Indulge your wanderlust in these weekend destinations from Amman

HelloooooooooooooooooooooooAmman, in itself, is a mesmerizing city filled with a myriad of activities to entertain you. You can spend a wonderful weekend here itself. However, a trip over the weekend break from the city is a delightful idea to rejuvenate. The best part is that Amman is blessed with beautiful weekend getaways as well. We have listed a few destinations that will make your weekends memorable. 

5 destinations for a memorable weekend 

Umm Qais 

A trip to Umm Qais is a guaranteed trip down the history of Jordan, and its pristine nature doubles up the fun. Located around 110 km from Amman, extensive ruins and panoramic views greet you at this Ottoman village. Umm Qais has the ancient site of Gadara, and recently an ancient temple of the Hellenistic era was discovered here. You can wander through the hilltop ruins and breath in the stunning views of Yarmouk River gorge, Lake Tiberius, and the Sea of Galilee. 

The adventurer in you can hike out to Arab Dam or the rolling hills of the Yarmouk Nature Reserve.

Umm Qais

Jerash

Located just 50 km away from Amman, Jerash is a popular tourist destination in itself. Home to the impressive ruins. Witness a beautiful amalgamation of Greek, Roman, and Arab civilizations all in one city. Spend an entire day soaking up the massive Greco-Roman ruins. Spend your second day hiking the trails in Wasfi Al Tal forest or hop on a 4×4 to explore the area and beyond. End your trip at the serene King Tal Dam and its reservoir. 

Jerash

Ajloun Forest Reserve

A true retreat is the one in nature’s lap. Situated just 71 km from Amman is a 13 square km sprawling forest reserve. Home to the locally extinct roe deer, the location is an excellent bird watching site. While here, hike through the sanctuary with the help of a local guide and relax amidst refreshing greenery. Don’t miss out on exploring the Ajloun castle located only 12 km away. 

Ajloun Forest Reserve

Madaba

Located just 40 km away from Amman, the quaint town is famous for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. Visit the Church of the Apostles, which has a gorgeous mosaic called “Personification of the Sea.” You can then wander the cobblestone street, shopping for carpets and jewelry stores and some fantastic mosaics. You can also visit Mt. Nebo and Umm ar-Rasas, a World Heritage Site for a walk down the history lane. 

Dead Sea

For a rejuvenating experience like no other, head to the dead sea, which is just an hour and a half’s drive from Amman. Indulge yourself in a therapeutic experience enriched with oxygen-rich air, mineral-rich mud, and hyper-saline water. You can also make a detour to Wadi Mujib for an exciting canyoning and hiking trails with panoramic views of the dead sea.

Dead Sea