Does your Jordan Pass cover your visit to Little Petra in 2024?
Among the archaeological delights of Jordan, Little Petra (Sik Al-Barid) sometimes gets overlooked by tourists delving into the ancient past of the small mystical nation.
The lesser-known natural wonder shares the famous ‘Petra’ name due to its similarities to the world-renowned ancient Nabataeans city. Little Petra is just 9 km down the road, and smaller in size, but just as fascinating. The total archaeological area is located within a narrow Siq, which is about 400 meters long.
Little Petra is less touristy and quieter to explore at your own pace, but does your Jordan Pass cover your entrance fee to Little Petra?
This blog will go through the key information you need to really make the most of your trip to ‘Siq Al-Barid’.
These practical tips include:
The best time to visit.
How to get there.
What to expect on the Little Petra site.
Do you require a tour guide?
Does your Jordan Pass cover Little Petra?
Let’s head to Little Petra and enjoy the natural beauty and fascinating history, to get you prepared for your big day at the main Petra site!
Little Petra in Jordan.
A brief introduction to Little Petra.
Modern day Little Petra is the remains of a once thriving Nabataean city according to archaeologists.
It is thought that the structures carved into the cliffs were once homes and temples. There are question marks around the true details of the ancient times at Sik Al-Barid, however, it is believed that the Siq was once a way station for caravans traversing between the main Petra site and the Dead Sea.
Following some developments, in the 2nd century AD, Little Petra reached a population of approximately two thousand citizens. The city was thriving with a complex water system, an abundance of trade and secure surroundings.
Siq Al-Barid means ‘cold canyon’, which gets its name from the high narrow gorge that prevents sunlight from entering the narrow short area.
Little Petra began to decline in the 7th century AD, because of Muslims conquering the Nabataean people, and it became a lost city until the 19th century when it was rediscovered buried in sand and then excavated. Today it is well preserved and well worth a visit.
The main Petra site is full of interesting history also!
There are many caves throughout Little Petra.
Opening times at Little Petra.
6am until 6pm everyday.
Does your Jordan Pass cover your entrance to Little Petra?
Little Petra is free entry for all visitors, so a Jordan Pass is not required.
There is no ticket booth on site.
If you are planning on taking the hike from Little Petra to the back entrance of the monastery at Petra, then you will need either a Jordan Pass or a Petra entrance ticket. You will come across a ticket booth on the hike trail, so make sure you are prepared if this is your plan.
A Jordan Pass is worth it, as it will make your Jordan trip cheaper and more efficient.
One of the informative local guides enhanced our experience.
How to get to Little Petra?
Most tourists who visit Little Petra are doing so in addition to visiting the main Petra site, so the directions below are based around you staying in Wadi Musa.
By car:
If you are driving from Petra, simply follow Tourism Street and just before the entrance to Petra, turn right. On the way, you will drive through a small settlement Umm Sayhoun, where you will turn right, and the road will take you to Little Petra. The drive takes about 15 minutes.
There is an adequate sized car park on site. Our private tour driver just waited in his car for us and gave us as long as we needed to explore.
By taxi.
There are taxis available in Petra that can take you to Little Petra. The taxi fare should be around 10 JD one way and around 20 JD and 25 JD return (with the driver waiting).
On a guided tour.
There are many guided tours that visit Little Petra. This is a great way to learn about the history and significance of the site. My recommendation is JTT Tours. The tour company offer a very professional service, which makes for a beautiful experience in Jordan.
Donkey getting some shade from the Jordanian heat.
What is there to see at Little Petra?
It is no secret that Little Petra doesn’t have the magical appeal of the main Petra site, but where does?
However, this fascinating archaeological site has its fair share of historical gems for tourists to admire and learn about, therefore, it should be a must on your Jordan itinerary.
The main things you can expect to see at Little Petra are:
The Siq.
The Siq is a narrow canyon that leads to the entrance of Little Petra. It is about 450 meters long and is flanked by towering sandstone gorges, which have carved facades.
This is simillar to the Siq at the Main Petra site which is an awesome spot for a photo!
The Painted House biclinium.
An ancient dining room that is decorated with 2,000-year-old wall paintings. The paintings depict scenes of animals, people, and plants.
The caves
There are many caves at Little Petra, some of which were used as homes or tombs. One of the most interesting caves is the Treasury Cave, which is a smaller similar version to the Treasury in Petra.
Souvenir stalls
There are souvenir stalls throughout Little Petra. Notably at the entrance, and at the back of the site, after you climb some steps (we had tea with the locals here).
One of the places to buy souvenirs.
How long is needed at Little Petra?
Little Petra is considerably smaller than Petra, therefore, you only need a maximum of around 2 hours to fully explore the archaeological site. If you are on a tighter schedule, then an hour would be enough to have a wander around the different caves and areas on your own.
There are many tour options to explore Jordan with a private tour company.
We took the 3 day tour with JTT Tours, and Little Petra was the last highlight of day 1 after Wadi Mujib, Mount Nebo & Madaba City. This is a great way to fit the Nabatean highlight into your trip to Jordan.
2 hours with a guide will allow you to take your time in each of the caves for photos and to learn some insights of the knowledgeable guides. You will also have a chance to grab some souvenirs, followed by enjoying a local tea with the local Bedouin people - this is what travel is all about!
As we relaxed in the shade and enjoyed tea, one of the locals pulled out his jewellery box and started showing us some ancient coins dating back thousands of years, creating a very memorable moment. This sort of interaction happens when you have plenty of time and an open mind.
Some impressive caves and carvings.
Should you take a guide at Little Petra?
It would be a lie to claim that a guide is essential for your visit to this site. We did not plan on paying the extra for a guide, however, when we arrived, ‘Mo’ (our tour guide) was very welcoming and polite, and an eccentric character, so we paid for his services.
We paid on the higher side, for a total of 20 JD (£22) including a tip between the two of us. We did not try to haggle, but nearby tourists were agreeing to a better deal with another guide.
Mo’s English was admirable, however, we did not fully understand him at certain points when he was explaining individual areas of the Siq, and the stories behind the tombs that are carved into the rocks.
He made for a great photographer though, which is ideal if you are travelling solo, but want that perfect Instagram pic!
Unlike Petra, at this quieter wonder you won’t be hassled much once you pass the entrance, especially if you visit out of season.
So if a guide is not for you, then don’t worry about being followed and repeatedly asked by them.
Admiring the ancient paintings.
As you make your way through the siq, you will find a little biclinium at a height, which can be reached through climbing some steps (roughly 25-30). Known as ‘the Painted Room’, the rock-cut biclinium is unique to this site, as there is no counterpart at the main Petra site.
The Nebataean mural painted room comprises two chambers, across two different floors, with the first chamber being the larger of the two. In the Biclinium, you will find Hellenistic-style paintings on the walls dating back 2000 years.
The rare Nebataean mural is the largest of its kind to survive in situ, and depicts birds, insects, flowers and fruits. For the history buffs and culture vultures, it is recommended that you do some reading about the paintings before you head to Little Petra. This will enhance your experience, as you will know more about the history of the region, because there is not much information at the site.
The paintings were first photographed over a century ago, but some new images were uncovered more recently in a conservation project back in 2010.
An unexpected sight within Little Petra.
Where to stay near Little Petra.
These two hotel recommendations offer a unique and memorable experience, and they are all within easy reach of Little Petra and Petra.
If you book a strategic location for your accommodation, it is a great way to save money during your Petra Visit.
This bubble hotel offers beautiful sunset views, and a lovely local dinner included with the nights stay. Individual hot tubs offer the perfect relaxation after a day exploring Little Petra, or the main Petra site. Sleeping under the stars is a unique experience that is well worth the cost. Book your stay ASAP at the Petra Bubble Luxotel.
This five star hotel is located in Wadi Musa, just minutes from the main Petra site. It is only a short cab ride to Little Petra. If you visit at the correct time of the year, you can have access to a swimming pool on site. Secure your trip to Petra Moon Luxury Hotel.
Enjoying our tour guides company.
You can spend some genuine time with the Bedouins.
It is no secret that Petra is a money making opportunity for the locals, therefore you will struggle to spend much time with the Bedouins, getting insights into their culture. Due to the scale of the tourist numbers, the majority of the Bedouins will swiftly move on to other tourists once they have made some money off you.
At Little Petra, you have the opportunity to really get to know the locals. The Bedouins who we interacted with were all happy to discuss their upbringing and family details. These sort of personal conversations deepened our knowledge of the Jordanian people and heightened our experience at Little Petra.
Our guide Mo was really happy when we accepted his offer of tea and a sit down in one of the caves.
Some livestock on the side of the road near Little Petra.
Is Little Petra in Jordan worth visiting?
The world famous main Petra site is the highlight of every visitor’s Jordan trip and for good reason!
However, Little Petra has its own unique charm and should be on every visitor’s itinerary. The fact it is free to enter and so close to Wadi Musa/Petra, means it is easy to quickly squeeze it in. You can explore without the mass crowds photo bombing your snaps, or getting hassled by the locals.
Make sure you visit Little Petra before the main site as it will be underwhelming in comparison to the global wonder. It fits in perfectly on most itineraries the evening before a visit to Petra. It is a short 8 km cab ride away from Wadi Musa, so can be the perfect warm up to build anticipation.
We were lucky that our tour guide recommended Little Petra, as like many other tourists, we overlooked it when planning our trip. Don’t make the same mistake.
Go and have tea with the bedouin people and really immerse in the Jordanian culture!
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