Would you like to explore the superb archaeological site at Jerash? Here is some information about it.

Jerash's archaeological wonders

As a change from Petra and the desert, we'll take you on a walk around the small town of Gadara.

Walking around Gadara

This article will lead you to discover the capital Amman and its riches.

Discovering the capital Amman

With this article you'll discover the Dead Sea... before going there to float!

The mythical Dead Sea

Middle East

Jordan

Wadi Rum

Petra, THE destination that all travelers either remember or plan to visit!

Petra

A little more than 50 km from Amman, you have to go north to get to Jerash. It's one of the most attractive tourist sites in Jordan, after the incomparable Petra and Wadi Rum.

Jerash

The archaeological site of Umm Qais is located approximately thirty kilometres from Irbid. Called Gadara in antiquity, the city belonged to the Greco-Roman  Decapolis, a group of ten developed trading cities on both sides of the Jordan River.

Umm Qais

Built by Baldwin I, King of Jerusalem in the 12th century, the Shobak castle is located 60 km south of Tafila, on the Route of the King. Or rather its ruins, quite dilapidated, but are free to visit.

Shobak

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The Shobak castle is located at the top of a hill which dominates the whole of Wadi Araba (Araba Valley). The views during walks in this hilly region and of the landscapes are amazing. The ruins are less spectacular than the Karak or Ajloun castles, because it is difficult to recognise the places with heaps of old rocks everywhere, but it is really worth seeing for its historical interest. 
This castle was built by the Knights of the Cross who wanted to control the trading routes between Egypt and Syria. They fought against the Muslims for almost 70 years until Saladin himself took it over after a year and a half of siege. With a similar history, you can imagine an enormous, amazing fortress.
Local guides are really useful by providing explanations about the remains of churches, chapels and even torture chambers! The secret of the Knights of the Cross was a very deep well (approximately 70m) which allowed the Shobak castle to have very long sieges. Bring a pocket torch to explore the dark corners.

Built by Baldwin I, King of Jerusalem in the 12th century, the Shobak castle is located 60 km south of Tafila, on the Route of the King. Or rather its ruins, quite dilapidated, but are free to visit.

Local travel agencies in Jordan that specialize in family vacations with kids

Family tour ideas in Jordan

For families looking to immerse themselves in another culture and embark on an unforgettable adventure, <a href="https://www.evaneos.net/jordan/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/jordan/"></a><a data-destination-id="47" data-internal-link="destination">Jordan</a> is the answer. This stunning country is not known as the land of ancient wonders for nothing and you and your kids will be able to explore its many exciting sites on <a href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/family-vacations/">a family vacation</a> that will take you through stunning scenery, bustling cities, warm waters and even through history. <h3>Best things to see and do in Jordan with kids</h3><h4>What to see as a family</h4>Any family traveling to Jordan should not miss a visit to the lost city of <a data-place-id="813" data-internal-link="place">Petra</a>. One of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO world heritage site, the remains of this city are fascinating and families can take a tour on foot or by vehicle, or even on camel-back. Head just outside of Petra to find Little Petra, the perfect accompaniment to its larger counterpart, which is not to be missed. If you choose to visit on foot you’ll be able to stroll through the rocks, seeing ancient temples and buildings rising up on either side of you. If you enjoy these ancient ruins, you should also stop off at <a data-place-id="805" data-internal-link="place">Amman</a>, which is home to a Roman theater as well as museums of archaeology and ancient history. <a data-place-id="808" data-internal-link="place">Jerash</a> is another great site for families to visit and here you can see Greco-Roman ruins of all descriptions as well as the famous Temple of Artemis, which is remarkably well-preserved. The final stop on your historical tour should certainly be Al-Khazneh, where ruins, temples, tombs and crusader castles can be seen wherever you turn and the whole family is bound to be fascinated by the stories and mythology that accompanies a tour to this interesting place. For those who are interested, there are also several biblical sites to visit here, and you’ll be able to find out the significance of each of these world-famous places for many religious groups all over the globe. <h4>What to do as a family</h4>No family trip to Jordan would be complete without a visit to the bizarre and lunar landscape of <a data-place-id="6197" data-internal-link="place">Wadi Rum</a> where a whole host of activities await you and your children. Go hiking among the striking dunes or, if that isn’t your idea of fun, why not take a camel ride? You can even go quad biking into the desert to find the perfect spot for a sand boarding expedition. Stay the night in a desert camp in special tents after enjoying a delicious traditional Jordanian meal cooked on a campfire by your guides. After your stay in a Bedouin camp, visit Zanqa; another favorite destination for family activities. Here you can enjoy the natural hot springs, go canyoning or set off on a hiking trip to get the best views in the middle-east. Dana is yet another top choice for hiking and is home to nature reserves that you can explore to your heart’s content. After all that action-packed adventure, head to <a data-place-id="1172" data-internal-link="place">Aqaba</a>, where you can find numerous family resorts as well as some of the best diving spots in Jordan. Parents can treat themselves to a spa day while kids enjoy a water park or one of the other activities on offer especially for children. You can also go on a snorkeling trip or organize a glass-bottomed boat to see the underwater paradise that is The Red Sea. If you want to kick the relaxation up a notch, make your last stop The Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, where you can float on the salty water and feel as though you’re on another planet. Quite apart from its therapeutic properties, this is also a unique and beautiful area that is not to be missed by anyone traveling to Jordan.<h3>Best time to travel to Jordan&nbsp;as a family</h3>When you choose to <a href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.net/where-to-go/" style="font-weight: bold;" data-mce-style="font-weight: bold;">plan your trip</a> to Jordan will depend on what you wish to do during your stay and will depend mainly on temperature. Since Jordan is made up of 90% desert, temperatures are unsurprisingly scorching during summer months. However, what many people fail to prepare for is the fact that night-times here can be very cold with an extreme drop in temperature once the sun goes in. The North west of the country receives the most rainfall so if you plan on visiting here outside of the summer months, pack some waterproof clothing. The Dead Sea and its surrounding areas are the hottest places to visit during the summer, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius&nbsp;and above. All in all, the best time to visit is generally between March and June and then during September and October where temperatures are bearable and won’t put a stop to any activities you have planned. If you do visit between June and August, try to plan day trips earlier in the day, leaving you free during the hot afternoons to siesta or relax.<h3>Family vacation tips for traveling to Jordan</h3>With a little research and knowledge you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your time in Jordan, here a few tips and tricks to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your family vacation.<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">As with any popular tourist destination, you and your family may encounter pickpockets when visiting some of the more crowded sites, particularly in markets. These are easy to tackle by simply making sure that any valuables are kept safe and sound back at your hotel and that you don’t carry large amounts of cash. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Try to learn a few key phrases in the local language. This will be helpful in any situation and even if you never need it to communicate, it can be fun and educational for children to learn about the local language and culture. If nothing else, everyone likes to be greeted and thanked in their native language. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">The culture here can be different and so it is important to be respectful. For most visitors this will apply particularly if you plan on visiting any religious sites. Dress and behave appropriately, wearing long pants and a shawl for women if you a touring around religious areas and temples.</li></ul>

Start planning your family vacation to Jordan

The best {nb_iti} Jordan tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Plan and book tailor-made vacations at local prices.

Shobak Vacations

Shobak: What to see in the surroundings?

Jordan: our articles for your vacation