Month guide · Petra · Jordan
Petra in December
What December is really like in Petra: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 13°C (55°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 10.2 hours of daylight. Cold, short days with occasional rain; quiet trails and lower prices.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 13°C (55°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Petra: days average 13°C (55°F) against a yearly average high of 23°C (73°F), and nights fall to about 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with November (18°C (64°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:28
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:40
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold mornings, occasional rain and rare snow, but quiet trails and lower hotel prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
December has no major recurring festival in Petra, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Viewpoint · Petra Archaeological Park
Al-Khubtha trail and Treasury viewpoint
Steps behind the Royal Tombs climb Jabal al-Khubtha to a ledge looking straight down on the Treasury from above, one of the most dramatic views in Petra.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Petra Archaeological Park
Jabal Haroun (Aaron's Tomb)
Take a local guide, start early and carry plenty of water; allow most of a day there and back.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Petra Archaeological Park
The Siq
Petra's main entrance is a winding gorge about 1.2 km long, its walls rising up to around 80 metres and narrowing in places to a few metres apart.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes each way
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
Historic site · Petra Archaeological Park
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
The facade is in full sun from mid-morning; for a view from above, take the Al-Khubtha trail or the path from the Street of Facades.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 13°C, lows near 4°C and 4 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Petra?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, March–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Petra in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Petra?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, short days with occasional rain; quiet trails and lower prices.
+How warm is Petra in December?
Average highs are around 13°C (55°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Petra in December?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.