Showing 18 attractions · Sorted by importance
Ad-Deir (The Monastery)
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฐ CastleKnown as the Monastery, this colossal facade offers families a rewarding adventure with panoramic views after a hike through stunning mountain landscapes.
Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฐ CastleThis breathtaking rock-cut temple is the most famous sight in Petra and provides an unforgettable experience for families as they emerge from the narrow Siq canyon.
Jordan Trail (Dana to Petra Section)
📍 Dana Village
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling76km challenging 4-day trek through diverse desert landscapes, canyons, and sandstone mountains with 2,679m elevation gain. Often cited as one of the world's best hikes, ending at the 'back door' of Petra.
The Dead Sea Highway (Route 65)
📍 Sweimeh
๐ Road Trip270km paved coastal highway (3-4 hours) running along the lowest point on Earth. It offers views of the Dead Sea and salt formations, passing the Wadi Mujib bridge and Lot's Cave, with a steep ascent via the Namala Pass or Route 60 leading to Petra.
The King's Highway (Route 35)
📍 Madaba
๐ Road Trip280km historic paved route (1-2 days) connecting Amman to Petra. Highly scenic mountain road passing through the 1km-deep Wadi Mujib canyon, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, and the Crusader castles of Kerak and Shobak before arriving in Wadi Musa.
The Siq
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฐ CastleThe dramatic narrow gorge that serves as the main entrance to Petra, featuring towering sandstone walls and ancient water channels.
Ad-Deir (Monastery) Trail
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling1.6km challenging uphill hike starting from the Basin Restaurant, involving over 800 rock-cut steps. The route takes 1-1.5 hours one way with 215m elevation gain, leading to the massive Monastery monument.
Petra Archaeological Park
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฐ CastleA world-renowned UNESCO site where families can explore a vast ancient city of rose-colored temples and tombs carved directly into desert cliffs.
Petra Main Trail
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling8km round-trip easy hike from the Visitor Center through the Siq to the Treasury and onto the Basin. Typically takes 3-4 hours with a total elevation gain of approximately 330m on the return leg.
Petra Museum
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ผ Art GalleryA modern museum showcasing over 300 Nabataean artifacts and statues that highlight the artistic and architectural mastery of the ancient civilization.
High Place of Sacrifice
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ Scenic ViewA mountain-top ritual site providing families with an adventurous hike and breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the entire archaeological park.
Ammarin Bedouin Camp
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ FarmA community-run Bedouin cultural center near Little Petra offering traditional rural experiences like weaving, bread making, and desert storytelling.
Petra Back Door Trail
📍 Little Petra
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling12.6km moderate point-to-point hike starting from Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) and entering Petra from the mountains. Includes 590m elevation gain and takes 4-5 hours, arriving at the Monastery before descending to the main city.
Siq al-Barid (Little Petra)
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฐ CastleA quieter and more accessible alternative to the main site, families can explore ancient caves and rare frescoes in a compact and atmospheric canyon setting.
The Royal Tombs
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ฐ CastleThese massive, multi-story facades offer children and adults a chance to marvel at the sheer scale of ancient craftsmanship on the side of a mountain cliff.
Wadi Namala Road (The Namala Pass)
📍 Gharandal
๐ Road Trip40km steep paved mountain pass (1.5 hours) connecting the desert floor of Wadi Araba to Little Petra. Known as the 'back road to Petra,' it features dramatic hairpins, jagged sandstone peaks, and panoramic vistas of the rift valley.
Beidha Neolithic Village
📍 Wadi Musa
๐ Town / VillageFamilies can discover one of the world's oldest settlements, featuring the excavated ruins of a 9,000-year-old Neolithic village.
