Families who visit Amman for a vacation often find it to be an ideal location for a short break. While the city has many attractions that are very popular with tourists, its quieter areas have retained their local charm and the friendliness of Amman’s people is legendary. Additionally, there are a number of cultural sights in the area that are worth exploring.
Jordan is one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East. This country is home to many natural wonders and historical sites.
If you are planning a trip to Jordan with your family, here are five places where you can visit during your stay:
- Amman Citadel
- Ajloun Castle
- Wadi Rum Desert and Mountains
- Dead Sea and the surrounding area
- Petra
The Citadel of Amman: This is one of the most popular attractions in Amman and it is also free to enter! The Citadel was built by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I (705-715 AD). It was later expanded by successive rulers until it reached its present form in 1892 under Abdullah I ibn al-Hussein. The Citidel consists of several different buildings including mosques, madrassahs, palaces, gates and towers which all date back to different times in history but were all brought together under one roof during Ottoman rule in order to serve as a palace complex for the ruling family.
Ajloun Castle: Ajloun Castle is one of the most important historical sites in Jordan. Situated on a hilltop surrounded by beautiful gardens, it overlooks the Yarmouk River to the west and has views over the Burqa plateau to the east. The castle was built by the Ayyubid ruler Al-Aziz Uthman (1192 – 1227) and served as an impressive reminder of his great power. It was frequented by many European kings and princes in September 1178 after his recovery from a serious illness. The castle consists of two enclosures: an outer enclosure with solid walls and round towers, and an inner enclosure with rooms, open courtyards and covered halls. It features a mosque, a well-preserved underground water reservoir and many decorative elements such as marble paving, ornaments scattered around its massive battlements and western gateway.
Wadi Rum Desert and Mountains: Wadi Rum is a desert in southern Jordan, near the borders with both Israel and Saudi Arabia. The landscape is rugged and rocky, with sand dunes covering much of the area. The desert is known for its beautiful scenery and has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows.
Dead Sea and the surrounding area: The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and the West Bank and Israel to the west. The Dead Sea, fed by the Jordan River, is 415 meters (1,362 feet) below sea level, making it Earth’s lowest elevation on land. The Dead Sea has an area of 371 km2 (143 sq mi), and a maximum depth of 1,448 m (4,824 ft).
Petra: Situated about 200km south-east of Amman, Petra is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Jordan. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO as it contains rock-hewn buildings that have been carved into sandstone cliffs and ravines by nomadic communities over 2,000 years ago. The site also includes rock-cut temples dedicated to Nabatean deities Obodas I and II, Al-Deir (“the monastery”), Qasr al-Bint (“castle of the virgin”) and more than 500 tombs.
Amman is an all-around fun city for visitors, but it might not be at the top of everyone’s list. In this guide, I’ve listed five places that you can visit with your family on a holiday trip to Amman. Whether you’re on vacation or visiting family, there are plenty of fun things to see and do at each of these landmarks while in Amman.
