Best time to visit Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum

Jordan is small, but its climate covers a wide range: the highlands around Amman and Petra lie at around 800 to 1,000 metres and have cool, sometimes snowy winters. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and hot for much of the year, and Aqaba on the Red Sea is warm enough for the beach even in January. Since most trips combine Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, the best time is when the highlands are warm and the low-lying places not yet too hot. We analysed the weather from 2015 to 2024 at four places.

Current safety notice (as of 4 November 2026): The German Foreign Office advises against non-essential travel to Jordan, and strongly advises against travel to the Syrian border area, the north-east and the Iraqi border region. Check your own government's travel advice before you book. This article only covers the climate.

The short answer

• Best time: March to May and October to November. Pleasant for long walks in Petra and nights in Wadi Rum, warm at the Dead Sea and in Aqaba.
• Summer (June to September): Petra 29 to 31 °C, Aqaba and the Dead Sea 35 to 40 °C by day. Possible, but only with early starts and long breaks at midday.
• Winter (December to February): Amman and Petra 11 to 14 °C by day and cold at night; rain and occasional snow. Aqaba stays mild at 20 to 22 °C.
• Rainy season: November to March. According to the UK travel advice, there is a risk of flash floods at this time.

Jordan's climate: all 12 months

Temperature and rain: monthly averages 2015–2024 from the ERA5 reanalysis (via Open-Meteo), rounded. A grid cell is about 25 km wide; in a country with steep differences in altitude – from over 1,000 m in the highlands to more than 400 m below sea level at the Dead Sea – values can differ noticeably over short distances.

Petra shows why spring and autumn are ideal: from March to May the days rise from 17 to 26 °C, and in October and November they fall from 24 to 18 °C. Nights in the highlands are cool all year; from December to February they drop to 4 to 6 °C on average.

Aqaba is the opposite: over 35 °C by day from May to September, but 20 to 22 °C from December to February. Rain hardly plays a role there, at 0 to 10 mm a month.

Jordan month by month

March to May

The best time for most visitors. In Petra it is 17 to 26 °C by day, the hills in the north are green after the winter rain, and wild flowers grow in places. Long walks such as the climb to the Monastery (Ad Deir) in Petra are comfortable. At the Dead Sea it is pleasantly warm; in Aqaba, May already reaches over 35 °C.

June to September

Summer is hot and completely dry. In Petra it reaches 29 to 31 °C, in Aqaba and at the Dead Sea 35 to 40 °C. If you travel now, start at sunrise, rest at midday and carry plenty of water. Nights in the Wadi Rum desert are mild. Many international visitors avoid the summer, so sites can be quieter.

October and November

The second best window. Petra drops from 24 to 18 °C by day, the desert in Wadi Rum is pleasant, and Aqaba and the Dead Sea are still warm for swimming. In November the first rain arrives in the highlands.

December to February

Winter in the highlands: Amman averages 11.8 °C by day and 4.7 °C at night in January, with the most rain of the year. According to the UK travel advice, heavy snow can occasionally block mountain roads, including around Petra. For a beach break with diving or snorkelling, Aqaba remains an option at 20 to 22 °C. More warm destinations for the winter: where to go in January for sun.

A classic route

Most trips start in Amman, with a day trip to the Roman city of Jerash in the north. From there the route goes south via the Dead Sea to Petra (two days are ideal), then to the desert of Wadi Rum with a night in a camp, and finally to Aqaba on the Red Sea. A hire car^* makes the trip flexible; alternatively, many book guided tours with a driver. In spring and autumn, Petra by day and a starry night in Wadi Rum fit together best. For another desert-and-heritage destination, see the best time to visit Egypt.

How YesTrip helps with this trip

In YesTrip you plan Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba day by day on one map, so the drives between them are clear before you leave. The forecast for your travel days shows when a hot day is coming and the walk to the Monastery in Petra is better started at sunrise. The packing list suggests sun protection, sturdy shoes and a warm layer for desert nights. Travelling as a group, you share the trip and log shared expenses like the hire car, guides and the desert camp.

Before you go

• Entry: British citizens need a visa for Jordan; check the current rules on gov.uk before you travel.
• Flight: From London a direct flight to Amman takes approx. 5 hours. Jordan is 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 2 in summer.
• Power: 230 volts; several plug types are in use, so a universal adapter is useful.
• Mobile data: a travel eSIM^* is usually much cheaper than roaming.

More destinations by month: Best time to visit: where to go when.

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