Discover Wadi Rum

In the wider Wadi Rum area, striking red rock walls meet traces of human history and experiences beneath the starry sky. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a trip to Wadi Rum, you can first decide which focus should shape your stay: landscapes, cultural history or activities in the surrounding area. This way, choosing a location starts with your own travel interests.

Rocky landscapes and traces of human history

The desert landscape of the Wadi Rum Protected Area includes narrow canyons, natural arches, towering cliffs, ramps, massive landslides and caves. The protected area is also home to widespread petroglyphs, inscriptions and archaeological remains. They bear witness to 12,000 years of human settlement and the interaction between people and the natural environment. The landforms and evidence of human life thus offer two perspectives on nature and its long relationship with people.

Climbing, camel riding and starry skies

In the wider Wadi Rum area, the striking red rock walls invite visitors to climb. Camel riding is another experience, reflecting a timeless desert tradition. RumSky gives visitors the chance to experience the starry nights of Wadi Rum. Its guided programme brings them closer to the universe and explores stars, planets and nebulae. If you are planning a trip with several other travellers, you can weigh up these different options: rock walls, desert tradition or a guided exploration of the cosmos.

The Jordan Trail as a point of reference

The Jordan Trail section from Petra to Wadi Rum ends in the village of Wadi Rum. If you are planning this stage, check the current trail arrangements before your trip. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can also bear in mind that this section of the trail has a specific endpoint in the village, while climbing, camel riding and RumSky are located in the wider Wadi Rum area. This distinction in location can help you match your choice of accommodation to the experiences you have planned.

Cultural history in the wider destination of Aqaba

In the wider destination of Aqaba, the walled Islamic town of Ayla offers a distinct cultural and historical perspective. Its approximately rectangular layout measured about 170 × 140 metres, covering roughly 24,650 square metres. Its history dates back to the early Islamic period and spans the eras of the Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid and Fatimid caliphates. In the wider destination of Aqaba, Wadi Rum is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The House of Sharif Hussein bin Ali in Aqaba also represents a distinct historical period. Built in 1917, it was the first residential house built by the residents of Aqaba and features traditional Hejazi architecture. It is one of Jordan’s significant cultural heritage sites and is of historical and political importance. The house is next to Aqaba Castle, whose origins date back to the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Qanswah el-Ghawri (1501–1517).

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ma'an, Jarash, Madaba, Aqaba, Aţ Ţayyibah, Ajloun, Irbid.

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