Irbid

Irbid is the second largest city in Jordan. A brief walk through the famous Dar As-Saraya museum reveals Irbid’s ancient origins. The museum, housed in a traditional 19th century Ottoman-style building, features several exhibits on pottery, sculptures, mosaics, and jewellery dating back to 3200 BC. Take a few minutes to sit and enjoy the museum’s beautiful courtyard on your way out, which features several ancient sarcophagi.

Step into any bakery this time of year and feast your eyes upon Irbid’s traditional Eid bread, baked with anise and black sesame breads in celebration of Ramadan. If you crave more variety, check out Irbid’s upscale Jawharat Al-Sharq, which offers a smorgasbord of confectionery sweets. Jordan’s national cheese dessert with orange semolina crust, also known as kunafeh, is not to be missed.

A northern town perched on top of a hill Um Qais, is home to the ancient Gadara ruins. Located right at the axis of Jordan’s borders with Palestine, Israel and Syria, you can enjoy the site’s stunning panoramic views of the Sea of Gallilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk River. The site was once a bastion of Greek cultural life. If you care for another day or two of exploring Irbid’s ancient sites, you can also check out Pella and Beit Ras (Capitolias).