Petra by Night: Schedule, Tickets and Is It Worth It?

Petra by Night is a candlelit evening walk through the Siq to the Treasury, Petra’s most famous facade. You follow a path of paper-bag lanterns through the dark canyon, then sit on mats in front of the Treasury while it glows in the light of hundreds of candles, with Bedouin music and a short story about Petra. It’s magical, a little touristy and very popular. Here’s how it works, when it runs, how tickets work and whether it’s worth it.

Planning a trip? Start with our complete Jordan travel guide and our Petra guide.

Petra by Night at a glance

What happens on the night

Visitors gather at the Petra Visitor Center a little before the start. Then the group sets off in near-darkness, down the wide path toward the entrance of the Siq and into the narrow canyon itself. The only light comes from candles in paper bags lining the path, so the cliffs rise up as dark shapes and the sky shows as a thin strip of stars overhead.

At the end of the Siq, the canyon opens onto the Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Hundreds of candles are laid out in front of it, and visitors sit on mats facing the facade. There is usually Bedouin music, often a flute and a stringed instrument, a short talk about Petra and the Nabataeans, and a cup of sweet tea. In recent years the Treasury has also been lit with colored lights, and since 2025 projection mapping has been added to parts of the show. Then you walk back the way you came, at your own pace.

Schedule and how long it lasts

Petra by Night starts at 8:30 p.m. from the Visitor Center and finishes around 10:30 p.m. For years it ran on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and recent official listings give a wider schedule of Sunday to Thursday. Days can change, and the event pauses occasionally, for example in bad weather. Confirm the days at your hotel or the Petra Visitor Center when you arrive.

Allow about two hours in total: roughly 30–40 minutes to walk in, about 45 minutes at the Treasury, and the walk back.

Tickets and the Jordan Pass

• Separate ticket: Petra by Night has its own ticket. It’s sold at the Visitor Center, by local tour agencies and at many hotels in Wadi Musa.
• Daytime ticket needed: you must also hold a valid daytime Petra ticket or a Jordan Pass to buy one.
• Not in the Jordan Pass: the official Jordan Pass FAQ confirms that Petra by Night isn’t included in any version of the pass.
• Same-day only: tickets are valid only for the date they’re issued.

Prices change, so check the current price when you buy.

Is Petra by Night worth it?

For most people, yes, as long as you know what to expect. The walk through the dark Siq by candlelight is genuinely beautiful, and seeing the Treasury glow is unforgettable. But it isn’t a quiet, private moment: there can be several hundred people, some will use phone flashlights, and the program at the Treasury is short.

• Go if: you’re staying in Wadi Musa on a night it runs, you love atmosphere and photography, or you want a gentle way to see the Siq again.
• Skip it if: you only have one long day in Petra and need the rest, or you’re hoping for silence and solitude.

Tips for the best experience

• Arrive early at the Visitor Center and walk at the front of the group. You’ll reach the Treasury first, get a spot near the front, and enjoy the Siq with fewer people around you.
• Bring a small flashlight for the uneven path, but keep it pointed down and off when you arrive, so everyone can enjoy the candlelight.
• Dress warmly. Even in spring and fall, nights in Petra are cool, and in winter they can be cold.
• For photos, turn off your flash and hold your phone steady or use night mode. A small tripod helps, but space is tight.
• Stay a little after the end. When most people head back, the Treasury is quieter and the walk out is peaceful.
• Families: the walk is easy for children who can manage about 4 km in the dark; bring a light for them too.

How it fits into a Petra trip

Petra by Night works best on the evening of your first day in Petra, or on a rest evening between two full days. If you’re doing the Little Petra back-door hike to the Monastery, save Petra by Night for another evening. For the full picture, read our complete Petra guide and how to get there from Amman in our Amman to Petra guide.

Local-guided experiences

Exploring Petra with a local guide by day makes the evening even better. Simsem’s hosts in Petra:

Find a local guide: meet our local guides in Jordan, including Petra.

Petra by Night FAQ