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Petra is the ancient Nabataean capital carved into the rose-pink sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan. Hidden inside a narrow gorge called the Siq, the city was a Silk Road trading hub until the 4th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Most travellers base themselves in the modern town of Wadi Musa, a short walk from the entrance. The headline experience is the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) framed at the end of the Siq, but the site stretches across more than 100 km² and includes the Monastery (Ad Deir), the Royal Tombs, and the High Place of Sacrifice. Petra by Night, a candle-lit walk through the Siq, runs on selected evenings.
Country
Jordan
Region
Ma'an Governorate, southern Jordan
Population
~30,000 (Wadi Musa)
Elevation
~1,000 m
Time Zone
EET (UTC+3)
Currency
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Language
Arabic; English widely spoken in tourism
Nearest Airport
Aqaba King Hussein International (AQJ); Amman Queen Alia (AMM)
Airport to City Centre
AQJ ~135 km / 2 h; AMM ~240 km / 3 h by road
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range
Transport Pass
Jordan Pass (visa + Petra + 40 other sites)
Spring (Mar-May)
9-27°C, ideal hiking weather
Summer (Jun-Aug)
16-34°C, hot and sunny, busy
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
10-29°C, mild and clear
Winter (Dec-Feb)
2-13°C, cold nights, occasional snow
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March-May and September-November bring the most comfortable temperatures for hiking the site. Summer (June-August) brings 35-40 C daytime heat, and you should start at sunrise. Winter (December-February) is cold, sometimes snowy, and the site can briefly close after heavy rain.
Petra is in Wadi Musa, about 240 km south of Amman and 135 km north of Aqaba. The JETT bus from Amman takes around 3.5-4 hours. Most travellers self-drive on the Desert Highway or hire a private driver, often combining Petra with Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.
A one-day ticket costs around 50 JOD, with multi-day options available. The best-value option is the Jordan Pass, which bundles the Petra entry, a tourist visa fee waiver (with at least 3 nights' stay), and entry to 40+ other sites for around 70-80 JOD.
Two full days lets you see the Siq, Treasury, Royal Tombs, and Street of Facades on day one, then hike to the Monastery and the High Place of Sacrifice on day two. Add a night for Petra by Night (held Monday, Wednesday, Thursday).
Petra and Wadi Musa are very safe, with high police presence in the site itself. Within Petra, watch your footing on rocky paths, drink plenty of water, and be wary of unsolicited offers to ride donkeys or camels - agree the price beforehand.
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Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
