Inside the Petra Treasury in short
The rich decoration of Al Khazneh is on the outside. The inside is a large, plain chamber cut into the rock, with little of the carving that covers the facade. Visitors view the Treasury from the square in front, and you should not plan on going in.
If you want someone to explain the monument on the spot, compare guided Petra tours before you book.
Can you go inside?
What to expect at the monument.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can visitors enter the main chamber? | Plan on no. Access to the interior is blocked. |
| Is there a ticket for the inside? | Ask at the visitor center on the day if anything has changed. |
| Are the underground tombs open? | No. They are part of research work, not a visitor attraction. |
| Is the inside decorated like the facade? | No. It is a plain room. |
| Does it look like the film? | No. The chambers in the film do not match the real room. |
The practical answer: spend your time at the facade and the square, and use the daylight well. For most visitors, the best plan is to arrive early, look at the Treasury from the middle of the square and then walk on to the Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs. Entry prices are on the Petra tickets page: in 2026 a one-day ticket is JOD 50 with an overnight stay in Jordan and JOD 90 without one, with JOD 55 for 2 days and JOD 60 for 3 days. Children under 12 go free by day. The walk from the visitor center to the Treasury takes up to 1 hour depending on pace, so allow the same for the way back.
Our pick: a guided walk past the Treasury
This walk stops in front of the Treasury and explains what lies behind the doorway.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours to the Treasury
Guided visits and day trips that reach the Treasury, with live prices and availability.
What the interior is like
One room or three, but plain either way.
A plain large chamber
The inside is a large, plain chamber without the rich decoration of the facade. Most of the carving is on the outside.
One room or three
The interior is often described as three chambers: a central one and one on each side. Other descriptions mention a single plain chamber with side rooms. Do not expect a detailed tour of the inside.
What is still debated
The builder and the use of the Treasury are still debated, as the history page explains. The interior alone does not settle it.
Tombs found underneath
A research team received a special permit to investigate and excavate below the Treasury. In October 2024 the University of St Andrews announced a burial chamber with 12 skeletons under the monument. The work was done with the Department of Antiquities, the Petra authority and the ACOR.
That is research, not a visitor attraction. It does not mean the underground chambers are open to the public, and nobody can say who the people buried there were. Earlier, in 2003, excavations in front of the monument found three Nabataean tombs from the end of the 1st century BC, which are read as royal tombs.
The Nabataean finds in the museum at the visitor center are a better way to meet this culture indoors. See the facade guide for what you can see on the front.
The film and the real inside
In "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989), the Treasury stands for the temple of the Holy Grail. Filming in Petra took place in August 1988. The grail chambers in the film do not match the real chamber, which is a plain room.
The story of the shoot and how the facade appears in the film is on the Indiana Jones page.
Do not stay behind at the Treasury after the site closes to look for a better view. Staying in Petra after closing time can lead to arrest and prosecution.
What to do instead
Other ways to see the Treasury well.
The Treasury facade
Urn, figures, size and what it was built for.
The view from above
Guided routes to a higher view of the square.
Petra by Night
Candles in the Siq and a program in front of the Treasury.
Best time for the Treasury
Light, crowds and winter hours.
For Petra beyond the Treasury, such as the monastery and the trails, see visitpetra.org.
Inside the Treasury: frequently asked questions
Can you go inside the Treasury in Petra?
Plan on no. Visitors view the Treasury from the square, and access to the interior is blocked. Ask at the visitor center on the day if you want to check.
What is inside the Treasury?
A large, plain chamber without the rich decoration of the facade. Some descriptions mention three chambers: a central one and one on each side.
Are there tombs under the Treasury?
Yes. In 2024 a research team announced a burial chamber with 12 skeletons under the monument. It was found in research work and is not open to visitors.
Is the inside like the Indiana Jones film?
No. The film uses the facade of the Treasury, but its interior chambers do not match the real inside, which is a plain room.
Is it worth going to the Treasury if you cannot enter?
Yes. The facade is the main attraction. The carved front, the square and the walk through the Siq are what most visitors come for.
Is this an official site?
No. This is an independent guide to Al Khazneh. It is not run by the Petra authorities or any tour operator.