Petra / Wadi Musa, Jordan: travel guide
A rose-red Nabataean city carved into the sandstone canyons
The rose-red Nabataean city carved into sandstone canyons — Jordan's crown jewel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The modern town of Wadi Musa on the ridge above is the base for visiting.
About Petra / Wadi Musa
Petra is the great ancient city of the Nabataeans, carved into pink sandstone cliffs in southern Jordan. The modern town of Wadi Musa lies on the ridge above and serves as the base for visitors.
You approach through the Siq, a narrow winding canyon, to find the Treasury appearing at its end. Beyond it the valley opens to the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, and the Monastery, which is reached by a long climb of rock steps. Hiking trails lead to high viewpoints, and some visitors return in the evening for the candlelit walk.
Petra suits active travellers and history lovers who can spend at least a full day on foot. Spring and autumn are the best time to visit, with comfortable temperatures for walking.
- Country
- Jordan
- Currency
- JOD
- Time zone
- Asia/Amman
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Petra / Wadi Musa
Qasr al-Bint
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The main freestanding temple structure in Petra, dedicated to a Nabataean deity, located at the end of the Colonnaded Street.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
nabataean site · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A compact satellite Nabataean site 8km north, its narrow "cold canyon" lined with facades, cisterns and a rare painted biclinium ceiling. Free to enter.
The Monastery (Ad-Deir)
rock-cut temple · 4.9 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Petra's largest monument, a 47m-wide rock-cut facade reached by an ~800-step climb, rewarding hikers with a giant Nabataean temple and canyon-edge viewpoints.
Petra Museum
archaeological museum · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A modern museum by the visitor centre displaying artefacts from the site and explaining Nabataean civilisation, engineering and daily life. Free entry.
Petra Roman Theatre
theatre · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A theatre carved by the Nabataeans and enlarged under Rome, seating around 8,500, cut directly into the mountainside amid the Street of Facades.
Petra Colonnaded Street & Great Temple
city ruins · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The heart of the ancient city centre: a paved Roman-era colonnaded street leading to the Great Temple, the largest freestanding structure Petra's Nabataeans built.
Obelisk Tomb & Bab as-Siq Triclinium
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A combined two-story monument near the entrance to the Siq, featuring four Nabataean pyramidal obelisks above a banquet hall.
High Place of Sacrifice
sacred high place · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A well-preserved Nabataean open-air altar on a summit reached by a steep stepped trail, offering some of Petra's finest panoramas.
Al-Beidha (Neolithic Village)
neolithic site · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the oldest known farming settlements in the Middle East (~7,000 BCE), an excavated Neolithic village beside Little Petra.
Al-Habis Citadel
Fort · 4.3 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A small Crusader-era fortress atop a hill within the Petra archaeological park, overlooking the city centre.
The Siq
canyon entrance · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The dramatic 1.2km natural gorge, in places only a few metres wide between 100m cliffs, that forms the winding entrance to Petra and frames the first glimpse of the Treasury.
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
rock-cut tomb · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Petra's most famous monument: a 40m-high Hellenistic-style facade carved into rose sandstone around the 1st century CE, revealed at the end of the Siq.
Things to do
- Petra by Night Cultural · 2 h · from JOD 17 per person
- Petra Full-Day Guided Tour Cultural · 6 h · from JOD 55 per person
- Little Petra to Monastery Back-Trail Hike Adventure · 5 h · from JOD 60 per person
Where to stay in Petra / Wadi Musa
- Wadi Musa Town Centre about JOD 55 per night
The main accommodation hub above Petra with hotels for every budget and short transfers down to the gate.
- Petra Gate about JOD 110 per night
Staying right at the entrance means being first into the Siq in the morning — a few upscale hotels cluster here.
Hotels
- Petra Marriott Hotel 5-star · JOD 90 to JOD 190 per night
- Rocky Mountain Hotel 2-star · JOD 22 to JOD 45 per night
- Petra Gate Hostel 1-star · JOD 8 to JOD 35 per night
- Mövenpick Resort Petra 5-star · JOD 120 to JOD 260 per night
- Petra Guest House Hotel 3-star · JOD 60 to JOD 110 per night
Where to eat
- The Basin Restaurant International, Jordanian, Buffet · about JOD 20 per person
- My Mom's Recipe Restaurant Jordanian, Middle Eastern · about JOD 14 per person
- Al Qantarah Restaurant Jordanian, Levantine · about JOD 14 per person
- Three Steps Restaurant Middle Eastern, International · about JOD 9 per person
- Petra Kitchen Jordanian · about JOD 35 per person
- The Cave Bar Bar, International · about JOD 15 per person
- Al-Wadi Restaurant Jordanian, Middle Eastern · about JOD 10 per person
Getting to Petra / Wadi Musa
Nearest airport: Eilat (Ramon) (ETM), about 80 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Petra / Wadi Musa
- JETT bus from Amman By road from Amman · common · unconfirmed
JETT runs from its office near Abdali station with a pickup at 7th Circle, stopping at the bus station a few minutes from the Petra entrance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Minibus or taxi from Aqaba By road from Aqaba · common · unconfirmed
Minibuses leave when full; one-way taxis also run. Ask at the border information office. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Minibus from Wadi Rum By road from Wadi Rum · possible · unconfirmed
Arranged through your tour operator or guide a day ahead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Walk down Tourist Road unconfirmed
From Wadi Musa walk downhill along Tourist Road to the Petra gate, or take a short taxi; many hotels offer a lift. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Shuttle
Many hotels in Wadi Musa organise their own transport to and from the entrance to Petra, and minibuses depart from the town bus station.
- Taxi
Taxis carry visitors from Wadi Musa to the Petra entrance, and the route can also be covered on foot, downhill from town.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Petra "free" horse ride and tipping pressure
Petra gate to the Siq
The short horse ride from the gate to the Siq is included in your Petra ticket, but handlers present it as a personal favour and then demand a large tip. Kids may also press you to buy postcards or "guide" you.
How to avoid it: Know the horse ride is pre-paid; tip only a small amount (1-2 JOD) if you wish. Politely decline unsolicited guiding.
Overpriced donkey/camel rides inside Petra
Inside Petra (to the Monastery)
Animal handlers quote low starting prices then raise them mid-way, or pressure tired hikers near the Monastery steps.
How to avoid it: Agree the full price and destination clearly before mounting; walking is free and often just as quick.
Best time to visit Petra / Wadi Musa
- Jan 11°C
- Feb 13°C
- Mar 17°C
- Apr 21°C
- May 25°C
- Jun 29°C
- Jul 30°C
- Aug 30°C
- Sep 28°C
- Oct 25°C
- Nov 18°C
- Dec 13°C
More in Jordan
Frequently asked questions about Petra / Wadi Musa
- How many days do you need in Petra / Wadi Musa?
- A typical trip to Petra / Wadi Musa is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Petra / Wadi Musa?
- The highest-rated places in our Petra / Wadi Musa guide are The Monastery (Ad-Deir), Obelisk Tomb & Bab as-Siq Triclinium, High Place of Sacrifice, Petra Roman Theatre, Petra Colonnaded Street & Great Temple.
- Where should I stay in Petra / Wadi Musa?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Petra / Wadi Musa: Wadi Musa Town Centre, Petra Gate.
- How do I get around Petra / Wadi Musa?
- Ways to get around Petra / Wadi Musa covered in our guide: Shuttle, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Petra / Wadi Musa?
- Scams reported to us for Petra / Wadi Musa include Petra "free" horse ride and tipping pressure; Overpriced donkey/camel rides inside Petra. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Petra / Wadi Musa?
- Average daytime highs in Petra / Wadi Musa run from 11°C in Jan to 30°C in Aug.