Jordan in January: Travel Guide, Weather and Tips

January is Jordan’s deepest low season and one of the most rewarding months to visit if you know what to expect. The summer crowds are long gone, hotel prices are at their annual low, and the light over Petra and Wadi Rum has a clarity that the harsh summer haze strips away. The trade-off is cold nights in Amman and the northern highlands, occasional rain, and a small chance of snow.

Weather in Jordan in January

City	Avg High °C	Avg Low °C	Conditions
Amman	12	4	Cool, occasional rain, possible frost
Petra	11	3	Cold nights, rare snow possible
Wadi Rum	14	2	Dry and sunny by day, very cold nights
Aqaba	21	12	Warm and dry, minimal rain
Dead Sea	20	11	Mild, calm, excellent for floating

Amman’s average high of 12°C makes January the coldest month of the year. Rain falls on around 8–10 days across the month and can be heavy in the north. Wadi Rum sees almost no precipitation but night temperatures regularly drop close to freezing — desert camps supply blankets but check what’s included before booking.

Aqaba, at sea level on the Red Sea coast, is in a different climatic zone entirely. Daytime temperatures of 21°C and near-zero rainfall make it the most reliably comfortable destination in Jordan during January.

Events and What’s On in January

Orthodox Christmas — Madaba and Mount Nebo (7 January) Jordan’s Christian communities, which make up a significant minority of the population, celebrate Christmas according to the Orthodox calendar on 7 January. The churches of Madaba — particularly the Greek Orthodox Church of St George, home to the famous 6th-century mosaic map — hold services that are open to respectful visitors. The atmosphere in Madaba on Orthodox Christmas is warm and genuinely welcoming.

New Year carry-over The first week of January occasionally features live music and cultural events at venues in Amman’s Jabal Amman and Rainbow Street areas, though nothing on the scale of neighbouring countries. Check local listings on Visit Jordan’s official website.

Where to Stay and Eat

Amman The Bristol Hotel Amman (3rd Circle, Jabal Amman) offers comfortable rooms from approximately JOD 60 per night in January, well below its shoulder-season rate. The location puts you close to Rainbow Street and the major downtown sights. For dinner, Hashem Restaurant in Downtown Amman is the essential introduction to Jordanian street food — falafel, hummus, ful medames — and costs under JOD 5 per person. It opens at dawn and doesn’t close until well past midnight.

Aqaba If you want warm January sun, Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea has January rates from around JOD 110 per night and direct beach access. For a more local meal, Ali Baba Restaurant on the Aqaba corniche serves grilled fish and seafood dishes for JOD 8–15 per person — straightforward, consistent and very popular with Jordanians.

Pros of Visiting Jordan in January

• Lowest hotel rates of the year — savings of 30–50% versus April peak
• Petra and Jerash essentially free of tour groups; you walk the Siq with almost no one else
• The light is excellent for photography — long golden hours with no summer haze
• Wadi Rum desert camps have capacity; easier to book good camps
• Flights to Amman from Europe tend to be cheapest in January

Cons of Visiting Jordan in January

• Cold evenings and nights across Amman, Petra, and the northern highlands — not suitable for those who find 4°C uncomfortable
• Some outdoor restaurants and cafés in Amman run reduced hours
• Wadi Rum sunrise is extremely cold; temperatures below 5°C are common at 6am
• Petra’s Treasury steps can be slippery after rain
• Daylight hours are shortest — roughly 10 hours of light

Hiking in January

The cooler temperatures make January excellent for hiking the Dana Biosphere Reserve and the Jordan Trail northern sections. The Ajloun forest trails are best avoided after rain (paths become muddy) but are otherwise pleasant. The Petra Archaeological Park’s longer trails — the High Place of Sacrifice, the Monastery (Ad Deir) route — are all manageable in January, and the crowds that make the Monastery climb miserable in April simply don’t exist.

Visa Reminder

Most Western nationalities receive a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport for JOD 40 (single entry, 30 days, as of 2026). If you’re visiting Petra as part of your trip, the Jordan Pass (from JOD 70) covers the visa fee provided you spend a minimum of three nights in Jordan. January’s short days mean it’s worth arriving a day before your planned Petra visit so you don’t lose time settling in.

Packing for January in Jordan

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or down jacket)
• Waterproof outer shell
• Thermals for Wadi Rum desert camp nights
• Walking shoes with grip (Petra’s stone paths get slick)
• Light clothes for Aqaba (you won’t need the jacket there)
• Sunscreen — UV levels remain significant even in winter
• Lip balm and moisturiser — the air in the highlands is dry