Hidden Day Trips from Amman: Best Places to Visit Under 150k

Looking to escape the bustle of Amman for a day? Whether you’re a local or visiting Jordan, these hidden day trips from Amman promises a unique experience. This guide is the perfect starting point, from Roman ruins and Crusader castles to mosaic-filled churches and forested hilltops, each destination promises a unique experience. You can immerse yourself in culture, history, and adventure—all within 150km, in a single day. So lets start with one of the best place we’ve seen here…

Before you venture beyond the capital, you might want to discover why Amman is so known for all of us. The city tells stories you won’t find in guidebooks. I put together a one-day path through its hidden gems and historic wonders—like the Temple of Hercules, the Citadel, and even a cave tied to legend. Take a look at my 1-day Amman guide—you might just see the city in a whole new way.

Nearby historical sites – Jerash

Often dubbed the Pompeii of the Middle East, this archaeological gem lies just 34 km north of Amman, about an hour’s drive. Get ready to step back in time and wander through ancient ruins that tell stories of a once-thriving city frozen in history. We started our tour at the south gate where the Arch of Hadrian poses in style for you to make a few shots of excellence. Most of the structures inside the archaeological site are very well preserved by being restored at some point. Just not to forget, you also have a free parking lot available, which i believe during the high season its fully packed, so try to make some research before reaching the place.

The route continues with the Hippodrome on the left side along the main path and reaches the South Gate where the main site begins. After a cloudy morning the sun made a strong appearance raising the temperature to 25°C, the perfect set for us to enjoy the place.

Left and right you will see some truly impressive structures that reflect a civilization dating back more than 10 thousand years ago. Being one of the most one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Greek and Roman architecture in the world outside Italy, you should book some time to enjoy the place for at least 4-5 hours like we did, or why not go with a full day to enjoy the dusk as well.

Hadrian’s Arch of Jerash	Built in 129 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian’s visit.
The Hippodrome	Could seat up to 15,000 spectators.
Jerash Oval Forum	Measures 90 meters long and 80 meters wide.
South Theater of Jerash	Could accommodate around 3,000 spectators.
Cardo Maximus of Jerash	800 meters long with original paving stones.
Temple of Zeus or Nymphaeum	Dates back to the 2nd century AD.

Ajloun Castle

Another nearby gem to add to your adventure! Just 20 km northwest of Jerash lies the stunning Ajloun Castle, a historical fortress with panoramic views of the Jordan Valley. Built in the 12th century, this impressive site is surrounded by lush forests and offers a perfect blend of history and nature. It’s an easy addition to your day trip, making your journey even more memorable!

Upon arrival, we found ourselves alone, save for the gathering clouds, ominously hinting at an impending rainstorm ⛈️. Built on the remains of an ancient monastery, stands as a testament to history. Its elevated position offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and the city of Ajloun below a serene yet powerful reminder of its strategic importance.

After exploring the castle for about an hour, the rain seemed to inch ever closer, the clouds growing heavier with each passing moment. Sensing the storm’s approach, we decided it was time to head back to our hotel and call it a day—ending our adventure on a cozy note, just as the first raindrops began to fall.

Madaba

Also known as the City of Mosaics, this unexpected treasure became a surprise highlight of our journey. We stumbled upon it by chance during our return from Aqaba, with just a few hours to spare before our flight home. The unexpected discovery led us to explore its rich history, making it a memorable detour to cap off our trip.

The city is very well organized and tourist friendly, especially the center area where we also parked our car near the Visitors Center. From here we started wandering the streets and exploring the Archeological Church Site, St George Orthodox Church, Madaba Mosque and our favorite Church of the St. John the Baptist, where you could climb up the tower to enjoy the view over the city. We ended up having a late lunch at Jaw Zaman, a really nice restaurant with traditional dishes.

And there it was, after buying a few farewell souvenirs for our loved ones, we headed to the airport to end a fantastic journey once again. Jordan is a must see country like many others but with some great pros: great prices, sunny weather even in the winter and short distances between main attractions. We’ll be back here someday!

Kerak Kastle

120 km South of Amman lies Kerak Castle, a formidable Crusader stronghold perched atop a hill, offering sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and a rich tapestry of history dating back to the 12th century.

This was also part of our journey back from Aqaba. I’d say it works great as a combo with the Dead Sea and the Mujib Biosphere Reserve. The place was pretty deserted, and since the entrance was included in our Jordan Pass, we explored the premises like it was our own. Also, in the great hall, we met the museum guide, who told us a few interesting things about the place:

“Saladin had a bit of a grudge”: He laid siege to this place twice, and rumor has it he timed one attack during a wedding. Talk about making an entrance!
“Crusader hospitality was… selective”: They had a penchant for fancy feasts, while prisoners starved in the dungeons below. Medieval room service? Not so much.
“The castle’s pantry was bigger than my apartment”: They stored enough food here to survive a siege for months—though it probably lacked spice.
“Watch your head”: Some of the doorways were made for knights, not basketball players. Duck or donate your skull to archaeology.

Dead Sea

It was a pretty brief stop—though, to be honest, I initially planned on taking a swim. But after doing some research, I realized that might not be the best idea. So, after we descended into the valley a few hundred meters (with more enthusiasm than grace), we reached the salty shores of the Dead Sea. We dipped our toes, snapped a few photos, and then promptly continued our mad dash toward Kerak Castle.

Elevation	-430 meters (below sea level)
Salinity	~34% (10x saltier than oceans)
Surface Area	~605 km²
Average Water Temp	23-26°C (73-79°F)

Map Overview

As always, I’m on a mission to list the must-see attractions for my next adventure. Here’s a quick overview of the main ones, complete with descriptions—so you can craft your own itinerary based on time, weather, and… your willingness to survive on snacks and sheer determination.

Jerash	One of the best-preserved Roman cities.
Madaba	Home to a 6th-century Holy Land mosaic map.
Quseir ‘Amra, UNESCO Heritage	Famous for its 8th-century frescoes.
Mount Nebo	Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land.
The Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ	Believed to be where Jesus was baptized.
Ajloun Castle	12th-century fortress with Jordan Valley views.
Mujib River Canyon	“Jordanian Grand Canyon,” ideal for hiking.
Dead Sea	Lowest point on Earth, famous for its saltwater.
Kerak Castle	A Crusader castle built in the 12th century.