The best time to visit Jordan is spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). Days are warm and sunny, nights are cool, and it’s comfortable to walk Petra, hike in Dana and sleep out in Wadi Rum. But Jordan works all year if you plan around the heat, the winter rain and Ramadan: winter is quiet and cheap, and summer is fine for the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. Here’s what each season and month is really like.
Planning a trip? Start with our complete Jordan travel guide.
Best time to visit Jordan at a glance
| Season | What it’s like |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Best overall: warm days, cool nights, wildflowers in the north. Busy, so book ahead. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot and dry everywhere, very hot at the Dead Sea and in Aqaba. Good for the beach and diving; sightsee early. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Excellent: still warm, crowds thin out later in the season, and the first rains arrive in November. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cool and changeable, with rain and occasional snow in the highlands. Quiet and cheaper; the Dead Sea and Aqaba stay mild. |
| Best for Petra and hiking | March–May and September–November |
| Best for the Dead Sea and Aqaba | October–April, when it’s warm but not scorching |
Jordan’s seasons
Jordan has a relatively rainy season from November to April and very dry weather the rest of the year. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cool and variable. Height makes a big difference: Amman, Petra, Karak and Dana sit on high ground and are much cooler than the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea (more than 400 m below sea level) and Aqaba on the Red Sea.
Spring (March to May)
This is Jordan at its best. The hills of the north turn green and the fields around Ajloun and Jerash fill with wildflowers. Days in Amman climb from about 18 °C (64 °F) in March to about 28 °C (82 °F) in May. Evenings are cool, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum. Spring is also when the hot, dusty khamsin winds can blow in from the desert for a day or two, sending temperatures up sharply.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is dry, sunny and hot. Amman averages about 31–33 °C (88–91 °F) by day; Petra, Wadi Rum and especially the Dead Sea and Aqaba are hotter. It’s a good time for Aqaba’s reefs and for summer festivals, but plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon. Rain is almost unheard of.
Fall (September to November)
September is still hot, but October and early November are close to perfect: warm days, cooler nights and clear light for photos. The first rains usually arrive in November. This is a great window for Petra, Wadi Rum and the Jordan Trail.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is cool and changeable. Amman averages about 13–15 °C (55–59 °F) by day and 4–6 °C (39–43 °F) at night, with most of the year’s rain, and western Amman usually sees snow a couple of times a year. Petra and Wadi Rum can be cold at night, while the Dead Sea and Aqaba stay mild, which makes them good winter escapes. Fewer visitors means quieter sites and lower prices.
Month by month: the weather in Amman
Amman is a good guide for the highlands (Jerash, Madaba, Karak, Petra are similar or a little cooler). Averages from long-term records:
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.7 °C (55 °F) | 4.2 °C (40 °F) | 61 mm |
| February | 13.9 °C (57 °F) | 4.8 °C (41 °F) | 63 mm |
| March | 17.6 °C (64 °F) | 7.2 °C (45 °F) | 34 mm |
| April | 23.3 °C (74 °F) | 10.9 °C (52 °F) | 7 mm |
| May | 27.9 °C (82 °F) | 14.8 °C (59 °F) | 3 mm |
| June | 30.9 °C (88 °F) | 18.3 °C (65 °F) | 0 mm |
| July | 32.5 °C (91 °F) | 20.5 °C (69 °F) | 0 mm |
| August | 32.7 °C (91 °F) | 20.4 °C (69 °F) | 0 mm |
| September | 30.8 °C (87 °F) | 18.3 °C (65 °F) | 0 mm |
| October | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 15.1 °C (59 °F) | 7 mm |
| November | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 9.8 °C (50 °F) | 24 mm |
| December | 14.6 °C (58 °F) | 5.8 °C (42 °F) | 46 mm |
Best time by destination
- Petra: March–May and September–November. Summer is very hot on the climbs to the Monastery and High Place; winter is cold, and the Siq can close after heavy rain.
- Wadi Rum: spring and fall for days in the desert; nights are cold from November to March, so bring warm layers for camp.
- The Dead Sea: October to April. Summer is very hot at the lowest point on land.
- Aqaba: almost all year for diving and snorkeling; mild in winter, hot in summer.
- Amman and Jerash: spring and fall; spring is greenest in the north.
- Wadi Mujib water trails: only in the warmer months; they close when there’s a risk of flash floods. Check with the RSCN before you go.
- Dana and the Jordan Trail: spring and fall for hiking.
Ramadan, Eid and holidays (2027)
Islamic holidays move about 11 days earlier each year, and exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon. For 2027 they are expected around:
- Ramadan: about February 8 – March 9, 2027
- Eid al-Fitr: about March 9–10, 2027
- Eid al-Adha: about May 16–17, 2027
- Independence Day: May 25, 2027
Visiting during Ramadan is fine and can be special: evenings come alive after the iftar meal. Many restaurants close during daylight, opening hours change, and it’s respectful not to eat, drink or smoke in public in the daytime. During Eid, Jordanians travel too, so hotels at the Dead Sea, Aqaba and Wadi Rum fill up. Read our guide to Ramadan in Jordan.
Events worth timing a trip around
- Jerash Festival: usually late July to early August, with concerts and performances in the Roman city.
- Petra Desert Marathon: listed for September 4, 2027.
- Christmas: celebrations in Madaba, Fuheis and Amman, and pilgrims at the Baptism Site.
See the full calendar on our Jordan travel guide, and check calendar.jo for confirmed dates.
What to pack by season
- Spring and fall: light layers, a warm fleece for evenings in Petra and Wadi Rum, sun hat, sunscreen.
- Summer: loose, light, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen and a big water bottle.
- Winter: a warm jacket, a waterproof layer and closed shoes; a swimsuit still for the Dead Sea and Aqaba.
Local-guided experiences
Whatever the season, a local guide knows when to start a hike, where the shade is and which day to visit each site. Some of our most popular trips:
Petra Full-Day Guided Tour: Treasury, Monastery & Royal Tombs
Explore Petra’s highlights with a local guide, with hotel pickup and a boxed lunch.
2-Day Petra & Wadi Rum Tour: Guided Petra, Jeep Safari & Bedouin Camp
A Petra day tour, a cultural dinner, a Wadi Rum jeep tour and nights in Petra and Wadi Rum, with transport onwards to Aqaba.
Zubiya Forest Trail & Local Village Lunch
A guided hike through oak and pine forest, a tea break by the fire, and a homemade lunch in a family home in Jerash.
Find a local guide: meet our local guides in Jordan.
Best time to visit Jordan FAQ
What is the best month to visit Jordan?
April and October are hard to beat: warm, sunny days in the 20s °C (70s °F), cool nights and little rain. March, May and November are also excellent.
Is it too hot to visit Jordan in summer?
It’s hot, especially at the Dead Sea, in Aqaba and in Petra, but it’s manageable if you sightsee early and late and rest at midday. Summer is good for the Red Sea and for festivals.
Does it snow in Jordan?
Yes, occasionally, on high ground. Western Amman usually sees snow a couple of times a year, and other high areas can see snow in a cold spell.
When is the rainy season in Jordan?
Roughly November to April, with most rain from December to February. Summers are almost completely dry.
Is it a good idea to visit Jordan during Ramadan?
Yes, with some planning. Sites stay open, evenings are lively after iftar, and you’ll see a special side of Jordan, but many restaurants close in the daytime and hours change. In 2027, Ramadan is expected around February 8 to March 9.
When is the best time to visit Petra?
March to May and September to November. Go early in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds.
Sources
- Climate of Jordan (Wikipedia) — seasons, Amman monthly averages, snow in the highlands, khamsin winds
- Jordan (Wikipedia) — summer and winter averages, Dead Sea elevation
- Jordan News — expected Ramadan and Eid dates for 2027
- Marathon Tours — Petra Desert Marathon — 2027 date
- calendar.jo — Jordan’s official calendar of events
- Wikimedia Commons — photographs credited in each caption
