Best Time to Visit Jordan (Desert Tours & Cultural Festivals!)

Jordan is a beautiful play that pulls hundreds of thousands of tourists throughout the year from all over the world. It's a must-see place. However, it's essential to know the best time to visit!

February to April is the best time to visit Jordan due to the mild 70 F to 85 F weather. This is the perfect time to go hiking or take a dip in the local hot springs. June through August is the best time for those on a budget to save up to 45% on travel expenses.

Let's take a look at the weather and some of the events happening around Jordan. This will help you decide the best time for you to visit!

When Not to Visit Jordan

July and August are the worst times to visit Jordan due to the weather. During this time, the temperature frequently averages above 95 F, and is extremely dry.

Also, businesses are typically closed, and you can't do much. So, it's best to avoid this time unless you're staying in a resort or at a family member's house.

Cheapest Time to Visit Jordan

June through August constitute the off-peak period. You won't want to spend a lot of time in the sun during your stay in Jordan because this is the warmest season of the year.

If you go during this time, you'll probably be hunting for shade constantly. Although prices are at their lowest, many businesses are closed during the off-season.

This is the ideal opportunity to pinch some pennies. Being the cheapest time to visit Jordan doesn’t take away from the fact that the weather conditions also make it the worst time to visit.

Best Time to Visit Jordan: Monthly Breakdown

January: Muslim New Years

Since January is the wettest month of the year, Jordan experiences colder winter temperatures and sporadic rain or snow showers. Given its relatively high altitude, it can be very cold and windy with typical temperatures of 5 to 9°C.

The Dead Sea and Aqaba are the spots to visit if you're looking for warmer weather; both locations average around 21°C.

The desert areas may be ideal for daytime exploration, but once the sun has set, they become just as chilly at night. An excellent season to go hiking is in January, and it's also the season to visit Petra because it's less crowded then

Early January is when the Muslim New Year occurs. The day it occurs depends on the moon cycle. It is known as Muharram and is highlighted by family get-togethers with dining. In January, they commemorate Arbor Day. Throughout this three-day weekend, many Jordanians will plant date trees, whose fruit is particularly well-liked during Ramadan.

• Visit the Dead Sea and Aqaba
• Explore the desert
• Celebrate Muslim New Years
• Arbor Day

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February: Visit Wadi Rum

The last month of winter, February, can be the ideal time to travel to Jordan before the springtime crowds arrive.

The average temperature in the Eastern Desert, which has a climate that is warm during the day and chilly at night, is 7 – 15°C. As spring approaches, temperatures start to gradually increase as the month draws to a conclusion.

The Red Sea and the desert are getting hotter as the temperatures start to rise once more. Take warm clothing to wrap up warmly at night and head to Petra or Wadi Rum to enjoy these sights without the springtime tourists.

An exhibition of traditional Bedouin dancing, arts, and crafts is presented at the yearly Aqaba Traditional Arts Festival, which is held in February.

To ensure that their traditions are upheld, the Bedouin people display their talents and sell a variety of goods. Azraq Festival, a minor art and culture event west of Amman, also takes place in February.

• Visit Wadi Rum
• Annual Aqaba Traditional Arts Festival
• Azraq Festival

March: Hike the Jordan Trail

With an average temperature of 17°C, March marks the beginning of milder springtime temperatures. Jordan's valleys will then be covered with a magnificent carpet of greenery and wildflowers. The desert is also growing warmer with daytime highs throughout the country surpassing 37°C.

Jordan's landscape and fauna are beginning to bloom magnificently in March, making it the ideal time to go walking there. This is the ideal time of year to hike the Jordan Trail, which connects Um Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south.

The most well-known attractions in Jordan are generally uncrowded and calm compared to later in the year. As tour groups start to arrive and tourist numbers increase, Petra and Wadi Rum are beginning to get hectic.

Jordan's capital city hosts the yearly Amman International Theatre Festival. An independent theater company is the host. Its goal is to present Jordan's top theatrical productions and creative endeavors.

• Visit Petra
• Annual Amman International Theatre Festival

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April: Visit the Ma'in Hot Springs

The month of April is ideal for travel to Jordan due to the mild spring weather. Even the nights aren't as chilly as they once were, with an average temperature of 23°C. In response to the weather, travelers tend to move to the area during high season, which is currently underway.

Particularly at well-known tourist destinations like Petra, April can be very busy. Jordan's best natural features and tourist attractions can be enjoyed at this time of year. Spending the day soaking in Ma’in Hot Springs or floating along the Dead Sea is a wonderful idea.

At this time, the Amman Dead Sea Ultra Marathon is held. It begins at a height almost 900 meters above sea level and descends to the lowest point on Earth, 480 meters below sea level, at the Dead Sea's shoreline.

The annual Amman Jazz Festival is a must-attend event that features performances in Arabic and English by Arab and international musicians from all over the world.

• Float along the Dead sea
• Amman Dead Sea Ultra Marathon
• Amman Jazz Festival

May: Attend the Jordan International Rally

You can count on it being hot in Jordan in May as that is when the weather starts to change from spring to summer. Temperatures in the major tourist area of Petra, which range from 27 to 35 degrees Celsius, are slightly higher than in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

It's a lovely time to put on the hiking boots and explore the trails in pursuit of Jordanian wildlife in May, when wildflowers are blooming all throughout the country.

The Red Sea city of Aqaba is a terrific place to travel at this time of year because the weather is warm and you can genuinely enjoy the beaches. If you're snorkeling, the visibility is excellent, and the currents and atmosphere are much gentler than in the winter as summer draws near.

The Jordan International Rally happens in May. This legendary off-road race's stages pass through Rumman Forest and Jordan Valley. Alongside Ramadan, Independence Day is also this month; on May 25, every year, expect parades and street celebrations honoring the nation's emancipation from the British in 1946.

• Pursue Jordanian wildlife
• Jordan International Rally
• Ramadan

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June: Eid Al Fitr-- End of Ramadan

June, when summer officially begins, is the greatest summer month to travel since the weather starts to warm up but is still manageable. Expect dry heat with an average temperature of 38°C. If you dislike the heat, it won't be as enjoyable to tour the country's attractions.

Due to the extreme heat in the desert, June ushers in the low season for travel. It's tolerable as long as you cover up and avoid the sun.

As the Red Sea's visibility improves, June is a fantastic month for scuba diving and snorkeling since you can fully engage yourselves in the underwater world. Of course, this is before spending the remainder of the day lounging along the stunning shoreline.

The holiday of Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, which concludes in June. Muslims celebrate Eid by feasting, drinking, and having fun.

Jordan has a national holiday on June 9 in honor of King Abdullah's Coronation Anniversary. To commemorate the king's passing in 1999, public activities are held all around the nation.

• Snorkel in the Red Sea
• End of Ramadan
• Kind Abdullah's Coronation Anniversary

July: Visit Petra's Ruins

Jordan's long, dry summer days and hazy sunshine make July the hottest month of the year to travel there. Additionally, it occasionally causes sandstorms.

There is no rain in July, and the temperature is around 40°C. Jordan is quiet in July due to the terrible heat, though. Since this is the off-season nationwide, you may also get great savings on flights and tours.

If you can stand the heat, you'll discover that places like Petra's ruins, which are typically packed, are really relatively empty at this time of year. For more fantastic scuba diving, head to the coast, but be sure to reserve a hotel with a pool or one that is close to the water so that you can cool off outside the heat!

Eid Al Adha, the culmination of the Hajj, the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, is customarily observed around the end of July. Distant Heat, a music event, takes place at Wadi Rum, in the midst of the Jordanian desert.

Due to the heat, dancing and music go on well into the night.  One of the significant July festivals in Jordan is the Jerash Festival. This cherished occasion is a massive festival of music, dance, poetry, and art that lasts for three weeks in late July and early August.

• Visit Petra's Ruins
• Eid Al Adha
• Jerash Festival

August: Annual Perseid Meteor Shower

Depending on where you are in Jordan, the temperature in August might range from 31 to 39 ° C, or between 97 and 102 F. It's difficult to avoid getting uncomfortable in the dry heat because nights and evenings are equally warm.

August is still filled with summer winds and desert storms, which bring more hot, dry days. Fortunately, the low humidity makes it possible to still enjoy outdoor activities.

This is indeed low season, so if you can avoid the heat and find great package packages and activities, it can be the perfect time to travel to Jordan on a tight budget.

As with the rest of the summer, scuba diving is fantastic in August. Stargazers frequently travel to the desert and Wadi Rum to view the annual Perseid Meteor Shower. Jordan is an excellent location to observe this natural phenomenon because of its open skies.

Marathon runners this month face significant obstacles due to the Petra Desert Marathon. The Jordanian holiday known as Maal Hijra marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar year. Visit the Odeon and The Roman Theater to catch some traditional music and shows.

• Scubadiving
• Perseid Meteor Shower
• Petra Desert Marathon
• Maal Hijra

September: Perfect Time to Tour Attractions

Temperatures start to drop gradually after September as the nation enters its autumnal season. Due to the colder weather, this is the beginning of peak season once more, making it a fantastic time to visit Jordan.

At this time of year, the average daytime temperature is still around 35°C / 98 F. Things do begin to cool off significantly more by the end of September.

The water is so clear that you can see a great distance below. Since the Red Sea and Aqabas have the finest visibility of the entire year in September, divers frequently consider Jordan to be the best country to visit during this time. There will also be an abundance of aquatic life!

Fall arrives, making it a perfect time to travel to Jordan because the weather cools off and is ideal for exploring the outdoors and seeing tourist attractions.

In September, the welcoming Haya Theatre Festival takes place, featuring interactive workshops and puppet plays for kids. The Amman International Book Fair will get underway at the end of this month and will last for two weeks.

• Haya Theatre Festival
• Amman International Book Fair

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October: Explore the Desert

Due to the area's pleasant weather and moderate temperatures, October is the month when travelers arrive in the greatest numbers. The first rains after the summer usually begin in this season. It's one of the greatest times of year to visit Jordan because the weather hovers around 27 C / 80 F.

This time of year is really popular, but it's excellent if you want to travel to Wadi Rum to explore the deserts since you can explore the sites without becoming too hot. If you want to go hiking or are just wanting to take in the scenery, October may be the finest month to visit Jordan.

The Jordan Running Adventure Race is the perfect way to welcome fall. From Petra to Wadi Rum, there is a 160-kilometer ultramarathon. The opulent resort of Ayla holds an annual Red Bull South Sound Festival, which attracts partygoers from around the world.

Amman Design Week is a week-long celebration of conferences, presentations, workshops, and other events meant to highlight the capital's artistic flair.

There is a Middle East Dance Festival in October as well. It takes place in Jordan Valley and includes lessons where you may learn how to dance like a true Jordanian, as well as performances by neighborhood groups.

• Jordan Running Adventure Race
• Red Bull South Sound Festival
• Amman Design Week
• Dance Festival

November: Best Time to Relax

Winter in Jordan begins around November. The nights can get rather chilly, particularly in the desert. The average temp decreases to 21 C / 69 F. The rainy season starts at the end of November, and the weather steadily gets colder as winter approaches.

The best time of year to drift in the Dead Sea is in November. There isn't much else going on, so head outside and bask in one of the saltiest waters around while you enjoy the cooler weather.

Due to their elevation, tourist spots like Amman start to get chilly. Enjoy it while you can because November is the most comfortable month to visit Jordan.

The month of November is dedicated to the commemoration of Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif, the prophet Muhammad's birthday. Numerous celebrations and little feasts are happening all around the nation.

• Drift in the Dead Sea
• Commemoration of Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif Feasts

December: Celebrate Jordanian Christmas

December marks the official start of winter. It's one of Jordan's wettest months as temperatures dip across the nation and rainfall rises sharply.

It's frequently not a popular time of year to travel to Jordan. As winter approaches, temperatures plummet sharply to around 14 C/ 57 F, and the nights in the desert are pretty cold.

It's a peaceful time to travel to Jordan, and lodging is less expensive. By December, winter has fully arrived, with a bit of rain falling throughout the region and a few flurries of snow covering tourist destinations like Petra.

It's a fantastic time to go because it's the off-season and it's warmer in locations like Aqaba, which is close to the Red Sea, where visitors can even go swimming before it gets too cold.

Even though Jordan is primarily an Islamic nation, Christmas Day is a recognized public holiday for both Christians and Muslims. Enjoy the Egyptian winter or go gift shopping during this off-season. Moreover, there are only six hours of sunlight in the nation's capital each day, leaving December the darkest period of the year.

• Visit Aqaba
• Christmas Day
• Experience the darkest period of the year

Best Time to Visit Jordan to Avoid Crowds

Winter is generally the best time to avoid crowds. The amount of rain increases in November. Jordan is not frequently visited during the month of December because it can be frigid and rainy.

The wettest month of the year would be January. Winter is still in full swing in February, which means chilly temperatures and the need for heavy clothes for the end-of-windier winter days.

When is the Best Time to Tour Petra?

Any time you visit Petra, it will be incredible! During the busy season, there will be the most people, but if you arrive early, the Treasury will be virtually empty.

After passing this critical location, you'll notice that the crowds thin off. Petra looks gorgeous during all weather conditions; just prepare accordingly depending on the month.