Things to Do in Amman in December

Q: Is Amman safe for solo travellers in December?

Amman's solo-traveller safety sits at 6.2 out of 10 (see /research/solo-safety/). The city is generally safe for walking during daylight hours, and the cooler December weather means you will likely spend more time in populated areas like Jabal Amman and the Downtown souk rather than isolated outdoor spots. Standard urban precautions apply. Keep valuables out of sight, stick to well-lit streets after dark, and take taxis rather than walking through unfamiliar neighbourhoods at night.

VerdictGood
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PricesModerate

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December in Amman will likely catch you off guard if you are picturing the Middle East as a warm destination. Daytime temperatures sit around 15°C (59°F), comfortable enough for walking between archaeological sites across the city's famous seven hills, but by late afternoon the chill sets in fast. Nights drop to about 8.5°C (47°F), and the wind cutting between Amman's limestone buildings can make it feel colder still. Rain shows up from time to time, usually in sharp bursts that pass within an hour. The city sits at an elevation of 750 to 1,000 metres (2,460 to 3,280 feet), which accounts for temperatures closer to southern Europe than the Arabian Peninsula.

To be fair, there is a lot working in December's favour. The summer heat that makes outdoor sightseeing genuinely unpleasant from June through September is completely gone. You can spend 3 hours wandering the Citadel or hiking down to the Roman Theatre without worrying about heatstroke. Jordan's Christian community, roughly 6% of the population, celebrates Christmas as a public holiday. Neighbourhoods like Sweifieh and Abdali put up decorations, and churches across Jabal Amman hold midnight Mass. The atmosphere feels festive in a restrained way, without the commercial intensity of Western capitals.

Worth noting, though, that daylight is limited. The sun sets before 5 PM for most of December, which compresses your sightseeing window to about 7 usable hours. Plan outdoor time for mid-morning through early afternoon, and save indoor activities like The Jordan Museum (opened in 2014 in the Ras al-Ain district) or long meals in Jabal al-Weibdeh for the shorter hours. Hotel availability tends to be good outside the final week of the month. Mind you, the stretch between Christmas and New Year's Eve does see a brief spike in bookings from regional visitors and returning Jordanian diaspora.

Why visit in December

Cool winter temperatures replace the summer heat that makes exposed hilltop sites like the Citadel genuinely difficult to enjoy from June through September, opening comfortable conditions for long walks between archaeological sites.
Thinner crowds at major sites compared to the April, May, and October peak months, with noticeably shorter waits and emptier viewing areas at the Roman Theatre and other popular stops.
Christmas celebrations bring a quiet festive atmosphere to commercial districts and churches across the city, including midnight Mass services and decorated streets, without the tourist-heavy frenzy of European Christmas markets.
Peak citrus season fills Downtown fruit carts with fresh navel oranges and clementines from the Jordan Valley at their sweetest, and the tail end of olive pressing season means the freshest oil of the year reaches kitchens and market stalls.

Worth knowing

Daylight ends before 5 PM, limiting productive outdoor sightseeing to about 7 hours and forcing an early end to visits at exposed hilltop sites where temperatures drop quickly once the sun disappears.
Rain can arrive in sharp, cold downpours that make steep hillside stairs and exposed archaeological sites slippery, and the 71% humidity makes the cold feel damper than most visitors expect from a Middle Eastern capital.
Nighttime temperatures surprise travellers who packed for warm weather. The gap between a comfortable midday and a genuinely cold evening catches people off guard, especially on windy hilltop neighborhoods.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 15° / 9°C 36mm rain · 6 rainy days · 71% humidity rains perceptibly ~0.7h/day · 93% of mornings dry

Crowds low

Pack Layers are essential. A warm waterproof jacket over fleece mid-layers handles both the rain and the cold evening wind. Sturdy, waterproof walking shoes with good grip are non-negotiable for the city's hilly limestone stairs. Pack a scarf for evenings on exposed hilltops.

Amman enters full winter in December, though it remains milder than the January and February cold that follows. About 36mm of rainfall arrives across 6 days, typically in short, intense bursts rather than steady drizzle. The average humidity makes the cold feel damp, surprising visitors who expect dry desert air. Wind funnels between the city's hills after sunset, adding real bite to the evening chill. Snow is rare but possible. Amman sees a dusting roughly every 3 to 4 years during the winter months, and when it arrives the city largely shuts down for a day or two.

Seasonal caution

Temperatures occasionally drop below 0°C (32°F) at night, especially in higher-elevation neighbourhoods. Frost is possible on exposed hilltop sites during early morning visits.
Short but intense rain can cause flash flooding in low-lying wadis outside the city. Avoid hiking in wadi beds during or immediately after rainfall, particularly if planning a day trip to areas near the Dead Sea or Wadi Mujib.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Amman
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	13	6	53
Feb	13	6	65
Mar	17	8	46
Apr	24	13	14
May	28	16	10
Jun	32	20	0
Jul	33	22	0
Aug	34	22	0
Sep	30	20	2
Oct	26	17	8
Nov	21	13	29
Dec	15	9	36

Holidays and festivals in December

Public holidays

Christmas Day(عيد الميلاد)25 December 2026

Best things to do in December

Explore the Amman Citadel and Temple of Hercules

sightseeing

Walk the hilltop archaeological complex on Jabal al-Qala'a, where the Temple of Hercules (built in 162 AD under Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius) and the Umayyad Palace sit among ruins spanning the Bronze Age through the Islamic period. The exposed hilltop catches wind, but December's mild daytime conditions make the walk far more pleasant than the scorching summer alternative.

Summer temperatures above 34°C turn this shadeless hilltop into an endurance test. December's 15°C highs make 2-3 hours of walking comfortable without risking heat exhaustion.

Booking tipArrive at opening (8 AM) for near-empty ruins and the best morning light across Downtown. Tour buses from Dead Sea hotels arrive by 10 AM.

Dead Sea day trip

day trip

The Dead Sea sits 430 metres below sea level, about 45 minutes west of Amman. The lower elevation keeps December air temperatures around 20-22°C at the shore, warm enough for a comfortable float. The mineral-dense water feels thick and oily against the skin, and the mud along the shoreline is still warm enough to apply without flinching.

While Amman itself is too cold for outdoor lounging, the Dead Sea's dramatically lower elevation creates a micro-climate roughly 8-10°C warmer, making December one of the more pleasant months for a visit without the extreme summer heat.

Booking tipArrange transport through your hotel or book a shared shuttle 1-2 days ahead. Public buses to the Dead Sea are limited in frequency.

Petra day trip from Amman

day trip

The 3-hour drive south to Petra passes through rolling desert hills that take on a golden-brown tone in December. The 8km walk through the Siq to the Treasury is comfortable in winter, with the narrow canyon walls providing natural wind shelter. Late morning light hits the Treasury facade at an angle that deepens the rose-red colour of the sandstone.

December highs in Petra average around 12-14°C, ideal for the long walk that becomes dangerously hot under summer's 40°C. Spring crowds are also absent, meaning fewer groups blocking the Siq's narrow passages.

Booking tipBook the JETT bus from Abdali station 2-3 days ahead during the final week of December, when holiday visitors fill departures. The rest of the month has open seats.

Rainbow Street cafe crawl on a Friday afternoon

culture

The pedestrian-friendly stretch of Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman fills with locals on Friday, the weekly holiday. Sidewalk cafes that sit empty during summer's midday heat come alive in December's cooler temperatures, with the smell of Arabic coffee and the sound of backgammon tiles clicking through the afternoon. Several small galleries along the street show rotating exhibitions.

Cooler weather draws locals outdoors to the cafes and terraces that are too hot to enjoy from June through September. The Friday holiday crowd brings a social energy that thins out in the peak-heat months.

Traditional hammam experience

wellness

Several hammams in Amman offer the full sequence of steam, scrub, and cool-down. The cold December air outside makes the transition from the steam room feel especially invigorating, and the warmth of the stones and hot towels is more welcome when you have genuinely been cold rather than escaping air conditioning.

December's cold evenings make the warmth of a hammam feel earned rather than redundant, and off-peak tourist numbers mean shorter waits and more attentive service than in spring.

Hiking in Ajloun Forest Reserve

outdoor

The RSCN-managed reserve about 75km north of Amman covers oak and pine forests that look nothing like Jordan's desert stereotype. The Roe Deer Trail and Soap House Trail wind through hills where December rainfall has begun greening the undergrowth, and the cooler temperatures make the uphill sections far more manageable than in summer heat.

December rainfall begins greening the Ajloun hills after the dry summer, creating a landscape of emerging winter growth. Trail conditions are cooler and less demanding than the summer months, when the same routes require significantly more water and stamina.

Booking tipConfirm trail availability with the RSCN before travelling. Some trails may close temporarily after heavy rain.

Downtown evening food walk through Al-Balad

food

The oldest part of Amman comes alive after dark, when the sahlab vendors set up their carts and the smell of roasting nuts fills the narrow streets near the Roman Theatre. December brings out the heavier, warming street food that disappears in summer. Falafel shops, shawarma stands, and kunafa bakeries line the streets around the Gold Souk and Husseini Mosque.

Winter brings out sahlab vendors and heavier preparations like lamb-stuffed pastries that are too rich for summer appetites. The shorter days mean the souk lights come on earlier, creating a photogenic atmosphere by 5 PM.

What to eat in December

In season: fruit

Jordan Valley citrus
Navel oranges and clementines from the Jordan Valley reach peak sweetness in December. You will find them piled on fruit carts throughout Al-Balad and at roadside stands along the Dead Sea highway. The skins tend to be loose and easy to peel, with a fragrance that fills the air around the stalls.

On menus now

Mansaf
Jordan's national dish appears at every winter family gathering. Lamb slow-cooked in jameed (fermented dried yogurt) broth, served over rice on a communal platter. The tangy, sour warmth of the jameed and the fatty lamb feel especially right on cold December evenings.
Musakhan
Roasted chicken on taboon bread soaked in olive oil with sumac and caramelised onions. December sits at the tail end of olive pressing season in the Jordan Valley and Ajloun, so the oil reaching kitchens and restaurants is at its absolute freshest. The dish tastes noticeably different with new-season oil.
Freekeh soup
Roasted green wheat simmered into a thick, smoky soup, often with shredded chicken and a squeeze of lemon. A winter comfort staple in Levantine households that appears on restaurant menus across Jabal al-Weibdeh and Downtown from November through February.

What to drink

Sahlab
Hot orchid-root drink thickened to a creamy consistency, topped with ground cinnamon, crushed pistachios, and shredded coconut. Street vendors across Downtown sell it from metal urns throughout winter, and the smell of cinnamon steam drifting from the carts is one of December's signature sensory moments in Amman.

Regular events in December

Christmas DayFree

A public holiday across Jordan, with midnight Mass services at churches throughout Amman. Commercial districts display trees and lights, and many restaurants and hotels offer special holiday menus. Jordan's Christian community centres celebrations in areas with historic church presence.

December 25

International Arabic Language DayFree

UNESCO-recognised observance marked by cultural events at universities, the Royal Cultural Centre, and literary organisations across Amman. Public lectures, poetry readings, and calligraphy exhibitions tend to run in the days surrounding the date.

December 18

New Year's Eve celebrations

Hotels, restaurants, and rooftop venues across Abdali Boulevard and the western neighbourhoods host year-end gatherings. The Abdali area tends to see the most visible public celebrations, with countdowns and occasional fireworks.

December 31

Best places this December

Amman Citadel
archaeological site
The exposed hilltop site rewards winter visitors with comfortable walking conditions and thinner crowds. On clear December mornings, the views from Jabal al-Qala'a extend across Downtown's tightly packed buildings to the surrounding hills in sharp, rain-washed air.
Jabal al-Qala'a
Roman Theatre
monument
The 6,000-seat theatre's south-facing orientation catches the low winter sun, making late morning the warmest and most photogenic time to visit the carved stone tiers. The adjacent Jordan Museum of Popular Traditions and Folklore Museum provide indoor shelter if a rain shower arrives.
Downtown
Rainbow Street
street
December's cooler temperatures fill the sidewalk cafes that sit empty during summer's heat, and the holiday season adds decorative lights along the street's length. The west-facing orientation catches the last light before sunset.
Jabal Amman
Darat al Funun
art gallery
Indoor galleries housed in early 20th century stone buildings provide an ideal retreat on rainy December afternoons. The sculpture garden takes on a quieter beauty in winter, and the on-site cafe overlooks Downtown's rooftops through bare-branched trees.
Jabal al-Weibdeh
Wild Jordan Center
viewpoint and cafe
The RSCN's terrace cafe overlooking Downtown serves as a warm indoor refuge with panoramic views. December's clearer air after rain showers makes the sightlines across the valley sharper than in the hazy summer months. Their shop sells handmade products from Jordan's nature reserves.
Jabal Amman
Duke's Diwan
heritage house
This restored 1924 heritage house near the Roman Theatre offers a window into Amman's early modern architecture, with period furniture and photographs. The intimate rooms feel especially atmospheric on cold, grey December afternoons, and entry is free.
Downtown
King Abdullah I Mosque
mosque
One of the few mosques in Amman that welcomes non-Muslim visitors. The blue-domed interior provides shelter from December rain and a striking visual contrast to the sandstone tones of the outdoor archaeological sites. Modest dress is required, and headscarves are provided at the entrance.
Abdali

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Warm waterproof jacketDecember rain arrives in short, cold bursts, and the wind between Amman's hills adds a sharp chill. A jacket that handles both wind and rain eliminates the need for two separate layers. Shop
Fleece or wool mid-layerThe temperature gap between sunny midday and shaded evening is significant. A mid-layer you can add or remove lets you adjust without overheating during afternoon walks or freezing after sunset. Shop
Waterproof walking shoes with gripAmman's hills involve steep limestone stairs that become genuinely slippery when wet. Smooth-soled shoes are a fall risk on the Citadel steps and the staircases connecting Downtown to the upper neighbourhoods. Shop
Compact umbrellaRain showers tend to be brief but intense. A small umbrella fits in a daypack and saves you from ducking into a shop every time the sky opens. Shop
Scarf and light glovesEvening wind chill on exposed hilltops and between buildings can make the air feel several degrees colder than the thermometer reads. A scarf also doubles as a head covering for mosque visits. Shop
Modest clothing for religious sitesShoulders and knees should be covered at mosques and many churches. Women may need a headscarf for mosque visits, though some mosques provide them at the entrance.
SunglassesThe low winter sun angle creates strong glare off Amman's pale limestone buildings, especially at the Citadel and other elevated sites. The glare is more uncomfortable than summer's overhead sun. Shop
Small daypackEssential for day trips to Petra or the Dead Sea, where you will want to carry layers, water, a towel, and sunscreen in a single bag rather than juggling loose items. Shop

Insider tips

Friday is the weekly day off in Jordan, not Sunday. Government offices close Thursday afternoon through Friday, and many shops in Downtown open later on Friday, around 10 AM. The souk crowds peak after Friday prayer. Plan your Downtown visit for Saturday or a weekday morning if you want quieter streets.
The white shared taxis (servees) that run fixed routes across Amman cover the same ground as metered yellow taxis for a fraction of the fare. The route from Downtown to Jabal Amman runs frequently and takes about 10 minutes. Ask your hotel to write your destination in Arabic, as most servees drivers speak limited English.
Book a table at any popular restaurant in Jabal al-Weibdeh or along Rainbow Street for Thursday evening, which functions as Friday-eve weekend dining. Walk-ins face 30 to 45 minute waits at the better-known spots.
The Citadel is quieter and more atmospheric in the first hour after opening at 8 AM. By 10 AM, tour buses arrive from Dead Sea hotels and the site feels considerably more crowded. This matters less in December than in April, but the early light is still worth the effort.

Avoid these mistakes

Packing for warm weather because the destination is in the Middle East. Amman sits at 750 metres elevation and December nights regularly drop below 10°C. Shorts and sandals will leave you miserable by sunset, and the damp wind makes a light hoodie insufficient.
Planning outdoor sightseeing after 3 PM. With sunset before 5 PM, the light fades quickly and exposed sites like the Citadel become uncomfortably cold once the sun drops behind the western hills. Front-load outdoor time and save museums and meals for the late afternoon.
Skipping the Dead Sea because it seems like a summer activity. The lower elevation keeps the Dead Sea coast roughly 8-10°C warmer than Amman, making December one of the more pleasant months for a float without the 45°C summer extremes that can cause heat exhaustion on the shore.

Practical tips for December

Book Dead Sea and Petra day trips at least a few days ahead during the final Christmas-to-New-Year week, when both domestic and regional visitors fill up tour departures. The rest of December tends to have open availability for walk-up bookings. Dress modestly across the city, and especially in Downtown and near mosques, where shoulders and knees should be covered. Women should carry a headscarf for mosque visits. Most restaurants and cafes in western neighbourhoods stay open throughout December, though some smaller shops in Downtown close earlier on rainy days. Tipping around 10% is standard at restaurants. Carry cash for taxis and street vendors, as credit cards are reliably accepted only at hotels and mid-range to upscale restaurants. The Jordanian dinar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate, so exchange rate fluctuations are not a concern. Queen Alia International Airport sits about 35km south of central Amman, and the Airport Express bus runs roughly every 30 minutes to the Tabarbour station in north Amman.

FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Amman?

December is a solid month for Amman if you pack for cold weather and plan around the limited daylight. The summer heat that makes outdoor sightseeing difficult from June through September is completely gone, and crowds at major sites thin out compared to the April and October peaks. The main trade-offs are occasional rain and sunset before 5 PM. If you want warm weather or long outdoor days, April or October tend to be the strongest months overall.

What is the weather like in Amman in December?

Cool and occasionally wet. Expect comfortable conditions in sunshine that turn chilly quickly once clouds roll in or the wind picks up between the city's hills. Nights need a proper coat, not a light jacket. Rain tends to arrive in short bursts rather than all-day drizzle, so you can usually wait out a shower in a cafe and get back to exploring within the hour. The humidity feels higher than most visitors expect for a Middle Eastern capital, giving the cold a damp edge.

Is Amman crowded in December?

Not particularly. December falls outside Jordan's peak tourism season, which typically runs from March through May and again in October. The final week of the month sees a brief uptick in visitors around the holidays, but for most of December you will find major sites and hotels comfortably uncrowded compared to spring and autumn.

Is Amman safe for solo travellers in December?

Amman's solo-traveller safety sits at 6.2 out of 10 (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index). The city is generally safe for walking during daylight hours, and the cooler December weather means you will likely spend more time in populated areas like Jabal Amman and the Downtown souk rather than isolated outdoor spots. Standard urban precautions apply. Keep valuables out of sight, stick to well-lit streets after dark, and take taxis rather than walking through unfamiliar neighbourhoods at night.

Can I do a day trip to Petra from Amman in December?

Yes, and December is arguably one of the better months for it. The 3-hour drive south reaches a site where winter highs average 12-14°C, ideal for the 8km walk through the Siq that becomes dangerously hot in summer. Spring crowds are also absent. The JETT bus from Abdali runs daily departures, and most hotels can arrange private transport or guided tours with a day or two of notice.