Quick answer
The best time to visit Jordan is March to May and September to November, when Petra and Wadi Rum have warm days of 20–30°C and cool nights. April, May and October are the busiest. Winter (December to February) is cold and wet in Amman and Petra, though the Dead Sea and Aqaba stay mild. June to August is hot, especially in Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan13°Fair
- Feb14°Fair
- Mar18°Good
- Apr23°Best
- May28°Best
- Jun31°Good
- Jul32°Fair
- Aug32°Fair
- Sep31°Good
- Oct27°Best
- Nov20°Best
- Dec15°Fair
Jordan weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryFair | 13° / 4° | 64 mm | low | Cold and wet in Amman and Petra; occasional snow. Dead Sea and Aqaba stay near 20°C. |
| FebruaryFair | 14° / 4° | 63 mm | low | Still cold. Ramadan expected from around 8 February 2027. |
| MarchGood | 18° / 6° | 44 mm | medium | Spring arrives; wildflowers and the black iris appear. Some rainy days. |
| AprilBest | 23° / 10° | 14 mm | high | Ideal hiking weather at Petra and Dana. Busy with European tour groups. |
| MayBest | 28° / 14° | 4 mm | high | Warm and dry. Start Petra hikes early to beat the midday sun. |
| JuneGood | 31° / 17° | 0 mm | medium | Hot afternoons; Wadi Rum and Aqaba pass 35°C. Fewer crowds. |
| JulyFair | 32° / 19° | 0 mm | medium | Hot. Jerash Festival usually starts late in the month. |
| AugustFair | 32° / 19° | 0 mm | medium | Hottest month. Dead Sea and Aqaba above 38°C. |
| SeptemberGood | 31° / 17° | 0 mm | medium | Heat eases late in the month. Good value before October. |
| OctoberBest | 27° / 14° | 7 mm | high | Peak autumn season. Ideal for Petra's Monastery climb and Wadi Rum camps. |
| NovemberBest | 20° / 9° | 33 mm | medium | Cooler, crisp days and first rains. Wadi Rum nights get cold. |
| DecemberFair | 15° / 5° | 46 mm | low | Cold and wet in the highlands. Christmas events in Madaba and Fuheis. |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Jordan
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, year-round
Petra by Night
The Siq and Treasury lit by about 1,500 candles. Separate ticket; check the current schedule locally.
Usually late July to early August
Jerash Festival
Music, dance and poetry in the Roman theatres of Jerash. Dates are announced in early summer.
March to April
Spring wildflowers
The northern hills and the King's Highway turn green; the black iris is Jordan's national flower.
24–25 December
Christmas in Jordan
Church services and markets in Madaba, Fuheis and Amman, including at Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
Expected around 8 February to 9 March 2027
Ramadan
Sites stay open with shorter hours. Many restaurants outside hotels close until sunset.
Why spring and autumn are the best time to visit Jordan
Jordan rewards walking. A proper day at Petra means 15–20 km on foot, including about 800 steps up to the Monastery, and Wadi Rum is best explored on jeep tours with short scrambles. That is comfortable only when highs sit between 20°C and 30°C, which in practice means March to May and September to November.
Jordan is more varied than its size suggests. Amman and Petra sit at roughly 800–1,000 m, so they are cold in winter. The Dead Sea, at about 430 m below sea level, and Aqaba on the Red Sea stay warm year-round, and both are very hot in summer. The climate table here shows Amman; Petra runs a degree or two cooler, and Wadi Rum swings from hot days to cold nights.
Month-by-month: what to expect
March to May (spring)
The best months for hiking and photography, with wildflowers in March and April. April and May are popular with European tour groups, so start at Petra by 6 am to see the Treasury quiet.
September to November (autumn)
October is the other peak. November is cooler and quieter, with crisp days and cold desert nights, so pack layers for a Wadi Rum camp.
June to August (summer)
Highs of 31–32°C in Amman, and well above 35°C in Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Petra is doable from opening time to late morning.
December to February (winter)
Cold and wet in the highlands, with occasional snow at Petra. Fine for a Dead Sea and Aqaba-focused trip, and hotel rates are lowest.
Indian holidays and Jordan
Diwali and the Christmas–New Year break both fall in good or fair months for Jordan. The Dussehra and Diwali window (October to early November) is close to ideal.
Plan your days with things to do in Jordan, see a realistic budget on Jordan trip cost, and check the Jordan visa guide before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Petra?
Is Jordan cold in winter?
Can I visit Jordan in summer?
When is Petra by Night held?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
