Little Petra is a small Nabatean site in southern Jordan, a short drive north of the main Petra ruins, known in Arabic as Siq al-Barid, the cold canyon. You can see it in about an hour, and it holds carved facades, rock-cut rooms and one of the few surviving painted ceilings from the Nabatean world. Most Petra day trips skip it, so you usually need an overnight stay or a multi-day Jordan tour to fit it in.
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This guide is part of our Petra and Jordan series. If you are still deciding how to reach Jordan in the first place, start with our complete guide to visiting Petra from Eilat, then come back here for the details on Little Petra. We run trips across the Arava border every week, so everything below comes from what our guests actually ask us.
Little Petra at a glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Siq al-Barid, north of Wadi Musa and the main Petra site, southern Jordan |
| How long to spend | 1 to 2 hours, more if you climb the carved stairs and stop for tea |
| Best time | Spring and autumn, early morning or late afternoon |
| How to get there | By car or taxi from Wadi Musa, or as part of a multi-day Jordan tour |
| What it costs | Entry rules can change, check the Jordan Tourism Board before you go. For tours, see tour prices below |
| Booking tip | Stay at least one night in Petra if you want Little Petra and the main site |
What is Little Petra?
Little Petra is a narrow sandstone canyon lined with tombs, temples, water channels and rooms carved straight into the rock. The Nabateans, the same Arab traders who built Petra, created it around 2,000 years ago. Its Arabic name, Siq al Barid, means cold canyon, because the high walls keep most of it in shade.
Archaeologists think Little Petra worked as a kind of suburb or stopover for caravans. Traders carrying incense, spices and other goods could rest, eat and store goods here before entering the main city. That is why you see so many dining halls and storage rooms rather than grand royal tombs.
The site is part of the wider Petra region. For background on why Petra is protected, read the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Petra. Little Petra Jordan visits are much quieter than the main site, and many travelers say that is the best part.
How Little Petra differs from Petra
The biggest difference is scale. Petra is a full ancient city that spreads over a huge valley, and a proper visit means many hours of walking. Little Petra is one canyon you can walk end to end without rushing.
The second difference is crowds. At the Treasury in Petra, you share the view with tour groups from all over the world. At Little Petra, you may have a whole courtyard to yourself, especially early in the day.
The third difference is what you see. Petra has the famous facades, the Siq, the Royal Tombs and the Monastery. Little Petra has smaller facades but something Petra mostly lost: original painted plaster on a ceiling, with vines, flowers, birds and small figures.
| Feature | Petra | Little Petra |
|---|---|---|
| Size | A whole ancient city | One canyon with a few open areas |
| Time needed | A full day or more | About 1 to 2 hours |
| Crowds | Busy, especially midday | Usually quiet |
| Highlights | Siq, Treasury, Royal Tombs, Monastery | Painted House, dining halls, carved stairs |
| Walking | Long distances, many steps | Short, mostly flat with optional stairs |
So is Little Petra a replacement for Petra? No. Think of it as a bonus. If you only have one day in Jordan, spend it in Petra. If you have two or more, Little Petra adds a calm, close-up look at how the Nabateans lived.
What to see at Little Petra
You enter through a short, narrow gap in the rock. Inside, the canyon opens into a series of open areas linked by tight passages. Each one has carvings on both sides, so walk slowly and look up.
The entrance and first courtyard
Just before the entrance, look for a carved temple facade on the outside of the rock. Once inside, the first open area has cisterns and channels that collected rainwater. Our guides often point out how the Nabateans planned for every drop of water in this dry land.
The triclinia, or dining halls
Many rooms at Little Petra were triclinia, dining halls with stone benches on three sides. Guests reclined on cushions and shared meals, probably during feasts or after long journeys. Sitting inside one helps you picture Little Petra as a busy, social place.
The Painted House
This is the reason many people come. Up a short flight of carved steps, a small room called the Painted House, or Painted Biclinium, has a ceiling with painted vines, flowers, birds and tiny winged figures. It was cleaned and conserved by international experts, and the colors are now much easier to see.
Please do not touch the walls or use a flash. The paint is fragile, and access rules can change to protect it. Sometimes you view it from the doorway only.
The carved stairs and viewpoint
At the far end of the canyon, rock-cut stairs climb up to the plateau. The steps are uneven but short. From the top, you get wide views over the sandstone hills, and there is often a Bedouin tea stall nearby.
Beidha nearby
Close to Little Petra is Beidha, one of the oldest farming villages in the region, from the Neolithic period. It is low stone foundations, not tall ruins, so it suits people who enjoy history more than photos. Ask your guide or driver if you have time to add it.
How to visit Little Petra Jordan
Most travelers base themselves in Wadi Musa, the town next to Petra. From there, Little Petra is a short drive north on a paved road. A taxi can take you, wait and bring you back, so agree on the price and waiting time before you get in.
If you are coming from Israel, you cross at the Yitzhak Rabin (Arava) border near Eilat. Our Israel Jordan border crossing guide explains the steps, documents and timing. On our Israel to Jordan tours, Jordan border and visa fees are 140 USD per person in total, and you can pre-pay them on the booking form so you do not need cash at the border.
If you start in Amman, the drive south to Petra is long, so most people stay overnight. Our guide to getting to Petra from Amman compares a day trip with an overnight stay.
Can you hike from Petra to Little Petra?
Yes. A back trail links the Monastery in Petra with the Little Petra area. Many hikers do it the other way, starting near Little Petra and walking into Petra through the back door, finishing at the Monastery and then walking down through the city.
This is a real hike with rough ground, climbs and full sun. Do it with a licensed local guide, start early, and carry plenty of water. Remember you still need a valid Petra ticket to enter the main site, even from the back.
When to go to Little Petra
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking in southern Jordan. Summer days can be very hot, even though the canyon is shaded in parts. Winter can bring cold mornings and, on rare days, rain, which can affect desert roads and trails.
Time of day matters more than the season. Early morning gives you soft light and an empty canyon. Late afternoon makes the sandstone glow, and it pairs well with a day spent in Petra. Midday light is flat and harsh for photos.
Little Petra is outdoors with no fixed facilities inside the canyon. Opening times and entry rules can change, so check the latest on visitjordan.com or ask us before you plan around a specific hour.
Planning your visit in 2027
Most of the travelers who message us now are planning Little Petra 2027 trips, so here is how we suggest thinking about it. All prices and fees in this guide are current at the time of writing and can change. Always check official sources before you travel.
- Give Petra two days. One day for the main city, and a second morning or afternoon for Little Petra and maybe the back trail.
- Check the Petra ticket price. At the time of writing, a one-day Petra entrance is 130 USD per person. Ticket prices can change, so confirm on the official tourism site.
- Check entry rules for Little Petra. At the time of writing, Little Petra has not needed the main Petra ticket, but this can change.
- Pair it with Wadi Rum. Our Wadi Rum guide shows why a desert camp night is the natural next stop.
- Read the basics. Our guide to traveling to Jordan covers visas, money, tipping and dress.
Safety and travel advisories
As of November 2026, Petra and Little Petra receive international visitors, and the Arava crossing near Eilat has been operating for tourists. Regional conditions can change quickly, and border hours or rules can shift at short notice. Check your own government's travel advice, such as the US State Department travel advisories, close to your travel date, and ask us for the latest border update before you leave.
Practical tips from our guides
- Wear real shoes. The canyon floor is sand and rock, and the stairs are worn smooth. Sneakers or light hiking shoes work best.
- Dress modestly. Covering shoulders and knees is respectful in rural Jordan and also protects you from the sun.
- Bring water and a hat. Shade inside the canyon helps, but the walk to and from your car does not have much.
- Carry small cash. Tea stalls and souvenir sellers prefer Jordanian dinars in small notes.
- Be kind about photos. Ask before photographing local Bedouin people, and accept a polite no.
- Leave the paint alone. No touching, no flash in the Painted House.
- Eat local. After your visit, try a Bedouin lunch nearby. Our Jordanian food guide lists the dishes worth trying.
Who Little Petra suits
Little Petra is a good fit for families with kids, older travelers, and anyone who wants Nabatean history without a long hike. The walk is short and mostly flat. Photographers and history lovers also enjoy it because you can get close to the carvings.
It is less suited to travelers with only one day in Jordan. On a single day, the main Petra site will take all your time and energy.
Tours that include Little Petra or Petra, compared
Here is the honest picture. Our one-day Petra trips focus on the main site, because the day is already full with the border, the drive and the walk to the Treasury. The tour that includes Little Petra on the program is our 8-day Jordan package. If you book a private day tour and want to try fitting it in, message us first and we will tell you honestly if the timing works.
| Tour | Starts | Duration | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nabatean Wonders 8 day Jordan tour with Petra, Little Petra and Wadi Rum | Amman | 8 days | from $1394 per adult | Travelers who want Little Petra on the plan |
| Full day Petra tour from Eilat | Eilat | 12 hours | from $261 per adult | Visitors staying in Eilat with one day |
| Private Petra day tour from Eilat with guide and lunch | Eilat | Full day | from $320 per adult | Couples and families who want their own pace |
| Private Petra day tour from Aqaba with skip-the-line entry | Aqaba | Full day | from $230 per adult | Guests already in Aqaba or on a cruise stop |
| Petra day tour from Amman with lunch and hotel pickup | Amman | Full day | from $360 per adult | Travelers based in Amman |
Nabatean Wonders 8 days. This is the one we recommend for Little Petra. You get three nights in Petra, a visit to Little Petra, a Wadi Rum camp night and the Dead Sea. Because it includes hotels, it is non-refundable once booked, so choose your dates carefully.
Petra tour from Eilat. A shared full day with border assistance at the Arava crossing and a guided walk through Petra. It is the most popular choice for people staying in Eilat. Free cancellation applies up to 36 hours before the start time.
Private Petra tour from Eilat. Your own driver and guide, entry fees and lunch, with 08:00 hotel pickup. This is the best day option if you want to ask about adding a short Little Petra stop.
Private Petra tour from Aqaba. Hotel pickup in Aqaba, an air-conditioned car, skip-the-line entry and a horse ride. Starting inside Jordan saves the border time.
Petra day tour from Amman. A guided day with your Petra ticket and lunch, back by 19:00. It is a long drive, so consider an overnight if you want Little Petra too.
All our guides speak English. In Petra, local Spanish and French-speaking guides are free, and German, Italian and Russian-speaking guides cost a small flat fee per booking. For a wider comparison, read our guide to the best Petra tours from Eilat, Aqaba, Amman, Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
Tours that include Little Petra
Live prices and dates, hotel pickup on most tours, and a local team in Eilat that answers on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions about Little Petra
How long do you need at Little Petra?
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours. That gives you time to walk the canyon, see the Painted House and climb the stairs at the end. Add a few hours if you plan to hike the back trail into Petra.
Is Little Petra included in the Petra ticket?
Little Petra is outside the main ticketed area of Petra. At the time of writing, it has not required the Petra ticket, but entry rules can change. Check visitjordan.com or ask us before you go.
Can you visit Little Petra from Eilat in one day?
It is very tight. A Petra day trip from Eilat already fills about 12 hours with the border, the drive and the main site. If Little Petra matters to you, stay overnight in Wadi Musa or message us about a private option.
Is Siq al Barid the same as Little Petra?
Yes. Siq al-Barid is the Arabic name, and it means the cold canyon. Little Petra is the English nickname, because it looks like a smaller version of Petra.
What is the best time to visit Little Petra?
Spring and autumn have the most pleasant weather. Go early in the morning for quiet and soft light, or late in the afternoon for warm colors on the rock. Avoid midday in summer.
What should I wear to Little Petra?
Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, light clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and a hat. Bring a layer in winter, since mornings in the hills can be cold. Sunscreen and water are a must all year.
Is Little Petra good for kids and older travelers?
Yes, it is one of the easiest Nabatean sites to walk. The canyon is short and mostly flat, and the stairs at the end are optional. Keep an eye on kids near the carved steps, which are uneven.
Is Little Petra worth it?
If you have more than one day around Petra, it is worth it. The Painted House is unique, and the quiet canyon is a nice contrast to the busy main site. If you only have one day, focus on Petra itself.
Keep planning
More travel guides for this trip
Petra & JordanTraveling to Jordan in 2027: A Local Guide to Visas, Money, Tipping, Dress, Safety and Getting AroundRead the guide →Plan your trip
Little Petra rewards travelers who slow down. If you want it on your itinerary without worrying about taxis, timing or borders, our Nabatean Wonders 8 day Jordan tour builds it in, along with Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. If you only have one day from Eilat, our team will help you pick the right Petra trip and tell you honestly what fits.
Message us on WhatsApp at 08-6338361 (international +972 8-633-8361) or email [email protected] with your dates and where you are staying. We answer real questions from real travelers every day. For more ideas, browse our Petra and Jordan tours and guides or the full Booking-Tours travel guide.
Cover photo: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons