Best Time to Visit Jordan (by Month & Region)

You have decided to visit Jordan and are wondering what’s the best time to visit Jordan.

The best travel time for Jordan depends on a few factors: where exactly in Jordan you are going, and what the purpose of your trip is. That’s because there are several climate zones in Jordan. Good temperatures will make your trip much more enjoyable. I guess you don’t want to have your visit to Petra be rained out (literally), right?

Speaking for the entire country, the best time to visit Jordan is during spring and early summer (March to June) and during autumn (September to November).

In this article, I’ll explain to you the best time to travel to Jordan, depending on location, weather and travel purpose.

Let’s dive right in.

Best Time to Visit Jordan by Location

Best Time for a Roundtrip

Most people visit Jordan to make a roundtrip through the country by visiting all the highlights within a week or two. If you’re visiting Jordan for the first time and want to explore the best sights and activities, you really don’t want to miss out on anything because of the weather.

The best time for a roundtrip in Jordan is during spring and early summer (March to June) and during autumn (September to November). Those are the months where you’ll have pleasantly warm weather across the country.

During spring, early summer and autumn, temperatures average 25°C (77°F) in Amman and 30°C (86°F) in southern regions like Aqaba or Wadi Rum. Perfect to travel around the country.

If you’re interested in visiting a specific part of Jordan, check out the best time to visit by region.

Best Time to Visit Dead Sea

The Dead Sea attracts millions of visitors a year. It’s considered a great destination to visit year-round. The best time to visit the Dead Sea is spring (March-June) and autumn (September-November). During these months, temperatures are warm and the UV concentration is moderate.

Summer months at the Dead Sea are quite hot (hitting 40°C / 104°F is no exception). You don’t want to roast under the hot sun for hours, especially if you aren’t used to such temperatures.

December and January are popular for “winter escapes” during Christmas and New Year. Temperatures average 20°(68°F) and the water is pleasantly warm during winter months. However, there can be colder days and occasional rainfall during winter.

Best Time to Visit Amman

Amman has one of the most drastic differences in weather in the country. It gets really hot during summer months (July/August) and quite cold during winter (January/February). While you can expect a steady 35°C during summer, snowfall is almost guaranteed during winter months.

Consequently, the best time to visit Amman is during spring (March-June) and late autumn (October-November).

I recommend that you plan your trip outside summer and winter months. Amman being a large city with over 4 million inhabitants, urban heat during summer months is more intense in Amman than in villages. Besides, Amman is a hilly city and your sightseeing trip will involve a lot of walking. That isn’t pleasant when the weather is too hot or snowy.

Best Time to Visit Petra

The ancient Nabatean city of Petra attracts millions of visitors every year. The site is open year-round and there are always people visiting.

However, there are times of the year which are more suitable to visit Petra than others. I personally believe that the best time to visit Petra depends on two factors: the weather and the amount of visitors.

Let’s first look at the weather. Petra is located in the southern part of Jordan. The weather here is very hot and dry during summer (40°C / 104°C are the daily average). If you’d like to go hiking in Petra, I recommend that you travel outside of the summer, ideally in spring or autumn.

A second factor which is particularly important for Petra is the amount of visitors. Almost everyone wants to take a picture of the iconic Treasury without the crowds. Petra is huge in size and there’s enough space for everyone. But the truth is that it can get really crowded (and noisy) at the Treasury (the main point of interest in Petra), if you come at the wrong time.

Like I said, most visitors will visit Jordan as part of a roundtrip. The preferred time to do so is from March-June and from September-November. The travel agencies know that, solo-travelers know that, and as such, most people are heading to Petra during these months. Let me reassure you – you don’t have to avoid these months to have a great time in Petra. If you’re visiting Petra during the preferred travel time, be sure to enter the site early in the morning. Aim for 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. if you can.

If you aren’t an early bird but you still want to have a quiet time in Petra, try to travel outside of these months. Temperatures in winter are colder and winters are less popular months to travel (for tourists from the Northern Hemisphere). You can expect less crowds between December-February.

Best Time to Visit Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is a desert located in southern Jordan. Deserts are known for their long, dry and hot summers. That also applies to the Wadi Rum.

Same as with most other locations in Jordan, spring and autumn are the best time to visit Wadi Rum. That’s especially true if you’re planning on exploring the highlights of the desert, like going on a jeep tour and climbing the sand dunes.

If you’re planning on doing heavy physical activities, such as climbing or trekking, I recommend that you do so in late autumn (November) or early spring (March).

Rainfall (during winter) is a highlight for Bedouins in Wadi Rum who rely on it for maintaining the desert’s vegetation.

Best Time to Visit Aqaba

Aqaba is a wonderful destination to visit year-round. Located on the gulf of Aqaba (which is connected to the Red Sea), Aqaba is one of the cities in Jordan with the highest average temperatures. Summers here are hot (similar to Wadi Rum) and winters are pleasantly mild, averaging 20°C (68°F).

While weather in Aqaba is mild in winter, water temperatures are much colder here compared to Dead Sea waters. You can go diving and snorkeling with the right equipment during all seasons, but it’s much more pleasant when the weather (and water temperature) are warmer. Same applies for enjoying the beach or the resort’s, which Aqaba is famous for. It’s doable at 20°C (68°F), but it’s so much nicer when the weather is sunny and warm.

Consequently, the best time to visit Aqaba is during late spring and early summer (April-June) as well as in early autumn (September-October).

Best Month to Visit Jordan

Jordan by Month	What to Expect
Visit Jordan in January	January is the coldest month in Jordan, and also the most unpredictable. Weather in Aqaba and at the Dead Sea is usually mild, but can get chilly on some days. Rain and snowfall is common in Amman.
Visit Jordan in February	February is a relatively cold month in Jordan. Temperatures are more stable when compared to January. However, February isn’t the best time to travel if you’re planning on doing a roundtrip. It’s a good month for trekking activities (depending on the area).
Visit Jordan in March	Temperatures start to increase after winter. Pleasant weather across the country. March is a great time to visit Jordan if you’re planning on doing long hikes. Avoid March if you’re planning to visit Wadi Mujib (opens in April).
Visit Jordan in April	If you are into beautiful landscapes, you will love the flourishing nature of Jordan in April. Particularly the northern regions (Jerash, Ajloun, Umm Qais) are surrounded by green hills and flowers in full blossom.
Visit Jordan in May	Pleasant warm weather across the country. May is a great month for a roundtrip in Jordan. Note however, that May is one of peak times of tourism in Jordan. Expect more crowds in places like Petra.
Visit Jordan in June	Temperatures are very warm in most parts of Jordan in June, but still bearable. June is a good month to make a roundtrip in Jordan, unless you’re sensitive to warm weather (in that case, March-May is better).
Visit Jordan in July	Hot temperatures in most parts of Jordan, especially at the Dead Sea and the southern parts like Wadi Rum. Not the best time to travel.
Visit Jordan in August	Hot temperatures in most parts of Jordan, especially at the Dead Sea and the southern parts like Wadi Rum. Not the best time to travel.
Visit Jordan in September	Temperatures start to decrease from September onwards, although September is still a warm month in Jordan. September is a good month to visit Jordan (on a roundtrip) if you are comfortable with temperatures around 30°C (86°F).
Visit Jordan in October	October is a great month to visit Jordan. You can expect pleasantly warm temperatures in all parts of the country. Generally not too hot for hiking.
Visit Jordan in November	November is still a good month to visit Jordan. Temperatures are pleasant during the day in most parts of the country. It can get chilly at night. November is usually the month where the first rainfalls happen in cities like Amman.
Visit Jordan in December	December is very mild in most parts of Jordan. Places like the Dead Sea and Aqaba are great destinations for a winter escape. Expect some rainfalls in Petra and Amman.

Additional Factors to Consider

Ramadan

Another important factor to consider is the availability of guides and access to sights.

Opening hours are slightly longer in summer (April-October) than in winter (November-March), but that shouldn’t affect your trip.

One more factor to take into account when choosing the best time to travel to Jordan is Ramadan.

Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daytime. With shorter working hours, many worshippers dedicate more time to religious activities and their families.

For tourists this means that the opening hours of most sights are shorter than usual. Furthermore, there are less tourist guides available. Guided tours that require heavy physical activity (such as guided Wadi Mujib trails, hiking in Dana etc) are not available during Ramadan.

On the other hand, you can benefit from the special and unique atmosphere in Jordan during Ramadan.

Read my full article on Ramadan in Jordan where I explain to you all the advantages and inconveniences of visiting Jordan during Ramadan.

Public Holidays

In most countries, public holidays are the time when availability is lower and prices are higher. Jordan is no exception to that.

The days after Ramadan (known as Eid festivals) as well as during other religious holidays, are popular days for short vacations for many Jordanians. Places such as the Dead Sea or Aqaba are particularly popular with locals. If you’re trying to get a good deal, try to visit these places outside of weekends and public holidays in Jordan.

School Vacations

School vacations are one of the factors that drive up the prices. The good thing is that summer in the US or Europe isn’t the best time to visit Jordan, so at least you don’t have to worry about booking a trip when literally everyone is taking holidays.

However, even when booking a trip in spring/autumn, keep an eye on the school vacation dates. You might get a better deal for your flight to Jordan if you book before or after a school holiday.

Conclusion

Jordan is a small country. Its remarkable differences in altitudes and landscapes make Jordan have different climate zones.

If you’re planning a roundtrip to see the country’s highlights, the best time to visit Jordan is during spring and early summer (March to June) and during autumn (September to November).

If you’re not used to hot weather and/or are planning to go trekking, March/April and November are the best months for you.

Summer months can be quite hot (40°C and more), and aren’t ideal, as visiting Jordan usually means a lot of walking.

Winter months are popular for winter escapes (the Dead Sea and Aqaba are popular wellness destinations). However, the weather is less predictable in most parts of Jordan. Rainfall and snow are common (especially in Amman, but also in Petra and Wadi Rum).

With less guides available and shorter hours of operation at many sites, I recommend that you travel outside Ramadan and public holidays. The dates vary from year to year. Be sure to check out the dates of Ramadan in Jordan when planning your trip.