Day-trips from Amman

Distances in Jordan are small. It’s easy to base yourself in Amman and make a series of day-trips out to nearby attractions. The main draw is floating your day away at the Dead Sea; you could combine this with a visit to the nearby Baptism Site of Jesus. Alternatively, the amiable old town of Madaba is within easy reach – and, with your own transport, you could construct a gentle, circular day-trip from Amman to Madaba, then the Mount Nebo mosaics, then the Dead Sea (with or without the Baptism Site), and back to Amman. If you start early, and maintain a reasonable pace, this circuit is also possible by bus.

A pleasant day-trip into the hilly countryside west of Amman could take in the Hellenistic palace of Qasr Al Abd and the adjacent caves and crafts workshops of Iraq Al Amir, the beautiful old Ottoman capital of Salt and a meal or a stroll in the lanes of old Fuheis.

North of Amman, the Roman ruins at Jerash make for a great half-day excursion, set in some lovely rolling countryside. Combine Jerash with a visit to Ajloun castle – or make a day of it with a walk on Ajloun’s Al Ayoun Trail.

East of Amman, a circuit of roads takes in the fascinating “Desert Castles” – this is easy to do by taxi or private car, but impossible on public transport.