Jordan’s geography creates dramatically different conditions in different parts of the country, which makes the “best time to visit” question more nuanced than a single answer. The Jordanian highlands around Petra sit at 900–1 300 metres elevation — cool in winter, hot in summer. Wadi Rum is desert at 900 m — extreme temperature swings daily. Aqaba is a Red Sea beach town at sea level — pleasant year-round. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth at -430 m — always warm.
This guide gives you a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect across each region.
The four seasons in Jordan
Spring: March–May (highly recommended)
The two best months to visit Jordan are April and May. Conditions across all regions are pleasant, the landscape is at its most colourful, and crowds — while growing through April and peaking in late May — have not yet reached the summer intensity.
March: Good but variable. The north (Jerash, Ajloun, the Dana highlands) is green and carpeted with wildflowers — anemones, cyclamens, wild tulips along the King’s Highway. Petra temperatures range from 8°C at night to 20–23°C by midday. Rain is possible. Easter falls in March or April most years, bringing Christian pilgrimage visitors to Madaba and Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
April: Ideal. Temperatures across Jordan sit between 15°C and 28°C. Wildflowers persist in the north. Petra is warm and comfortable for long days of walking. Wadi Rum is perfect — nights cool but not cold, days warm but not scorching. Dead Sea is warm enough to swim. Aqaba has the clearest water visibility for snorkelling and diving.
May: Still excellent but warming. By late May, Petra midday temperatures reach 30–33°C — tolerable with early starts and shade breaks. Tourist volumes are at their spring peak, particularly in the last two weeks of May with European school holidays beginning.
Summer: June–August (generally avoid)
June through August is the most challenging season for visitors to most of Jordan.
June: The heat builds rapidly. Petra regularly reaches 35°C by midday. Wadi Rum can hit 42°C in the afternoon sun. The light is harsh, shade in Petra is limited, and the Treasury by noon looks beautiful in photographs and exhausting in reality.
July–August: Peak summer. Temperatures in Petra and Wadi Rum reach 38–45°C. The Dead Sea air temperature exceeds 40°C even as the water stays calm and therapeutic. Tourist numbers drop from their spring peaks as the word gets out.
Exception: Aqaba. The Red Sea town sits at sea level with a prevailing breeze off the water, and summer temperatures are moderated compared to the interior. Water temperature reaches 27–29°C. Diving visibility is excellent. If your Jordan trip is primarily about Aqaba water sports, July–August is viable.
Exception: summer evenings in Wadi Rum. After sunset, the desert cools dramatically. Some travellers visit Wadi Rum specifically in summer — arriving late afternoon, spending the night in a camp, departing after a cool morning — and avoid the worst of the heat by planning around it.
Autumn: September–November (highly recommended)
The autumn window matches spring for quality and in some respects surpasses it.
September: Still warm — Petra averages 30–33°C — but noticeably more comfortable than August. The Dead Sea in September has its warmest water of the year. Tourist numbers have not yet reached their autumn peak.
October: One of the best months of the year. The heat has broken and temperatures across Jordan settle into the 18–27°C range. Golden light in late afternoon. Crowds are at their autumn peak during the first two weeks — European school half-terms drive significant tourist traffic — but manageable.
November: Excellent. Temperatures cool to 12–22°C in Petra. Wadi Rum nights require a warm layer (10–15°C). The first rains of autumn begin, greening the highlands slightly. Tourist volumes drop significantly after early November. If you want Petra without crowds, late November is one of the best times.
Winter: December–February (viable with preparation)
Winter in Jordan is underrated and dramatically quieter.
December: Amman experiences cold, sometimes wet weather (6–14°C). Petra can be genuinely cold at night (3–8°C) and receives occasional frosts at its higher elevations. Snow at Petra is rare but memorable when it happens — perhaps once every few years at a significant level, enough to dust the rose-red sandstone white. The Monastery (Ad Deir) in snow is one of the great unrepeatable experiences of Jordan travel.
January–February: The coldest period. Wadi Rum nights can reach -5°C — camps provide heavy blankets but prepare for the cold. The Dead Sea is paradoxically pleasant at this time of year: the surrounding hills are sometimes snow-capped while the Dead Sea itself stays warm (22–24°C surface temperature) and the experience of floating in the sun is a particular winter delight.
Aqaba in winter: One of the best destinations in the region for a warm escape. Air temperatures of 20–24°C, water temperatures of 21–22°C, and almost no crowds. Diving and snorkelling conditions are excellent.
Key consideration: The Wadi Mujib Siq Trail (the canyon hike through Wadi Mujib nature reserve, a Jordan Trail highlight) is closed from November through April when the canyon floods. If the Siq Trail is on your list, plan for the summer-autumn window despite the heat.
Month-by-month temperatures
| Month | Petra (high/low) | Wadi Rum (high/low) | Dead Sea (high) | Aqaba (high/water) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C / 2°C | 14°C / 1°C | 20°C | 21°C / 21°C |
| February | 13°C / 3°C | 15°C / 2°C | 22°C | 22°C / 21°C |
| March | 18°C / 7°C | 20°C / 6°C | 27°C | 25°C / 22°C |
| April | 23°C / 11°C | 26°C / 11°C | 33°C | 29°C / 24°C |
| May | 28°C / 16°C | 32°C / 17°C | 38°C | 33°C / 26°C |
| June | 33°C / 20°C | 37°C / 21°C | 43°C | 37°C / 27°C |
| July | 35°C / 22°C | 39°C / 23°C | 45°C | 39°C / 27°C |
| August | 34°C / 22°C | 38°C / 22°C | 44°C | 38°C / 28°C |
| September | 30°C / 19°C | 33°C / 18°C | 40°C | 34°C / 28°C |
| October | 25°C / 14°C | 27°C / 13°C | 34°C | 31°C / 27°C |
| November | 19°C / 9°C | 21°C / 8°C | 27°C | 27°C / 25°C |
| December | 14°C / 4°C | 16°C / 3°C | 22°C | 23°C / 22°C |
Ramadan timing
Ramadan shifts approximately 11 days earlier each year. In 2026, Ramadan begins around 17 February and ends around 19 March. During Ramadan:
- Restaurants outside hotel zones and tourist areas may close during daylight hours
- Petra and Wadi Rum sites operate normally (Bedouin communities around tourism generally maintain services)
- Hotel restaurants serve food throughout the day
- The evenings during Ramadan are lively — iftar (breaking the fast at sunset) is a festive communal meal and the ambiance in Amman after sunset is particularly vibrant
- It is polite to avoid eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours
Travelling during Ramadan is not discouraged — it offers a genuine window into Jordanian culture that outside-Ramadan visitors miss — but be prepared for the logistical adjustments.
Crowd levels by month
| Month | Crowd level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | Very low | Winter quiet, some sites reduced hours |
| February | Low | Ramadan may fall here |
| March | Moderate (building) | Easter may bring peak in late March |
| April | High | Peak spring season |
| May | High | European school holidays add to crowds |
| June | Moderate | Heat deters many tourists |
| July | Low | Too hot for most |
| August | Low | Same |
| September | Moderate (building) | Growing toward autumn peak |
| October | High | Autumn peak, busiest month |
| November | Moderate | Dropping quickly mid-month |
| December | Low | Year-end quiet |
What to do in each season
Spring focus: Full Jordan circuit — Petra by day and evening, Wadi Rum overnight, the Dana highlands in bloom, wildflowers north of Ajloun. Hiking season.
Summer focus: Aqaba diving and snorkelling, Dead Sea resort hotels, evening Wadi Rum (avoid midday in the desert). Night Petra is particularly atmospheric.
Autumn focus: Everything the country offers. Perfect for longer hikes, the full King’s Highway drive, and photography in golden light.
Winter focus: Petra with dramatically fewer tourists, Aqaba for warm weather, Dead Sea in unique winter-float conditions, possibly Petra in snow (unplannable but unforgettable).
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to visit Jordan in summer?
Yes, but it requires planning around the heat. Early starts (7–9 AM into Petra, 6–8 AM in Wadi Rum) are essential. Rest in shade or your accommodation from 12–3 PM. Carry significant water (3–4 litres minimum for a Petra day). Summer in Jordan is manageable with discipline; it is simply not the most pleasant time for extended outdoor activity.
What is the best month for Petra specifically?
April is the consensus best month for Petra: ideal temperatures, wildflowers visible from the Monastery viewpoint, and before the very peak of tourist season. Second choice: October or early November.
Does it rain in Jordan?
Yes, particularly in Amman and the northern highlands from November through March. Rain in Petra is infrequent but the Siq can flash-flood — if heavy rain is forecast, heed any closures announced by the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority. Flash floods in wadis (including Wadi Mujib and parts of the Jordan Trail) are a real risk in winter. Always follow local guidance.