Where to stay near Petra
Nobody sleeps inside the ruins. Staying overnight in the archaeological park is not allowed, and visitors must leave before sunset. The place to stay is Wadi Musa, the town at the edge of Petra that serves as the centre of the Petra District in southern Jordan. The Petra authority describes it as home to hotels in the 4 and 5 star range, among other options.
The choice is mostly about location. Distances inside Wadi Musa matter. Pick your area by what you plan to do, then compare individual properties on the booking page.
Wadi Musa areas compared
No hotel names and no prices here, because rates change with the season and the date. Use the table to choose an area.
| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Next to the main entrance | Early starts, Petra by Night, short walks, families | The town center is about 1.5 km away in the example below. |
| Central Wadi Musa | Restaurants, shops, atmosphere, a choice of rooms | A walk or short taxi ride to the gate. Check the distance on the booking page. |
| Hillside and outer areas | A quieter setting, depending on the property | Plan on a taxi or a hotel transfer, and ask whether one is offered. |
| Wadi Rum camp | A night in the desert, on a separate leg of the trip | About 1.5 to 2 hours from Petra. Not a base for visiting Petra itself. |
Next to the main entrance
The most convenient location is beside the Petra Visitor Center. One resort states in its FAQ that it is 50 m (160 ft) from the Visitor Center, the museum and the main entrance. From the gate you can be at the start of the Siq within minutes, and you can walk back after Petra by Night without arranging a ride.
That resort also describes standard and superior rooms, junior suites and larger suites, with parking for guests. Its stated check-in is 15:00 and check-out is 12:00. These details belong to that property, so check the hours for any hotel you consider. Do not assume free public parking at the Petra entrance.
The trade-off is the town. In the same FAQ, the center of Wadi Musa is about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the hotel, a walk of around 20 minutes. If you want a wider choice of restaurants and shops, you will take a taxi or walk.
Petra tours from Wadi Musa
Guided visits to the Siq, the Treasury and the Monastery, and evening and desert trips, with live prices and availability.
Central Wadi Musa
Most of the town's restaurants, cafes and shops are in the center. It suits travelers who want to eat out, shop for water and snacks, and walk around in the evening. Compare room types and guest reviews on the booking page.
Allow time to reach the entrance. A taxi is the easy answer at 06:00 or after Petra by Night. Ask the hotel about transport, and look at the distance to the Visitor Center on the map before you book. Do not assume that every hotel in town is within walking distance of the gate.
Hillside and outer areas
Wadi Musa climbs a hillside, and the views from higher streets can be good. The price of that quiet is distance. Plan on a taxi each way, and ask whether the hotel runs a transfer or can call a driver for an early start.
A recent change in the market: a large hotel in Wadi Musa that had been closed for 13 years reopened in January 2026, according to a Jordan Times report. Old hotel lists may be out of date, so check recent guest reviews.
How long to stay
The number of nights affects your ticket. A foreign visitor who stays at least one night in Jordan pays JOD 50 for one day, JOD 55 for two consecutive days and JOD 60 for three (2026, adults). Without a night in Jordan, a one day ticket costs JOD 90. See our Petra tickets guide for all categories and the Jordan Pass guide for the pass.
- One night: enough for the Main Trail, 3.9 km (2.4 mi) one way from the Visitor Center to Qasr al-Bint, plus the evening show if you add it.
- Two nights: time for the Monastery hike, about 800 steps each way. See the Monastery guide.
- Three nights: room for the High Place of Sacrifice and Little Petra. See Petra hiking trails.
Evenings and early mornings
The site opens at 06:30 from 2 October 2026 to 1 March 2027, and at 06:00 in summer. An early start means the Siq is quieter and cooler, so choose a room with an easy route to the entrance and ask what time breakfast is served.
Petra by Night runs from 20:30 to 22:30 on the operator's schedule, which at the time of writing is Sunday to Thursday. Ask your hotel how you will get back after the show. See Petra by Night for details.
A short booking checklist
- Distance: to the Visitor Center, in meters or kilometers, not just "near Petra".
- Transport: whether the hotel offers a transfer to the gate, and whether it is free.
- Parking: whether the property has guest parking if you rent a car. See Amman to Petra for driving times.
- Check-in and check-out: if you arrive from Amman or Aqaba in the morning, ask about early luggage storage.
- Cancellation: read the terms for your dates, because they vary by property.
- Wadi Rum: if you add the desert, book that night separately. See the Wadi Rum guide.
Where to stay in Petra: frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay for Petra?
Beside the main entrance if you want the shortest walk to the gate and an easy return after Petra by Night. Central Wadi Musa if you prefer restaurants and shops. Compare distances on the booking page.
Can you stay inside Petra?
No. Overnight stays in the archaeological park are not allowed, and visitors must leave before sunset. Hotels are in Wadi Musa, the town next to it.
Are all hotels in Wadi Musa within walking distance of the entrance?
No. Some are beside the gate, while others are about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) away or further up the hillside. Check the distance and the transport before you book.
How many nights do you need in Wadi Musa?
One night suffices for the Treasury and the main trail. Two nights allow the Monastery, and three nights add the High Place of Sacrifice and Little Petra.
Does a night in Wadi Musa change the ticket price?
Yes. Visitors with at least one night in Jordan pay JOD 50 for one day, against JOD 90 without an overnight stay (2026, adults).
Can I stay in a desert camp near Petra?
The Bedouin camps are in Wadi Rum, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Petra. They are a separate overnight, not a base for Petra.