🗓️ Best Time to Visit
When Should You Visit Petra?
Top months: Mar · Apr · May · Oct · Nov. Compare 12-month weather, festivals, and pricing on one page to find your match.
Quick Answer
The best time to visit Petra is Mar · Apr · May · Oct · Nov. These months balance pleasant weather, festival programming, and manageable crowds — the canonical first-visit pick.
Petra by Season
★ Top Pick
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Avg 22°C / 8°C
- • Easter (Orthodox + Catholic — dates shift)
- • Spring break tourists peak
- • Independence Day (May 25)
☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)
Avg 34°C / 17°C
- • Summer off-season begins
- • Eid al-Adha (dates shift annually)
- • Eid al-Adha continued
★ Top Pick
🍁 Fall (Sep-Nov)
Avg 25°C / 11°C
- • End of summer slow season
- • Autumn shoulder peak — October travelers
- • Late autumn slow season returns
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Avg 11°C / 0°C
- • Winter low season
- • Petra Marathon (mid-February)
- • Christmas + New Year (December 25 + 31)
Month-by-Month at a Glance
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | What to Pack | Crowds·Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (cold + possible snow) | 10/-1 | 5d | Heavy winter coat + layers. Wool scarf + gloves for Monastery summit + Wadi Rum desert nights (drop to -5°C). | Low |
| February (late winter · still cool) | 12/0 | 5d | Winter coat + layers. Days warming slightly but mornings + Wadi Rum nights still freezing. | Low |
| ★ March (spring begins · ideal shoulder) | 17/4 | 4d | Layered clothing. Light jacket for evenings + sweater for Monastery summit + Wadi Rum nights still cool. | Mid |
| ★ April (peak spring · best month) | 22/8 | 3d | T-shirts + light jacket. Comfortable hiking clothes. Sunscreen essential. | High |
| ★ May (late spring · still ideal) | 28/12 | 1d | T-shirts + shorts daytime, light jacket for evenings + Wadi Rum nights. Sun hat essential. | High |
| June (early summer · heat builds) | 32/16 | 0d | T-shirts + shorts + sandals. Sun hat + sunglasses essential. Light evening layer for Wadi Rum nights. | Mid |
| July (peak summer · brutal heat) | 35/18 | 0d | Lightest fabrics + long sleeves for sun protection (counterintuitive but cooler than bare skin). Sun hat + sunglasses + electrolyte tablets. | Low |
| August (peak summer · brutal continues) | 35/18 | 0d | Lightest fabrics + long sleeves. Sun hat + SPF 50+ essential. | Low |
| September (heat easing · shoulder begins) | 31/15 | 1d | T-shirts + shorts daytime, light jacket evenings. Late month brings cooler mornings. | Mid |
| ★ October (autumn peak · second-best month) | 25/11 | 2d | T-shirts + sweater for evenings. Layers + sun hat. Walking clothes for full Petra circuit. | High |
| ★ November (shoulder · prices easing) | 18/6 | 4d | Layers + sweater + light jacket. Waterproof shell for occasional rain. Comfortable hiking shoes. | Mid |
| December (winter · holiday season) | 12/2 | 6d | Winter coat + scarf + gloves + hat. Waterproof boots for rain + possible snow at Petra. | High |
★ = recommended season. Full month guides on the monthly weather pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Petra?
The best time to visit Petra is Mar · Apr · May · Oct · Nov. These months offer the most pleasant weather and full outdoor activity calendars. First ideal Petra month — 4/17°C, low rainfall, wildflowers in Wadi Rum + Petra hillsides. Hotels return to mid-range pricing as crowds build. Best for travelers who want Petra at its prettiest with m
What's the price difference between peak and off-season in Petra?
Prices vary significantly by season. Weekday departures during shoulder season offer the best value.
Is it okay to visit Petra in winter?
Petra winter averages 11°C / 0°C. It's cold, but you trade weather for off-season pricing and seasonal events (Christmas markets, indoor museums, winter festivals). Bring a heavy parka, scarf, and gloves.
Should I visit Petra during summer holiday season?
Petra mid-summer (July-August) averages 35°C highs. This is the most expensive season — airfare and hotels peak — but outdoor festivals run at full capacity. Book 3-6 months ahead and prepare for heat.
What's the cheapest month to visit Petra?
January (cold + possible snow), February (late winter · still cool), July (peak summer · brutal heat), August (peak summer · brutal continues) is the off-season — flights and hotels are at annual lows. Trade-off: this is usually cold or rainy season, so adjust packing and indoor-activity weight accordingly.
Why you can trust this guide
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified