Petra

Visiting

Petra is a Nabataean city cut into rose sandstone, and two walks make up most visits. The main trail threads the Siq, passes the Treasury, the street of facades and the colonnaded street, and ends at Qasr al-Bint, where two restaurants and the museums sit; allow an hour and three quarters without stopping. From there a stairway climbs to the Monastery, and the park authority suggests starting it late in the day, when the setting sun warms the facade. Donkeys are offered on the stairs, since camels and horses cannot manage steps; walk it if you can. The park asks you to be out before sunset, so time the climb against the light and leave yourself the long walk back through the Siq.