The country of Jordan is an exotic and welcoming country, boasting an incredible history, interesting people, and delicious food. It might be left off many a traveler’s bucket list because of its location in the volatile Middle East, but Jordan is known for being a peaceful, safe haven in the region, with a good relationship and strong ties to the U.S.
Being such an amazing country to visit, you’re probably already asking: “When is the best time to visit Jordan?” And since many of the tourist activities you might like to experience while exploring Jordan are probably going to be outdoors, the time of year you book a visit to the Hashemite Kingdom is going to be highly dependent on the weather.
We’ve broken it down for you below:
- The Seasons in Jordan
- Month by Month Guide to Jordan
- Festivals and Events in Jordan
- National Holidays in Jordan
The Seasons in Jordan
The best time to visit Jordan is during the spring and autumn months. At this time of the year, the days are warm, reaching temperatures in the high 20°C’s, with cool nights. It’s perfect weather for exploring the country, especially if you are hiking through some of Jordan’s desert wonders in places like Wadi Rum. The nature reserves (you MUST check out the wonderful water hike at Wadi Mujib) are full of beautiful flora and fauna and it is typically perfect weather for hiking at this time of the year.
Summer in Jordan is probably hotter than you can imagine. The summer months get very hot in Jordan (30 degrees Celsius plus), and yep, you’re going to suffer if you’re a pasty, white European or American! On the other extreme, winters in Jordan can be great, but you might even come across some snowfall in some parts as well as plenty of rain. Oh, and we didn’t even get to the desert plains of Jordan, meaning Petra and Wadi Rum. For Wadi Rum and other desert regions, think HOT…
Month by Month Guide to Jordan
January and February in Jordan
With January being the coldest month in Jordan, you don’t have to worry too long, as the winter season doesn’t last very long. Temperatures range between 5°C and 10°C, and the country receives around 70% of its rainfall during the winter.
These conditions vary across the country a little bit. Amman is especially cold during January and February and experiences snowfall. The Jordan Valley and the Aqaba area are reasonably warm in winter with cool nights, while the Eastern Desert can get bitterly cold.
March in Jordan
As the official start of spring, March brings with it wildflowers and the valleys begin to turn green. The temperature starts to warm up, with numbers ranging in the teens.
April and May in Jordan
One of the best times of the year to visit Jordan, at least in our opinion. Every day is almost guaranteed sunshine, even in Jerash and Amman (which might experience the odd cloud or spot of rain). The nights in the desert can get extremely cold still, so be warned if you’re heading to Petra or Wadi Rum overnight.
June, July, and August in Jordan
By this time of the year, the rains tend to stay away. Summer temperatures can skyrocket up to 40°C, especially when the hot and dry Sirocco winds blow. These winds are known to be strong and can cause sandstorms (we’ve heard of a few tourists experience collapsing tents overnight and getting covered in sand!).
On average, Jordan receives 13.1 hours of sunshine daily during July. Some visitors to Jordan love to visit during the summer months; me, I’d say come, but stay away from the desert regions. Petra could be perfect, if you go early/late – do NOT head out in the midday sun…
September, October, and November in Jordan
The autumn months in Jordan are great because the temperature has typically cooled slightly, but it is not too cold. This is an ideal time to do diving in Aqaba since the waters are still very warm at 26°C after a long hot summer, and the abundance of marine life makes it so worthwhile!
Festivals and Events in Jordan
The month of April is a great time to visit Jordan if you are interested in putting your endurance to the test. The Amman Dead Sea Ultra Marathon takes runners from high elevations down to the lowest point on Earth, the desert of southern Jordan.
Alternatively, if you are more interested in the arts scene, the Amman International Theatre Festival is a must! With performances mainly in English and Arabic, it is the only annual festival in the Middle East and North Africa that is organized by an independent theater company. Also in Amman, watch out for the annual street graffiti festival called Baladak – usually held in May – which brings some color to the city!
The Jordan International Rally takes place in May each year and is one of the highest profile rally races in the region. Taking entrants through incredible stages that wind their way around the Jordan Valley and the Rumman forests, it is a challenging route above and below sea level.
July is a time for fun in Jordan, with the Distant Heat annual concert and dance festival. Held at two venues within the country, this is an all-night party featuring electronic dance music in Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon in the Jordanian desert.
Another major event in July is the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts. Jerash is a well-preserved and most famous Roman provincial city and has been the host of this major festival since 1980, showcasing music, dance, drama, fine art, poetry, and craftwork. Here’s a taste of what to expect>>>
National Holidays in Jordan
Many public holidays in Jordan are based on the Islamic religion and are incredible times to visit the country. Experience the end of fasting for Ramadan with the spectacular feast of Eid-al-Fitr, or take part in the four-day feast of Eid-al-Adha following Hajj, the month of pilgrimage to Mecca. The Islamic New Year, First of Muharram, is also a great time to visit the country. However, one national holiday you might be surprised to hear about is Christmas Day on 25th December, even though only 6% of the population is Christian!
For a full updated list of the national holidays in Jordan, click here.