Hostels in PETRA, JORDAN

Petra – City with Wealth of Grandeur and Rock-cut Architecture

Located in the south of Jordan, Petra is one of the ancient Nabataean cities, better known as a part of UNESCO World Heritage List and more recently, as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The wealth of rock-cut architecture speaks about the city’s opulence and dignity.

History
Petra has a long history, starting from the Nabataean rule in the 6th century BC. The influence of Nabataean rule was so strong that it kept on influencing the city for many more centuries. Ptolemaic and Seleucid kingdoms also ruled the city; however, the Nabataean kingdom took no time to suppress their rules. It was in 106 BC that the city was integrated with the Roman Empire. Petra not only grew as a trade centre, but the rock architectural designs also flourished in the area. Christianity was introduced in the city during the 4th century AD. It was in the 7th century that the city was destroyed by earthquake and it remained undiscovered for many centuries.

The travellers from west played an important role in reinventing the city. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt and David Roberts prepared ample of content about the city in the 18th and the 19th century. It was in the year 1923 and due to the creation of Trans Jordan that the real excavation of the city began. In 1985, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Recently in 2007, Petra was able to secure its place among the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Popular Places
Petra is often titled as the Treasure of Jordan and the wealth of ancient sites justifies the title. The whole city is like an archaeological park, inviting hundreds of thousands of tourists on everyday basis. Siq is the long sandstone-built canyon that greets the tourists at the entrance of the city. Sandstone patterns and terracotta pipes are the highlights of this place. Treasury structure is the place to view urns and the Street of facades is known for its tombs. The Roman Theatre adjoining the Street of facades is a great place for variety of performances.

The Monastery is the world-class carved monument is known for its 800 steps and stone designs. Many other popular sites in the city include the Byzantine Church, High palace of Sacrifice, Great Temple and many more.

Getting Around
It is better to hire a guide that can help you explore the most significant sites of the city and make you familiar with their importance. Horses, camels and donkeys are the preferred options to get around the city.

Places of Entertainment
Entertainment spots are available in the form of ancient excavation sites, featuring rock-cut architecture features. The Mountain of Aaron can be climbed to have wonderful views of the city form the top.

Accommodation Options
Luxury as well as budget hotels can be found in the city. Apart from that, one can also prefer to stay at guesthouse, inns, youth hostels, bed and breakfast options, resorts and camping options.

Currency
You can learn about the currency exchange rates and news from the online resources before visiting Petra. Dinar is the official currency of the city and it can be exchanged at various points in the city.  
   
Group accommodation in Petra | Youth Hostels & Discount Hotels