2025 Wadi Moussa Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

2025/5/25 Good morning Jordan~ Today is Jordan's Independence Day. I can feel the festive atmosphere on the road. There are national flags everywhere, and even cars have super large national flags! From small cars hanging small flags to large cars flying with the whole national flag~ Although I am curious if it is safe to drive like this? But it is really cute haha! ⸻ 【Driving to Petra】 It takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Amman to Petra. Our driver is very nice and drives steadily (although the turn signal is like a decoration...), and he replies to messages from time to time, but we are used to it~ Today we stayed at Sunset Hotel, which is less than 5 minutes' walk from the entrance of Petra. The location is really convenient! Although the hotel is not luxurious, it has basically everything you need. The key point is that the price is reasonable. After all, many hotels in this area are shockingly expensive. ⸻ 【Lunch: My Mom’s Recipe Restaurant】 This is a local restaurant recommended by the hotel. It is located on the rooftop restaurant. The stairwell is beautifully decorated with carpets and lighting. It has a Middle Eastern flavor. We ordered three special dishes: • Mansaf (12 JD): Jordan’s national dish, lamb + rice + yogurt sauce + Bedouin bread. People who like lamb will love it! • Maklouba (10 JD): Also known as "flip rice", the fried chicken, vegetables, and rice are put in a pot and cooked, and then the whole thing is turned upside down and served on the table. The rice grains absorb the aroma and are very delicious! • Mix Kebab: It’s just grilled kebabs~ It turned out to be too dry, which was a bit disappointing. But the most impressive thing is...** The serving speed is really slow! ** I waited for more than 40 minutes and was so hungry that I wanted to steal the decorative flowers on the table! ⸻ 【Officially enter Petra】 After eating, go to Petra Visitor Center to exchange tickets (we used the three-day Jordan Pass, 80 JD), and then officially step into the ancient city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world! Walking from the entrance to the "Snake Road (Siq)" and then to the Treasury (The Treasury/Al-Khazneh) is the most classic main route. The whole road is about 5.7 kilometers, but we walked for almost two hours because we couldn't stop taking pictures. We exclaimed every few steps! Tips: After entering, someone will keep asking you if you want to ride a horse, and they will say it's free and included in the ticket. But in fact, they will ask you for a tip when you get off the horse. It is recommended to ask clearly at the beginning. If you really want to take a ride, just give a moderate 5 JD. ⸻ 【Take camel photos in the Treasury + Mysterious Observation Deck】 The moment I arrived at the Khazneh Temple was really shocking! The huge rock carvings were in front of us, and the camel stood in the middle as the background. It was very touristy, but we still took a lot of photos! The three of us rode on a camel for 10 USD per person to take photos (we talked about JD being more cost-effective), and the camel owner also helped us record and take photos with his mobile phone, which was super professional and would help you take great photos! After the photo shoot, we went to an additional viewing platform (10 JD per person), which took about 5 minutes to climb, and we could take photos of the entire Treasury from a high place, which was very worthwhile! We also met a guy who looked like Pirates of the Caribbean who helped us guide the photos (of course, we still had to tip him in the end), but he really took good photos, and we happily gave him 10 JD. ⸻ Donkey Riding Challenge: Go to the Monastery Ad-Deir We arrived at Royal Tombs at 5 pm. When we were about to go back, we met a local guy who said that we could ride a donkey to the monastery (Ad-Deir). The original price was 40 JD, but it was reduced to 30 JD per person. As soon as we got on the donkey, we realized that it was not a leisurely trip, but a hardcore adventure! Gravel, steep slopes, narrow steps, and the donkey's swaying left and right are really no joke~ The ride was longer than expected and more exciting. I occasionally wondered "Will the car flip over?" But at the same time, I also felt that this trip was worth it! This first experience was shocking enough The monastery (Ad-Deir) is larger and more spectacular than the treasure house. The point is that when we arrived, it was sunset and there was no one in the whole place, only the four of us. It felt as romantic and sacred as being reserved. ⸻ [Downhill & Tips] On the way back, we walked out of the park from another road that cars can travel on. It took us nearly three hours in total and we didn't get back to the hotel until after 8 pm. On the way, I asked the locals, and they said that as long as you enter the park before 5:30, there will be no restrictions on when you can leave. Some tourists will stay in the park to smoke hookah and have dinner, but these usually require knowing the locals to help arrange. When we were going down the mountain, we also started the tip negotiation phase. We finally gave a 30 JD tip, which was considered to be a voluntary tip~ ⸻ [End of the day dinner time] We were very tired when we returned to the hotel. After taking a quick shower, we went to the nearby Petra Night Restaurant for dinner. It was almost nine o'clock and we didn't have much appetite, so we simply ordered a few salads and main dishes. After dinner, I went back to the room and fell asleep before I even felt the pillow! ⸻ Summary: Today's Petra adventure really experienced everything from culture, history, beautiful scenery to excitement! Strongly recommend everyone: • Be sure to buy the Jordan Pass, it's worth it! • Wear comfortable shoes (really a lot of walking) • The tipping culture is deeply rooted, be mentally prepared and bring more change • If you dare to challenge yourself, you can consider riding a donkey to the monastery, but be mentally prepared that "it's not just a cute experience", it's a bit of a hardcore adventure!

Staying close to the iconic wonder of the world in Petra is full of options from luxury five star hotels to traditional campsites. For those looking for something more natural whilst still having some comfort, the Rock camp located close to Little Petra may be your best option. The camp is set amongst a dramatic landscape and features tents with modern amenities, a restaurant, swimming pool and Jacuzzi. #aprilblooms #petra #glamping

While the grandeur of Petra often overshadows it, Little Petra is an unsung gem in Jordan's crown. This charming spot was once a strategic pitstop for Silk Road travelers, offering respite and a taste of local wine at its ancient winery. During my stay at Rafiki Hostel, I discovered a hidden treasure: its rooftop terrace, which boasts panoramic views of Petra's majestic landscape. The hostel itself was a haven of comfort and unique amenities, enhancing the entire experience. #100WaysOfTravel #mytravelhacks 📍 Address: Rafiki Hostel

#100WaysOfTravel #mytravelhacks 🏖️BAmbiance/Facilities:pool, roof with view of all Petra 📍Address: Petra 💰Average Price per Person:20$

Petra is an ancient city located in the southwestern part of Jordan. It was the center of an Arab kingdom in Hellenistic and Roman times. The city was built on a terrace, pierced from east to west by the Wadi Musa (the Valley of Moses). Petra is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The city was once a thriving trading center and the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106. Petra was empty and in near ruin for centuries before being rediscovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. The city's unique blend of Hellenistic, Roman, and Arab influences makes it a fascinating place for a winter getaway exploration. #christmastrip

The Panorama Hotel Petra is located at Queen Rania street - Wadi Mousa Petra. Generally, backpackers and self-guided tours do not choose transportation, but it is not cheap, but this hotel is characterized by the ability to see the distance. The scenery of the scenic spots of Terra is basically a group of luxury tours, business activities, etc. There are many places to live here. The room we stayed in here is quiet and elegant, and we can see the morning sun in the morning, so that we can feel the joy of staying. The hotel is equipped with parking, LCD TV and fridge.

The choice of the hotel is more and more precise, and the taste is also more local. The movenpick resort hotel and the door of the ancient city of Perat are 50 meters away. The location is unique and can be said to be the best hotel in the surrounding area. The hotel has a strong sense of design, and the atmosphere is beautiful and retro. When you enter the hotel, you are shocked by the beautiful exotic flavor. The hotel is also a kind of happiness. A lot of breakfast patterns, the taste is more appropriate, that is, the room is facing the street, the sound insulation effect is general.