Petra by Night — Candlelit Experience at the Treasury

Walk the Siq after dark and watch the Treasury glow under thousands of candles. Petra by Night is a short evening show with traditional music and storytelling in front of Al-Khazneh, ideal for first-time visitors who want to feel Petra’s atmosphere beyond daylight hours. Plan the rest of your trip from the Petra Planning Hub and connect this listing with your daytime guides: Petra Siq, Petra Treasury Royal Tombs, and Monasteryhttps://wowjordan.com/petra-monastery-ad-deir-guide/ (Ad-Deir)

For detailed planning, see our complete Visit Petra travel hub — including day routes, top attractions, and ticket information.

Photos credit MOMEN Al HILALAT more new photos and videos will updated soon

Quick Facts

• Location: Siq → Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Petra Archaeological Park, Wadi Musa
• Duration on site: ~1.5–2 hours including the walk
• Walking distance: ~2 km each way along the Siq (4 km round-trip)
• Experience type: Night show with candlelit setting, music, and narration
• Best seats: Middle rows in front of the Treasury (arrive early)
• Good to know: No stalls inside the Siq at night; bring water and a light layer

What the Experience Includes

You enter Petra after dark and follow the candlelit Siq to the Treasury. The show area is set with mats or low seating facing the façade. A short program follows—typically traditional music and a brief story—before a simple light reveal on Al-Khazneh. There are no day-time touring elements in this ticket; it’s a focused, atmospheric evening visit.

Schedule, Timing & Seasonality

Petra by Night typically runs on select evenings each week (commonly five nights, from Saturday to Thursday). Start times are usually after dusk, with gate checks and a group release into the Siq. Show days can change seasonally and around public holidays; verify the day and start time locally in Wadi Musa or at the Visitor Center earlier that afternoon.

Timing tips

• Be at the Visitor Center 30–45 minutes before the posted start to secure preferred seating.
• The walk through the Siq takes 25–40 minutes each way at a steady pace.
• Expect slightly cooler temperatures at night; pack a light jacket in winter months.

Tickets & How to Buy

Petra by Night uses a separate ticket from daytime entry. Pricing can change; check the current rate and any bundled offers on the day. You can usually buy tickets in Wadi Musa earlier the same day, or via authorized local partners. The event may cap attendance on busy dates—purchase or confirm availability in advance where possible.

Important notes

• Petra by Night does not include daytime access to the park.
• Bring a printed or mobile ticket and an ID matching the reservation name.
• Keep the ticket handy for checks at the gate and at the Siq entrance.

Route & Meeting Point

• Start/finish: Petra Visitor Center, Wadi Musa
• Route: Visitor Center → Bab as-Siq → Siq → Treasury → return the same way
• Terrain: Compact paths and stone; some uneven surfaces; narrow sections in the Siq
• Lighting: Candle bags line the path; carry a small flashlight or phone light for safety, but use it sparingly to preserve the ambiance

For context on the approach, see the Petra Siq guide (/petra-siq/). For daylight photography planning, pair this with the Petra Treasury guide (/petra-treasury/).

If you’re visiting Petra for the first time, explore the Petra Siq guide to understand the full daytime approach before returning for Petra by Night.

Seating & Viewing

The viewing area is open seating on ground mats or low benches. Arrive early to sit centrally and slightly back for the best balance of perspective and sound. Avoid the very front row if you want your photos to include the full façade and the candle field.

For daylight perspectives and the story behind this façade, read the Petra Treasury (Al-Khazneh) guide before your night visit.

Photography Tips

• Keep ISO moderate and brace your camera against a knee or bag for stability.
• Handheld shutter speeds around 1/30–1/60 can work with fast lenses; avoid bright phone LEDs.
• Light is minimal by design; expect silhouettes and warm candle glow.
• Be respectful: no flash during the performance; step aside if adjusting gear.

For a full day/night plan, see Petra Photography Guide (/petra-photography-guide/) and coordinate Treasury timing with your daylight visit.

Accessibility & Safety

The Siq is ~2 km each way with uneven stone segments and mild slopes. Wheelchair access at night is challenging due to low light and the long distance; inquire at the Visitor Center about any escorted mobility options running that evening. Wear closed shoes with grip, carry water, and bring a light layer in cooler seasons. Follow staff instructions, keep to the side to allow flow, and avoid standing on fragile edges or candle bags.

For broader guidance, refer to Petra Accessibility & Mobility (/petra-accessibility-mobility/) and Responsible Travel & Animal Welfare (/petra-responsible-travel-animal-welfare/).

What to Bring

• Charged phone or camera (no flash during the show)
• Small water bottle
• Light jacket or scarf in cooler months
• Headlamp or phone light for the walk back (use sparingly)
• Ticket and ID

Combine with Daytime Highlights

Many travelers see the Treasury by day, tour the Street of Facades and Theater (/petra-theater-street-of-facades/), and finish with Petra by Night for atmosphere. On a two-day plan, pair this evening with the Royal Tombs (/petra-royal-tombs/), Great Temple & Colonnaded Street (/petra-great-temple-colonnaded-street/), and Qasr al-Bint (/petra-qasr-al-bint/). Hikers can add the High Place of Sacrifice & Wadi Farasa (/petra-high-place-of-sacrifice-wadi-farasa/) or the Al-Khubtha Trail & Treasury Viewpoint (/petra-alkhubtha-trail-treasury-viewpoint/) on cooler mornings. For stays and logistics in town, see Wadi Musa Guide (/wadi-musa-guide/). For a full trip plan, start at the Petra Planning Hub (/en/visit-petra/).

Many travelers plan a full-day itinerary that includes the Royal Tombs of Petra, Colonnaded Street and Great Temple, and finishes with Petra by Night for an unforgettable finale.