea of planning for your trip, here's everything you need to know - from the how to get there to what to wear.
If you're staying in the centre of Wadi Musa, then you're in luck, Petra is just a short walk away.
The hotels further out often run free shuttle services down to the visitor's centre a few times a day - although there might not be foxed times for this option.
An alternative is that there are plenty of taxis waiting outside the visitor's centre, especially in the afternoons, and you'll pay roughly JD5 within Wadi Musa.
If you are driving to Petra, it's 236km from Amman to Petra via the faster Desert Highway or 255km via the slower but more scenic King's Highway, and if you're driving from Aqaba to Petra it's a 126km drive.
Petra is one of those places where the longer the better it gets - a one-day ticket costs JD50 (£53/$70) per person, but a two-day ticket is only JD55 and a three-day ticket JD60.
However, these are the prices if you are staying in Jordan. If you're only visiting for the and not staying in the country overnight, then the price is around JD90.
You also pay JD90 if you visit Petra on the day you arrive in the country, but if you go back the next day it's possible to get a JD40 refund.
Children under 15 get free entry. You can buy tickets at the visitor's centre by cash or credit card. You can also pick up maps, guidebooks or even hire a guide.
If you're planning on visiting other sites in Jordan, you can get a Jordan Pass which includes entry to Petra plus 40 other sites around the country - this includes Jerash, Amman Citadel, and Wadi Rum. The passes cost JD70 for one-day entry to Petra, JD75 for two days or JD80 for three days.
The spring and autumn months are one of the best times to visit Petra - temperatures aren't so high and the crowds are substantially smaller.
The quietest times at the site are usually in the early mornings and late afternoons. The site is also open at night on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when the Siq and Treasury are lit by candles for the Petra by night tour.
The ticket office is normally open from 6 am to 6 pm in the summer and from 6 am to 4 pm during the winter. Petra closes around sunset.
A whole town - Wadi Musa - has grown around Petra - the town has hotels which start right next to visitor's centre and stretch up into the hills. Closest to the entrance is the four-star Petra Guest House, which is right next door to the visitor's centre.
The five-star Mövenpick Resort is just across the street and has a roof terrace with amazing views. Though if you have a car then the hotels a bit further away up on the hillside, like the Rocky Mountain Hotel are good value with breathtaking views.
You'll be walking over the sandy and rocky ground so walking shoes or sturdy sandals are the best bet.
There's also hardly any shade around the site, so a hat or scarf is a good idea, and don't forget plenty of sunscreen.
Petra stretches over a massive 60 square kilometres so you'll end up doing a lot of walking, but if it gets too much then a carriage ride from the visitor's centre to the Treasury costs around JD20.
It's an easy 15-minute walk downhill though so you might want to save the ride till the way back up as that final slog up the sandy path back to the entrance after a day's walking is a bit of a killer.
Most of the hotels in Petra will make you a packed lunch if you ask the night before, and there is a line of stalls outside the entrance where you can pick up drinks and snacks on your way in.
Prices inside the site are higher so it'll be more worthwhile of you pack your snacks before going.
Tip: Bottled water is widely available at stalls in and out of the site, but it's a good idea to bring a refillable water bottle with a purification system so you can fill up with tap water.
So, if you're keen to visit Petra, click here to have a look at our Jordan tours.
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