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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 | 5-15°C, cool and often cloudy with a chance of rain | low | low |
⚠ Can be quite cold, especially at night. | |
| February | 7-17°C, mild with variable cloud cover and occasional rain | low | low |
⚠ Still a possibility of rain disrupting outdoor plans. | |
| March | 12-22°C, pleasant and sunny with minimal rain | moderate | moderate |
| |
| April | 15-25°C, warm and sunny, perfect for outdoor activities | moderate | moderate |
| |
| May | 20-30°C, warm to hot and sunny | high | high |
| |
| June | 25-35°C, hot and very sunny | high | high |
| |
| July | 30-40°C, extremely hot and dry | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Extreme heat makes daytime exploration very challenging and potentially dangerous. | |
| August | 30-40°C, intensely hot and arid | moderate | moderate |
⚠ The hottest month; outdoor activities are severely limited. | |
| September | 25-35°C, still hot but beginning to cool | moderate | moderate |
| |
| October | 20-30°C, warm and sunny, excellent for exploring | high | high |
| |
| November | 15-25°C, cool and pleasant with plenty of sunshine | moderate | moderate |
| |
| December | 8-18°C, cool and crisp with a chance of rain | low | low |
|
Annual events worth timing your trip around
June
Eid al-Adha
A major Islamic festival with celebrations and potential travel disruptions in some areas.
July
Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts
While not in Petra, this major cultural event in northern Jordan can influence overall tourism trends and prices in the country.
Varies annually
Ramadan
The holy month of fasting. Many businesses may have reduced hours, and eating/drinking in public during fasting hours is prohibited. Check dates for the specific year.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Petra by Night
A special candlelit experience within the Siq and in front of the Treasury.
Insider timing tips
- •The extreme summer heat (July-August) can make exploring Petra dangerous and uncomfortable, significantly reducing visitor numbers.
- •Shoulder seasons (Spring and Autumn) offer the best balance of weather and manageable crowds, but prices can be high.
- •While Petra is open year-round, winter months (December-February) can be cold and rainy, impacting outdoor comfort and potentially causing flash floods in the Siq.
- •Petra by Night is a popular event, so book accommodation and tickets in advance if visiting on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
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