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Best time to visit Petra
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Photo by Alex Vasey on Unsplash
Best time to visit Petra, Jordan
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1-14°C, cold with a chance of rain | low | low |
⚠ Can be quite cold, especially at night. | |
| February | 2-17°C, cool with occasional rain | low | low |
| |
| March | 7-22°C, pleasant with sunshine and light winds | moderate | moderate |
| |
| April | 12-27°C, warm and sunny | high | high |
| |
| May | 17-32°C, warm to hot and sunny | high | high |
⚠ Temperatures begin to rise significantly. | |
| June | 21-36°C, hot and very sunny | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Intense heat requires early starts and ample hydration. | |
| July | 23-38°C, very hot and dry | low | moderate |
⚠ Extreme heat can make daytime exploration challenging. | |
| August | 24-39°C, extremely hot and dry | low | moderate |
⚠ Peak summer heat, making extensive exploration difficult and potentially dangerous. | |
| September | 20-35°C, hot but gradually cooling | moderate | moderate |
| |
| October | 14-29°C, warm and sunny | high | high |
| |
| November | 8-23°C, cool and sunny with a chance of rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Evenings can be chilly. | |
| December | 2-16°C, cold with a possibility of rain or even snow | low | low |
⚠ Coldest month, requires warm clothing. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
June
Eid al-Adha
A major Islamic festival, some local businesses may have reduced hours.
March
Ramadan
The Islamic holy month of fasting. While Petra remains open, eating and drinking in public during fasting hours is discouraged. Some local services might be affected.
February
King Hussein Day
A national holiday commemorating the late King Hussein. Mostly ceremonial, minimal impact on tourism.
May
Independence Day
Celebrates Jordan's independence. Some local events, but Petra operates as usual.
Insider timing tips
- •The shoulder seasons (March-April and October-November) offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds.
- •Summer (July-August) is extremely hot, making midday exploration difficult; focus on early mornings and late afternoons if visiting then.
- •Winter months can be surprisingly cold and wet, but offer the lowest prices and fewest visitors, with a small chance of snow.
- •The Siq, the narrow gorge leading to the Treasury, can be very hot even in cooler months due to the enclosed nature and sun exposure at certain times of day.
- •Book accommodations and flights in advance for spring and fall to secure better rates, as prices peak during these periods.
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