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Overview
Petra is more than just a famous photograph; it is a vast ancient metropolis carved directly into vibrant red, white, and pink sandstone cliffs. For families, visiting Petra feels like stepping into an adventure movie. The sheer scale of the place is humbling. The experience begins with the walk through The Siq, a narrow natural gorge flanked by towering cliffs that block out the sound of the modern world. The anticipation builds until the gorge ends, revealing the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh) in a moment of pure magic. But the Treasury is just the beginning; the site stretches for miles, filled with tombs, temples, and Roman theatres.
While the history of the Nabataeans is fascinating, for children, the joy of Petra is often in the journey itself. The site is a giant maze of rocks to climb (safely!) and caves to peek into. Animals are everywhere—camels posing in front of the Treasury and donkeys trotting up the steps. Note on animal welfare: While riding animals is popular, families should check the condition of the animal first and consider walking to reduce the burden on them. The site is huge, so pace yourselves. It is not a place to rush; it is a place to wander, imagining the caravans that once hauled incense and spices through these very streets.
Key Attractions
The journey starts at The Siq. Point out the ancient water channels carved into the sides of the cliffs to the kids—an engineering marvel that kept this desert city alive. Once through, the Treasury is the main photo stop. Beyond that, the Street of Facades offers rows of tombs that are easier for little legs to explore. For active families with older children, the hike to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) is a challenge (800+ steps) but rewards you with a massive monument similar to the Treasury but far larger and with fewer crowds. The Royal Tombs are also a highlight, glowing with colorful geological bands of rock that look like melted wax.
Practical Advice
Go early. Arrive at the visitor center by 6:30 am or 7:00 am to beat the heat and the bus tours. By 10:00 am, the Siq is crowded. Buy the Jordan Pass before arrival for visa/entry savings. Wear sturdy shoes—sneakers or hiking boots—as the terrain is dusty, rocky, and uneven. There is no shade for long stretches, so hats and sunscreen are vital.
Food & Drink
Typical meal times: Restaurants in Wadi Musa (the town) serve dinner from 6:00 pm. Inside Petra, there are basins with buffet lunches served 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
Typical meal costs: Inside the site, food is expensive and mediocre. A buffet lunch costs approx. 10–15 JOD per person. In Wadi Musa, family dinners cost 20–40 JOD (approx. $28–56 USD / €26–52 EUR).
Dietary requirements: Standard Jordanian fare. The Basin Restaurant inside Petra offers reliable international buffets catering to tourists.
Signature dishes:
- Galayet Bandora – A tomato skillet dish popular in the south, often cooked with meat.
- Shraak Bread – Huge, paper-thin whole wheat bread baked on a convex metal griddle (saj). Kids love watching the bakers flip the dough until it's translucent.
Why this score?
Visiting Petra involves extensive physical activity, including hiking through the Siq and climbing over 800 steps to reach the Monastery. The rugged desert sandstone terrain and exposure to the sun provide a significant outdoor challenge for most families.
Why this score?
Wadi Musa has basic medical clinics and a local hospital, but they are not equipped for serious trauma or complex surgeries. Significant medical emergencies typically require stabilization and transport to Aqaba or Amman, which can be time-consuming given the distance.
Why this score?
As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO site, Petra is Jordan's most iconic international draw. It attracts nearly a million visitors annually, with an entire town (Wadi Musa) dedicated to catering to global tourists.
Petra is the most expensive attraction in Jordan. The entry fee alone is 50 JOD (approx. $70 USD / €65 EUR) for one day. Food inside the park is pricey. However, accommodation in Wadi Musa ranges from budget hostels (20 JOD) to luxury hotels (200 JOD), so sleeping costs can be managed.
Getting Here & Around
Getting Here
- Bus – JETT buses depart Amman at 6:30 am daily (approx. 3-4 hours). It’s a comfortable ride.
- Driving – The Desert Highway is the fastest route from Amman (3 hours). The scenic King's Highway is slower (5+ hours) but beautiful.
- From Aqaba – A 2-hour drive north, making it an easy connection from the coast.
Getting Around
- Walking – This is a walking destination. Expect to walk 10–15km in a full day. Strollers are possible only as far as the Treasury (through the Siq), but difficult beyond that due to deep sand and rocks.
- Electric Carts – A limited number of electric golf carts can be hired at the Visitor Center to take passengers through The Siq to the Treasury, ideal for those with mobility issues or very small children.
No airports in this region. See the country flight map for nearby connections.
Packing List
Dehydration happens fast in the dry canyon heat; water alone sometimes isn't enough for active kids.
Do not wear new shoes. You will walk 15,000+ steps on rock and sand. Blisters will ruin the day.
Even in summer, the early morning start at 6am can be surprisingly chilly in the mountains.
Useful to cover faces when the wind whips up the fine red dust in the open areas.
The Dead Sea bed is covered in sharp salt crystals that can cut feet; standard flip-flops may get ruined by the brine.
Essential for shielding your face from sand and dust during 4x4 jeep tours in Wadi Rum.
The combination of dry desert air and intense salinity at the Dead Sea dehydrates skin very quickly.
Flies can be surprisingly persistent and annoying in Petra and Wadi Rum, especially near animals.
Many Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum have limited electricity or turn generators off at night.
Desert temperatures drop drastically at night; it can be freezing in Wadi Rum even after a hot day.
Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Petra's desert trekking, including the Dana-to-Petra trail and Siq canyon exploration, is internationally iconic and draws adventure travelers from around the world. This warrants 'excellent' rather than being grouped with lesser adventure regions.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Home to the iconic Nabataean capital with major archaeological sites like the Treasury and Monastery carved into red sandstone. Visitation is highly seasonal due to the physical nature of exploring the expansive park, which is best experienced in mild weather.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
The King's Highway and Namala Pass offer dramatic, high-altitude desert driving with ancient historical stops. Winter months can bring icy conditions or low visibility on mountain passes, while spring and autumn offer the best clarity for scenic overlooks.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
Highly regarded for demanding endurance hiking and trail running on the Dana-to-Petra section of the Jordan Trail. Activity is restricted by seasonal temperature extremes, with the best infrastructure and guide availability during the temperate peak months.
Public Holidays & Calendar Next 12 months
Public holidays, festivals, cultural celebrations, and seasonal natural phenomena coming up in Petra over the next 12 months.
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Travel Advisory
All major agencies have recently elevated their warnings to the second-highest level due to a severe escalation in regional military conflict. Travelers are advised to defer non-essential trips as security conditions are volatile and could worsen without notice. This consensus is driven by risks of military activity, terrorism, and potential airspace closures.
Safety Topics
Traveller Advice (3 groups)
Respect local cultural standards by dressing modestly and avoiding traveling alone after dark, particularly in less tourist-heavy areas.
While private acts are not legally prohibited, public displays of affection are not socially accepted and may lead to harassment or legal scrutiny under public morality laws.
Ensure you have an emergency supply of food, water, and medication. Register your presence with your national embassy to receive urgent updates and be prepared to follow shelter-in-place orders during security incidents.
Agency Summaries
Regional escalation has created significant security risks and potential for travel disruption. Extremist attacks are considered very likely and could be indiscriminate. The government specifically advises against any travel within 3km of the Syrian border.
Heightened potential for neighboring conflicts in Syria and Israel to impact Jordan's safety. New Zealanders should maintain high personal security awareness and avoid large public gatherings which can turn violent quickly.
Citizens are advised to limit travel to essential trips only as the regional security situation is closely monitored. Those currently in the country should monitor local media and be prepared to shelter in place if instructed by authorities.
The risk level was raised due to the volatile regional security environment and the threat of retaliatory strikes. Australians are urged to avoid potential targets like diplomatic missions, military sites, and energy infrastructure.
The Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their families due to safety concerns. Travelers should reconsider visits because of terrorism risks and potential armed conflict. Certain areas, including border regions and specific neighborhoods like Baqa'a, are under 'Do Not Travel' warnings.
The security situation has deteriorated due to regional hostilities, resulting in an increased risk of military debris from intercepted projectiles and sudden airspace closures. Highly dangerous conditions exist near the borders with Syria and Iraq.
Information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute travel, safety, medical, or legal advice. Conditions may change. Users are responsible for independently verifying information before travel.