Romantic Petra: Candlelit Siq and Cave Bar

Travel advisory, October 2026: Jordan is affected by the wider regional conflict involving Iran that began in 2026. At the time of writing, the US State Department rates the whole country Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, and Level 4, “Do Not Travel”, for the borders with Syria and Iraq and a few named areas. The UK FCDO advises against travel only within 3 km of the Syrian border and gives no warning for Petra, Wadi Musa or Wadi Rum. Petra and Wadi Musa are open, but flights can be disrupted and conditions can change at short notice. Read the US State Department advisory and the UK FCDO advice before you book and again before you fly.

Wadi Musa is a dry mountain town with no beach or lake, so romance here comes from carved rock, lantern light and desert quiet. Prices are in Jordanian dinars (JD).

Petra by Night

The evening walk runs Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30 pm and costs 30 JD per person. It starts at the Visitor Center and follows a candlelit path through the Siq to the Treasury, where a projection show lights the facade. Arrive about 10 minutes early. Tickets are sold in person on the day at the Petra by Night office in the Visitor Center, and you need a valid daytime ticket or Jordan Pass to buy one. Weather can cancel the show, so confirm that day. Details are on petrabynight.jo .

A drink in a tomb

The Cave Bar, at the Petra Guest House Hotel a few steps from the Petra gate, occupies an original Nabataean tomb and claims to be the oldest bar in the world. It opens daily from 2:00 pm to midnight, which makes it an easy late-afternoon stop before dinner or a nightcap after the night walk. It is a bar, not a restaurant. See petraguesthousehotel.com .

Cooking together

Petra Kitchen, on Tourism Street inside the Petra Boutique Hotel, runs an evening class for 35 JD per person. It includes the meal, non-alcoholic drinks and recipes. Start time is 6:30 pm from March to October and 6:00 pm from November to February. Seats are limited, so book ahead at petrakitchen.com .

Where to stay

  • Petra Bubble Luxotel is on Little Petra Main Street, about 5 to 8 minutes from Petra. Its suites have private hot tubs. Some guest reviews mention hot tub faults, so ask for a working tub when you book.
  • Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp is a family-run tent camp near Little Petra, about 10 minutes’ drive from the Visitor Center. Bathrooms are shared.
  • The Mövenpick Resort Petra sits beside the gate, and it and the Petra Marriott are reported to have spa facilities.

Compare rooms with a search such as Booking.com in Wadi Musa .

A hammam after a long day

The Al Yakhour Turkish Bath and the Petra Turkish Bath are reported to offer a scrub and steam, so ask about a visit together and agree the price before you start.

A late-afternoon walk

The climb to the High Place of Sacrifice or the Al-Khubtha viewpoint is best in the softer late-afternoon light. Go while the park is open and be back at the gate before closing, which falls between 4:00 and 6:00 pm depending on the season. The UK FCDO reports that visitors have been locked in overnight, and nobody should plan a descent after dark.

Next steps

For the walk itself, read more: Petra walking routes and multi-day plans .