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Jordan is an explorer’s paradise. From Roman ruins in Jerash to the ancient city of Petra, the country brims with historical treasures in a remarkable state of preservation. Jordan’s natural scenery also proves equal parts intriguing and impressive.
Determining the when to go to Jordan is also an important part of planning. Your trip to this Middle East hot spot will be enjoyable no matter when you go. However, there are some times that are better than others.
Here’s what you need to know about the best time to visit Jordan.
On This Page:
- Best Time of Year to Visit Jordan
- Best Month to Visit Jordan
- Best Time to Visit Amman
- Best Season to Visit Jordan
Best Time of Year to Visit Jordan
The best time to visit Jordan is from March through June, during the country’s beautiful spring season. It’s considered high season in the destination, as throngs of tourists flock to Amman, Petra, and the Dead Sea to take advantage of spring’s warm days and breezy nights.
The weather and climate of Jordan can vary considerably depending on where you are. In Amman, towards the north, tourists can expect perfect weather for sightseeing in the spring. It’s still a bit chilly in March, with low temperatures in Amman dropping to an average of six degrees Celsius and highs typically hitting 17 degrees Celsius. Bring a light jacket if you plan to go sightseeing at Amman’s incredible archeological attractions, like the Amman Citadel and the Roman Theater.
The relatively temperate spring weather makes it a great time of year for tourists to tackle parts of the Jordan Trail. The long-distance hiking trail stretches from Umm Qais to Aqaba for a whopping 675 kilometers. Hikers can trek through some 75 villages and towns on the trail, experience some of the country’s best desert sightseeing, explore ancient ruins, and make stops at major attractions (including Petra). While the entire trail takes about 40 days to hike, you can tackle certain segments over the course of a few days.
The capital warms up throughout the spring, and by June, the temperature in Amman ranges from 17 degrees Celsius at night to 30 degrees Celsius during the day. While you might get the occasional shower in March or April, it hardly rains in Amman from May through October. Take advantage of the sunshine to explore Rainbow Street and enjoy the city’s lovely al fresco falafel joints.
Jordan also has another sightseeing highlight during the spring season: flowers. Head to the northern hills to see the Earth carpeted by brightly colored wildflowers, and drive along the King’s Highway for a glimpse of Jordan’s national flower, the Black Iris, blooming along the roadside. Who knew the landscape of the Middle East could be this vibrant?
The best time to visit Jordan’s biggest attraction – Petra – is also in the spring. It’s typically a couple of degrees warmer than Amman. While the cool early spring temperatures make sightseeing in Petra more pleasant in Mach and April, tourists can enjoy 14 hours of daylight in June. The extra light gives you lots of time to venture beyond the Siq and Treasury and see some of Petra’s other interesting attractions, like the Colonnaded Street and the High Place of Sacrifice. Ambitious (and fast-walking) tourists may even have time to climb the 850 rock-cut steps to reach the Monastery, one of Petra’s most impressive structures, before the sun sets.
If you want to camp out in Wadi Rum, or simply enjoy the Valley of the Moon’s amazing scenery and ancient petroglyphs on a day trip, plan to visit in early spring. The temperatures in March and April range from lows of 8 degrees Celsius to highs of 29 degrees Celsius. If you had to pick between the two months to visit Wadi Rum, go for May – it has a lower chance of precipitation that might otherwise rain out your adventures.
However, if you’re drawn to the Red Sea and the beach town of Aqaba, you may want to visit earlier in the season, such as March or the beginning of April. You can expect temperatures to range from 14 to 18 degrees Celsius on the low end to highs of 27 to 31 degrees Celsius during this time of year.
By May, southern Jordan heats up to scorching temperatures – highs climb to an average of 36 degrees Celsius that month, and it regularly hits 40 degrees Celsius by July and August. It rarely rains in Aqaba, so if you visit in early spring, you can enjoy pristine beach weather and ample sunshine for snorkeling, swimming, and diving.
If you’re in Jordan in early summer, you can experience one of the country’s official public holidays, King Abdullah’s Coronation Anniversary, on June 9. Events occur all over the country to commemorate the rise of the king and celebrate Jordan as a nation.
Best Month to Visit Jordan
The best month to visit Jordan is April, followed by May, September, and October. The sightseeing weather of springtime peaks in April, allowing tourists to spend endless hours outdoors and explore Roman ruins without getting overheated.
When it comes to the best things to do in Jordan in April, tourists have tons of choices. Petra is amazing this month of the year. You couldn’t ask for better weather for wandering around the preserved Nabatean city. It’s a great month to hit the sandy shores of the Red Sea, or float in the salty, healing waters of the Dead Sea. The three wet trails of Wadi Mujib usually open for the season on April 1 every year (although the exact date can vary depending on weather conditions), giving tourists the opportunity to wade through chest-deep waters of a dramatic gorge.
However, like the travel high season in any destination, visiting Jordan in April does come with a few downsides that tourists should weigh against the benefits of the weather. Petra sees the highest numbers of visitors in April. Between 60,000 and 100,000 tourists visit Petra in April in typical years – a rate that can be double or triple the volume of arrivals in other months of the year. This influx causes hotel prices to skyrocket, potentially putting accommodations out of reach for budget-conscious travelers.
Furthermore, you can expect heavy crowds around all the major sites of Petra in April. Navigating the narrow pathways of the Siq among crowds can feel claustrophobic, and it can be impossible to get photos of the Treasury without lots of people in them, even if you go early in the morning. If you want to take part in the incredible Petra By Night experience, during which the Treasury and the Siq are lit by 1,500 candles, be sure to book tickets well in advance in the month of April. Otherwise, you risk the disappointment of a sold-out show.
Another thing to consider when planning your trip to Jordan is the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. While it occurs at a different time every year, Ramadan will take place in March and April in 2023 and 2024. Many attractions, restaurants, cafés, and shops reduce their hours during the holiday month to give staff time to fast and rest. Plan ahead to avoid any travel hiccups or missing out on the top things to do in Jordan. Better yet, consider traveling to Jordan outside the month of Ramadan.
While April is considered to be the best month to visit Jordan, May and September-October are also great times of year to see the destination – especially if you don’t want to deal with crowds. The weather in May is nearly as nice as April, albeit slightly hotter and even dryer.
In September and October, tourists in most of Jordan can expect temperatures in the high 20s, potentially hitting the low 30s in the peak of the day. Nighttime lows fall to the teens in places like Amman, Wadi Rum, and Petra.
Aqaba, however, is still quite hot into autumn. Highs are around 37 degrees Celsius in September and 33 degrees Celsius in October, while lows average 25 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively. Depending on your tolerance for heat, you might want to skip the Red Sea area and instead focus on other natural attractions, like the Ajloun Forest Reserve or the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan, when traveling to Jordan in September or October.
Best Time to Visit Amman
The best time to visit Amman is March, April, or May. These spring months bring gorgeous weather to the capital, making it a lovely place to visit in the Middle East.
The temperatures in Amman in April typically range from 10 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius. On average, the city experiences about four days of rain this time of year. Heavier precipitation earlier in the year results in fields of picturesque wildflowers in the hills just north of Amman by mid April. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this photogenic sight if you’re traveling to Jordan’s capital around this time of year.
Just a short car ride away is the Dead Sea, which hosts the Dead Sea Ultramarathon in late March or early April. The endurance challenge is the lowest marathon on Earth and draws thousands of athletes and spectators. In some years, the Amman International Theatre Festival takes place in March or April, as well. Check local listings ahead of your trip for the most current dates of the performing arts celebration.
If you can’t make it to Amman in March or April, you might want to visit the city in May. That month is still considered part of the high season. The weather is just as nice as it is in April, with temperatures typically ranging from 14 to 27 degrees Celsius.
Tourists who visit Amman in May also have the chance to experience one of Jordan’s most important holidays: Independence Day. On May 25, Jordanians take to the streets of Amman to commemorate the end of its status as a British protectorate, waving flags and watching military parades. The holiday is a great opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in Jordanian culture and celebrate with the locals.
Best Season to Visit Jordan
Most tourists would agree that spring is the best season to visit Jordan. Spring offers the chance to see fields of wildflowers in the country’s northern hills, enjoy the desert of Wadi Rum before it starts sizzling in the summer and experience the wet hiking trails of Wadi Mujib.
Springtime is not only a nice time to go sightseeing in Jordan, it’s the most popular. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to score deals on accommodations or tours. You should also expect to endure crowds at major tourist attractions, especially Petra. The popular attraction sees tens of thousands of visitors throughout the season.
If you want decent weather without the unbearable crowds, then the shoulder season is the best time for you to visit Jordan. It runs from September through February. The earlier part of the shoulder season is still warm, with highs between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius and lows dropping no cooler than the teens in September and October.
Jordan also hosts a number of fun festivals and events toward the end of the shoulder season. In February, tourists can learn about Bedouin culture and see displays of local handicrafts at the Aqaba Traditional Arts Festival. Also in February, the Azraq Festival takes place in the town of Azraq near Amman and features a range of traditional foods and colorful dance performances. The festival might not be one of Jordan’s largest events, but it tends to be quite lively.
As the months go on, the country cools off considerably. By January, temperatures range from 3 degrees Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius, and you may even see snow in Petra and Amman. Tourists should pack plenty of warm gear if they plan to visit Jordan during the end of the shoulder season.
Temperatures can get frigid in the desert at night during the winter. If you dream of going glamping in Wadi Rum, you might want to consider visiting during the spring instead. Even though it will likely cost more, you’ll be far more comfortable slipping out of your tent for some stargazing.
Jordan’s low season occurs during the summer months of June through August. Unless you enjoy sweating in the sweltering summer heat, you should avoid being tempted by ultra-low travel deals to Jordan during these months – the savings just aren’t worth temperatures that can climb to 40 degrees Celsius or higher.
If you just can’t resist a bargain on summer travel to Jordan, take advantage of some of the fun events that happen during the month of July. That’s when the popular Jerash Festival turns its Roman ruins into a one-of-a-kind venue for poetry recitals, live music, and performing arts. Amman also hosts a series of traditional concerts and plays in July. See what’s on offer at the Odeon and the Roman Theater.