As with January, Petra in February is still in the midst of its cold, somewhat wet—and occasionally, yet rarely, snowy—winter. Although temperatures and visitor numbers are rising, Jordan’s most popular attraction is still far less crowded than in spring and autumn. And while cold, most days are bright and sunny.

Weather

You’ll need plenty of warm clothes to visit Petra in February. Although the temperatures begin to inch up from their January low, February averages a still chilly 53°F (12°C) this month. Many days are significantly colder, with guaranteed frost at night. It can even snow on very rare days! But most days are sunny (or partially overcast), with an average high temperature of 59°F (15°C). Note that although hotels and other public facilities usually have heating, many homes and older buildings do not.

February is, with January, also the wettest month of the year, but has rain on only four days as an average. Still, pack raingear along with plenty of warm clothing. Since you’ll most likely be doing a significant amount of hiking, it’s best to dress in layers so you can strip off or add layers as needed.

Be conscious that rains often come in sudden and torrential downpours. Utmost caution is required to avoid the narrow defiles and even broad canyons because of the threat of potentially deadly flash floods. Those channels were formed over eons by such torrents! The Siq becomes a riverbed during heavy rains, while the stones become dangerously slippery. Be prepared for the entire site to close during heavy rains.

For more on weather this month, see Jordan in February: Travel Tips, Weather, and More. 

Crowds & Costs

While Petra has plenty to recommend it this month, in early February most visitors continue to await warmer days. But numbers begin to inch sharply upwards as the month progresses. This is a great time to visit for a more personal experience before the crowds of March begin to take up elbow room. Airfare and accommodation costs are still low, and you should be able to find last-minute bargains at local hotels into mid-month or (with luck) even later.

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What to Do

It’s a given that you’re here to be awed by the Treasury, the Monastery, and other key ancient sites. But to put what you’re seeing in context, start at the new Petra Museum, which opened in May 2019 (after five years in the making) adjacent to the entrance to the archaeological park. Its almost 20,000 sq ft (1,800 sq m) of climate-controlled galleries display hundreds of objects from Jordan’s Department of Antiquities, including a Roman statue of Aphrodite excavated at Petra in 2016. The museum’s centerpiece is Active Nabataeans, a circular hall with an animated floor projection tracing the emergence of the Nabataeans.

Sure, you can stay at one of the many hotels in Wadi Musa. But a more adventurous option is to overnight in a tent at Ammarin Bedouin Camp, near Little Petra, to experience the desert as the Bedouins know it. A key draw is a chance to partake in traditional activities, such as bread-baking or Kohl production, and folkloric music and dance. More active adventures include horse trekking, and traveling in a camel caravan along the ancient Frankincense Route. And, of course, you can hike the trail from Little Petra to Petra.

The Petra By Night experience is an absolute must and provides a whole new sensation as you walk between the narrow Siq by candlelight, then experience Bedouin music in front of the candlelit Treasury.

More Helpful Information

Petra in January
Petra in March
How to Get to Petra 
Ultimate Guide to Petra