Title: Visit Zarqa Governorate: Best of Zarqa Governorate Travel 2026 | Expedia Tourism - Expedia.co.uk [Zarqa Governorate Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-Zarqa-Governorate.d553248623282192253.Hotel-Destinations)[Holiday Rentals in Zarqa Governorate](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-Zarqa-Governorate.d553248623282192253.Holiday-Rental-Destinations)[Zarqa Governorate Flights](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-Zarqa-Governorate.d553248623282192253.Flight-Destinations)[Things to do in Zarqa Governorate](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Zarqa-Governorate.d553248623282192253.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Zarqa Governorate Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Destinations-In-Zarqa-Governorate.d553248623282192253.Car-Hire-Destinations)[Zarqa Governorate Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Zarqa-Governorate.d553248623282192253.Holidays-City-Breaks) # Zarqa Governorate Travel Guide ## Jordan ![Quseir Amra showing heritage elements and desert views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6101922/5bf7c642-bcd9-4d22-8c92-9655561a0c0c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Quseir Amra showing heritage elements and desert views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6101922/5bf7c642-bcd9-4d22-8c92-9655561a0c0c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Qasr al-Azraq which includes interior views and heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532391495/66926686-6876-493f-8b3c-520788572626.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Quseir Amra featuring desert views and heritage elements as well as a couple](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6101922/78eb3c02-956d-47eb-8b97-e97e06492984.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Qasr al-Azraq which includes interior views, heritage elements and building ruins](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532391495/12f1d072-fa4c-4fa0-8af2-328f98752511.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### Visit a collection of centuries-old castles and palaces that lay scattered across the barren desert plains of northern-central Jordan. The Zarqa Governorate is a region that stretches east from Amman and across arid landscapes to the border of Saudi Arabia. It’s famous for the Desert Castles, a series of bathhouses, caravan stations, forts and hunting lodges that showcase early Islamic art and architecture. They helped the Umayyad dynasty forge relationships and establish trade deals with local bedouins. Visit the ancient monuments of the Zarqa Governorate in addition to wetlands and a nature reserve. Many of the region’s attractions are within comfortable driving distance of Jordan’s capital, Amman. Qasr al-Hallabat started life as a Roman fort and was later turned into a military citadel by the Umayyad. Nearby is a ruined bathing complex called Qasr Hammam Al Sarah. Marvel at the frescoes that decorate the walls of the UNESCO-protected Quseir Amra and the stone friezes and domed ceilings of Qasr Kharana. In the oasis town of Azraq, the black basalt Qasr al-Azraq was occupied by the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Glimpse inside the room in which British military officer T.E. Lawrence stayed during the Arab Revolt. Follow a raised boardwalk trail around the gardens, lagoons and marshland of Azraq Wetlands Reserve. It’s a popular destination for spotting hundreds of migratory birds from Africa and Europe in addition to water buffalo. Be sure to include a visit to the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, located just a 15-minute drive from Azraq. This 8.5-square-mile (22-square-kilometer) reserve works to protect and reintroduce endangered animal species. See free-roaming ostriches, oryx antelopes and onagers (Asian wild ass) and gazelles in a fenced enclosure. The animals appear frequently in the Byzantine-era mosaics found at the Desert Castles. Public buses depart for the towns and villages of Zarqa Governorate from its capital, Zarqa. Renting a car is a convenient way to travel between the attractions. Guided day tours of the castles leave from Amman. ### Popular cities in Zarqa Governorate [Azraq Known for Nature, Natural parks and Historical ](https://expedia.co.uk/Azraq.dx553248623282192279) Water wondrously rises from the wetland oasis near an immense fortress and an air base in this gateway to the Eastern Desert. ## Reasons to visit - Qasr al-Azraq [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Azraq.dx553248623282192279)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Azraq-Hotels.d553248623282192279.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Qasr al-Hallabat al-Sharqi Known for Historical ](https://expedia.co.uk/Qasr-Al-Hallabat-Al-Sharqi.dx553248623347916403) Get away to Qasr al-Hallabat al-Sharqi! Enjoy the history and more. [Explore city](https://expedia.co.uk/Qasr-Al-Hallabat-Al-Sharqi.dx553248623347916403)[Find hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Qasr-Al-Hallabat-Al-Sharqi-Hotels.d553248623347916403.Travel-Guide-Hotels) ## Cities in Zarqa Governorate ![Quseir Amra showing heritage elements and desert views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6101922/5bf7c642-bcd9-4d22-8c92-9655561a0c0c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Azraq Water wondrously rises from the wetland oasis near an immense fortress and an air base in this gateway to the Eastern Desert. ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels when you book in the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app