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Weather in Petra
The rose-red city half as old as time
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About Petra
Petra was carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs by the Nabataean people around the 4th century BC. Walk the Siq and the Treasury appears at the end like the world's most dramatic reveal. This is an entire city: 800 monuments, a theatre, temples, and royal tombs.
Best months to visit
April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Things to do in Petra
The Siq and Treasury
Petra by Night
Monastery hike
Little Petra
Wadi Rum desert
Bedouin camp
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
13C
Cool, with occasional showers.
February
15C
Cool, with occasional showers.
March
19C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
Recommended
April
24C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
May
28C
Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
June
30C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
July
32C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
August
32C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
September
30C
Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
October
26C
Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.
November
20C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
December
16C
Cool, with occasional showers.
Petra is one of those places that photographs have actually undersold — the walk through the Siq gorge, with its walls narrowing to a crack above your head, builds such extraordinary anticipation that the sudden reveal of the rose-red Treasury carved into the cliff face triggers something close to disbelief. The Nabataean city is vast — most visitors see only the famous front façade, but hiking deeper into the site reveals a world of carved tombs, monastery trails, and Bedouin tea served on cliff edges with views to die for.
Best areas to stay in Petra
The Siq
The dramatic 1.2km natural gorge entrance to Petra — a slot canyon of towering rose-red sandstone that is one of the world's great natural approaches to an ancient site.
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
Petra's most iconic monument — a 40-metre-high temple façade carved directly into the cliff face around 100 BC, used as a backdrop for Indiana Jones and countless photographers since.
The Monastery (Ad Deir)
A strenuous 850-step hike above the main valley rewards with a monument even larger than the Treasury, and extraordinary views over the Wadi Arabah towards Israel.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
A small Nabataean suburb 7km north of the main site — far fewer visitors, free to enter, and with fascinating painted dining room frescoes in the biclinia.
Getting to Petra
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Flights
Fly to Amman Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) with Royal Jordanian, British Airways, or easyJet; Petra is a 3-hour drive south, or fly into Aqaba (AQJ) which is only 1.5 hours away.
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From London
~5 hours direct from London to Amman
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Getting around
Private taxis or organised transfers between Amman/Aqaba and Petra are the most practical option; the JETT bus from Amman runs daily. Within Petra, horse rides to the Treasury entrance are available but the walk is more rewarding.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Petra?
March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures for walking the extensive site. Summer (June–August) is extremely hot inside the Siq and on exposed trails; December–February can be surprisingly cold.
How much time do I need at Petra?
Allow at least two full days to do Petra justice — day one for the Treasury, the Street of Facades, and the Royal Tombs; day two for the Monastery hike (850 steps but worth every one) and the High Place of Sacrifice trail.
Is Jordan safe to visit?
Jordan is consistently one of the safest countries in the Middle East for tourists — welcoming, stable, and with excellent tourist infrastructure. Check the FCDO advice for current guidance and avoid areas near Syrian and Iraqi borders.
Can I visit Petra on a day trip from Israel?
Yes — Petra is accessible from Eilat/Aqaba on a day trip, but this is rushed for such a vast site. Staying at least one night in Wadi Musa (the town adjacent to Petra) is strongly recommended.
What is Petra by Night?
A Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening experience where the Siq and Treasury are lit by thousands of candles — atmospheric and worth adding, though it's a relatively short experience (around 2 hours).
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Petra is one of the genuine wonders of the world — the reveal of the Treasury at the end of the Siq made me genuinely emotional. We spent two days and hiked to the Monastery on day two; the views from up there with Bedouin tea were extraordinary.
Adrian K. · October 2024
★★★★★
The scale of Petra is what surprises everyone — it's enormous. We arrived for sunrise and had the Treasury almost to ourselves for 30 magical minutes before the crowds arrived. Book an early entry time to experience this.
Julia M. · April 2023
★★★★★
Wadi Musa town is a lovely base — stayed at a guesthouse with a rooftop view of the mountains and had the most extraordinary lamb mansaf of my life. Petra by Night on Wednesday added a completely different and ethereal atmosphere to the site.
Sam R. · March 2024
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