Wadi Musa

Gateway to ancient Petra wonders

Wadi Musa, located in southern Jordan, is a small town surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and dramatic cliffs. It serves as the gateway to Petra, one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites where ancient rock-cut structures catch sunlight at sunrise. The area features clear skies, cool nights and traditional Bedouin hospitality. Visitors can explore nearby trails that lead into hidden valleys and enjoy local meals featuring regional spices. Wadi Musa balances modern amenities with cultural heritage while maintaining its connection to the surrounding environment.

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Town in Jordan

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	3

Read details

3/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas due to the town's dependence on tourism. Signs are often in both Arabic and English, making navigation relatively easy for English-speaking visitors.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Wadi Musa Summary

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World-class for ancient desert history. Walk through the Siq canyon, explore Petra’s rock-carved monuments, hike surrounding viewpoints and visit local markets and restaurants.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Guided tours

Ruins

Cosy towns

Walkable

Natural sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 6

Travel Beginners

Jordan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Jordanian Dinar (JOD) £1 ≈ JOD 0.944
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment options are available in Jordan, especially in urban areas like Amman. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Mobile payment options are also becoming popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping in Jordan is common and appreciated. In restaurants, a 10% tip is usually expected, and taxi drivers typically expect a small tip or rounding up of the fare.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Jordan but is generally restricted to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and hotels. Public consumption of alcohol is not widespread.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in public places but is restricted in certain indoor areas like restaurants and public transport. Smoking areas are available in many public buildings.

Jordan Independence Day (25 May)	A national holiday celebrated with events and parades
Eid al-Fitr (Varies)	A religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with feasts and gatherings

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Careem, Uber
Other:	Jordan is known for its ancient historical sites, such as Petra and the Dead Sea. The country offers rich cultural experiences but requires caution due to the regional political situation.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
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Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Wadi Musa, Jordan

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May

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High season:	March - May, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	June, Sep.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Flash floods possible in Petra's Siq and nearby wadis, mostly November to March; the Siq can close during heavy rain

Petra by Night runs on selected evenings of the week, usually Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

Ramadan: Petra stays open, but many restaurants in town are closed until sunset

Don't miss

🏛️ Explore the ancient city of Petra’s iconic Treasury
🛤️ Walk through the narrow Siq canyon to Petra’s entrance
🧗‍♂️ Climb the steep steps to the impressive Monastery
🏺 Visit the Petra Museum to learn Nabataean history
💧 See Moses Spring, a sacred natural water source

You've been here?

Why travel to Wadi Musa?

The main reason to visit Wadi Musa is, of course, its proximity to Petra - the rose-red city carved into cliffs that's both a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But the town itself has its own charm and biblical connections. According to tradition, this is where Moses struck a rock to produce water for the thirsty Israelites during their exodus from Egypt - you can visit 'Ain Musa (Moses' Spring) marked by a triple-domed structure protecting the legendary rock. While Wadi Musa primarily serves as a base for Petra exploration, it offers a glimpse into local Jordanian life with its mix of modern amenities and traditional elements. The town is built organically into the hillsides, creating a striking scene at sunset when buildings glow in shades of gold and brown. Just be aware that it's very much geared toward tourism, with varying prices and quality and limited entertainment options beyond Petra itself.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

🎡Places for activities

1 Royal Tombs
2 Byzantine Church
3 Monastery (Ad Deir)
4 Sella Turkish Bath
5 Cave Bar
6 Petra Museum

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 The Outer Siq
2 Ain Duweimani

🎈Events

Petra By Night Shows
Local Cultural Festivals
Bedouin Music Events
Traditional Cooking Demonstrations
Desert Excursions
Petra Marathon
Religious Celebrations
Seasonal Tourist Events
Archaeological Exhibitions
Local Tribal Gatherings

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Start Petra at opening time; heat and crowds build quickly.
Stay in town for easy access; the main road slopes down toward Petra’s entrance.
Walk the Tourist Strip for restaurants, shops and supplies before early sightseeing days.
Pair a daytime Petra visit with Petra By Night, but expect extra walking and limited seating.

How to travel to Wadi Musa

The nearest airport is in Aqaba, about two hours away by taxi. Most visitors arrive via organized tours or private transport from Amman or other Jordanian cities. The town is located along the King's Highway, making it accessible by car or bus from major cities. Many travelers purchase the Jordan Pass, which includes entry to Petra and other attractions.

Access summary

From Amman Queen Alia (AMM): Bus or private transfer, about 3 hours.
From Amman city: JETT tourist bus or car via Desert Highway, 3 hours.
From Aqaba: Buses and taxis through Wadi Rum road, usually 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Wadi Musa

Wadi Musa offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels like the Mövenpick near the Petra entrance to mid-range and budget options further up the hill. Prices generally decrease as you move away from the Petra entrance, but the trade-off is a longer walk to the site. There's no accommodation within Petra itself, so Wadi Musa is your best option.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Movenpick Resort Petra

8.6

Petra Guest House Hotel

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Wadi Musa

Wadi Musa is built on hills, with the main road running 4km downhill from 'Ain Musa to the Petra entrance. Most attractions are along this road, making it walkable, though the steep incline can be challenging when heading back up. Taxis are readily available for those who prefer not to walk uphill after a day exploring Petra.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-25 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 25% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to JOD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Ma'an, Jordan - 28 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£38	£102	£301
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£45	£113
🍝 Food per day	£19	£51	£171
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£18

Notable additional fees: Entrance fee of JOD 50 (£52.97) for 1 day if you spend a night in Jordan, JOD 90 (£95.35) as a same-day tripper. The Jordan Pass (from JOD 70 (£74.16)) bundles Petra, the visa fee and 40+ sites.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£21
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£18
🤧 Cold medication	£3.70
💇 Basic haircut	£5

Safety information overview

General safety

Wadi Musa is generally safe for tourists, with low crime rates. The main concerns are typical tourist scams and occasional aggressive vendors. As with any tourist destination, keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings.

Health & Medical

Basic medical facilities are available in Wadi Musa, but serious conditions may require transport to larger cities. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are common issues during summer months, so stay hydrated and avoid extended sun exposure.

Accessibility

Wadi Musa's hilly terrain and Petra's uneven pathways present challenges for those with mobility issues. Many hotels and restaurants are accessible, but the ancient sites themselves involve significant walking on rough terrain.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and should be carried when exploring Petra. There are limited drinking fountains in public areas, so plan accordingly.