group of goats on brown rock during daytime

Jordan · tool

Best time to visit Petra

Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.

Best time to visit Petra, Jordan

Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.

Month	Weather	Crowds	Prices	Highlights
January	5-15°C, cool and often cloudy with a chance of rain.	low	low	• Clear desert skies for stargazing • Minimal crowds at historical sites ⚠ Nights can be very cold.
February	7-17°C, crisp and generally sunny with occasional rain.	low	low	• Desert wildflowers begin to bloom • Pleasant daytime temperatures for exploring
March	10-22°C, mild and sunny, ideal for outdoor activities.	moderate	moderate	• Perfect spring weather for hiking • The desert landscape is at its greenest
April	14-26°C, warm and sunny, a prime time for visiting.	moderate	moderate	• Excellent temperatures for extensive exploration of Petra • Clear skies and comfortable evenings
May	18-30°C, warming up with plenty of sunshine.	high	high	• Longer daylight hours for sightseeing • Still manageable temperatures before the peak summer heat ⚠ Can start to feel quite hot by late May.
June	22-34°C, hot and dry with intense sun.	high	high	• Long daylight hours for early morning visits ⚠ Heat can be extreme, requiring early starts and late finishes.
July	24-36°C, very hot and dry, with minimal shade.	moderate	high	• Fewer crowds due to the intense heat ⚠ Extreme heat wave risk; essential to stay hydrated and seek shade.
August	25-37°C, peak of the summer heat, scorching temperatures.	moderate	high	• Potential for slightly fewer tourists if you can tolerate the heat ⚠ The hottest month; visits are challenging and require significant precautions.
September	22-33°C, still hot but beginning to cool slightly.	moderate	moderate	• Temperatures start to become more bearable for exploration ⚠ Heat can persist, especially in the early part of the month.
October	18-28°C, warm and sunny, one of the best times to visit.	high	high	• Ideal weather for comfortable sightseeing • Pleasant evenings for enjoying the desert air
November	12-22°C, cool and pleasant with sunny days.	moderate	moderate	• Crisp autumn air perfect for hiking • Fewer crowds than the spring peak ⚠ Evenings can become chilly.
December	7-17°C, cool and often cloudy, with a chance of rain.	low	low	• Unique experience of potentially seeing Petra dusted with snow • Very low tourist numbers ⚠ Snowfall is rare but possible; can cause temporary site closures.

Annual events worth timing your trip around

Varies (Spring/Summer)

Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of fasting; many local businesses may have reduced hours, and eating/drinking in public during fasting hours is discouraged.

Varies (follows Ramadan)

Eid al-Fitr

A major Islamic festival celebrating the end of Ramadan, with local celebrations and potential for increased domestic travel.

Varies (late Summer/early Autumn)

Eid al-Adha

The Festival of Sacrifice, another significant Islamic holiday with potential for increased local travel and festivities.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings (year-round)

Petra by Night

A special event where the Siq and the Treasury are lit by thousands of candles, offering a magical, albeit crowded, experience.

Insider timing tips

•The shoulder seasons (March-April and October-November) offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds, avoiding both the extreme summer heat and the winter chill.
•While July and August are the hottest months, they can see fewer international tourists, leading to slightly less crowded sites if you can endure the heat.
•Jordanian holidays, particularly Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, can lead to a surge in domestic tourism, making accommodation and popular sites busier and potentially more expensive.
•Petra is vast; visiting during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late afternoon) is crucial, especially from May to September, to avoid the most intense sun and heat.

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