Best Time to Visit Jordan
March to May and September to November — avoiding both winter chill in Amman/Petra and extreme summer heat at the Dead Sea and in the eastern desert
Quick Answer
Best Overall
March to May and September to November — avoiding both winter chill in Amman/Petra and extreme summer heat at the Dead Sea and in the eastern desert
Peak Season
April, October (most comfortable nationwide, Petra and Wadi Rum at their best)
Shoulder Season
March, May, September, November
Cheapest Period
December–February (Amman/Petra cold, though the Dead Sea and Aqaba remain comparatively mild)
Weather Varies By Region
Jordan is large enough that no single "best time" applies everywhere. Here's how the timing changes region by region.
Amman & Jerash (the north, higher elevation)
Mar–May, Sep–NovAmman's elevation (roughly 700-1,000m) moderates temperatures — winters bring real cold and occasional rain, while summer highs stay just below 33°C, milder than Jordan's low-lying south and east.
Petra
Mar–May, Sep–NovA similar highland pattern to Amman, but with less shade across its extensive site — summer heat and winter cold are both more punishing for a full day of walking than the temperature alone suggests.
Wadi Rum Desert
Mar–May, Sep–Nov (also workable by day Dec–Feb)Desert extremes — hot days and genuinely cold nights year-round, with summer daytime highs regularly exceeding 34°C; winter nights can approach freezing, a real consideration for anyone camping.
Dead Sea & Aqaba (the Rift Valley, far below sea level)
Nov–Mar (avoiding extreme summer heat)The lowest point on Earth's land surface, and noticeably hotter than Amman or Petra as a result — Dead Sea summer highs regularly reach 40°C, while winter here stays comfortably mild, the opposite seasonal trade-off from the highlands.
Month-by-Month Weather
Catalog Data· Climate normals, see sources below(Verified taxonomy records from the TravelGuidesFinder destination catalog.)Average high/low temperatures and rainfall for Amman (used here as a representative reference point — see regional notes above for other areas).
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C / 55°F | 4°C / 40°F | 61mm | Low |
| February | 14°C / 58°F | 5°C / 41°F | 63mm | Low |
| March | 18°C / 65°F | 8°C / 46°F | 34mm | Shoulder |
| April | 23°C / 74°F | 11°C / 52°F | 7mm | Peak |
| May | 28°C / 83°F | 15°C / 60°F | 3mm | Peak |
| June | 31°C / 88°F | 19°C / 65°F | 0mm | Low |
| July | 33°C / 91°F | 21°C / 69°F | 0mm | Low |
| August | 33°C / 91°F | 21°C / 69°F | 0mm | Low |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 19°C / 65°F | 0mm | Peak |
| October | 27°C / 81°F | 15°C / 60°F | 7mm | Peak |
| November | 20°C / 69°F | 10°C / 50°F | 24mm | Shoulder |
| December | 15°C / 59°F | 6°C / 43°F | 46mm | Low |
Season-by-Season Guide
Spring (Mar–May)
Warming from cool (18°C) to hot (28°C) in Amman, comfortable across most regions
Good For
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and bone-dry in Amman (31-33°C, zero rainfall), extreme at the Dead Sea (up to 40°C)
Good For
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Cooling from Amman's hot September (31°C) to a mild November (20°C)
Good For
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold in Amman and Petra (highs 13-14°C, occasional rain and even snow at altitude), noticeably milder at the Dead Sea and Aqaba
Good For
Best Time to Visit For...
Petra
March–May, September–NovemberComfortable temperatures for a multi-day visit to the extensive, largely shadeless site.
Wadi Rum desert camping
March–May, September–NovemberAvoids both summer's extreme daytime heat and winter nights that can approach freezing in the desert.
Dead Sea floating & spa time
November–MarchThe Rift Valley's low elevation keeps winter here mild while Amman and Petra are cold — the reverse of the usual seasonal advice.
Aqaba & Red Sea diving
Year-round, mildest November–AprilWarm Red Sea water supports diving in every season, though summer air temperatures are extreme.
Cheapest Time to Visit
December through February brings the lowest prices in Amman and Petra (genuinely cold and occasionally wet), while the Dead Sea and Aqaba stay comparatively mild — worth targeting those specific destinations if traveling in winter.
Busiest Time to Visit
April and October are Jordan's busiest and most expensive months, as both offer nationwide comfort simultaneously; book Petra-area accommodation and desert camps ahead for these windows.
Weather vs. Price Trade-off
Early March and late November offer close to peak-season comfort at Petra and Wadi Rum with noticeably lower demand than the core April/October peaks.
How to Get There
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) near Amman is the main gateway; Petra is roughly 3 hours south by road, and Wadi Rum a further hour beyond that.
How Long to Stay
7-9 days covers Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea comfortably; add 2-3 days for Aqaba and the Red Sea.
Sample Itineraries
What to Pack, By Season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Jordan?
March to May and September to November — comfortable nationwide, avoiding both Amman/Petra's winter cold and the Dead Sea/desert's extreme summer heat.
Is the Dead Sea hotter than Amman?
Yes, noticeably — the Dead Sea's extremely low elevation (the lowest point on Earth's land surface) pushes summer highs to around 40°C versus Amman's low-to-mid 30s°C, while winter at the Dead Sea stays comfortably mild.
Can I visit Petra in summer?
Yes, but plan around the heat — early-morning visits are essential, since the site offers little shade and midday temperatures in the low-to-mid 30s°C make extended walking punishing.
Last verified: 2026-09-20 · Climate figures are 30-year averages and will not match any single trip exactly.
Sources:Amman climate normals — Climates to Travel,Regional temperature comparison — Wego Travel Blog