Is Petra price visiting? On its face, this would possibly appear to be a ridiculous query—how many individuals go to Jordan and don’t find yourself visiting the nation’s most well-known vacation spot? Dig deeper, nonetheless, and it begins to look much less foolish. As wonderful as it’s to discover a millennia-old Nabataean metropolis, the truth is that it’s turn into a vacationer entice. There are arguably extra day guests in Petra on a given day than there really had been residents, again when it was initially inhabited!
This difficulty, after all, isn’t black and white. That’s why I’ve determined to jot down an article exploring it intimately, versus merely declaring “sure” or “no” and being completed with the topic.
My Private Impressions of Petra
On the finish of the day—spoiler alert—I do really feel that Petra is price visiting. That is regardless of the truth that I went on the hottest time of 12 months, and that I wasn’t in essentially the most…energetic mind-set once I visited. Particularly, I’d been staying on the house of a faculty good friend the place I mainly had something I wished, every time I wished it. I used to be in a lazy mindset, I’m not ashamed to confess.
The important thing to Petra is to tempo your self, significantly in the event you go to throughout a highly regarded month, and particularly in the event you aren’t extraordinarily match. Even after you’ve walked by way of Al-Siq Canyon to succeed in the Treasury (the place most individuals get their Petra “cash shot”), it’s nonetheless one other hour (or longer) to Petra’s foremost viewpoint. And, because it’s an out-and-back path, you’ll must plan of going again the way in which you got here.
How Most Journeys to Petra Go Down
Stroll by way of Al-Siq Canyon
The excellent news? There are few higher methods to constructed up anticipation for Petra than strolling by way of this canyon, even in the event you’re unlikely to have a lot private house as you do. The unhealthy information? Wasps and hornets have a tendency to hang around right here, so please make haste in the event you’re not a quick walker (I’m).
Go to the Treasury
Your first cease would be the Treasury, essentially the most well-known place on the website, and the rationale that almost all vacationers discover Petra price visiting—are you able to say “Instagram”? Do beware that that is additionally the place most scammers and touts hang around, so you need to be vigilant about your cash and your belongings.
Hike to a viewpoint
Previous this level, a number of vacationers head again—I don’t suggest that you simply do. As an alternative, I counsel following the indicators to Petra’s viewpoint (there’s one foremost one), which affords you a shocking view of the complete website in its desert context. It’s a panoramic panorama to behold.
Experience a camel there
Certainly, generally the taking of breath is extra literal, particularly in the event you determine that Petra is price visiting in August (of all months!) like I did! On this case, it’s possible you’ll select to take one of many touts on the Treasury up on their provide for a camel trip. It’ll prevent a number of hassle!
Marvel on the majesty
Finally, my biggest remorse about Petra is that I didn’t take extra time to savor it. Being 25 on the time and with my thoughts going one million miles a minute, I used to be all about ticking one factor off my record and shifting on to the following. Will I ever return? Who is aware of. But when I do, will probably be totally different.
Is Wadi Rum Value Visiting?
Wadi Rum is a vacation spot that folks typically group along with Petra due to their geographical proximity, however it very totally different. Amongst different issues, Wadi Rum isn’t actually a spot you may go for someday and get the complete image of it. You need to ideally sleep at the very least an evening there, in an effort to go to mattress because the desert darkens, and get up because the solar rises over it.
Alternatively, don’t be fooled into believing that you should be tremendous outdoorsy as a way to take pleasure in Wadi Rum. Simply as Petra is price visiting even in the event you don’t know so much about historical past, fashion-minded vacationers who’ve by no means set foot inside an REI can have a good time at Wadi Rum, due to the growing prevalence of “glamping”-style lodging amid its sands.
Different FAQ on Visiting Petra
Is Petra overrated?
Whereas I really like Petra, I do really feel that it’s barely overrated—after many years of hype, how might anybody argue in any other case? Alternatively, in an identical solution to world wonders like Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, there’s a motive hundreds of thousands of vacationers per 12 months flock to Petra, even in the event you get there are surprise (perhaps silently, and maybe just for a second) what the fuss is about.
What number of days do you want in Petra?
Nearly all of vacationers will go to Petra for a single day, both from Amman or Tel Aviv, or earlier than the camp (or glamp) within the Wadi Rum desert. When you might clearly spend a number of days exploring the historic website, I believe a morning and afternoon are adequate for most individuals.
Is Petra touristy?
Petra is among the most touristy locations on the planet, however not in a nasty approach. It’s not Disney World—whereas there are a number of sellers hawking numerous items, they aren’t corny and mass-producers. Nonetheless, it is stuffed with Instagrammers and influencers making an attempt to get the perfect—i.e. identical—shot, and simply very full on the whole. Even in the event you come proper at opening time, you gained’t be capable to take pleasure in a lot peace right here.
The Backside Line
Is Petra price visiting? Sure and no. Actually, in the event you’re going to be in Jordan anyway I’d suggest visiting. Some vacationers will come for the day from Amman (and even over the Lifeless Sea in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv), whereas others will keep in a single day in Petra’s city middle, and even to the east within the close by Wadi Rum desert. Nonetheless, in the event you’re contemplating making a visit all the way in which to the Center East merely (and even primarily) to see Petra, I’d suggest towards this.
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Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications comparable to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Go away Your Each day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric facets of life as a traveler.
