Hidden Gems in Jordan and Unusual Attractions to Visit

Introduction

First and foremost, Jordan is dedicated to well-known international tourist destinations and historical landmarks. The majority of tourists and solo travelers who are excited to explore Jordan and its magnificent locations are likely to arrange their trips there by going straight to its popular and widely recognized locations. Therefore, in this blog, we will highlight Jordan's lesser known but as charming sights that are worth visiting for visitors and travelers looking for unique spots in the country. Before mentioning the exceptional and uncommon tourism attractions in Jordan, we’ll briefly talk about the famous tourism and heritage sites frequently visited by tourists.

Here are the most popular tourism destinations in Jordan:

Petra To know more about Petra and its beauty, it has been referred to in the previous blog Dead Sea It’s one of the most fabulous and historically beautiful lakes sited in Jordan, it’s considered the lowest point on earth at 423 meters below the level of the sea. The Dead Sea is known for its salty, therapeutic, and warm water which makes it a perfect and relaxing place to experience for both tourists and locals. Wadi Rum It’s the fascination of the Jordanian desert, it’s the place where most visitors from all over the world come to see its beauty landscape and to enjoy its unique natural wonders. Wadi Rum is known as the valley of the moon, which represents its otherworldly appearance and atmosphere. Aqaba Aqaba is considered as Jordan’s main coastal city; it has many historical and cultural places such as its archaeological museum, its roman church, and Ayla, which represents the luxurious, developed, and entertaining waterfront in Aqaba city.

Summer 2024 has nearly arrived, so, during this season it’s the best time to visit Jordan. Despite the popular tourism sites and spots that mostly known by tourists interested in visiting Jordan, in this blog we will highlight unique places and hidden sites and destinations in Jordan.

Exploring Jordan’s hidden attractions

Al-Salt

The city of As-Salt is one of the historically significant cities in Jordan, situated in Al-Balqa governorate, known for its charming nature, ancient architecture, and spectacular cultural and heritage locations. Visiting As-Salt is the perfect choice for visitors seeking religious, entertaining and naturally beautiful destinations. Visitors and travelers can experience so many enthusiastic things, such as: As Salt Castle Visiting Al Salt castle provides visitors and travelers with the vibes of Jordan’s majestic history through its amazing view, ancient ruins, and specially its magnificent interiors like its rooms, water cistern, and the mosque. Cultural Events and Festivals As-Salt Festivals A lot of festivals and events that have a cultural and artistic nature are held in As-Salt city, they represent the culture of Jordan and its heritage history through the entertainment and joy that they offer in those festivals and events. It includes various events, such as: Traditional music performances Local cuisine and dishes Jordanian crafts and workshops.

Those festivals are a great choice for visitors seeking entertaining and rich cultural experiences and celebrations. Al Hammam Street It's one of the most traditional streets in As-Salt that contains several local shops and cultural style that reflects the vibes of the Jordanian history. By visiting this street, you can enjoy the experience of buying local products and capturing the beauty of the architecture and the vibrant markets through taking photographs of it As-Salt Archaeological Museum As-Salt Museum highlights the rich history of Al Balqa’ region. It’s a treasure trove that showcases the lively tapestry of cultures and civilizations since the Chalcolithic age until the Islamic age. I highly recommend tourists to visit As-Salt Museum and explore the beauty of the exhibition including the pottery pieces, ceramic saddles, and water jars that date back to ancient Roman and Ayyubid Mamluk eras.

Al-Weibdeh

Jabal Al Weibdeh is one of the favorable areas for local people in Jordan, it’s a place where people enjoy the ambiance of old neighborhood in Jordan and the calmness of its streets and locations. For most tourists and travelers to Jordan, Al-Weibdeh is considered hidden to them, and they might visit Jordan without having the chance to experience this beautiful neighborhood. Now, we will mention the most attractive and unusual places in Al-Weibdeh that tourists should go to while visiting Jordan. Old structures and streets Paris Square It’s the focal point of Al-Weibdeh since it’s located in the center of the neighborhood. The area features characteristic Parisian Street lighting, two flagpoles, a Wallace fountain adorned with four female statuettes, and a four-meter-tall poster display column topped with a metal dome.

Tourists can be amused by visiting restaurants, cafes, stores, and old streets surrounding the square. It's also considered a small, landscaped square park that people can sit in and enjoy its Parisian vibes. One of the famous places near the square is the French institute of Jordan, which is supports the French and Arabic languages and cultures, as well as cross-cultural exchanges between France and Jordan. Artistic and cultural places Darat Al Funun In Al-Weibdeh, Jordan, you may find Darat al Funun, a major cultural landmark. Situated in the gorgeous Jabal al-Weibdeh alleyways, this arts and cultural center is a wonderfully renovated villa from the 1920s. "House of the Arts," or Darat al Funun, is an organization that promotes Arab art and culture today by giving financial and other forms of assistance to Arab artists. Guests at Darat al Funun have the opportunity to wander through the galleries, which frequently showcase the works of Arab artists both new and old. The center is a hub for Amman's flourishing arts community, presenting local and international artists through displays, seminars, and workshops. Cafes and restaurants Rakwet Arab Rakwet Arab, one of the most unique restaurants located in the dynamic center of Al Weibdeh in Amman, offers visitors a special combination of genuine middle eastern culinary and rich cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy engaging in the Jordanian culture while indulging in its traditional cuisines as well as the shisha it offers. Visitors also have the chance to create connections with local people through discussion of traditional meals and other activities like music. So, the restaurant is considered a great place for visitors and tourists willing to explore Amman’s neighborhoods and its historical sites and markets.

Madaba

(City of Mosaics) Madaba is the city that reflects the beauty of ancient history settled in Jordan long ago. It’s known for its religious tourism sites since it includes a wide variety of Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, as well as sacred structures depicted in religious iconography. An essential mosaic structure in the city is the Map of Madaba. The Map of Madaba is Recognized as the earliest representation of the Holy Land, the Madaba mosaic map from the sixth century graced the floor of a Byzantine church in Madaba, Jordan. By serving as a substantial religious embellishment, it effectively satisfied the spiritual needs of followers of the Christian faith. There are many unique and unusual attractions in Madaba, in which tourists can see and experience while exploring Madaba and its beautiful sites, here are the most significant ones: Mount Nebo Mount Nebo, the holiest mountain in Jordan, is an excellent destination that is enveloped in a breathtaking landscape, making it an ideal choice for tourists who appreciate the sights of Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, and Jerusalem from a height greater than the mountain, particularly on clear, still days.

Umm Qais

Mount Nebo offers a variety of activities and places to visit by tourists, including: La storia touris complex (Al Hakaya Museum), offers tourists a unique experience to tour the museum and participate in its workshops and activities, as well as viewing Byzantine mosaic remains that reflects a magnificent structure and architecture. Umm ar-rasas It is a Christian village in Madaba and a significant historical site with renowned churches and mosaics that depict images from the Byzantine era. Umm ar-rasas' historical significance, which it derived from Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic records, led to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. For travelers wishing to visit Madaba, it is therefore highly recommended due to the wonderful, outstanding, and captivating experience it offers. Church of the Apostles An architectural wonder known for its extraordinary mosaic that honors the Twelve Apostles. In addition to its profound spiritual importance, the church's façade contributes to its allure. Mosaics, stones, and walls comprise its interior architecture, which is a major draw for tourists and visitors. Thalassa, a female personification of the sea, is portrayed in the center of one of the church's one-of-a-kind mosaics; she is surrounded by fish and other slippery marine creatures. The corners are adorned with cherubic faces, indigenous birds, flora, fruits, and creatures.

Irbid

Irbid is one of the few cities in Jordan that has its own unique style, since it blends between both Arabic culture and Western traditional influences, it’s widely considered to be a popular destination for tourists who want to experience the city life that includes visiting museums, restaurants, markets, and cafes. Irbid’s one of the best sites is its downtown, which reflects its own special local and cultural life, it is also a favorable place for tourists who are interested in adorable landscapes, as well as ancient museums. Dar Al Saraya Museum It’s a heritage archaeological site that was built back to the Ottoman era, the museum contains a large collection of artifacts, stones, tombs, and other historical cultural and artistic figures. It’s considered an entertaining and treasured site for tourists who are interested in ancient heritage castles.

Umm Qais

Umm Qais, which was known as (Gadara), is a huge cultural and historical treasure, its heritage importance has always been a part of Jordan’s majestic history. If you’re looking for a cultural hub, charming hilltop, magnificent ancient remains, and a place for exploring Greek history era, then Umm Qais must be your next destination. Adventuring its amazing museums and enjoying its unique nature and beauty is one the best things tourists can experience in Irbid.

Wadi Al Mujib

It’s one of Jordan’s hidden secrets that few tourists know about and visit regularly, it’s an amazing place that is considered a constituent of an expanded land known as Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve, is the world's lowest preserve of natural beauty. Wadi Al Mujib is a rich and biologically diverse area in terms of its plants, birds, and other animals such as goats and cats, which makes it an attractive place for tourists who love the rare and special wildlife. Visitors can also experience hiking through the Siq Trail, which begins at Mujib Adventure Center, in which visitors will walk on an elevated pathway beside a river, encircled by tall cliffs. So, it’s so enjoyable and adventurous to visit Wadi Al Mujib and explore its incredible secrets while visiting Jordan.