Season guide · Petra · Jordan
Petra in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: David Bjorgen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Hot, dry afternoons with little shade; walk at dawn and late afternoon and rest at midday. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 0 rainy days across June–August.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 16°C (61°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 0
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 30°C (86°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 0 | 14.1 h | 3/5 |
| July | 32°C (90°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 0 | 13.9 h | 2/5 |
| August | 32°C (90°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 0 | 13.2 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 31°C (88°F) against a yearly 23°C (73°F), and 0 of the year's roughly 25 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
Make the most of the weather
Historic site · Petra Archaeological Park
The Monastery (Ad Deir)
Start the climb in the afternoon, when the stairway is in shade, and stay for the light on the facade near sunset.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including the climb
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Active
- History
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Petra Archaeological Park
High Place of Sacrifice
A stepped path climbs from near the Street of Facades to a summit platform on Jabal Madbah, where the Nabataeans performed rituals at a rock-cut altar beside two obelisks.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Petra Archaeological Park
Al-Khubtha trail and Treasury viewpoint
Go in the morning, when the Treasury is lit by the sun; a small tea stall at the top usually serves Bedouin tea.
- 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)
A small white shrine on the summit of Jabal Haroun, the highest peak in the Petra area, is venerated as the tomb of Aaron, brother of Moses.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Petra Archaeological Park
The Siq
Enter at opening time to walk the Siq almost alone, and pause at each bend; the light changes the colour of the rock constantly.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes each way
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
Day trips in summer
- Shobak Castle (About 45 minutes by car) — Built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in 1115 on a steep hilltop, Shobak (Montreal) has walls, a church, an escape tunnel and wide views.
- Dana Biosphere Reserve (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — Jordan's largest nature reserve drops from the stone village of Dana through dramatic valleys to the desert of Wadi Araba.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Petra?
It is a trade-off: Hot, dry afternoons with little shade; walk at dawn and late afternoon and rest at midday. The best months overall are March–May and October–November.
+What is the weather like in Petra in summer?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 0 rainy days over the season.