Petra, Jordan Exceeded Every Expectation
Thanks to some residual jet lag and pure excitement, I woke up before sunrise in the Wadi Musa area of Jordan, also known as Petra. Even the donkeys were still sleeping! This gave me the perfect opportunity to see the gorgeous sunrise over one of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world.
Making it to the famous Treasury was a moment we’ll never forget. This is the structure that made us fall in love with Petra after watching Indiana Jones, and seeing it in person was absolutely breathtaking. The carved facade rising from the pink sandstone is simply gorgeous, and we can’t emphasize this enough: pictures and videos don’t do it justice.
The Treasury area gets pretty busy, which makes sense given its fame, but the crowds don’t diminish the incredible feeling of standing in front of this ancient wonder. You can even hire a camel to take you around the area if you want a more traditional desert experience.
While the Treasury gets all the attention, Petra has so much more to offer. The Nabataeans weren’t joking when they picked this location for their settlement. The engineering and artistry they accomplished by carving directly into the sandstone is absolutely amazing.
The Royal Tombs area showcases the incredible skill of these ancient builders. What they were able to create inside the rock faces is truly remarkable. Below the tombs sits an ancient theater that could seat at least 4,000 people. For a Bedouin society, this level of entertainment infrastructure is pretty incredible.
The Great Temple is another must-see structure that often gets overshadowed by the Treasury. This massive building covers over 7,000 square meters and was built before Christ. While it looks like typical Roman architecture, it was actually constructed entirely by the Nabataeans, showing their incredible architectural sophistication.
The Monastery Hike is Worth Every Step
The trek to the Monastery is definitely a challenge. It takes about an hour or more from the Treasury, depending on how many photo stops you make along the way. And trust us, there are plenty of opportunities to get distracted by amazing views and carved facades.
We definitely considered taking a donkey up to the Monastery, and honestly, after completing that hike, we were second-guessing our decision to walk. The climb is steep and demanding, and comfortable, appropriate footwear is absolutely essential. Hiking shoes with good grip work much better than regular sneakers for navigating the rocky terrain.
Petra is one of those destinations that actually exceeds expectations, which is rare for such a famous site. The scale, the artistry, and the sheer audacity of what the Nabataeans accomplished here is mind-blowing. They carved an entire city into rose-colored sandstone cliffs, complete with elaborate facades, water management systems, and spaces for thousands of people.
The site showcases the incredible ingenuity of ancient civilizations and reminds you just how capable humans have always been when it comes to adapting to challenging environments and creating beautiful, functional spaces.
While exploring Petra requires some physical effort, especially if you want to see the Monastery, every step is worth it. The sense of accomplishment you feel after completing that challenging hike, combined with the absolutely stunning views from the top, makes all the sore muscles worthwhile.
Even if you’re not typically into strenuous hiking, Petra motivates you to push your limits. The reward of seeing these ancient wonders carved into the rock face provides all the motivation you need to keep climbing. The Nabataeans created something truly timeless here, and standing among their achievements is both humbling and inspiring.
Whether you’re interested in history, archaeology, adventure, or just want to see one of the world’s most beautiful places, Petra delivers on every level. Just make sure you wear good shoes and prepare for some serious walking!
Want to see our challenging hike to the Monastery and experience the breathtaking Treasury reveal? Watch our complete Petra adventure on our YouTube channel:
