Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)

Siq al-Barid, better known as Little Petra, was a Nabataean suburb on the caravan route, probably used by traders and their animals on the way into the capital. It is a compact, narrow canyon with carved facades, banqueting halls, staircases and water cisterns, all on a much smaller scale than Petra but with almost none of the crowds. Its treasure is the Painted House, where a small section of first-century ceiling painting of vines, birds and figures survives, one of the few examples of Nabataean painting anywhere. Little Petra is free to enter and lies around a fifteen-minute drive north of Wadi Musa, close to the Neolithic village of Beidha. It is also the start of the back trail to the Monastery, a walk best done with a local guide.

How it works: take a taxi or drive from Wadi Musa. The official Visit Petra hours list a Little Petra ticket office open in the morning and early afternoon, closing earlier in winter, for those using the back trail into Petra with a Jordan Pass or ticket.

What to expect: you can see the canyon in an hour, with steps up to the Painted House and a few scrambles at the far end. Bedouin tea stalls sit near the entrance.

Making the most of it: come in the late afternoon for warm light and no one else around, or start early and hike the back trail to the Monastery, then walk down through Petra to the main gate. Combine with nearby Beidha for a fuller picture of the area’s history.