Petra (Wadi Musa)
Not been yet
At a glance
- Country
- Jordan
- Region
- Ma'an Governorate
- Population
- 20,000
- Best time to go
- March to May, September to November
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Aqaba King Hussein International (AQJ)
- Coordinates
- 30.32°N, 35.48°E
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Wadi Musa is the small town at the gate of Petra, the Nabataean city carved into rose-coloured sandstone more than two thousand years ago. Its hotels, restaurants and shops exist almost entirely to serve visitors to the site.
Petra is far bigger than most people expect. Allow two days if you can, start early to beat the heat and the tour groups, and wear good shoes for the steep, sandy paths.
Things to see
-
Photo: David Bjorgen, CC BY-SA 3.0 The Siq
A narrow, winding gorge more than a kilometre long, its walls closing in until the Treasury appears at the end.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Susanahajer, CC BY-SA 3.0 The Treasury
Al-Khazneh, the famous carved façade, glows in the morning light. Come early for a quiet view.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Azurfrog, CC BY-SA 3.0 The Monastery
Climb about 800 rock-cut steps to Ad Deir, a vast tomb façade with mountain views at the top.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Yousef Awad 90, CC BY-SA 4.0 Royal Tombs
A row of grand façades cut into the cliff opposite the colonnaded street, striped with red and orange rock.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 Little Petra
A smaller site of carved buildings a short drive north, free of crowds, with painted ceiling fragments.
Things to do
-
Photo: Mustafa Waad Saeed, CC BY-SA 4.0 Petra by Night
Walk the candlelit Siq to the Treasury for music and stories under the stars on selected evenings.
Find tours -
Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY 2.0 Hike to the High Place of Sacrifice
A steep trail climbs to an ancient altar with views across the site, then loops down past quieter tombs.
-
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0 Day trip to Wadi Rum
Red-sand desert and Bedouin camps about two hours south. Many travellers stay a night.
Find tours
Where to stay
Near the Visitor Centre
Hotels within walking distance of the entrance, ideal for early starts.
Hotels in Near the Visitor CentreUpper Wadi Musa
Cheaper guesthouses up the hill, with shuttles or taxis down to the gate.
Hotels in Upper Wadi MusaLittle Petra camps
Bedouin-style camps in the desert north of town for a quieter night.
Hotels in Little Petra camps
Getting around
Walking is the only way to see Petra properly; donkeys and horses are offered, but choose a welfare-conscious operator or go on foot. Taxis link the town and Little Petra.
JETT buses run from Amman in around three to four hours, and Aqaba is about two hours away by road. The Jordan Pass covers entry for most visitors who arrive from abroad.
When to go
Spring and autumn are ideal for long days on foot. Summer is very hot in the middle of the day, and winter nights are cold, with occasional rain or even snow.
Plan your trip to Petra (Wadi Musa)
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.