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Destinations / Jordan

Petra (Wadi Musa)

Wadi Musa (وادي موسى)

Rose-red Nabataean city carved into cliffs

historyadventurearchitecturenature
Plan your trip to Petra (Wadi Musa)See the top 10
ArabicLanguage
JODCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$130-220Typical day

Wadi Musa is the small town at the gate of Petra, the ancient Nabataean city carved from rose-coloured rock. This guide covers the town, the Petra archaeological park and nearby desert sights such as Wadi Rum. Most visitors spend one or two full days hiking the site.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. Petra's iconic tomb facade carved into the cliff at the end of the Siq. It is about 40 meters tall.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $70Cost
    noBook ahead

    One day Petra ticket 50 JD for overnight visitors, 2026.

    Tip. Arrive at opening for empty views.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. A narrow 1.2 km canyon leading into Petra, with walls up to 80 meters high. Water channels line its sides.

    45 minutesTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Included in Petra ticket.

    Tip. Walk it slowly both ways.
    Official siteSee on the map

  3. Rows of grand tombs carved high in the cliff. The colours in the rock are striking in afternoon light.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Included in ticket.

    Tip. Afternoon light suits the Royal Tombs.
    See on the map

  4. A huge carved facade reached by around 800 rock steps. Views from nearby lookouts are superb.

    3 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Included in ticket.

    Tip. Climb in the morning or late afternoon.
    See on the map

  5. A hilltop altar reached by a steep trail. It overlooks the whole site.

    2 to 3 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Included in ticket.

    Tip. Loop down past the Garden Tomb.
    See on the map

  6. The Siq and Treasury lit by about 1,500 candles. There is music and storytelling.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $40-45Cost
    noBook ahead

    30 JD separate ticket, 2026.

    Tip. Runs on certain evenings only.
    See on the map

  7. A small Nabataean suburb with carved buildings. It is free and quiet.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. About 15 minutes by taxi.
    See on the map

  8. A red desert valley of sandstone mountains and Bedouin camps. Jeep tours and overnight camps are popular.

    Full dayTime needed
    recommendedBook ahead

    Protected area fee plus tour costs.

    Tip. About 1.5 to 2 hours by car.
    See on the map

  9. A modern museum at the visitor center explaining Nabataean history. It is a good start.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Visit before entering the site.
    See on the map

  10. The Roman-era main street and a large temple complex. Excavations continue.

    1 hourTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Included in ticket.

    Tip. Rest at the restaurant nearby.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Petra in three days

Two Petra days with the High Place of Sacrifice, then Little Petra and Wadi Rum.

  1. Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)1 hour · about $70
  2. The Siq45 minutes
  3. Royal Tombs and Street of Facades1.5 hours
  4. Ad Deir (The Monastery)3 hours
  5. High Place of Sacrifice2 to 3 hours
  6. Petra by Night2 hours · about $40-45
  7. Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)1 hour · Free
  8. Wadi RumFull day
  9. Petra Museum1 hour · Free
  10. Great Temple and Colonnaded Street1 hour
Beyond the city

Day trips

Aqaba

Red Sea snorkeling.

78 mi · Car or bus, about 2 hours

Shobak Castle

Crusader castle on a hill.

22 mi · Car, about 40 minutes

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: March to May and September to November. Comfortable hiking temperatures.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

53°F
Typical daily high
Average43°F
Rain1.8 in
About6 rainy days
Sun strength3.5 kWh/m²

Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Year

Petra by Night

Several evenings a week

The Siq and Treasury lit by candles.

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Know before you go

At a glance

3/5
Safety

Jordan is at US State Department Level 3 (reconsider travel) for terrorism and regional risks; Petra is calm, but follow current advice, and the main day risks are heat and steep trails.

3/5
Walkability

Petra itself is a long walk on sand and rock steps; the town is hilly.

1/5
Public transport

Within town use taxis; JETT buses link Amman and Aqaba.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123

1. Wadi Musa near the gate

$$

Best for: first-timers

Walk to the visitor center.

2. Upper Wadi Musa

$

Best for: budget

Cheaper hotels with views.

3. Taybeh

$$$

Best for: couples

Hill village hotels with sunset views.

Getting there and around

Main airportQueen Alia International (AMM), from the center
To the centerBus or car takes about 3 hours; Aqaba (AQJ) is closer at about 2 hours.
Around townWalk into the park from town, and take taxis for Little Petra.
Ride appsCareem, Uber
Taste it

What to eat

Mansaf

Lamb in fermented yogurt sauce over rice.

Maqluba

Upside-down rice with chicken or vegetables.

Galayet bandora

Tomato stew with bread.

Good to know

PlugsType C, D, F, G and J, 230 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTip around 10 percent in restaurants and a few dinars for guides.
PaymentsCash is important in Wadi Musa; cards work in hotels.
EtiquetteDress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing locals.
  • Buy the Jordan Pass before arrival if staying 3 nights; it includes Petra and the visa fee.
  • Day visitors not staying overnight in Jordan pay a much higher fee.
  • Petra by Night is not in the day ticket.
  • Start at opening to avoid heat and crowds.

A short history

The Nabataeans, Arab traders who grew rich on incense routes, made Petra their capital from around the 4th century BC. Rome annexed it in 106 AD. Earthquakes and shifting trade routes led to its decline, and it was little known in the West until Johann Burckhardt visited in 1812. It became a UNESCO site in 1985.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Petra (Wadi Musa)