Ridön, one of the largest islands in the archipelago, is a tranquil haven where you won't find cars or asphalt. Instead, it boasts dirt roads and charming little red cottages. This idyllic island promises incredible countryside vistas and thrilling adventures. Explore its beauty via a tractor-drawn cart, savour coffee at a cosy café, or delve into local history at the museum. And for those wanting to linger, there are options to stay at the youth hostel or rent a cabin.

The Cave of the Seven Sleepers in ar-Rajib village ties Islamic tradition to physical geography. According to the Quran, devout youths fleeing Roman persecution around AD 250 took refuge here, awakening 309 lunar years later in a testament to divine protection. The site, rediscovered in 1951, now includes a mosque built above the cavern, where an imam often explains the story’s theological importance. Visitors enter through the mosque (head cover required for women) to see the rock-hewn cave and adjacent Byzantine-era tombs. Unlike ornate shrines, the site’s power lies in its simplicity: the low-ceilinged grotto and quiet courtyard encourage reflection. While Jordan isn’t the only country claiming this legend (others exist in Turkey and Syria), the presence of 3rd-century Christian graves lends archaeological weight.

As opposed to the omnipresent in Jordan remains of Roman and Umayyad structures, Qasr al-Abd is a rare example of architecture pre-dating the Roman era. Its exact origins remain unknown, which only adds to the fascination. Qasr al-Abd is usually described as a large Hellenistic palace from the first quarter of the second century BCE. Not too far from here are the ancient caves dating back to roughly the same time period.