Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Siq al-Barid
A miniature rock-cut canyon north of Petra that once served as a caravan station. It preserves rare Nabataean painted ceilings, is free to enter, and is less crowded.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid, the Cold Canyon) is about 9 km from the Petra visitor center. Within the narrow canyon are temples, cisterns and dining caves. In the room known as the Painted House, vine and bird paintings on the ceiling survive from about 2,000 years ago, which is very rare. A visit takes about an hour and is free. From here you can also hike 2–3 hours along a trail over the back hills to the Monastery at Petra (a guide is required). It can be visited together with the nearby Beidha Neolithic village.
Opening hours
Open during the day (about sunrise to sunset)
Nearby sights
- Beidha Neolithic Village
- Ad Deir (Monastery), Petra
- Petra Church
- Temple of the Winged Lions
- Royal Tombs, Petra
- Colonnaded Street
- Qasr al-Bint
- Great Temple of Petra