Jordan
Petra & Wadi Musa
The Nabataean rock-cut city and its gateway town. Stay 2–3 nights. Below: 3 sights, 3 activities and 2 places to eat, plus how Petra & Wadi Musa fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 9
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Mar – May, Sep – Nov
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- January
3 See · 3 Do · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea
from our route notes
34°C / 93°F avg high
13°C / 56°F avg high
about 45 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Petra & Wadi Musa
9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
3 sights worth building a day around in Petra.
Photo: Nicolò Scala · GoogleSeeThe Siq and Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
A 1.2 km slot canyon opening onto Petra's carved Treasury facade.
Tip Arrive at 6 am opening for quiet photos.
Photo: Royal Tombs · Google
Photo: Dorina Hajdu · GoogleSeeLittle Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Smaller, quieter Nabataean site with a painted ceiling, 9 km north of Wadi Musa.
Tip Free entry and no crowds.
Do
3 activities for when the group wants to do more than look in Petra.
Photo: Aneta Angielczyk · GoogleDoMonastery (Ad Deir)
Climb about 800 rock-cut steps to Petra's largest facade and nearby viewpoints.
Tip Start after lunch when the steps are shaded.
Photo: Aleksander Romanov · GoogleDoHigh Place of Sacrifice
Ridge-top Nabataean altar reached by a stepped trail, returning past tombs via Wadi Farasa.
Photo: Robby Ocampo · GoogleDoPetra by Night
Candle-lit walk through the Siq to the Treasury with Bedouin music, three nights a week.
Tip Usually Mon, Wed and Thu; confirm days locally.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Petra & Wadi Musa in Wadi Musa.
Photo: Petra Kitchen · GoogleEatPetra Kitchen
Evening cooking class where you make and eat a Jordanian mezze and main course.
Tip Book a day ahead.
Photo: Fredrick Jose antony cruz · GoogleEatAl Qantarah Restaurant
Buffet restaurant near the Petra gate known for zarb, meat and rice cooked underground.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Petra & Wadi Musa in Wadi Musa.
Photo: Laurie Kimball · Google
How to fit Petra & Wadi Musa into a trip
Petra & Wadi Musa is stop 2 of 4 on our Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route. Follow it as-is or lift Petra & Wadi Musa into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 4
Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea
Amman, the Rose City, red desert and salt sea
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Mar – May, Sep – Nov
- Pace
- moderate
Getting here and onward
- Petra & Wadi Musa to Wadi RumWadi Rum is about 84 km / 52 mi away in a straight line
- Amman to Petra & Wadi MusaAmman is about 186 km / 116 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Petra & Wadi Musa month by month
Average daily highs run from 13°C / 56°F in January to 34°C / 93°F in July. January is the wettest month, with about 45 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan13° / 56°F average high
- Feb15° / 60°F average high
- Mar20° / 67°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr24° / 75°F average high, in our recommended season
- May29° / 84°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun33° / 91°F average high
- Jul34° / 93°F average high
- Aug34° / 93°F average high
- Sep32° / 89°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct27° / 81°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov20° / 69°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec15° / 60°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Petra & Wadi Musa weather and the best time to visit →
Near Petra & Wadi Musa
3 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.
Petra & Wadi Musa questions, answered
How many days do you need in Petra & Wadi Musa?
Our route notes suggest 2–3 nights in Petra & Wadi Musa. On our Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route it is stop 2 of 4 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Petra & Wadi Musa best known for?
The Nabataean rock-cut city and its gateway town. Stay 2–3 nights. Standouts on our list: The Siq and Treasury (Al-Khazneh) (A 1.2 km slot canyon opening onto Petra's carved Treasury facade); Royal Tombs (Row of grand tombs carved into the cliff, with swirling colored sandstone inside); Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) (Smaller, quieter Nabataean site with a painted ceiling, 9 km north of Wadi Musa).
When is the best time to visit Petra & Wadi Musa?
Our Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route is best Mar – May, Sep – Nov. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (34°C / 93°F), the coolest in January (13°C / 56°F) and the most rain in January (about 45 mm).
What are the best things to do in Petra & Wadi Musa?
Start with The Siq and Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Monastery (Ad Deir), High Place of Sacrifice, Royal Tombs and Petra by Night. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 3 sights, 3 activities, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Petra & Wadi Musa?
Our picks: Petra Kitchen (Wadi Musa); Al Qantarah Restaurant (Wadi Musa). Book a day ahead (Petra Kitchen).
What is near Petra & Wadi Musa?
The closest destinations in our guides are Wadi Rum (about 84 km / 52 mi), Dead Sea (about 155 km / 96 mi) and Amman (about 186 km / 116 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Petra & Wadi Musa with your crew
Open the Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.