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When Is The Best Time To Visit Jordan?
Jordan is a jewel in the Arabian crown. It is home to over 10,000 archaeological sites including the UNESCO World Heritage Wadi Rum and the Rose City of Petra – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Travelling to Jordan allows visitors to experience the healing properties of the Dead Sea, the historic capital of Amman, and rich nature spots such as the Dana Biosphere Reserve. With so much on offer, you must visit Jordan at the right time of year to make the most of its changing seasons.
Jordan’s Climate
At least 90% of Jordan’s landscape is covered in sand. That means desert conditions prevail with an intensely hot summer and mostly dry weather all year round. However, temperatures vary between regions depending on altitude and season. For example, the northwest of the country is characterised by an arid tropical climate with higher rainfall in winter.
When is the Best Month to Visit Jordan?
Looking at each season, the summer may be too hot for most visitors. Temperatures along the Dead Sea and the western valleys of the Jordan river fluctuate between 38 to 42 degrees Celsius. Sweltering winds and occasional sandstorms make this a period that is skipped by many travelers.
Autumn, on the other hand, is an excellent time to visit Jordan. Temperatures are still hot in the west (25-27 degrees) but cooler inland and into the highlands. Conditions are mostly dry, and the nights are refreshed with chilled air. Mid-September to late October is an ideal season for those wishing to snorkel in the coral-filled waters of Jordan’s Red Sea.
Naturally, winter is the coolest time of year. Unfortunately, the winds from the Mediterranean do bring smatterings of rain to the northwest and snow is seen in the mountains and around the capital of Amman and atop the hill town of Ajloun.
Spring is another excellent season to visit Jordan. Temperatures are on the rise after winter but don’t reach the furnace levels of summer. Rain swiftly ends and the weather is in the low-30s. Desert blooms create a wonderful array of flowers in nature reserves. Evenings are comfortable and cool in many areas. April and May are two of the most popular months for travelers.
Key Months in Jordan
When Is the best time to visit Jordan may depend on what you wish to do in the country. If you want to hike and explore the outdoors, head to Jordan in spring. If you want to dive or walk amongst petroglyphs and temples, opt for autumn. If you’re not bothered by the heat and want to visit Jordan without the crowds, book your trip for the summer.
If you are interested in the culture of Jordan, the Muslim holidays around Ramadan are particularly special. Dates change each year depending on the lunar calendar but check out Eid al-Fitr (a multi-day feast marking the completion of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (a 4-day feast after the month of pilgrimage to Mecca) for religious celebrations.
If Jordan is on your Bucket List then you may want to check out our ‘Best of Jordan’ trip. Our trip includes Amman, a trip to Dana, Little Petra, Petra, Wadi Rum, snorkelling in the Red Sea and then have a float in the Dead Sea.
Click on the link – The Best of Jordan Adventure for more information on the trip.
We recently recorded a podcast with Dave Blower one of our guides about his recent time on this trip. Click here to have a listen to the Episode – Jordan – The Country That Keeps On Giving.
