When is the best time to visit the Middle East?

Visiting the Middle East in March

This is one of the most variable months across the region. Oman and Egypt see warming temperatures, while Turkey and Jordan remain cool. Despite lower temperatures, Christian and Jewish holidays mean March can be busy in Israel.

Events & Festivals

• Easter (March or April): The holiday is incredibly busy as Israel is flooded with many Christians who choose to celebrate in the Holy Land, especially in Jerusalem. Easter and Jordan get very busy, too.
• Providing fragrant air and beautiful scenery, March and April is the rose-blooming season in the Jebel Akhdar Mountains.
• Purim (February or March): One of the most joyful holidays in the Jewish calendar, it celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a Persian plot to purge the population. The two main cities in Israel have a carnival-like atmosphere.

Visiting the Middle East in April - May

Across the Middle East, this is one of the best times to visit. Temperatures are comfortable and, in many places, you’ll find green growth everywhere. Riotous blooms of roses and wildflowers coat the mountain valleys, especially Jordan. In Oman and Egypt, temperatures start to rise a bit, making it slightly less crowded than the previous months.

Events & Festivals

• Easter (March or April): The holiday is incredibly busy as Israel is flooded with many Christians who choose to celebrate in the Holy Land, especially in Jerusalem. Easter and Jordan get very busy, too.
• Hidrellez Festival (5th to 6th May): This Turkish holiday celebrates when the Prophets Hızır (Al-Khidr) and Ilyas (Elijah) met on Earth. Marking the start of spring, the festival includes street performances by traditional Roma, Dom and Lom bands.
• Providing fragrant air and beautiful scenery, March and April is the rose-blooming season in the Jebel Akhdar Mountains.
• Passover (usually April): Commemorating the Exodus story, this is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. As such, it’s also a particularly busy time to travel — all Israeli schools are closed and many families will spend time moving around the country, making it one of the most difficult times to get to certain sights or find hotel rooms.
• Sham al Nessim (usually April): A Coptic festival of Pharaonic origin that celebrates the coming of spring. This is held on Easter Monday and is celebrated with picnics in parks and on riverbanks throughout Egypt.

Visiting the Middle East in June - August

High temperatures settle in across the region. For the most part, visitors stick to the seaside resorts during these months. But, if you’re comfortable with the sun and heat, it can be an excellent time to visit popular sights, where the crowds will be thin. Jordan is a particularly attractive destination in June, with dry air and temperatures not yet at their peak.

Events & Festivals

• Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival (June and July): Set within Turkey’s Aspendos Roman theatre, the festival hosts numerous performances by international ballet and opera companies
• Jerash Festival: A celebration of Jordanian arts, culture, literature, food, and music. This is a large and lively event, and often includes optional seminars and workshops in addition to the main celebrations taking place in Jerash.
• The dark skies of the desert (August): At this time of year, the skies provide the perfect canvas for watching the Perseid meteor shower, which occurs annually, and can bee seen in Wadi Rum.

Visiting the Middle East in September

Temperatures start to taper off, though it can still be very hot. Israel and Turkey are the two most comfortable destinations during this month — Israel’s major holidays fall in September, something you may want to take into consideration. It’s a good time to see an abundance of birds in Oman.

Events & Festivals

• Autumn harvest (September and October): The autumn harvest reaps pomegranates, walnuts, olives and grapes in many countries across the region.
• Rosh Hashanah (September or October): This two-day holiday marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar year and is an important time in Israel. Be aware, many businesses will close during Rosh Hashanah.
• Yom Kippur (September or October): The holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur is the day of atonement, when Jews ask for forgiveness for their sins from the previous year. Observance includes a 25-hour fast, beginning at sunset. Many businesses shut down over this period, and it can be difficult to find transportation or an open restaurant as many locals take time off work.

Visiting the Middle East in October

October is a great time to visit almost anywhere in the Middle East. Temperatures are comfortable and the skies are blue. In addition to annual fruit harvests, you can find a variety of festivals and holidays. In Jordan, you’ll find a late-month burst of rain often turns the hills and valleys green. However, in Turkey, resorts along the Mediterranean begin to close by mid-October.

Events & Festivals

• Autumn harvest (September and October): The autumn harvest reaps pomegranates, walnuts, olives and grapes in many countries across the region.
• International Wine Festival (end of October): Annually held wine-tasting events from local vineyards in Turkey’s Cappadocia region.
• Republic Day (29th October): Celebrated across Turkey, but most vibrantly in Istanbul, with various art events and firework displays.
• Rosh Hashanah (September or October): This two-day holiday marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar year and is an important time in Israel. Be aware, many businesses will close during Rosh Hashanah.
• Yom Kippur (September or October): The holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur is the day of atonement, when Jews ask for forgiveness for their sins from the previous year. Observance includes a 25-hour fast, beginning at sunset. Many businesses shut down over this period, and it can be difficult to find transportation or an open restaurant as many locals take time off work.

Visiting the Middle East in November - December

In Jordan, Egypt and Oman, this is the best time to visit. Temperatures are at an annual low, hovering around the low 30°Cs (86°F to 95°F). You may have to contend with more visitors, though. In Israel and Turkey, you’ll likely experience cool, rainy days and chilly nights, as well as the chance of snow.

Events & Festivals

• Christmas (25th December): Although Judaism and Islam are the biggest religions in Israel, many Christian residents and visitors spend Christmas in the Holy Land, especially in areas such as Bethlehem and Nazareth. It’s also a popular time to visit Egypt, and hotels and Nile cruises fill up well in advance, so we suggest planning at least a year ahead if you want to visit over the holiday.