From the car park, an obvious path leads to the 400m-long siq, which opens out into larger areas. The first open area has a temple , which archaeologists know little about. Four triclinia – one on the left and three on the right – are in the second open area, and were probably used as dining rooms to feed hungry merchants and travellers. About 50m further along the siq is the Painted House , another small dining room, which is reached by some exterior steps.
The Painted House is worth a closer look as faded but still vivid frescoes of vines, flowers and birds on the underside of the interior arch are a rare example of Nabataean painting, though the walls have been blackened by Bedouin campfires. Cut into the rock opposite the room is a large cistern; there are also worn water channels at various points along the siq.
At the end of Siq al-Barid are some steps. You can climb to the top for great views and plenty of picnicking opportunities. With extra time and interest you can explore the Nabataean quarries and cisterns of Umm Qusa, located just before the entrance to Siq al-Barid.
