Jordan offers more than Petra and Wadi Rum. For Turkish travelers looking to go beyond the usual sights, the country is full of lesser-known places worth visiting. You’ll find quiet villages, ancient ruins, and natural landscapes that most tourists never see.
Renting a car in Jordan is the best way to reach these destinations. It allows you to travel on your schedule, stop when something catches your eye, and avoid the limits of public transport.
Plus, many hidden spots, such as mountain passes, desert trails, and small towns, aren’t on bus routes. If you want your trip to feel more like a story than a checklist, this is how to do it.
Exploring Jordan's lesser-known destinations is easier with a rental car. Here's why:
Most public buses in Jordan run between major cities like Amman, Aqaba, and Irbid. However, public transport won't take you there directly if you want to visit places like Wadi Bin Hammad, Ras Al-Naqab, or Azraq Wetland Reserve.
These areas often require a private taxi or multiple transfers, if any service runs at all. With a rental car, you can go straight to these spots without wasting time or getting stuck.
Buses and shared taxis in Jordan run on fixed schedules and may leave early or fill up fast. If you're doing a day trip to Dana Village or driving to Umm Qais, you don’t want to worry about catching a ride back.
Having your own car means you can stop for photos, take scenic detours, or even change your route at the last minute. This is ideal for travelers who want to stay longer in places they enjoy.
Some of Jordan’s most unique places aren’t listed in every guidebook. For instance, Shobak Castle, which is less crowded than Karak, or Little Petra, where you can explore ancient ruins in peace.
Public transport usually skips these places or makes it too complicated to get there. With your vehicle, you can add them to your Jordan itinerary and see a side of the country most tourists miss.
For Turkish tourists seeking unique experiences, consider adding these spots to your Jordan itinerary:
Alternative to Amman Citadel
Iraq Al-Amir is a quiet village west of Amman, known for its ancient caves and the remains of Qasr al-Abd, a Hellenistic-era palace.
Iraq Al-Amir provides a more peaceful setting to explore Jordan’s rich past, unlike the often-crowded Amman Citadel. The limestone palace ruins sit among olive groves and fields, a unique backdrop not found in the city.
One of the highlights is the cave dwellings carved into the hillsides, believed to date back to the Iron Age. These caves were once homes and are still accessible to visitors today. Walking through them offers a direct glimpse into how early communities lived in the region.
You’ll also notice Greek inscriptions near the palace ruins, showing how different cultures once blended in this area.
How to Reach Iraq Al-Amir by Car
Start from central Amman and head west toward Wadi Al-Seer. The drive covers about 27 kilometers and takes 30 to 40 minutes. Follow the signs to Wadi Al-Seer and continue past the town until you see directions for Iraq Al-Amir.
Alternative to Karak Castle
Shobak Castle sits on a rugged hill in southern Jordan, offering a quieter alternative to the more visited Karak Castle. Built in the early 12th century by the Crusaders, this fortress was once known as Le Krak de Montreal.
Its remote location gives it a dramatic, untouched feel, surrounded by sweeping desert views and deep valleys. Unlike Karak, Shobak often has fewer tourists, giving you more space to explore its towers, tunnels, and crumbling stone walls.
Inside the ruins, you’ll find Arabic and Crusader inscriptions, a small chapel, and a secret passageway leading to a nearby spring. Shobak Castle also offers panoramic views over the harsh landscape, making it a favorite for photographers and history fans.
How to Reach Shobak Castle by Car
From Amman, take the Desert Highway (Highway 15) south toward Ma'an. The distance is around 200 kilometers, and the drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Exit near Ma’an and follow signs west toward Shobak. The road climbs through rural villages and winding hills before reaching the castle.
Alternative to Wadi Mujib
Wadi Bin Hammad is a lush canyon hidden in Jordan’s Karak region. It offers a quieter and calmer alternative to the more popular Wadi Mujib.
This stunning wadi features flowing water, palm-lined walls, and hanging gardens, creating a green oasis in the middle of rocky terrain. The trail is shorter and easier than Wadi Mujib’s Siq Trail.
You’ll walk through shallow streams, pass small waterfalls, and see rare plants clinging to the canyon walls. Because it stays shaded and wet most of the year, it’s one of the few places in Jordan where you can enjoy a tropical-like environment.
How to Reach Wadi Bin Hammad by Car
Start from Karak and drive southeast toward the village of Rabba. The drive is about 23 kilometers and takes 40 minutes. From Rabba, follow local signs directing you to the wadi entrance.
Alternative to the Dana Biosphere Reserve
Azraq Wetland Reserve is a peaceful oasis in Jordan’s eastern desert, which is a quieter alternative to the Dana Biosphere Reserve.
This reserve is managed and is a haven for migratory birds traveling between Africa, Asia, and Europe. You can explore wooden boardwalks that wind through reed beds, pools, and marshes, with close-up views of diverse bird species and aquatic life. The reserve's unique ecosystem stands out amid the surrounding arid landscape.
The reserve has faced challenges due to water overuse, but restoration efforts have revived parts of the wetland.
How to Reach Azraq Wetland Reserve by Car
From Amman, take Highway 40 east toward Azraq. The drive covers about 100 kilometers and takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Along the way, you can stop at desert castles like Qasr Al-Kharana and Qasr Amra. Upon reaching Azraq town, follow the signs to the reserve in the southern part of the town.
Alternative to Jerash
Umm Qais, located in northern Jordan, offers a quieter alternative to the bustling ruins of Jerash.
Once known as Gadara, this ancient city was part of the Decapolis and is perched on a hilltop. From here, you can access sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk River gorge.
The site features well-preserved Roman ruins, including a theater, colonnaded streets, and a basilica constructed from distinctive black basalt stone.
The archaeological remains at Umm Qais include a Roman theater with seating that retained backrests, a rare feature among ancient theaters.
You can also explore the remnants of a basilica and a colonnaded main street, where chariot wheel ruts are still visible in the stone pavement.
The site's elevated position offers historical insights and panoramic vistas across three countries.
How to Reach Umm Qais by Car
From Amman, drive north on Highway 35 towards Irbid. Once in Irbid, follow the signs to Umm Qais. The journey covers approximately 120 kilometers and takes about 2 hours.
Alternative to Madaba
Al-Salt is a historic town west of Amman, offering a quieter alternative to Madaba's mosaic-filled streets. Built across three hills, Al-Salt is known for its yellow sandstone buildings that blend Ottoman, European, and local stles.
In 2021, UNESCO recognized the city as "The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality" due to its rich cultural heritage and history of religious coexistence.
Visitors can explore landmarks like the Abu Jaber House, which now serves as the Historical Old Salt Museum. The Al-Salt Archaeological Museum offers insights into the region's history, displaying artifacts from various periods.
Strolling through Al-Hammam Street, the city's main market, provides a glimpse into local life, with shops selling traditional crafts and goods.
How to Reach Al-Salt by Car
From central Amman, drive northwest on Highway 35 towards Al-Salt. The journey covers approximately 35 kilometers and takes about 45 minutes.
Alternative to Wadi Musa
Dana Village is a peaceful hilltop settlement overlooking the Dana Biosphere Reserve in south-central Jordan.
The village features narrow lanes and traditional architecture. Local guesthouses, such as Wild Dana Eco Lodge and Dana Luxury Huts, provide accommodations that blend with the natural surroundings.
Unlike the bustling town of Wadi Musa, Dana offers a quiet atmosphere with stone houses and scenic views. The village is a gateway to the reserve, known for its diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Dana’s unique location connects four different biogeographical zones. The reserve supports rare plants, migratory birds, and endangered species like the Nubian ibex.
Some of the hiking trails in Dana include the popular Wadi Dana Trail. It leads to the Feynan Ecolodge and passes through scenic valleys.
How to Reach Dana Village by Car
From Amman, drive south on the Desert Highway (Highway 15) toward Tafilah. After approximately 190 kilometers, take the exit toward Qadisiyah, then follow signs to Dana Village. The journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Alternative to Wadi Rum
Ras Al-Naqab is a striking mountain pass in southern Jordan, with sharp cliffs, winding roads, and wide desert views. It stands at a high point between Petra and Aqaba, offering a natural balcony over the Wadi Araba valley.
The steep drop and layers of rock formations make it one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Unlike Wadi Rum’s wide desert floor, Ras Al-Naqab gives you a bird’s-eye view of the desert from above. The air feels cooler due to the elevation, and the stillness makes it a peaceful stop on your drive. You won’t find camps or tours here.
How to Reach Ras Al-Naqab by Car
The journey from Amman takes approximately 4 hours and covers about 320 kilometers. Take the Desert Highway (Highway 15) south toward Ma’an, then continue past Petra (Wadi Musa). After passing the village of Al-Shoubak, follow the signs toward Aqaba. Ras Al-Naqab is along this route, just before the long descent into the Wadi Araba Valley.
Alternative to Petra
Al-Lahun sits right on the northern edge of Wadi al-Mujib’s cliffs. Its most prominent feature is the Pyramid of Senusret II, built during Egypt’s Middle Kingdom period. It’s one of the few Egyptian pyramids outside modern-day Egypt.
This site includes ruins from different eras. You’ll find a Bronze Age farming village, ancient mills and presses, a Nabataean temple, Roman fortifications, and a hilltop fortress. Though smaller than Petra, Al-Lahun has rock-carved tombs that resemble Petra’s, carved deep into sandstone cliffs.
You can walk freely through the ruins, explore tomb interiors, and enjoy the quiet, remote setting.
How to Reach Al-Lahun by Car
From Amman, take the Desert Highway (Highway 15) south to the town of Qatraneh, then head west toward Karak. Al-Lahun is about 18 kilometers northeast of Karak. Driving from Amman takes around 2 hours and covers 120 kilometers.
A well-planned Jordan road trip for Turkish travelers reveals places that are quieter, more untouched, and closer to nature.
For Turkish tourists planning a Jordan road trip, renting a car with Finalrentals is a wise choice. We offer various vehicles from economy to luxury for your travel needs.
You can pick up your rental car from several locations in Amman, including Queen Alia International Airport, Jabal Downtown, Park Plaza, and Abdali Boulevard.
