Best Time to Visit Jordan: Month-by-Month Guide
The best time to visit Jordan is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when days are mild, skies are sunny and humidity is low. Summer (June to August) is hot, above 35°C (95°F) almost everywhere and past 40°C (104°F) around the Dead Sea, Aqaba and the southern deserts. Winter (December to February) is cool and wetter, with flash-flood risk in the wadis.
Jordan is small, but its climate isn't uniform. A day in the highlands around Amman can feel nothing like a day on the Red Sea coast, so the right month depends partly on your route. This guide gives the short answer first, then breaks it down by region, season and activity.
Which month is the best to visit Jordan?
The best months to visit Jordan are April and October. Days are mild, skies are clear and humidity is low, which suits Petra, Wadi Rum and hiking. Both months are busy, so book ahead.
March and November also work, but both are changeable: March brings cool days with sudden warm spells, and November can bring the first rains. Here's how the year looks at a glance.
| Month | Season | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Spring | Changeable: cool days, warm spells, green countryside in the north | Walks in the north, quieter sites |
| April-May | Spring | Mild and sunny, high traffic | Petra, hiking, Wadi Rum |
| June-August | Summer | Above 35°C (95°F), past 40°C (104°F) in the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Aqaba and the south | Swimming at Aqaba and the Dead Sea |
| September | Autumn | Summer heat fades | Petra, desert camps |
| October | Autumn | Mild and sunny, high traffic | Petra, Wadi Rum, hiking |
| November | Autumn | First rains, flash-flood risk, high traffic | Culture, cities |
| December-February | Winter | 5-15°C (41-59°F) by day in Amman and Petra, snow possible | Dead Sea and Aqaba breaks |
Not sure which month fits your route? Our local experts in Jordan can map it for you.
Jordan's climate by region
Jordan's climate splits into a Mediterranean-leaning west (Amman, the Jordan Valley) and a desert south-east. Wadi Rum has big day-night swings, and the Dead Sea and Aqaba pass 40°C (104°F) in summer.
| Region | Character | Best months |
|---|---|---|
| Amman and the highlands | Relatively mild winters, hot summers tempered by altitude | Spring and autumn |
| Wadi Rum and the eastern desert | Extreme temperature swings, plenty of sunshine, cool nights even in summer | Autumn, then spring |
| Dead Sea and Aqaba | Above 40°C in summer with dry heat; very mild winter | Autumn, winter, spring |
| Petra | Temperate in spring and autumn, exhausting summer daytime | Spring and autumn |
Petra is the one most people plan around, and the answer for the best time to visit Petra is the same as for the country as a whole: April or October, with March and November as backups. The site is largely outdoors and exposed, so summer afternoons there are hard work. Because every site has its own character, the climate of each stop on your route matters more than the national picture. The Jordan travel guide covers the sites themselves.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November): the best time to go
These two seasons give the best conditions for travelling around the country. Temperatures are mild, sunshine is plentiful and humidity stays low.
Spring. The north comes back to life, the plateaus turn green, and the small trails around Amman, Ajloun and the King's Highway are very pleasant for hiking. March is the changeable month, with cool days and sudden warm spells, so pack for both. April and May are steadier and busier.
Autumn. The summer heat fades everywhere, notably in Petra and Wadi Rum, which become accessible again for walks, nights camping in the desert and adventure activities. September is the gentle start of it, October is the sweet spot, and November is the edge of the season: the first rains can arrive, and flash floods are possible in the wadis.
Book ahead for April and May and for October and November. Those are the periods with the most visitors, and the better camps and hotels fill early.
Hiking is where the shoulder seasons pay off most. See how a Dana to Petra trek fits the season.
Winter (December to February): mild by the sea, cool and wet inland
Winter means short days, cool temperatures and more frequent rain. In Amman and Petra, daytime highs run from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). It is the season of flash floods in the valleys and of occasional snow.
Outdoor plans need caution, especially hiking in the wadis, and Petra can occasionally be closed. The Dead Sea and Aqaba are a different story. Both enjoy a very mild winter, which suits swimming, relaxing and a first look under the water in a calmer, less crowded atmosphere.
If winter is the only window you have, the usual advice from our local experts is to build the trip around the coast and the Dead Sea, and keep the highlands for the sunniest days. You can browse tailor-made trips to Jordan to see how routes are put together.
Summer (June to August): how to travel in the heat
Between June and August temperatures regularly exceed 35°C (95°F) across almost the whole country and pass 40°C (104°F) in the Jordan Valley, around the Dead Sea, in Aqaba and in the southern deserts. The air is dry, so the heat is easier to bear than in a humid climate. It is still heat, and it shapes the whole day.
The simplest way to cope is to copy the local rhythm, the one Bedouin communities have used for generations:
- Visit early in the morning or in the evening.
- Take breaks in the shade or at the hotel during the afternoon.
- Drink water very regularly.
- Protect yourself from the sun and the sand.
In return, you get clear skies and a long swimming season at Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Summer is a reasonable choice for a beach-focused trip. For a first visit built around Petra and Wadi Rum, spring or autumn is the better call.
Flash floods, sandstorms and snow
Flash floods occur mainly from November to March, when sudden rain can turn wadis and canyons into dangerous torrents. They can affect access to Petra and other valleys, and hikes need to be planned with that in mind.
Three other weather events are worth knowing about:
- Sandstorms are frequent in spring and summer. They reduce visibility and can slow travel, especially in Wadi Rum and the east of the country.
- Storms and mist appear now and then, sometimes with hail or strong gusts, and mist can form on the highlands or in certain valleys as winter approaches.
- Snow is rare but possible in winter in Amman, Petra and the western mountains. It can make roads difficult for a few days.
None of this is a reason to avoid the cooler months. It is a reason to check the local forecast before each stage, particularly before a wadi walk or a desert excursion, and to leave some slack in the schedule.
Best time for hiking, the desert, diving and festivals
Some activities depend directly on the season.
- Hiking: the trails around Petra, Dana and Wadi Mujib are best in spring and autumn. In summer, the heat limits effort to the mildest hours.
- The desert: Wadi Rum is best explored outside the summer heat peaks, and autumn is especially gentle. Nights can be cool even in summer.
- Diving in Aqaba: April to June and September to November are the best months. Winter diving is possible, with a calmer sea but cooler water.
- Festivals: Medaina is held in May around Petra and Wadi Rum (the 2025 edition ran 21 to 26 May; check the organisers for the current year's dates). The Jerash Festival takes place in the summer, and Aqaba hosts cultural events over the summer months. Petra By Night is a separate evening event, covered in the questions below.
Packing and booking tips
- Book ahead if you travel in the high-traffic periods, April to May and October to November.
- Check the local weather before each stage, especially for excursions in the wadis or the desert.
- Pack for the season and the region: warm layers for the nights, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf against dust, and light but covering clothing.
Plan your Jordan trip with a local expert
Tell us when you can travel and what you want to see, and a local expert will build a tailor-made Jordan trip around the weather. Send your trip request, or look at Jordan trip ideas first.
Jordan travel questions
According to the official site, Petra By Night runs five nights a week, Sunday to Thursday, from 8:30 to 10:30 PM. A ticket costs JOD 30 per person, about USD 42.30 at 1 JOD = 1.41 USD, as of November 2026. One third-party source gives different nights and a separate ticket, so confirm on the official site before booking.
The 40th edition ran from 22 July to 2 August 2026, according to a Jordanian news report dated 28 July 2026. Other sources give 23 July as the start date. The festival usually falls between late July and early August in the heat, so plan for shade and water, and confirm the current year's dates before booking flights.
Conditions can change, so check before you go. The UK government's official travel advice for Jordan, last updated on 27 October 2026, advises against all travel to within 3km of the border with Syria. It also notes that travelling against FCDO advice could invalidate your insurance. Read the latest version before booking.
