Hotels near Royal Tombs

The Royal Tombs are a group of large carved tomb facades cut into the eastern cliff opposite the Theatre - the burial monuments of Nabatean kings and aristocrats from the 1st century BC and 1st century AD. The four main tombs are the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb. The Urn Tomb (later converted to a Byzantine church in 446 AD) is the largest. The Silk Tomb is named for its colourful naturally-banded sandstone interior.

The tombs are reached by a steep flight of carved steps from the main Nabatean street. The Urn Tomb's elevated terrace offers the best Petra panorama - looking down on the Theatre and across to the Treasury (the angle reverses the Siq entry view). Allow 90 minutes for a full Royal Tombs visit. Free with Petra ticket. Best 15:00-17:00 when light strikes the eastern facades.

Pro Tip: From the Urn Tomb's upper terrace, walk the unmarked goat path north along the cliff for 5 minutes to reach a less-visited overhang with a panoramic view back to the Treasury - the standard photo angle few visitors find.