Best time to visit Petra
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Petra
6 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Petra).
- 1
Petra in 3 Hours – Highlights with a private guide - 2
From Petra to Wadi Rum, then back to Amman or the airport. - 3
Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional - 4
Jordan Private Transportation | The Jordanian Mappers - 5
FROM PETRA | Round Trip To Dead Sea | Lunch & Admission fees included - 6
2 Days 1 Night (Discover The Nabataean Trail)
Last refreshed 2026-05-26.
Similar climatesJerusalem93% · Sedona90% · Nazareth90%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Petra (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Petra's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7–13 | 10 | 8 | 112 | 14.0 | 60% | 18 | 214 | 4 | Peak | 6 |
| Feb | 7–14 | 11 | 8 | 108 | 13.5 | 61% | 17 | 204 | 5 | Busy | 7 |
| Mar | 9–18 | 15 | 7 | 84 | 12.0 | 48% | 19 | 247 | 7 | Peak | 8 |
| Apr | 14–24 | 21 | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 33% | 19 | 268 | 9 | Quiet | 9 |
| May | 17–28 | 25 | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 27% | 20 | 295 | 11 | Busy | 9 |
| Jun | 21–31 | 28 | 0 | 2 | — | 27% | 19 | 295 | 12 | Quiet | 8 |
| Jul | 22–32 | 30 | 0 | 0 | — | 27% | 19 | 307 | 12 | Quiet | 7 |
| Aug | 23–32 | 31 | 0 | 1 | — | 29% | 18 | 297 | 11 | Moderate | 6 |
| Sep | 21–30 | 30 | 0 | 2 | — | 36% | 17 | 260 | 10 | Quiet | 8 |
| Oct | 17–26 | 25 | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 41% | 15 | 247 | 7 | Busy | 10 |
| Nov | 13–20 | 18 | 5 | 60 | 12.0 | 52% | 16 | 223 | 5 | Quiet | 9 |
| Dec | 9–16 | 13 | 5 | 66 | 13.2 | 55% | 17 | 213 | 4 | Quiet | 8 |
UV Index in Petra by Month
UV index in Petra peaks at 12 (extreme) in July, dropping to 4 (moderate) in December. April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
October
10/1017–26°C (feels 25°C) · 2 rain days (14h) · 247 sun hours · 41% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
November
9/1013–20°C (feels 18°C) · 5 rain days (60h) · 223 sun hours · 52% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate)
April
9/1014–24°C (feels 21°C) · 2 rain days (23h) · 268 sun hours · 33% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 9 (very high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
6/107–13°C (feels 10°C) · 8 rain days (112h) · 214 sun hours · 60% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
February
7/107–14°C (feels 11°C) · 8 rain days (108h) · 204 sun hours · 61% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
March
8/109–18°C (feels 15°C) · 7 rain days (84h) · 247 sun hours · 48% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
May
9/1017–28°C (feels 25°C) · 1 rain days (11h) · 295 sun hours · 27% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 11 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
June
8/1021–31°C (feels 28°C) · 0 rain days (2h) · 295 sun hours · 27% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 12 (extreme)
July
7/1022–32°C (feels 30°C) · 0 rain days (0h) · 307 sun hours · 27% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 12 (extreme)
August
6/1023–32°C (feels 31°C) · 0 rain days (1h) · 297 sun hours · 29% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 11 (extreme)
September
8/1021–30°C · 0 rain days (2h) · 260 sun hours · 36% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high)
December
8/109–16°C (feels 13°C) · 5 rain days (66h) · 213 sun hours · 55% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
A second day at Petra costs 5 dinars; a day trip costs 40 more
The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority prices entry by where you slept. A visitor staying overnight in Jordan pays 50 JD for one day at Petra, 55 for two and 60 for three — so a second day costs five dinars. A visitor not staying in the country pays 90 JD for the same single day. Jordanians pay 1 JD, residents and temporary-passport holders 10, Arab nationals 30.
The Jordan Pass, sold by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities at 70, 75 or 80 JD for one, two or three days at Petra, bundles entry with a waiver of the 40 JD single-entry visa fee. The condition is usually reported as three nights; the ministry's own FAQ sets it at a minimum of two whole nights, and it has to be bought before you arrive. It scans only at the Visitor Centre, and does not cover Petra by Night, reworked in May 2025 and now running Sunday to Thursday at 30 JD, not the 17 JD show most guides still describe.
That five-dinar second day is also weather cover. August averages a 32.6C high, three or four days above 35C and 29 nights that never fall below 20C, so the visit gets pushed into the cool months, which are the only wet ones: January brings 28mm across five rain days. Rain shuts the site. On 25 March 2026 the authority closed Petra Archaeological Park outright for the following day, citing heavy rain likely to cause flash flooding in low-lying areas and the park's narrow passages.
Sources: Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority — official Petra entry fees , Jordan Pass (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities) — FAQs on the visa waiver and what is covered , Visit Petra (PDTRA) — Petra by Night days, hours and ticket rules , Petra by Night — official site , Visit Petra (PDTRA) — closure announcement for 26 March 2026, weather precaution
How much does it cost to get into Petra?
PDTRA charges 50 JD for one day, 55 for two and 60 for three if you are staying overnight in Jordan, and 90 JD for a single day if you are not. Jordanians pay 1 JD, residents and temporary-passport holders 10, and Arab nationals 30. A 50 JD or 30 JD ticket can be extended for a further 5 JD at the Visitor Centre.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
At 70, 75 or 80 JD it costs less than Petra and the visa alone, since a one-day Petra ticket is 50 JD and a single-entry visa 40. It also covers Jerash, Wadi Rum and around 40 other sites. The conditions are the catch: buy it before arrival and stay a minimum of two whole nights, or the visa fee applies anyway.
Does the Jordan Pass include Petra by Night?
No. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is explicit that Petra by Night is in none of the packages, and that the pass covers Petra only during daylight, 06:00 to 18:00. The night show is a separate 30 JD ticket. The pass also scans only at the Visitor Centre gate and allows one entry per site unless you bought a multi-day tier.
Which nights does Petra by Night run?
Sunday to Thursday, 20:30 to 22:30, at 30 JD an adult and free under 10. That changed when the show was reworked in May 2025; most guides still print the old Monday, Wednesday and Thursday schedule at 17 JD. Tickets are sold only at the Visitor Centre on the day, and you need a same-date day ticket or a Jordan Pass to buy one.
What is the best month for Petra?
March to April and October to November. March averages a 19.1C high with 347 hours of sun, October a 26.3C high. They sit between the January cold, when highs reach only 13.3C, and the August heat at 32.6C. From April the site is effectively rainless, which also removes the flash-flood closure risk.
Is Petra too hot in summer?
June to September is hard work on an exposed sandstone site. August averages a 32.6C high, three or four days above 35C in a typical year and 29 nights above 20C, with 396 hours of sun and 29% humidity. The site opens at 06:00 in summer, so walking the Siq at opening is the only comfortable slot.
Can Petra close because of the weather?
Yes, and at short notice. On 25 March 2026 the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority closed Petra Archaeological Park entirely for the following day over forecast heavy rain and flash flooding in low-lying areas and the narrow passages. The authority runs a flash-flood early-warning system and suspends ticket sales when the wadis run.
What are Petra's opening hours?
From 2 March to 1 October the site and Visitor Centre open 06:00 to 18:00; from 2 October to 1 March it is 06:30 to 17:00. Little Petra's ticket office runs 07:00 to 16:00 in summer and 07:00 to 14:00 in winter. Club cars along the Siq run 07:00 to 18:00 daily, at 15 JD one way to the Treasury.
How many days do you need at Petra?
Two, if you want the Monastery as well as the Treasury and the High Place of Sacrifice — and the second day adds only five dinars to the 50 JD ticket. One long day covers the main trail from the Siq to Qasr al-Bint at a march. The archaeological reserve runs to 264 square kilometres, nearly all of it on foot.
Can you see Petra as a day trip from Israel?
You can, but it is the expensive way in: without a night in Jordan the ticket is 90 JD rather than 50. Crossing at Wadi Araba near Aqaba, staying a minimum of two nights and leaving by the same border waives the visa fee even without a Jordan Pass, which is what makes an overnight in Wadi Musa pay for itself.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Petra
When is the best time to visit Petra?
October is the highest-scoring month (10/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 17–26°C (2 rainy days). The top three months by score are October, November, April.
What is the worst time to visit Petra?
August is the lowest-scoring month (6/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 23–32°C (0 rainy days).
Is Petra too hot in summer?
2 months (July, August) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Petra?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in June and peaks in January. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Petra have good weather but fewer tourists?
April (climate 9/10, crowd index 19) and November (climate 9/10, crowd index 30) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Petra by month?
UV peaks at 12 (extreme) in July and is lowest in December at 4 (moderate). Monthly peak values: Jan 4, Feb 5, Mar 7, Apr 9, May 11, Jun 12, Jul 12, Aug 11, Sep 10, Oct 7, Nov 5, Dec 4. April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Petra in July?
July is the peak UV month in Petra, with a daily-peak UV index of 12 (extreme). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Petra on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. May is the worst case: typical days average UV 11 (very high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 12 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: February, March, May, October. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Petra bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 11 months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December. The worst month is May with a typical-day mean of 15 µg/m³ (moderate); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 25 µg/m³ (unhealthy) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.