What a different world by entering the city of Petra! Hotels, restaurants, gift shops, banks and the like line up both sides of the street offering their services. We followed the seemingly endless businesses up to the entrance of the ancient Petra because our hotel is located just right behind the 5 stars Mövenpick which is opposite to the entrance. La Maison (3 stars) was nice and comfy enough for the two days and nights we stayed in. The staffs spoke fluently English and were very helpful. We could park our car in front of the hotel on the other side of the street for the whole visit to Petra as not many of the mainly international visitors were self-driving.
Triclinium, Petra
The ancient town of Petra consists of different buildings cut into rocks, erected by the Nabataeans, a tribe originated from the Arabian peninsula, more than two milleniums ago. With the decline of their wealth, power and civilisation the town fell itself into oblivion for many centuries until the swiss J.L. Burckhardt rediscovered it two hundred years ago.
Air conditioned taxi (but no WLAN), a donkey ride offered to you every 5 minutes constantly! Price: A matter of bargaining.
Up to date only 20% of the ancient Petra has been excavated. Needless to say this UNESCO world heritage site is a must-see for everyone visiting Jordan! A place for you to feel humble, what richness of mankind one has inherited.
Petra´s historic town centre
In practical terms it is not inexpensive to get in the area. It is recommended to take three days to explore the site. We found it was OK for us as not passionate non-archaeologists to spend a whole day walking around in the sun at 30°C to admire the rock-cut architecture. The one day ticket for foreign and longterm visitor costs 50 JOD (1 Euro = 0,92 JOD), for foreign and one day visitor 90 JOD (i.e. those from Egypt, Israel or from cruiser stopping in Aqaba who enter Jordan for just one day to visit Petra).
Ad-Deir, the cloister, another further walk 800 stairs up the hill