Petra in December
Good time to visit
Winter arrives with cooler temperatures and occasional rain, but crowds thin out except during Christmas week. Bundle up for chilly mornings but enjoy comfortable afternoon exploration.
Weather
December starts Petra's winter season with cooler days around 17°C and chilly nights dropping to 7°C. Rain becomes possible again with 3-4 wet days, and occasional frost can appear on higher elevations around sunrise.
17°C high7°C low3 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$90/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Christmas celebrations
- •New Year festivities in Amman
December Tips
- •Pack warm clothes - December mornings are genuinely cold
- •Petra by Night runs special holiday shows
- •Hotel prices drop after Christmas week
All Months
March through May and September through November hit the sweet spot. Daytime temperatures hover around 20-25°C, perfect for hiking. Summer is brutal — temperatures can reach 40°C and the rocks radiate heat like an oven. Winter brings occasional rain and chilly mornings, but fewer crowds. The best time of day is sunrise or late afternoon when the sandstone glows and tour groups thin out. Petra opens at 6 AM in summer, 7 AM in winter. Get there early. By 10 AM, the Treasury area becomes a circus of tour groups and Instagram photographers. Friday mornings are quieter since it's the Muslim holy day. Ramadan affects restaurant hours but not Petra itself. The site stays open during Islamic holidays, though some services may be limited.
Petra Scores
Solo
8/10
Couples
9/10
Families
6/10
Adventure
8/10
Budget
5/10
Luxury
4/10
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