The 5 Best Photo Spots inside Petra in 2024.
One last push on the final 25 steps of the 800.
We finally reached the top, and the reward was awesome.
The Monastery - A true natural wonder!
Petra is abundant with natural beauty, quirky locals, and simply breathtaking rock carvings, but where do you start with taking photos inside the lost city?
You will not get bored of getting your camera out during your day trip at Petra as you seek that postcard worthy Insta shot!
This blog details the 5 best spots inside Petra to capture your one-of-a kind selfie, or one of the elegant camels in front of amazing backdrops, and who knows, maybe the odd daft photo of one of the lively locals - who certainly aren’t camera shy!
No better place to start than the mesmerising Siq walkway!
Just before I entered the ancient city.
The Siq.
As you can see in the photos the Siq walkway at Petra is truly astonishing.
After you enter the archaeological site at the main gate you will wander down the site for around 15 minutes before you come to the start of the Siq.
This is the start of the awesome photos inside Petra.
Starting at the Dam and leading all the way down to the Treasury, the Siq offers a humbling experience as you wander down it in shock at the scale of it. I felt so insignificant as the 90 metres high gorge made me feel tiny in comparison.
The awe of the place is magnified by the narrow sections which can be as narrow as 3 metres wide.
The siq was formed by tectonic forces splitting the mountain into two, which led to water from the Wadi Musa finding its way into the gorge. Over many centuries, this helped to form the smooth corners which now offer a delight to the senses.
In awe of the Siq walkway at Petra.
The Siq is around 1km in length, and it is shaded from the sun in many spots which really helps less mobile visitors who may need to plan for a longer commute.
If walking isn’t an option for you, then you can ride a horse carriage down, or actually ride on the horses. I saw a couple of older visitors taking this option.
If there was ever a place for such an adventure, it is Petra.
Photos don’t show the true scale of the natural beauty.
If you want to experience the spellbinding nature to yourself then you should head to wonder for opening time at 6am, before the crowds gather.
I captured some eerie photos of Petra at this time.
You will also beat some of the midday heat, which can become unbearable at points during the summer (we visited in June).
Heading down the Siq very early in the morning has so many benefits.
The Treasury.
After my winding walk through the Siq, I stepped out into the lifting shadows of the tall sandstone cliffs and witnessed one of the world’s greatest sights for the first time.
The Treasury!
I had only ever seen the ancient rock-cut tombs in photographs, yet here I was, taking my own photo of the highlight of Petra.
I can’t even begin to imagine the moment when the Swiss scholar ‘Johannes L. Burckhardt’ first discovered Petra back in 1812.
I felt like I had discovered a piece of ancient history which will live long in my memory.
The famous photo at the Treasury.
If you take my advice and visit Petra at 6am you will reach the Treasury in time for the ‘golden hour’, just after sunrise, when the reddish colour of the sandstone rocks reflects a surreal glow onto the Treasury facade.
Al-Khazneh (AKA. the Treasury) is iconic around the world, and has featured in famous movies such as ‘Indian Jones’.
The 2000 year old monument resembles a Greek Temple with an urn on top of the facade, which was once supposed to have been home to priceless treasures for the Nabatean people.
This Hellenistic style is said to reflect the influence of Alexandria, a very prominent city in that part of history.
The way that the Treasury has stood the test of time to still display such beauty is a testament to the architectural skills of the Nabateans, especially in such a harsh environment.
Archaeologists believe Al-Khazneh may have been a temple, however in recent times a graveyard has also been discovered underneath it.
Unfortunately you cannot enter the Treasury, however, you will not get bored of admiring it’s impressive facade.
Climbing the rocks offers a great view from above.
If you want to enjoy the best aerial photo of Petra then head to the high rock viewpoints opposite the Treasury!
It wasn’t long until the young local children were surrounding us to try and entice us into a hike up the steep rocks located at the side of the Treasury.
The view from above turned out to be awesome!
Even though it cost us a few pounds to let the children become our photographers (they do a great job tbf), and lead us up to the platform, it led to our favourite moments in our time at the wonder of the world.
While you wait, you get offered tea and a chat with the locals who are camped up there - shading themselves from the heat of the sun.
Even though Petra is a tourist trap, this experience felt authentic and the locals were very welcoming.
Following a visit to the Pyramids of Giza several months after Petra, the experiences were completely different.
The Jordanian people are chilled!
Camels enjoying some rest at the Treasury.
The Royal Tombs.
Once you finally pull yourself away from the Treasury (which is very difficult) then you will carry on walking towards the Royal Tombs.
The distinctive tombs are manmade and although they have somewhat degraded due to weather and wind damage through the large passage of time since the Nabateans built them, they still serve their purpose of displaying true beauty.
If you want to admire the splendour of the tombs up close, you can actually enter the tombs, although I didn’t find anything in them.
Similarly to the way that the Treasury is lit up at certain hours of the day, a late afternoon wander over to this area of the archaeological site will offer a glowing glimpse of the past.
I noticed how detailed the stones were carved, which is incredible when you think how far Petra dates back.
Royal tombs inside Petra.
There are many Royal Tombs at Petra.
I love to explore the essence of a place with my camera turned on ready to snap some natural photos.
Petra is 100 miles per hour with the locals’ extroverted behaviour on public display throughout the site, whether it is singing and dancing, or riding animals from place to place.
The photo inside Petra which reminds of its awesome atmosphere most is this one below.
I captured a local Jordanian man going about his daily business of extracting the oil from frankincense on site.
This felt like travel photography at its finest!
A local shop at Petra.
It is hard for me to give the natural beauty of the backdrop of canyons enough credit, as it is truly breathtaking!
As you are walking up the steps towards the Monastery, and start gaining altitude, the sights open up far into the distance
Here is a photo of a proud Jordanian flag flying high in the country’s most cherished archaeological site - the photo just doesn’t do it justice!
There are many proud Jordanian flags flying high on site.
The Monastery.
When you finally reach the top of the stairs you will instantly feel gratified by the wonderful sight which is about to unfold to your right.
The Monastery!
Along with the Treasury, this landmark within the ancient city gets a lot of traction and global attention, however, due to its location high and wide from the other main sites, we didn’t witness any crowds (although we did visit in the June, which is hot season).
Measuring 47m wide by 48.3m high, the Monastery is a contender for the largest monument with the Petra site.
It definitely felt the biggest from my personal observations!
You can also reach the Monastery through the back entrance of Petra.
A quirky cave cafe opposite the Monastery.
You can grab a seat in the café opposite to cool down after your hike up the mountain - you will need some refreshments!
There are some quirky seating areas inside the caves, decorated with Jordanian patterns and a large poster of the King of Jordan.
This was an awesome view while we cooled down and sat right under a fan - heaven!
When we visited, it was around 2JD for a tea and coffee and sandwiches were 3-4JD.
There is also some water, cold drinks and plenty of ice creams to choose from.
The reward for climbing 800 grueling steps up to the Monastery.
As the Monastery faces west, the best time to visit is when the late afternoon sun is glowing the natural wonder up!
I would advise you take your time and admire the Monastery for as long as possible as you have a long walk back to the main exit!
You may never get the opportunity to witness such magnificence for a long time!
One last water break on the climb up to the Monastery.
Petra Roman Amphitheatre.
Another architectural marvel is the Roman style amphitheatre opposite the Royal Tombs.
The theatre was carved directly from the rocks in Petra by the Nabateans over 2000 years ago, and even though it is not as well preserved as the Roman ampitheatre of Amman, it certainly offers a glimpse into cultural and social life of the Nabatean world.
It is said to have been able to hold 4000 spectators, and is the world's only theatre that has been excavated from solid rock.
Similar to Amman, exploring this ancient entertainment spot got my mind thinking about how grand it would have looked when it was modern and a popular spot for the locals.
The theatre in Petra from above.
The theatre was actually expanded and doubled in capacity when the Romans arrived in Petra in 106AD.
Unfortunately over centuries, it has been through earthquakes, storms and looting (to build other structures) which leaves it as the ruins it is today.
You can find the theatre as you walk down the main walkway toward the Royal Tombs.
We spent around 15 minutes admiring it from ground level, before making our way to a height for a beautiful bird’s-eye perspective.
Some tips for capturing the perfect camera shots.
A day at Petra is one of the world’s greatest travel experiences, however, it goes in a flash!
You will wonder where the time went, so it is essential you prepare to take some beautiful snaps to remember your day.
Here are some tips to help:
Carry small amounts of change to haggle with the locals for assistance with photos. This is a travel hack for solo travellers.
Arrive at opening time if you want the perfect snaps at the Treasury.
Be prepared to spend all day at Petra - it is a very large site!
Keep your camera handy at all times, as you should always expect the unexpected with the quirky locals!
Purchase a head scarf at the entrance, as they are very useful in keeping the sun off your head - oh, and make for a great picture!
Take your time in all the different areas, you don’t want to miss anything - this may be your first and last time at Petra?
Last but not least, keep smiling - You are in one of the World’s greatest places, which some people will never get to experience!
The local children put a lot of effort in to grab the perfect shot.
Heading to Little Petra first?
If, like myself, you want to visit Little Petra as a warm up for the main wonder then you can actually hike from the mini Petra directly to the Monastery through a back entrance. This is around 6km, and is likely to take around 2-3 hours when you factor in the terrain and heat.
My 4 day Jordan itinerary included both sites.
I visited Little Petra the evening before the main site, so I had a full day exploring Petra from an early starting time.
There are pros and cons to the different options, so see what fits best in your schedule?
Get Your Guide is a very professional company which can take you to both sites for a day trip.
This option is a great way to put your mind at ease and be transported straight to the wonders in a timely manner.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.