Updated April 2026
A Quiet Introduction to Petra
Many visitors head straight to Petra, but just a few kilometres away lies Little Petra, a lesser-known archaeological site that offers its own glimpse into the remarkable world of the Nabataeans.
The carved sandstone façades may be much smaller than those at Petra, but they reveal the same extraordinary craftsmanship that helped earn this landscape its UNESCO World Heritage status.
As our guide joked, comparing Little Petra with Petra is “like comparing an ant with an elephant.”
After visiting both, I understood exactly what he meant.
More Than Just Rock Carvings
Rock-cut architecture isn’t unique to Jordan.
As I walked through Little Petra, I was reminded of the magnificent carved cliffs I had seen elsewhere, including the giant rock sculptures at the Leshan Giant Buddha in China.
Although on a completely different scale, both sites demonstrate what ancient civilisations were capable of achieving with remarkable skill and determination.
Learning How the Nabataeans Survived
Our visit took less than an hour, including several stops while our guide explained how the Nabataeans collected and stored water.
Living in such an arid landscape, water was precious. They created an ingenious system of channels, reservoirs and water tanks that allowed communities to survive where few others could.
It was fascinating to discover that behind the impressive rock façades was an equally impressive understanding of engineering.
Knowing My Limits
At one point our guide led us towards a steep stone staircase.
As soon as I put my foot on the first few steps, I realised this wasn’t for me.
The uneven steps were covered in loose sand, making them slippery and unstable. Rather than risk a fall, I decided to stay below while the rest of the group continued upwards.
Sometimes travelling also means recognising your own limits, and I’ve learnt that there’s no shame in missing one viewpoint if it means staying safe.
When the group returned, they admitted there wasn’t much to see anyway just the remains of a faded mosaic.
I didn’t feel I’d missed out.
A Narrow Gorge
Later we walked through a narrow gorge, only about two metres wide in places.
Thankfully, camels are not allowed through this section, which made navigating the uneven path much easier.
Even so, the steep drops beside parts of the trail demanded careful footing.
Was the Climb Worth It?
Our guide also encouraged us to tackle another climb of around 150 steps.
This time I joined in.
Reaching the top certainly brought a sense of achievement, but if I’m honest, most of us agreed that the view wasn’t especially memorable.
Not every climb produces spectacular rewards and that’s perfectly fine to admit.
Was Little Petra Worth Visiting?
Yes—but with realistic expectations.
Little Petra isn’t trying to compete with Petra, and it shouldn’t be judged that way.
Instead, think of it as a gentle introduction to the Nabataean civilisation and an opportunity to appreciate the same remarkable rock-cut architecture without the crowds.
Visiting Little Petra after experiencing the grandeur of Petra inevitably shaped my expectations. By comparison, it felt quieter, smaller and far less dramatic. Had I visited Little Petra first, I often wonder whether I might have appreciated it differently. I’ll never know but it’s an interesting thought
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