If you’re wondering whether Petra by Night with kids is worth it, this guide is for families trying to decide if it’s a magical highlight — or just too much after a full day exploring Petra.

Quick answer: is Petra by Night worth it with kids?

Yes — it’s a completely different and memorable experience, but only if your child still has the energy for it. Without a proper rest in the afternoon, it can quickly feel like too much.

We did Petra by day and Petra by Night with Joshua (age 7), and while we’re really glad we included it, it was one of the most physically demanding days of the trip. The difference between enjoying it and struggling through it came down entirely to how we structured the day.

This guide covers exactly what Petra by Night is like with kids, how tiring it really is, when to go, and how to decide if it’s worth including in your itinerary.

Just a quick note: some links in this guide are affiliate links. This doesn’t affect the price you pay, and we only recommend tours, hotels and tools we’ve used ourselves or would confidently book again.

What Is Petra by Night? (And How It Works With Kids)

Petra by Night is a separate evening experience where you walk through the Siq by candlelight to reach the Treasury, followed by music and storytelling.

• runs on specific evenings only (Sunday to Thursday, not daily)

• takes place roughly 8:30pm–10:30pm

• requires a separate ticket (not included in the Jordan Pass around £35 GBP, free for under 10's)

• involves walking the same route you took during the day (expect 40 - 50 minutes total walking there and back)

For kids, the main difference is the pace and atmosphere. It’s slower, quieter and less intense visually — which can be a good thing after a long day, but also means they need enough energy to engage with it.

Is Petra by Night Worth It With Kids?

For our family, yes — but only because we planned for it.

We actually built our Jordan itinerary around being able to experience Petra by Night, because it’s one of those moments that feels completely different to the daytime visit. Walking back through the Siq in the dark, with Joshua, felt more like an experience than sightseeing — quieter, slower, and something he still talks about.

Petra by Night felt:

• more atmospheric than the daytime visit

• less about ticking off sights and more about the experience

• calmer in pace, but still physically demanding after a long day

If you’re planning your trip, our Jordan family itinerary shows how to structure your days so this feels like a highlight — not the point where everything unravels.

Can You Do Petra by Day and Petra by Night in One Day?

Yes — but only if you plan for it.

We did both in one day, and it worked, but only because we kept things simple and built in a proper break. We:

• started early

• kept our Petra route focused on key highlights

• went back to the hotel mid‑afternoon to rest

Without that break, it would have been too much — especially with a full day of walking already behind us.

In an ideal scenario, Petra by Night works best when you can separate it from your main visit — either arriving the night before or staying an extra night so you can do it without the pressure of a full day beforehand. That way, it feels like its own experience rather than an extension of an already long day.

The reality, though, is that Petra by Night only runs on certain evenings, so you don’t always have that flexibility. That’s why many families end up combining both into one day — but when you do, it becomes all about pacing and energy.

If you’re planning how to structure your Petra visit to make this possible, see Can You Do Petra in One Day With Kids? — this shows how to organise the day so Petra by Night still feels manageable rather than overwhelming.

What Petra by Night Is Really Like With Kids

There isn’t much planning required — you simply buy tickets at the office in Petra.

This is where expectations matter, because Petra by Night is less about sightseeing and more about the overall atmosphere and experience.

The evening starts with a walk through the Siq, lit by hundreds of candles. It feels completely different to the daytime visit — quieter, slower, and more focused on the surroundings than covering distance. For Joshua, this part worked well because it felt like an experience rather than another long walk.

It’s also worth being aware that parts of Petra are uneven underfoot, and in low light you need to watch where you’re stepping, especially with kids who are already tired.

When you reach the Treasury, that’s really the highlight. The façade is lit by candlelight and a subtle light projection, with traditional music and storytelling playing in the background. It’s not a big “show” in the usual sense — it’s much more low key — but that’s part of what makes it feel unique.

For a more complete overview of visiting Petra as a family, see Visiting Petra With Kids: A Practical Family Guide — this helps you go into the day properly prepared.

When Petra by Night Might Be Too Much

Petra by Night isn’t always the right fit — especially with kids.

It can feel like too much if:

• your child is younger or struggles with long days and staying up late

• you’ve already pushed too hard earlier in the day

• they can't walk the 20 minutes to the Treasury and the same distance back under low lighting

After a full day walking Petra, energy levels drop quickly, and the evening starts can feel late. If you’re already ending the day tired, adding another walk through the Siq — even in a calmer setting — can tip it from enjoyable to overwhelming.

In those situations, Petra by day on its own is more than enough and still feels like a complete experience.

Final Verdict: Should You Do Petra by Night With Kids?

Yes — but only if you plan for it.

For us, it was:

• a highlight

• completely different to the daytime visit

• memorable for Joshua

With the right pacing, Petra by Night feels magical

FAQs: Petra by Night With Kids

Is Petra by Night suitable for children?

Yes, but it depends on age and energy levels. Children can enjoy it, especially if they’ve rested beforehand, as it’s a slower and more relaxed experience than the daytime visit.

Is Petra by Night included in the Jordan Pass?

No — Petra by Night requires a separate ticket and is not included in the Jordan Pass.

How long does Petra by Night take?

Around 2 hours, including the walk through the Siq and time at the Treasury.

Do you have to walk the Siq again at night?

Yes — the full walk to the Treasury is repeated, which is why energy levels matter so much with kids.

Is Petra by Night worth it after a full day in Petra?

It can be, but only if you take a proper break in the afternoon. Without rest, it’s likely to feel like too much rather than a highlight.

Visiting Petra by day, see: Visiting Petra With Kids: A Practical Family Guide

plan your TRIP TO jordan

If you’re planning your family trip to Jordan, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.