December in Petra is cold. That is the first thing to know, and the thing most visitors from warmer climates underestimate. Daytime temperatures reach about 15.6°C (60°F), which feels pleasant enough when the sun hits the sandstone, but by late afternoon the canyon walls throw long shadows and the temperature starts dropping toward 9°C (48°F). After dark, Wadi Musa can feel genuinely frigid, the kind of cold that seeps through a light jacket and settles in your bones. You will want proper layers.
That said, December has real appeal. The punishing summer heat that turns a walk to Ad-Deir (the Monastery) into an endurance test is gone entirely. You can hike for 4 or 5 hours through the site without the dehydration risk that comes with July's 32°C afternoons. Crowds are lighter than the peak spring and autumn months, though the Christmas and New Year holiday window (roughly December 20 onward) brings a noticeable bump in European and North American visitors. Hotel rates in Wadi Musa climb accordingly for that final week.
The other consideration is rain. December averages about 35mm across 6 rainy days. Most showers are brief, but Petra sits in a system of narrow gorges, and the Siq, that iconic 1.2-kilometer slot canyon leading to the Treasury, is a documented flash flood channel. Jordanian authorities close the Siq when heavy rain threatens. It does not happen often, but if it does during your visit, you might lose half a day. Worth factoring in if you only have 1 or 2 days at the site.
Why visit in December
- Comfortable hiking temperatures between 9°C and 16°C mean you can spend a full day walking the site without heat exhaustion, which rules out June through September entirely.
- Thinner crowds than the peak October-November window, especially in the first 2 weeks of December, so you can photograph Al-Khazneh (the Treasury) without 40 other tour groups in the frame.
- The low winter sun creates warm, reddish light on the sandstone facades from about 9am to 11am and again from 2pm to 4pm, which is some of the best photography light of the year.
- Petra by Night, the candlelit walk through the Siq to the Treasury, feels more atmospheric in December's cold, still air than it does on a hot summer evening.
- Shorter queues at the Petra Visitor Centre for ticket purchases and horse-cart bookings compared to the spring rush.
Worth knowing
- Rain can close the Siq with little warning, and flash floods in the canyon system are a real safety concern, not a theoretical one. In December 2022, flooding stranded tourists near the Treasury.
- Nights drop toward 5-7°C in Wadi Musa, and many budget hotels have poor heating. You might sleep in your jacket.
- Daylight hours are short. The sun sets before 5pm, giving you roughly 7.5 hours of usable light inside the site if you enter at opening.
- The final 10 days of December see a price spike of 30-50% on Wadi Musa hotels as Christmas and New Year travelers arrive.
Best for
Think twice if
December in Petra brings cool, dry-ish days and cold nights. Expect clear mornings that feel brisk, occasional rain showers (typically lasting 1-2 hours), and rapid temperature drops after sunset. The sandstone canyon amplifies wind chill, so exposed ridgelines like the High Place of Sacrifice feel noticeably colder than the sheltered Colonnade Street area below. Frost is rare at Petra's 900-meter elevation but not unheard of on the coldest nights.
Seasonal caution
- Flash flooding in the Siq and lower basin areas is a documented December risk. The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority closes the Siq entrance when upstream rainfall exceeds safe thresholds. Monitor local weather forecasts daily and follow ranger instructions without question.
- Wind chill on exposed high trails (High Place of Sacrifice, Jabal Harun) can push the perceived temperature well below 5°C. Hypothermia is a real concern for underdressed hikers caught on a ridgeline after 3pm.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14 | 7 | 33 |
| Feb | 14 | 6 | 41 |
| Mar | 18 | 9 | 37 |
| Apr | 25 | 14 | 11 |
| May | 28 | 17 | 6 |
| Jun | 31 | 21 | 0 |
| Jul | 32 | 22 | 0 |
| Aug | 33 | 23 | 0 |
| Sep | 30 | 20 | 1 |
| Oct | 25 | 17 | 4 |
| Nov | 21 | 14 | 20 |
| Dec | 16 | 9 | 35 |
Headline events
Petra by Night
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening throughout December
A candlelit walk through the darkened Siq to Al-Khazneh (the Treasury), where 1,500 candles illuminate the facade while Bedouin musicians play. The event runs year-round on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, but December's cold, clear nights and early darkness at 4:45pm make it feel more intimate. The walk starts at 8:30pm from the Visitor Centre and lasts about 2 hours.
Best things to do in December
Full-day hike to Ad-Deir (the Monastery)
hikingThe 800-step climb from the Basin restaurant area to the Monastery takes about 45 minutes up. The facade is 47 meters wide and 48 meters tall, carved into a cliff face above Wadi Araba. In December, you can make this climb without the dangerous heat that causes regular tourist evacuations in summer. The viewpoint beyond the Monastery looks west toward the Araba Valley and, on clear December days, all the way to the Negev.
December's 15°C highs make the 800-step climb safe and comfortable. In July and August, this same hike sends multiple tourists to the clinic with heat exhaustion each week.Booking tipStart the climb by 9am to have the Monastery in direct sunlight. By 1pm the cliff face is in shadow.
Sunrise entry to the Siq and Treasury
sightseeingEntering the Siq at 6am (opening time in winter) means walking the 1.2-kilometer canyon in near-silence, with the first pale light catching the upper walls. You reach Al-Khazneh before the tour buses arrive from Amman (typically 9:30-10am). In December, the sun does not clear the canyon rim to hit the Treasury facade until about 9:15am, so you get the site to yourself in soft, diffused pre-dawn light first.
Fewer visitors in early December, combined with the 6am winter opening, gives you 2-3 hours at the Treasury with minimal crowds. The spring months see 3,000+ daily visitors and the Siq is shoulder-to-shoulder by 8am.Booking tipBuy your ticket online the night before at visitpetra.jo to skip the Visitor Centre queue at opening.
High Place of Sacrifice trail loop
hikingThis 3-hour circular hike climbs from the Street of Facades to the High Place plateau at 1,035 meters, then descends via the Wadi Farasa trail past the Lion Fountain, the Garden Temple, and the Roman Soldier Tomb. The 360-degree view from the top covers the entire Petra basin. December's clear air makes the visibility noticeably better than the hazy summer months.
Cool temperatures make the steep initial climb comfortable, and December's lower humidity means sharper visibility from the summit. The descent through Wadi Farasa catches afternoon light on carved facades that are in deep shadow during summer's high sun angle.Booking tipNo booking needed. Start by 10am to finish before the 4:45pm sunset.
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) half-day trip
sightseeingA 15-minute drive north of Wadi Musa, Little Petra is a smaller Nabataean site with carved dining rooms (tricliniums) that still have fragments of original painted plaster ceilings from the 1st century. It is free to enter, rarely crowded, and takes 1-2 hours to explore. The Painted House, a small chamber with surviving frescoes of grapevines and cupids, is the highlight.
December's thinner crowds mean you might have the Painted House entirely to yourself. In peak season, tour groups queue at the entrance. The cooler air also makes the short scrambles between chambers more comfortable.Booking tipNo ticket required. Drive or take a taxi from Wadi Musa for 5-7 JOD each way. Go in the morning when the sun lights up the interior chambers.
Petra by Night candlelit walk
culturalThe walk begins at the Visitor Centre at 8:30pm and follows the darkened Siq for 1.2 kilometers to the Treasury, where the plaza is filled with around 1,500 candles in paper bags. Bedouin musicians play the rababa (a single-string instrument) and oud while tea is served. The whole experience lasts about 2 hours.
December nights are dark by 5pm and cold enough (around 7-9°C) that the candlelight and hot tea feel genuinely warming rather than merely decorative. The cold also keeps crowds smaller than the busy spring evenings.Booking tipTickets are 17 JOD and sold at the Visitor Centre. Buy yours that morning. Bring a headlamp for the walk back through the Siq, as the candles are extinguished after the show ends.
Wadi Rum day trip from Petra
day tripThe desert landscape at Wadi Rum, about 1.5 hours south of Wadi Musa, is at its most photogenic in December's low winter light. The red sand and sandstone formations cast long shadows all day. Jeep tours with Bedouin drivers run 4-5 hours and cost 40-60 JOD per vehicle. December daytime temperatures in Wadi Rum hover around 14-16°C, comfortable for a jeep tour but cold for an overnight camp.
December's low sun angle creates dramatic shadows on Wadi Rum's rock formations throughout the day, not only at golden hour. The visibility is typically excellent with none of the summer dust haze.Booking tipBook a jeep tour directly with a Wadi Rum camp cooperative rather than through a Wadi Musa agency. Overnight camps in December drop below 5°C, so confirm that your camp provides adequate bedding if you stay.
Cooking class in Wadi Musa
food and drinkSeveral family-run guesthouses in the Wadi Musa town center offer half-day Jordanian cooking classes where you learn to make mansaf, maqluba, or fattet hummus. December's cold evenings make a warm kitchen and a shared meal feel particularly appealing. Classes typically run 3-4 hours and include the meal.
December's comfort food season in Jordan means the dishes you learn are the hearty, warming ones that define Jordanian winter cooking. In summer, the same classes tend to focus on lighter fare like salads and cold mezze.Booking tipAsk your hotel to arrange a class with a local family 1-2 days ahead. Expect to pay 25-40 JOD per person.
What to eat in December
In season: fruit
Jordan Valley citrus
December is peak season for oranges, clementines, and grapefruits from the Jordan Valley farms. Fruit stalls along the King's Highway sell bags of clementines for 1 JOD. They are sweet, thin-skinned, and a good trail snack for a day inside Petra.
On menus now
Mansaf
Jordan's national dish of lamb slow-cooked in dried yogurt (jameed) and served over rice. December's cold evenings make this rich, warming meal feel essential rather than heavy. Restaurants in Wadi Musa serve it daily, but the version at local family-run places along the Tourist Street tends to use better-quality jameed than the hotel buffet versions.
Musakhan
Roasted chicken over taboon flatbread, layered with caramelized onions, sumac, and olive oil. A traditional Palestinian-Jordanian dish that appears more frequently on Wadi Musa restaurant menus during the cooler months. The sumac gives it a tart, almost lemony warmth.
Street food peaks
Knafeh
Warm shredded pastry layered over soft white cheese, soaked in sugar syrup, and finished with ground pistachios. It is eaten year-round in Jordan, but the hot, stretchy version pulled fresh from the oven on a December afternoon hits differently. The shops near the Wadi Musa roundabout make it to order.
What to drink
Sahlab
A thick, warm milk drink thickened with orchid root powder, topped with cinnamon, crushed pistachios, and shredded coconut. Street vendors in Wadi Musa sell it from about November through March. It costs around 1-2 JOD per cup and is exactly what you want after a cold evening walk back from the site.
Sage tea (maramiyyeh)
Wild sage grows in the hills around Petra, and Bedouin guides brew it over small fires during rest stops. December is when you actually want a hot drink mid-hike. The Bdoul Bedouin families who run the tea stalls inside the site (near the Basin and along the path to Ad-Deir) charge 1-2 JOD per glass.
Regular events in December
Christmas Eve services at nearby churchesFree
The Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches in nearby Taybeh village (20 minutes north of Wadi Musa) hold Christmas Eve services on December 24. Jordan's Christian minority, about 4% of the population, celebrates openly. The services are conducted in Arabic and are open to visitors.
December 24New Year's Eve gatherings in Wadi Musa
Several Wadi Musa hotels, including the Movenpick and the Petra Guest House (which sits directly beside the Petra gate), host New Year's Eve dinners with live music. The Guest House's location means you can walk from dinner to the floodlit gate entrance in 2 minutes. Expect to pay 40-70 JOD per person for the dinner packages.
December 31Bedouin Heritage WeekFree
The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority periodically organizes Bedouin cultural demonstrations inside the site, typically near the Basin area. Activities include traditional bread baking on a taboon oven, Bedouin coffee ceremony demonstrations, and weaving. The timing varies year to year but often falls in mid-December when school groups visit.
Mid-December (dates vary annually)Best places this December
The Royal Tombs
archaeological siteThe row of monumental facades carved into Jabal al-Khubtha on the east side of the Petra basin. In December, the morning sun (between 8am and 11am) hits these facades directly, turning the sandstone bands of red, orange, and cream into some of the most photographed surfaces in Jordan. The Urn Tomb, the largest, was later converted into a Byzantine church in 446 CE and still has visible cross carvings. The interior is 18 meters deep and worth climbing up to for the acoustic resonance alone.
Eastern CliffsQasr al-Bint
archaeological siteThe only free-standing building in Petra, a Nabataean temple from the 1st century BCE that still stands to its original 23-meter height. Most visitors walk past it to reach the Basin restaurant, but in December's low light, the late afternoon sun catches the west-facing wall beautifully between 2pm and 3:30pm. The carved stone block construction is easier to appreciate here than on the rock-cut facades.
The BasinThe Byzantine Church
archaeological siteA 6th-century church on the ridge above the Colonnade Street with remarkably preserved floor mosaics depicting animals, seasons, and geometric patterns. A modern shelter protects the mosaics. In December, you might be the only person in the building. The mosaics show birds, fish, camels, and a personification of the sea that still holds fine detail after 1,400 years.
Colonnade Street ridgeAl-Habis Crusader fortress
viewpointA short scramble from the Qasr al-Bint area up to this 12th-century Crusader fortification. The trail is rough but only takes 15-20 minutes. From the top, the view covers the entire lower basin of Petra, the Great Temple excavation below, and the line of the Colonnade Street. December's clear air makes this one of the sharpest viewpoints in the site.
The BasinWadi Musa town center and souq
townThe small commercial center of Wadi Musa, about 1 kilometer uphill from the Petra Visitor Centre. The shops along the main street sell Dead Sea products, Hebron glass, and Bedouin jewelry. The street food stalls near the roundabout serve falafel, shawarma, and hot knafeh. In December evenings, the town feels lively but not overwhelmed, with hikers returning from the site looking for hot food.
Wadi Musa centerLittle Petra (Siq al-Barid)
archaeological siteA 10-minute drive north of Wadi Musa, this free-entry Nabataean suburb of Petra has its own narrow siq, carved banquet halls, and the Painted House with surviving 2,000-year-old frescoes. In December, the lack of crowds means you can sit inside the painted chamber and study the frescoes without being pushed through by a tour group.
Siq al-BaridJabal Harun viewpoint trail
hiking trailThe trail toward Aaron's Tomb (Jabal Harun, the highest point in the Petra area at 1,353 meters) starts from the Monastery and heads south. The full round trip takes 5-6 hours and is only practical in cool months. Most December visitors walk the first 45 minutes to the viewpoint overlooking Wadi Araba rather than summiting. The white shrine on the peak is visible from many points inside Petra.
Southern highlands
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Insider tips
The Petra Visitor Centre sells 2-day and 3-day passes (55 JOD and 60 JOD respectively) that are significantly better value than the 50 JOD single-day ticket. Even if you think you only need 1 day, you almost certainly need 2. The site covers 264 square kilometers, and rushing it means missing everything beyond the Treasury.
The Bedouin-run tea stalls inside the site (particularly the one at the foot of the Monastery steps and another near the Royal Tombs) are not tourist traps. They charge 1-2 JOD for sage tea or Turkish coffee, and the Bdoul Bedouin who run them know the site intimately. Sit, drink, and ask questions. You will learn more from 20 minutes of conversation than from any audio guide.
The horse ride included in your ticket covers only the 800-meter stretch from the gate to the Siq entrance, not through the Siq itself. The horse handlers expect a tip of 5-10 JOD. In December, the horses tend to be calmer than in the busy spring months. Horse-drawn carts through the Siq cost 20 JOD and are worth considering if you want to save your energy for the climbs deeper in the site.
If the Siq closes for flash flood risk, do not waste the day. Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) is 15 minutes north by taxi and almost never closes. The Petra Museum near the Visitor Centre, which opened in 2019, has 280 artifacts and is free with your Petra ticket. Between these two, a rain day is still productive.
Download the offline map of Petra from Maps.me or Google Maps before arriving. Cell signal inside the site is patchy to nonexistent once you pass the Treasury, and the trail junctions beyond the Basin are poorly signed. The trail to the Monastery versus the trail to the High Place split is a common wrong turn.
Avoid these mistakes
- Bringing only a light jacket and no thermal layers. Visitors from Gulf countries and Southeast Asia consistently underestimate how cold 9°C feels when you are standing still in a shaded canyon at 4pm. Petra is at 900 meters elevation in a desert climate, which means cold nights and cold shadows even when the midday sun feels warm.
- Allocating only 1 day for the entire site. Petra is not a single monument. The Treasury is 10 minutes from the entrance, but the Monastery is a 2-hour walk from the gate. The Royal Tombs, the Byzantine Church, the High Place of Sacrifice, and Al-Habis are all separate excursions. One day covers perhaps 30% of the accessible site.
- Ignoring flash flood warnings in the Siq. The Siq is a natural water channel, and the Nabataeans built their own dam and tunnel system (still visible at the entrance) to divert floodwaters. When park rangers close the Siq, it is not an overreaction. In December 2022, flash flooding trapped tourists inside the canyon. Follow all closures without argument.
- Starting the day late. The site opens at 6am in winter, and the big tour buses from Amman and Aqaba arrive between 9:30am and 10:30am. By 11am, the Treasury plaza has 200+ people in it. If you enter at 6am, you have roughly 3 hours of relative solitude before the day-trippers arrive.
Practical tips for December
Book Wadi Musa accommodation at least 2 weeks ahead for the December 20-January 2 holiday window, as rooms near the Petra gate sell out. The Jordan Pass (available at jordanpass.jo) bundles the Petra entry fee with the Jordan tourist visa fee and entry to 40+ other sites. It costs 70-80 JOD depending on the number of Petra days you choose, and saves money compared to paying the 50 JOD Petra ticket plus the 40 JOD visa separately. Dress in layers you can remove and replace throughout the day. Carry cash in Jordanian dinars, as card readers inside the site are unreliable and the Bedouin tea stalls only take cash. The JETT bus from Amman to Wadi Musa runs daily (about 3.5 hours, 12 JOD one-way) but has limited seats in December due to holiday demand. Book the bus ticket a few days ahead online or at the JETT station in Amman's 7th Circle. Friday is the weekly holiday in Jordan, and some Wadi Musa shops and restaurants close or have reduced hours.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Petra?
December is a solid choice, though not the single best month. You get comfortable hiking temperatures around 15°C (60°F) during the day, fewer crowds than the peak March-May and October-November seasons, and good photography light. The trade-offs are cold evenings (dropping to 9°C / 48°F), a risk of rain closing the Siq for a few hours, and higher prices in the final 10 days due to Christmas and New Year tourism. If you have 2-3 days and bring warm layers, December rewards you with a quieter, more contemplative Petra.
What is the weather like in Petra in December?
Average highs reach 15.6°C (60°F) and lows sit around 9°C (48°F). December gets about 35mm of rain spread over roughly 6 days, usually in short bursts rather than all-day downpours. Humidity averages 65%. Mornings tend to be crisp and clear, and the sun feels warm in sheltered spots out of the wind. After 3pm, temperatures fall quickly once the canyon walls block direct sunlight. Wind on exposed ridgelines can make it feel significantly colder.
Is Petra crowded in December?
Moderately. Early December (1st through 19th) sees fewer visitors than the peak spring and autumn months, and you can explore the Treasury and Royal Tombs without fighting for space. From December 20 onward, holiday tourists from Europe and North America push numbers up noticeably, though still below the 3,000+ daily peak of April and October. If you can visit in the first two weeks of December, you will have a meaningfully quieter experience.
How many days do I need for Petra in December?
Two full days is the minimum to see the major monuments without rushing. Day 1 typically covers the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnade Street, Qasr al-Bint, and the Basin area. Day 2 covers Ad-Deir (the Monastery), the High Place of Sacrifice loop, and possibly the Byzantine Church. A third day allows for Little Petra, the Al-Habis fortress scramble, or a slower revisit of the Treasury in different light. December's short daylight (about 7.5 usable hours inside the site) makes 2 days more important than in the longer days of summer.
Can I visit Petra if it rains in December?
Usually yes, with caveats. Light rain does not close the site. The Siq only closes during heavy or sustained rainfall that could trigger flash flooding, which happens on maybe 1-2 days per month at most. If the Siq does close, you can still access parts of Petra via the back trail from Umm Sayhoun, visit the Petra Museum near the entrance, or make the 15-minute drive to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), which is free to enter and rarely affected by closures. Build a buffer day into your itinerary if you are worried.
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