Best things to do in Wadi Musa

Wadi Musa Unmissables

Wadi Musa serves as the gateway to Petra, the rock-carved capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. This collection highlights the archaeological park’s core monuments, beginning with the Siq, a 1.2-kilometer natural sandstone gorge leading to the Treasury. The selection includes the first-century Roman-style theater, the expansive Great Temple, and the Royal Tombs carved into the Jabal al-Khubtha cliffs. It also covers the High Place of Sacrifice and the Neolithic site of Little Petra, showcasing centuries of architectural and cultural evolution.

hikinginjordan / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

Al-Khazneh is one of the most elaborate temples in Petra, a city of the Nabatean Kingdom inhabited by the Arabs in ancient times.

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Al Siq

The Siq is the main entrance to the ancient Nabatean city of Petra in southern Jordan.

Tomas / CC-BY-SA

The Theater

Petra Theater is a first century AD Nabataean theatre situated 600 m from the centre of Petra.

Royal Tombs

A series of monumental Nabataean burial facades carved into the cliffs of Jabal al-Khubtha. The cluster includes the Urn Tomb, which was later converted into a Byzantine church, the multi-story Palace Tomb, and the Silk Tomb, characterized by its colorful natural sandstone layers.

Tomas / CC-BY-SA

Colonnaded Street (Cardo Maximus)

Although the former main street is badly damaged, it is partially preserved. Its remains are about half a kilometre long.

Jorge Láscar / CC BY 2.0

High Place of Sacrifice

Open-air altar carved out by the Nabataeans. You can even climb to the top of the mountain or take a donkey, but careful, the path is steep!

Boris Debic / CC BY-SA 4.0

Treasury from above

Reached via the Al-Khubtha cliff trail, this vantage point offers a direct bird's-eye view of the Treasury’s facade. The route requires a steep ascent of several hundred rock-cut steps followed by a path along the mountain plateau.

Jerzy Strzelecki / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Street of Facades

This path leads to the center of the ancient city and is surrounded by carved tombs. Tall tombs belong to the rich and short to the poor.

Great Temple

Don't miss the largest structure in Petra. You can observe art and architecture dating back to the Nabataean period.

Public domain

Little Petra

Beidha, also sometimes Bayda, is a major Neolithic archaeological site a few kilometres north of Petra near Siq al-Barid in Jordan.

Jerzy Strzelecki / CC BY-SA 3.0

Urn Tomb

One of the tombs located opposite the Theatre. It is almost 17 meters high and features two floors and supporting arcs.

Palace Tomb

The Palace Tomb is a Nabataean tomb in the Petra Archaeological Park. It is situated among the Royal Tombs, a line of prominent monumental…

Tousleso / CC BY-SA 3.0

Silk Tomb

The most attractive tomb in the area. The rich colour of sandstone is said to be changing during the day!

Sasuke6 / CC-BY-SA

Roman Soldier's Tomb

The tomb is named after the statue of a soldier wearing Roman clothes. It dates back to the 2nd century.

Cave Bar

Located at the entrance of the archaeological park, this bar is set inside a 2,000-year-old Nabataean rock-cut tomb. The interior features original stone walls and burial niches repurposed into a lounge area.