Travel Guide Petra
After the writings of Lawrence of Arabia, it is undoubtedly Steven Spielberg's 1989 film - starring the immortal Indiana Jones - that has contributed to making the grandiose site of Petra known. Ignored by the general public until the early 1930s, due to the absence of mention of this ancient desert city in the biblical texts, the majestic Petra has been for nearly a century an inexhaustible source of knowledge for archaeologists, who have so far excavated only one tenth of it. Nestled in the arid gorges of southern Jordan, it is now one of the most important places to visit in the Middle East and is without a doubt the highlight of any visit to the country. Its history is ancient, as it was once the capital of a very influential trading people, the Nabataeans, who ruled the region from the 6th century B.C. onwards and were dislodged by the Roman Empire. From this ancient civilization, we have survived breathtaking facades carved in sandstone, housing temples and royal tombs, and it is precisely the orientation points through this maze of orange-pink rocks, whose colors undulate with the movements of the sun, that the tourist guide of Petra proposes to establish. However, words are powerless to describe the mystical beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three full days are not too much to take in the intense and bewitching atmosphere that emanates from Petra, touristy but absolutely unmissable and spectacular.
What to visit Petra?
When to go to Petra?
When to go to Petra? The city of the ancient Nabatean kingdom is located in the valleys of southwestern Jordan, not far from the desert. Temperatures reach their peak in the middle of summer, which is why spring or autumn is the best time to go there, as these periods correspond to the high tourist seasons in Jordan, due to a hot but bearable weather. Of course, this has an impact on the price of accommodation, so the best time to go to Petra for those who are thrifty is most certainly winter, with temperatures around 15°C during the day. However, nights are very cool at this time of the year, so it is more than advisable to bring warm clothes. When to go to Petra? The best consensus is certainly around March-April and October-November.
Weather at the moment
Jordan's climate is characterized by strong sunshine, but varies from one region of the country to another: Petra being located in the south of the country, it is a desert regime that prevails there. The thermal amplitude between day and night is even impressive, and Petra's temperature varies by around 15°C (in July, the 35°C during the day gives way to a night at 20°C). The suffocating weather was aside, the weather in Petra is quite pleasant.
In Petra and in Jordan, the monetary unit is the Jordanian dinar (DJ in French - JOD in English, official abbreviation). To access the site of Petra, you will have to pay 50 JOD (about 50 €) for one day and 60 JOD (about 60 €) for three days. For the rest, Petra is a tourist destination accessible to all budgets, and it is in the small village of Wadi Musa, 3 km from the site, that you will stay and eat, in establishments of various standings.
Is a visa required to visit Petra? Yes. You will need a passport valid for more than 6 months after your return to Jordan, as well as a visa: single entry at 40 DJ or double entry (60 DJ, which allows you to exit and re-enter the country) which you can purchase at the airport upon arrival. There is also the Jordan Pass, which includes a free visa if you purchase it online before crossing the border and spend at least three consecutive nights in the country. Those arriving in Jordan from Israel must cross one of the three borders: Sheikh Hussein, Allenby and Arava.
There are no special diseases to report in Jordan and no vaccinations are required to travel to Petra. There are no mosquitoes. The only problem could be the heat and the sun, but a good sun cream should do the trick to avoid burns. If the thirst in Petra is fierce, the tap water is not drinkable. Hydrate generously by buying bottles of mineral water, and you'll be fine.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
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How to go to Petra? Our advice & tips
Being a highly touristic place, Petra knows many specialists offering tailor-made or "all-inclusive" trips including flight, transportation from Amman (the Jordanian capital, in the north) or from Aqaba (in the south) to Petra, accommodation and access rights to the site. If you have more time, it is also possible to add to the visit of Petra a trip to Wadi Rum (the neighboring desert), to Aqaba and the Red Sea, to the Kings' Road and the Dead Sea, or even to Amman.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationTo go to Petra by your own means, you need a plane ticket, whose price will be interesting as long as you take it in advance. A flight from Paris to Amman (4h30 with a direct connection) costs between 500 and 800 €, but it is quite possible to find tickets around 350 €. Then, 3 hours by cab or 3h30 by bus or minibus (for a small fee) from Amman will take you to Wadi Musa, 3 km from the site of Petra, where you will have taken care to book your accommodation in advance.
In addition to the bus or the cab that we take to reach Petra, on the spot, it is on foot that we move. The 3 km that separates the village of Wadi Musa from the site of Petra can be done easily in the morning, when the heat is not yet too much felt, but may seem more difficult after a long day of walking. You can either hire a cab or take the shuttle bus from the hotel where you are staying. In Petra, one can also travel by camel or horse.
