Jordan

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Petra

Ancient Rose City of the Nabataeans

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Petra Plan a trip around Jordan

Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Currency: JOD
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Jordan

Photo: David Berkowitz from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0

Petra is a 2,000-year-old Nabataean city carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs in southern Jordan, famous for its rock-cut tombs and temples. Visitors come to walk through the Siq to the Treasury, explore the Monastery and royal tombs, and experience one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Largest cities

Amman
Zarqa
Irbid
Aqaba
Salt

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Jordan
Capital: Amman
City population: 14,000
Population of Jordan: 10.4M
Country area: 89,341 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD) · 1 USD ≈ 0.709 JOD
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +962
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 880 m
Plugs: B / C / D / F / G · 230V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	14°	14°	18°	25°	28°	31°	32°	33°	29°	25°	21°	16°
Low	7°	6°	9°	14°	17°	21°	22°	23°	20°	17°	13°	9°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$35
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$85
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$210

Plan a trip to Petra

Top things to do

≈ $70
The Siq and Al-Khazneh (Treasury)
Walk through the narrow gorge to the iconic Treasury, best early morning when light hits the facade.
- Half day
- Petra Archaeological Park
- Good for kids
Free
Ad-Deir (Monastery)
Climb 800 rock-cut steps to Petra's largest monument, with a rewarding view; allow 2–3 hours round trip.
- Half day
- Petra Archaeological Park
Free
Royal Tombs
Explore the impressive Urn, Silk, Corinthian and Palace tombs carved into the cliff face.
- Half day
- Petra Archaeological Park
- Good for kids
Free
Byzantine Church
See well-preserved floor mosaics and papyrus scrolls in this 5th-century church.
- Half day
- Petra Archaeological Park
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
A smaller, quieter Nabataean site with carved facades and a narrow canyon, about 15 minutes from Wadi Musa.
- Half day
- Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
- Good for kids
≈ $20
Petra by Night
Walk the Siq by candlelight to the Treasury for traditional music and tea; runs on select evenings, book in advance.
- Half day
- Petra Archaeological Park
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $80
Wadi Rum Day Trip
Take a 4x4 tour of the desert's towering rock formations and Bedouin camps, about 2 hours from Petra.
- Full day
- Wadi Musa
- Good for kids
≈ $100
Dead Sea Day Trip
Float in the hypersaline waters and enjoy a mud bath at a resort, around 3 hours from Petra.
- Full day
- Wadi Musa
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa to enter Jordan. A single-entry visa can be purchased on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport or at the Sheikh Hussein/North Border land crossing for 40 Jordanian dinars (about 56 USD), valid for 3 months. Alternatively, if staying at least 3 nights, you can buy a Jordan Pass online before travel (70–80 JD), which includes the visa fee and entry to major sites. If you plan to stay more than 14 days, you must register with the local police station within 14 days of arrival. Always check the official UK government entry requirements page for the latest rules, as

Official website

From the airport

Most travellers arrive via Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, about 3.5 hours by bus or taxi to Wadi Musa, the town at Petra's entrance. JETT buses run daily from Amman (06:30) and Aqaba, and private taxis take around 3 hours from Amman or 2 hours from Aqaba.

Getting around

Within Petra, walking is the only way to explore the site; local transport in Wadi Musa includes taxis (1–2 JD) and hotel shuttles to the entrance.

Local tips

Wear sturdy walking shoes and carry water; paths are uneven and distances long.
Dress modestly out of respect for local customs, especially in the nearby town.
Bring cash in Jordanian dinars for tickets, tips and small purchases; ATMs are available in Wadi Musa.
Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds; summer midday can be very hot.

Areas worth knowing

Beidha
Wadi Musa
Petra Archaeological Park
Umm Sayhoun
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 10, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK