Jordan in December: Travel Guide, Weather and Tips

December is Jordan at its most tranquil. The year’s visitors have largely gone home, hotel rates sit at their annual minimum, and the ancient sites have a quietness that peak season visitors never experience. Amman is cold by regional standards — 12°C during the day, down to 4°C at night — but Aqaba offers a genuine warm-weather escape at 22°C, and the approach of Christmas brings a particular warmth to Madaba’s Christian community. For travellers who pack properly and don’t expect warm weather, December is one of the most rewarding months.

Weather in Jordan in December

City	Avg High °C	Avg Low °C	Conditions
Amman	12	4	Cold, rain likely, possible frost
Petra	11	2	Cold — snow very occasional
Wadi Rum	14	1	Cold nights, clear sunny days
Aqaba	22	12	Warm and pleasant — the standout option
Dead Sea	20	11	Mild, calm

December brings Jordan’s coldest temperatures. Amman averages a high of only 12°C and the evenings and nights are cold by any standard. Rain is common in the north and can be heavy. The Dead Sea and Aqaba, both at lower altitude, remain considerably warmer — a December trip that combines a couple of days in Amman and Madaba with Aqaba and the Dead Sea is a practical way to manage the cold.

Petra in December is remarkably photogenic. The cold keeps most visitors away, and on clear days the Siq and Treasury are atmospheric in a way that warm-weather crowds prevent. Snow has been recorded in Petra in January and occasionally December — if it falls, the site closes temporarily for safety, but the scenes it creates are extraordinary.

Events and What’s On in December

Christmas in Madaba (25 December and 7 January) Madaba is the most significant destination in Jordan for Christmas. The town has a large Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic population and the approach to Christmas is decorated streets, illuminated churches, and carol services at the Church of St George (home to the famous 6th-century mosaic map) and other churches. The Catholic Christmas (25 December) and Orthodox Christmas (7 January) both occur within the December–January window, and the crossover creates an extended festive period. Entry to the Church of St George costs approximately JOD 3 (as of 2026); the mosaic map alone justifies the short detour from Amman (30km).

New Year’s Eve in Amman Several Amman hotels and restaurants run New Year’s Eve events. The Four Seasons Amman and rooftop venues in the Abdali and Rainbow Street area run parties with advance booking required. The city doesn’t have the fireworks culture of major Western capitals, but the atmosphere in Amman’s social districts on 31 December is lively.

Low Season Quiet December has no major running or cultural events in Jordan. For some travellers this is precisely the point — quiet museums, uncrowded Jerash, and Petra with only a handful of other visitors.

Where to Stay and Eat

Madaba The Madaba Hotel is a small, centrally located property with rooms from approximately JOD 35–50 in December. Its location near the Church of St George makes it ideal for Christmas visits. For dinner, Haret Jdoudna (Ancestors’ Neighbourhood) is Madaba’s most atmospheric restaurant — housed in a restored 19th-century stone building, it serves Jordanian classics like mansaf, stuffed vine leaves, and lamb dishes at JOD 12–18 per person.

Aqaba Aqaba is the December star. Tala Bay Movenpick on the South Beach resort strip has December rates from around JOD 95–120 per night and is one of the most complete resort experiences in Jordan — private beach, pools, spa, and diving centre. For a more local dinner, Al Shami Restaurant in central Aqaba serves traditional Levantine cooking — hummus, grilled chicken, fatteh — at JOD 7–12 per person.

Pros of Visiting Jordan in December

• Annual low prices on hotels and flights
• Petra and Jerash essentially empty — a rare experience
• Christmas atmosphere in Madaba is warm and genuine
• Wadi Rum cold nights paired with extraordinary star-filled skies
• Aqaba offers warm weather (22°C) when the rest of Jordan is cold
• No crowds at the Jordan Museum or the Citadel in Amman

Cons of Visiting Jordan in December

• Cold in Amman and the highlands — not suitable without proper warm clothing
• Rain possible in Amman and northern Jordan
• Shorter days — only 10 hours of daylight
• Some outdoor restaurants close for winter or reduce hours
• Wadi Rum nights are very cold — base camp under a blanket of stars requires serious insulation

Combining Aqaba and Madaba in December

A practical December Jordan itinerary combines Aqaba’s warmth with Madaba’s Christmas culture:

Days 1–2: Amman and Madaba. Arrive in Amman, settle in, and drive 30km south to Madaba. Visit the Church of St George and the mosaic map, then Mount Nebo (approximately 10km from Madaba) for the panoramic view of the Dead Sea and, on clear days, Jerusalem. Madaba’s churches are particularly atmospheric in the pre-Christmas days.

Days 3–4: Dead Sea. Stay at one of the Dead Sea resort hotels (from JOD 120/night) for floating and the spa. The Dead Sea in December is mild and uncrowded.

Days 5–7: Petra. Drive the 3-hour King’s Highway to Petra. December Petra is cold but unbeatable for solitude. Book the Petra by Night experience (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, approximately JOD 17) — the candlelit Siq on a cold December night is one of Jordan’s finest experiences.

Days 8–10: Aqaba. Finish with Aqaba’s warmth — beach, diving, and the relaxed Red Sea resort atmosphere.

Packing for December in Jordan

• Warm jacket — down or heavy fleece — essential for Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum
• Thermals for Wadi Rum desert camp nights
• Waterproof outer layer for Amman and the north
• Light clothes for Aqaba (you won’t need the heavy layers there)
• Swimwear for Aqaba — the sea is warm enough for confident swimmers
• Sturdy walking shoes with grip for potentially wet Petra paths
• Christmas-appropriate modest clothing for church visits in Madaba