Petra in One Day: The Best One-Day Itinerary (Hour by Hour)

If you only have one day in Petra, the trick is starting before the tour buses and saving the steepest climb for the cooler afternoon. Here is the hour-by-hour plan we hand to guests at breakfast.

06:00 , Breakfast and walk to the gate

From most Wadi Musa hostels (including ours) it's a 15-minute downhill walk to the visitor centre. The gate opens at 06:00 in summer, 06:30 in winter. Bring 2 L of water, sunscreen, a hat and good shoes , sandals are a bad idea.

06:30 - 08:00 , The Siq and the Treasury

Walk the 1.2 km Siq slowly. Reaching the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) before 08:00 means a near-empty plaza and the famous slot of morning light on the façade. Sit on the steps opposite, drink tea, take your photos.

08:00 - 11:00 , Street of Façades, Royal Tombs, Theatre

Continue down the main path past the Theatre and climb the steps up to the Royal Tombs. The view from the Urn Tomb terrace back over the Theatre is one of the best in Petra and most day-trippers skip it.

11:00 - 13:00 , Lunch and shade at the Basin

Walk past the Colonnaded Street to the Basin restaurant or the small Bedouin tea tents. Eat, drink, sit in the shade , you need the energy for the climb.

13:00 - 15:30 , The Monastery (Ad-Deir)

850 steps up. Take it slow, stop at the tea tents on the way. The Monastery is bigger than the Treasury and almost always quieter. Climb the small hill opposite for the postcard view.

15:30 - 18:00 , Slow walk back

Walking back through the Siq in late-afternoon light is its own reward. Aim to be at the gate before sunset. If you bought a Petra by Night ticket (Mon/Wed/Thu), come back at 20:30.