brown and white concrete building on brown rocky mountain 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	-1-14°C, cold with a chance of rain	low	low	• Fewest crowds • Clear desert skies ⚠ Can be quite cold, especially at night.
February	2-17°C, cool with occasional rain	low	low	• Wildflowers start to bloom • Quiet exploration
March	7-22°C, pleasant with sunshine and light winds	moderate	moderate	• Ideal trekking weather • Blooming desert flora
April	12-27°C, warm and sunny	high	high	• Perfect temperatures for sightseeing • Vibrant desert landscapes
May	17-32°C, warm to hot and sunny	high	high	• Longer daylight hours • Still pleasant before peak summer heat ⚠ Temperatures begin to rise significantly.
June	21-36°C, hot and very sunny	moderate	moderate	• Fewer crowds than spring/fall • Dry conditions ⚠ Intense heat requires early starts and ample hydration.
July	23-38°C, very hot and dry	low	moderate	• Minimal crowds • Very long daylight hours ⚠ Extreme heat can make daytime exploration challenging.
August	24-39°C, extremely hot and dry	low	moderate	• Lowest visitor numbers ⚠ Peak summer heat, making extensive exploration difficult and potentially dangerous.
September	20-35°C, hot but gradually cooling	moderate	moderate	• Temperatures begin to moderate • End of the harshest summer heat
October	14-29°C, warm and sunny	high	high	• Excellent weather for hiking and exploring • Pleasant evenings
November	8-23°C, cool and sunny with a chance of rain	moderate	moderate	• Crisp autumn air • Beautiful light for photography ⚠ Evenings can be chilly.
December	2-16°C, cold with a possibility of rain or even snow	low	low	• Festive atmosphere • Unique chance of snow ⚠ 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.