Visitors Guide to Petra
A guide on
how to get the most out of your visit to the marvelous Petra.
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| The Siq |
You might
have read vast of details on the internet, seen on movie, pictures or a short
video clip or heard from colleagues or friends about Petra, being branded as a
UNESCO World Heritage site, a New Seven Wonders of the World, with its
magnificent structures that captivates many visitors from all over the world.
Perhaps it’s one of the top places listed on your travel list or the next
destination on your bucket list waiting to be cross out sooner or later.
Here are the details that you
need to know that can help you prepare to have a memorable visit to the Petra
Archaeological Park.
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| The Treasury |
Let’s start with entrance
fees:
Non Jordanian visitor pays
the following (Visitors spending at least 1 night in Jordan)
One day entry ticket: 50 JOD
per person
Two day entry ticket: 55 JOD
per person
Three day entry ticket: 60
JOD per person
Non Jordanian visitors not
staying for at least 1 night in Jordan has to pay 90 JOD per person.
Children below 15 year old
are exempted in paying entrance.
You can buy the ticket at the
New Visitors Centre which was recently inaugurated.
The ticket booth is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in the summer and 6:00 am to 4:00 pm in the winter. Bring cash as they do not accept credit cards. Here you can get guide books, maps or hire a tour guide.
The ticket booth is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in the summer and 6:00 am to 4:00 pm in the winter. Bring cash as they do not accept credit cards. Here you can get guide books, maps or hire a tour guide.
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| The Entrance Gate |
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| The Museum at the New Visitors Centre displaying some artifacts with details
How to get to Petra?
There are plenty of tour companies offering
private tour to the site starting from your hotel (or residence) in Amman, Dead
Sea, Madaba, Hammamat Main, Aqaba or from the Arava Border. There are public buses from Amman and Aqaba that goes to Petra.
Petra Nights Tours Vehicle
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When is the best time to visit?
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) is the best time to see the site as the temperature are not so high or low (average temperature beyween 16-24°C).
During summer months (June to Aug) expect hot temperature (around 36 °C).
The quietest time (lesser crowds) are usually in early morning or late afternoon.
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| The Royal Tombs |
I’d like to stay for a night
or two, what are the options where should I stay?
There are many hotels of all
types, budgets, good value and views around the town of Wadi Musa, starting
right next to the Visitors’ Centre, stretching up into the hills.
Samples of hotels:
3 star hotels: Sella Hotel,
Amra Palace, Petra Palace etcetera
4 star hotels: Petra Guest
House, Petra Moon, Beit Zaman etcetera
5 star hotels: Moevenpick
Resort, Marriott Hotel
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| Room at Sella Hotel |
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| Panorama View of the Petra Guest House |
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| Exterior of Moevenpick Resort Petra |
How much time do I need to
see Petra?
Petra is a huge site. You can
explore and see the main sights in a day (Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades,
Royal Tombs, Theatre, Qasr Al Bint, and The Monastery). Active travelers or
hiker stays longer to hike the Upper portion of the site.
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| Detailed Map of Petra Park |
I am visiting Petra for a
day, how much walking will I have to do?
Expect a lot of walking. The
entrance ticket includes a short horse ride from the visitor’s centre to the
entrance of the Siq, or you might want to save this ride going back to the
entrance, bear in mind you need to pay a tip to the horse boy.
The walk from the Visitors
Centre up to the entrance of Siq is about 15 minutes.
If it gets too much
for you alternative transportation are available such as camels, donkeys and
horses. Click here read the separate post on Horses, Camels, Donkeys in Petra.
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| Camel Ride |
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| Monastery El Deir |
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes as
you’ll be walking on sandy and rocky ground. A hat, cap or scarf is recommended for protection against the sand, sun or wind.
You’ll see people in all sorts of clothing from shirt, short sleeved top and shorts, long sleeved
top and trousers or hiking gear. A bag pack or knapsack is recommended for your
bottled water and other items.
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| Exploring Petra |
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| Visit to Petra with the family |
Can I buy food and drinks inside
Petra?
There are stalls outside the
entrance where you can grab a drink and snack. For your own convenience its
worth to bring bottled water as prices seems to be higher in the site.
Inside Petra there are some
places to sit, drink and eat from simple booth to Bedouin tea stall and there
are 2 restaurants where you can have a buffet or A la Carte meals, these
establishments are near the Museum.
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| A small shop and sitting area |
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| Small Kiosk selling souvenirs |
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| The Basin Restaurant near the Museum area |
Is there any toilets / wash room
/ or portable toilet in Petra?
Portable toilet is existing by the start of The Siq and some of cafes.
Proper toilet blocks are located
near the Visitors’ Centre, Theatre and by the Museum.
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| Petra Map showing toilets & store location |
