Many travelers wonder if Petra by Night is worth it, and the answer is subjective. There is no doubt that visiting Petra is one of the attractions of any trip to Jordan, and to discover all this, our travel packages include a guided tour during the day, visiting its most emblematic places such as the Treasury, the Theatre, the Colonnaded Street or the ad Deir Monastery. But to see it also at night, it is necessary to hire a complementary activity, which many assume and many others discard. These are some of the reasons given by both parties.
Reasons why Petra by Night is worth it
For many travelers, getting the ticket for Petra by Night is worth it because it is a unique opportunity to contemplate this place with a different, more intimate lighting, which goes beyond the sense of sight and also conquers the ear (the show in front of the Treasury is accompanied by a poetry recital and music) and, above all, the heart.
The mixture of the colour projected on the façade of the Treasury and the dim light provided by the thousands of candles that are arranged on the floor and flanking the Siq are a magical vision, more like a dream than reality. An immersive experience, but in a very real atmosphere.
On the other hand, the Petra by Night show shows this venue with a calmer atmosphere: although during the day the floods of tourists can be intense at certain points and times, the venue is not so crowded at night. In addition, the simple music based on local instruments and the voice, which is more like a prayer, help to create an atmosphere of relaxation.
And walking around here at night is a good way to notice the beautiful sky of the place. It is true that the lighting itself darkens the sky, but after the show and back at the entry point, there will be moments to look up and put yourself in the shoes of the Nabataeans and Bedouins, who have enjoyed this starry ceiling for centuries.
Reasons why Petra by Night is not worth it
Many travelers who discard Petra by Night do so, fundamentally, for reasons of time. In the shorter circuits, there is no time to do this activity, since it is not done every day, but only several a week (check the schedule during your travel days).
And in the event that it does coincide during your stay in Petra, staying up so late (the show usually ends at 10:30 p.m., to which we must add the way back) can interfere with the necessary rest for the next day, which is usually an intense day in Wadi Rum.
In addition, some users argue that the value for money is not justified (about 17 JOD or 25 € approximately, in 2024), as it is not possible to reach all corners of the site: only the Siq and the Treasury are illuminated, with a reduced deployment of means (conditioned by the particularities of the place).
In any case, you should also keep in mind that the show may be suspended due to adverse weather conditions, such as rain or strong winds that would make it difficult to illuminate the space by means of candles.
If after these reasons for and against you opt for the yes, you can inform us of this and we will get to work to book your ticket at the most appropriate time of your trip, either on the night of your arrival or after visiting the venue for the day.
