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Temples & religious sites

Great Temple

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Great Temple

The Great Temple

The Great Temple is a large religious and civic complex in Petra, covering approximately 7,500 square meters. Completed in the early 1st century AD during the Nabataean Kingdom, the site consists of sprawling columns, massive walls, and open courtyards. Visitors go here to understand the architectural scale of the ancient city's urban planning and to see the remnants of Nabataean architecture.

Getting There

The temple is located south of the Colonnaded Street within the main Petra archaeological park. Since the site is inside the pedestrian-only zone of the ancient city, you reach it by walking from the entrance. Depending on your pace and the route taken through the Siq, it typically takes 45 to 60 minutes to reach the city center area where the temple is situated.

Visit Duration

Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours to walk through the complex and explore the various courtyards and structural remains.

When to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the midday heat. The site gets crowded during peak tourist seasons, particularly in spring and autumn. Avoid visiting during the peak midday hours when shade is limited across the open plaza.

Nearby Attractions

The temple is centrally located near several other historical sites, making it easy to combine with the following:

  • Hare Edeom: 0km
  • Temple of the Winged Lions: 0.2km
  • Qasr al-Bint: 0.2km
  • Church of Petra: 0.3km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

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Itineraries including this place

Good to visit alongside

Temple of the Winged Lions

Temples & religious sites

Temple of the Winged Lions

A large temple ruin from the Nabataean Kingdom, located in Petra's sacred quarter. It faces Qasr al-Bint at the end of the Colonnaded Street, making the two easy to visit together.

0.2 km away

Qasr al-Bint

Heritage & monuments

Qasr al-Bint

A Nabataean-era temple in Petra, facing Wadi Musa and standing between the Great Temple and the Temple of the Winged Lions. Located near the Colonnaded Street and the Temenos Gate, it offers a well-preserved look at an ancient religious center.

0.2 km away

church of Petra

Temples & religious sites

church of Petra

A Byzantine-era church on a hill at the center of Petra, just north of Colonnaded Street. As one of the Byzantine remains still standing in Petra, it lets you sense the grandeur of its original architecture.

0.3 km away

Ridge Church

Temples & religious sites

Ridge Church

An ancient church site perched on a ridge above Petra, believed to have been built in the 3rd–4th century using Nabataean and Roman-era stone. It's considered Petra's oldest church, and offers sweeping views over the city.

0.3 km away

Petra Theatre

Culture & venues

Petra Theatre

This amphitheater was carved into the rock in the 1st century during the Nabataean era and sits close to the center of Petra. Climbing its three tiers of stepped seating gives a sense of the theater's grand scale.

0.6 km away

Palace Tomb (Petra)

Heritage & monuments

Palace Tomb (Petra)

One of the Royal Tombs of Petra, its massive rock-cut facade spans 49 meters wide and 46 meters high. As one of the largest Nabataean structures in Petra, it draws a steady stream of visitors.

0.7 km away