Last updated August 29, 2026 · Editorial policy
Best time to visit Jordan: at a glance
Short answer: March–May and September–November — mild and ideal for Petra & Wadi Rum.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | Mar–May, Oct | Comfortable, perfect for sightseeing; busiest |
| Shoulder (best value) | Sep, Nov | Warm, fewer crowds |
| Low | Jun–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold) | Desert heat or chilly nights |
Best Time to Visit Jordan: Month-by-Month Guide
Quick take: Planning a trip to Jordan? The difference between going in the right month versus the wrong one can mean half the cost, twice the sunshine, and a fraction of the crowds.
Knowing the best time to visit Jordan can transform your trip — saving you hundreds on flights and hotels while putting you in better weather with fewer crowds. This guide breaks down each season, key events, and what to expect month by month so you can pick the right travel dates.
Festivals & Events in Jordan
The most booking-critical window is when Eid holidays stack onto spring peak: Eid al-Fitr falls around March 20-23 in 2026, piling regional holiday travel onto Jordan’s busiest season. Reserve Petra-area hotels and Wadi Rum camps several months ahead for those dates, and likewise for Jerash Festival nights in July and August.
- Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts (Jul-Aug)
- Amman International Theatre Festival (Nov)
When to Visit by Travel Goal
- Fewest crowds: September and late November pair warm sightseeing weather with far thinner crowds than the March to May and October peaks; Petra is notably quieter as November tapers. For near-empty sites, brave the desert heat of June to August or the chilly, rain-prone December to February.
- Festivals & culture: The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, typically held late July into early August in the Roman ruins north of Amman, is Jordan’s marquee cultural event. The Amman International Theatre Festival follows in November. Book Amman and Jerash-area stays a few months ahead for festival dates.
- Budget travelers: Jordan’s cheapest stretches are the scorching June to August months and midwinter, December to February outside Christmas and New Year. Hotel rates typically soften then, though you trade comfort for savings. For decent weather at a discount, aim for September or late November instead.
What to Avoid
- Major holidays: Eid al-Fitr (around March 20-23 in 2026) and Eid al-Adha (late May) bring regional and domestic travel surges, filling Aqaba, Dead Sea resorts and Petra quickly. During Ramadan itself, sites stay open but quiet with shortened hours. Independence Day on May 25 adds a smaller domestic bump.
- Closures: Few sights close outright, but winter rains from December to February can shut Petra’s Siq at short notice after flash floods, and Petra by Night runs only Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. During Ramadan, daytime cafes outside tourist zones typically close and opening hours shorten.
Booking Tips
- Jordan peaks twice: March to May and again in October. For those windows, book flights roughly three to four months ahead, especially around Easter and the Eid holidays when regional demand stacks on top of tourist season. For the hot June to August low, four to six weeks out typically works.
- Jordan’s shoulder months are September and November. September trades lingering heat, with highs around 32C, for empty trails and pre-peak prices; late October into November delivers comfortable 20-25C weather at Petra with thinner crowds and softer hotel rates. If you can only pick one window, weight toward November.
- European school calendars matter most for Jordan: UK and German Easter breaks in late March and April land on the spring peak, October half-terms hit the autumn peak, and Christmas to New Year fills Dead Sea resorts. Gulf summer holidays also bring regional families to Aqaba despite the heat.
- Jordan has no hurricane or typhoon season, but winter trips carry real disruption risk: December to February rains can trigger flash floods that close Petra’s Siq at short notice. Insurance with trip-interruption cover is worth having for winter visits, and for summer desert excursions where extreme heat can cut plans short.
Late October to November: The Shoulder Sweet Spot Most Visitors Miss
Spring and autumn both qualify as shoulder season, but they are not equal. May skews busy and warm, while late October into November delivers the same comfortable 20-25C sightseeing weather at Petra with thinner crowds and softer hotel rates as numbers taper toward month-end. If you have to pick one window, weight toward November.
One detail that should pin your exact dates: Petra by Night runs only Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, roughly 20:30 to 22:30, walking the candlelit Siq to the Treasury. Build your itinerary around those evenings rather than hoping to catch it on a whim.
Two periods to handle with care:
- December and January bring most of Jordan’s rain. The Siq sits in a flood channel, and flash floods that close Petra recur every few years; Wadi Rum daytime highs near 17C plunge toward 0C after dark.
- Ramadan (around February 8 to March 9 in 2027) leaves the major sites open and quiet, but daytime cafes outside tourist zones close and opening hours shorten, so plan mornings and carry snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there major festivals in Jordan?
Yes — Jordan hosts notable events including: Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts (Jul-Aug), Amman International Theatre Festival (Nov). Major festivals can spike hotel prices 50-200% — book 3-6 months ahead if attending.
What should I pack for Jordan?
Pack for the season you’re visiting and the climate zone. Summer in Jordan: lightweight breathable clothes, sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes. Winter: layers, waterproof jacket, warm accessories. Check the 10-day forecast 1-2 weeks before departure and adjust.
Related Jordan Travel Guides
- Best Things to Do in Jordan
- Where to Stay in Jordan
- Best Food in Jordan
- How Much Does a Trip to Jordan Cost?
- Jordan Itinerary Guide
Torn between destinations? See our honest, first-hand comparisons: Egypt vs Jordan, Cappadocia vs Jordan.
Plan the practical side: Jordan Visa Guide.
Climate data source: monthly temperature and rainfall figures on this page come from Open-Meteo’s Historical Weather API, which serves the ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus Climate Change Service). Five-year averages, 2019–2023. See our data methodology.
Jordan weather & climate by month
Best months to visit: April, May, October, November. Jordan’s warmest month is August (avg 34°C / 93°F), the coolest is January (low 4°C / 40°F). The wettest is January (62 mm) and the driest is June.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C / 54°F | 4°C / 40°F | 62 mm | 8 |
| February | 14°C / 56°F | 5°C / 41°F | 54 mm | 7 |
| March | 16°C / 62°F | 7°C / 45°F | 51 mm | 7 |
| April | 23°C / 74°F | 12°C / 53°F | 17 mm | 3 |
| May | 29°C / 84°F | 16°C / 61°F | 3 mm | 1 |
| June | 31°C / 88°F | 18°C / 65°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| July | 34°C / 92°F | 21°C / 69°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| August | 34°C / 93°F | 21°C / 70°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| September | 32°C / 90°F | 20°C / 67°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| October | 27°C / 81°F | 16°C / 62°F | 8 mm | 1 |
| November | 21°C / 69°F | 11°C / 52°F | 25 mm | 4 |
| December | 15°C / 59°F | 7°C / 45°F | 51 mm | 5 |
Climate source: Open-Meteo / WMO climate normals (WMO 1991–2020, or ERA5 2019–2023 where unavailable). Compare destinations in the Best Time to Visit Index.
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Written by
Drew Treasury is a contributing travel writer at Packzup, specialising in city culture, food markets, street art, and neighbourhood-level travel.
