Near the Visitor Centre
Ideal for: first visit, early starts
Hotels a few minutes' walk from the site entrance: ideal for getting in ahead of the crowds.
Petra
The Nabataean city carved into pink sandstone, one of the most famous sites in the world.
First visit: where to stay
Jordan: the essentials
Plan your stay in Petra
Best areas to stay in Petra
Central Wadi Musa
Ideal for: budget, restaurants
The small town next to the site, with its restaurants; a taxi or hotel shuttle to the entrance.
Bedouin camps near Little Petra
Ideal for: nature, experience
Tents and camps in the desert, peaceful, near the Siq al-Barid site.
When to go to Petra: the weather month by month
The warmest months are July and August (average highs up to 30 °C); the coolest, January and February (average lows of 2 °C).
| Month | Average low and high | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45 mm | |
| Feb | 38 mm | |
| Mar | 36 mm | |
| Apr | 12 mm | |
| May | 4 mm | |
| Jun | 0 mm | |
| Jul | 0 mm | |
| Aug | 0 mm | |
| Sept | 0 mm | |
| Oct | 2 mm | |
| Nov | 15 mm | |
| Dec | 41 mm |
Averages from the Wadi Musa weather station (— normals): the weather in any given year may differ. Source: Wikipedia, “Wadi Musa” (accessed 28 October 2026), CC BY-SA 4.0. This table is shared under the same licence.
Practical info about Petra
Petra, the ancient Nabataean capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You enter through the Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa. Allow at least a full day, and wear good shoes.
What to see in Petra
- The Siq, the narrow gorge leading to the site;
- the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the most famous monument;
- the Street of Facades, the theatre and the Royal Tombs;
- the Monastery (Ad Deir), at the end of a long climb up steps;
- Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), smaller and quieter, a few kilometres away;
- Petra by Night, a separate show, not included in the Jordan Pass.
Getting to Petra
Allow about three hours by road from Amman on the Desert Highway. A JETT bus links Amman with Petra, and Aqaba is about two hours away. The Wadi Rum desert, also a UNESCO site, is easy to combine with Petra.
All our tips for the country in Travel in Jordan.