Jordan celebrates Labor Day on May 1st, a day dedicated to honoring the significant efforts and contributions of workers across all fields.
As Labor Day is a national holiday that occurs in May each year, many Jordanians take the opportunity to plan weekend getaways or short trips around the kingdom to enjoy the lovely spring weather.
While visitors may not be traveling just for a weekend, these spots offer a unique chance to experience Jordan the way locals do, relaxing, reconnecting with nature, and making the most of the country’s rich landscapes and historic sites.
Here are some of our favorite getaway spots in Jordan during the spring time.
1. Wadi Mujib
Admired for its spectacular waterfalls and piercing mountains, Jordan’s Wadi Mujib is a mountainous sandstone gorge combined with the lowest-altitude nature reserve in the world. The reserve is home to more than 300 species of plants, 10 species of carnivores, and numerous species of birds. Wadi Mujib is also one of the most favored hiking sites in Jordan, offering incredible trekking experiences. It is a 40-minute drive from the capital city of Amman and is the perfect outdoor adventure.
2. The Dead Sea
Those looking to unwind, relax, and enjoy the sunny weather can head to one of the many five-star luxury hotels at the Dead Sea. Whether it’s a full day of pampering or an overnight stay, hotels such as the Dead Sea Marriott Resort and Spa, the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, and the Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa, offer modern amenities, international dining options, luxurious spas, and private access to the stunning mineral-rich sea.
3. Ajloun Forest Reserve
Located north of Jordan, the Ajloun Forest Reserve is home to beautiful landscapes, vast areas of wilderness, and lush rolling hills. Visitors can choose to stay overnight at one of the intimate lodges, enjoy a day of cycling in the fresh outdoors, or embark on a hike to explore the 13 square kilometers of protected land.
4. Madaba
Commonly referred to as the “city of mosaics,” the town of Madaba, a short drive from Amman, is best known for its incredible Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics that date back thousands of years ago. Specifically, it hosts the magnificent and oldest surviving mosaic map of the Holy Land that was discovered in 1884, which is located in Madaba’s Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. A day in Madaba will be filled with history and artistic experiences.
5. As-Salt
Listed on the World Heritage List as “the city of tolerance and civilized hospitality” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as-Salt, Jordan is certainly a place to visit. As-Salt was a vital trading center between the eastern desert and the west during the late Ottoman period and according to UNESCO, the city’s urban center includes about 650 important historic buildings that reflect a combination of European Art Nouveau and Neo-Colonial styles. For a getaway to a unique city packed with culture and history, Salt is the place to explore.
