Eid Al Adha in Jordan: A Quick Getaway Full of History, Food & Fun

Day 1: From Al Ahsa to Riyadh to Amman

Our Jordan trip officially began at 3:00am when we left Al Ahsa, our city in Saudi Arabia, for a two-hour drive to Dammam airport. This time, we tried something new — long-term parking outside the airport. It was more than 50% cheaper than airport parking, and thankfully, some friends had tested it before us and gave good feedback. Gotta love those travel tips from friends!

We had connecting flights: Dammam to Riyadh, then Riyadh to Amman. While waiting for our flight at Riyadh airport, we camped out in Terminal 4’s food court. It wasn’t as packed with options, but we grabbed some food from Hardee’s and waited there. I even managed to sneak in some work on a blog post for Polkadoodles while we waited — productivity win!

This was our first time flying Saudia Airlines. Overall, it was a good experience — the food definitely exceeded typical economy expectations. We were given a choice between pizza and a muffin (which they called cake), so Ton and I got one of each to share and try both. They were surprisingly tasty! Though let’s be honest, it would’ve been better if they just gave both to each passenger. Hehe!

As we flew over the region, I couldn’t help but notice — the view from the plane when traveling around the Middle East is so different from our usual flights. Instead of endless blues and greens, it was all shades of brown — desert, sand, and stone stretching as far as the eye could see. Interestingly, the patterns of brown kept changing too — sometimes flat and wide like a canvas, other times rippled or rugged like waves frozen in time. A beautiful kind of rugged, earthy palette.

Arriving in Amman was smooth. As Iqama holders, we were eligible for Visa on Arrival, and it was quick and hassle-free — always a relief after a long travel day.

We picked up our rental car from Budget, which had great online reviews. Spoiler alert: they lived up to the hype! We even got a free upgrade. Off to a great start! (Side note: whenever I say we did the planning, that usually means my husband did it all. I’m just here for the ride… and photos.)

We booked a one-bedroom apartment via Booking.com. It was a self check-in setup — they sent us door codes ahead of time. The apartment was pretty, spacious, and came with a welcome hamper from our host (such a thoughtful touch!). Location was perfect — just a short walk to Rainbow Street, one of the popular hangout spots in Amman. If you’re from the Philippines, think Maginhawa Street in Teachers Village — full of food stops and local charm.

After settling in and freshening up, we headed to our first tourist stop: Amman Citadel. We miscalculated closing hours due to the Eid holiday, so instead of staying open until 10pm, they were closing at 6:30pm. That gave us about an hour, which actually turned out to be enough since the site wasn’t too big. The entrance fee costs JD 3 (or SAR 45 / PHP 675).

At the entrance, a guide offered to take us around. He gave some historical background, showed us Hercules’ Temple, pointed out the Roman theater from afar, and even took a couple of nice photos of us. But partway through, he mentioned his services came with a JD 30 (or SAR 150 / PHP 2250) fee — which felt a bit steep given we were only staying an hour. He was good, no doubt, but we preferred to walk at our own pace and take photos whenever we want, without having to follow a guide.

The views of Amman from the Citadel were stunning! And while it’s a beautiful historic site, if you’ve been to places like Rome, this may feel smaller in scale. The small museum was a nice touch though. Fun fact: there were a lot of couples doing prenup photoshoots — under the hot sun, in full gowns! Mad respect to them!

For dinner, we headed to Taj Mall. It was packed and quite noisy. The stores were pretty much the same as what we have back in Saudi, and being from the Philippines where our malls are massive, Taj Mall felt a bit underwhelming. 😅

Then came a fun twist to end our night — Ton’s Jordanian-Saudi colleague, who actually helped us plan our trip, messaged and invited us to dinner. We met up with him and his wife at Oud AlZein. Beautiful place, good food (even if several items on the menu weren’t available), and great company. We even made plans to catch up again when we’re back in Dammam!

All in all, a wonderful start to our Jordan adventure!

Day 2 – Petra Day! One of the New Seven Wonders of the World

Day 2 started bright and early — we hired a driver for our Petra day, so we were up at 5:00am and ready by 6:00am. Petra is around three hours from Amman, so we had plenty of time to catch up on sleep during the ride — and we definitely did! Haha. It was such a good decision to get a driver for this day. Not only did Ton get to relax and not worry about the long drive, but we also appreciated having someone bring us back after all the walking. Zero regrets about spending for comfort and convenience! 

We got to Petra around 9:00am. Entry tickets cost JD 50 (or SAR 250 / PHP 3750). Right outside the ticket booth, there are free maps in different languages — definitely worth picking up. I got Spanish because I'm currently learning Spanish in Duolingo. heheh!

Now here’s something to note: as soon as you enter, there will be men insisting that your ticket includes a horse ride, and all you need to give is a “tip.” We didn't want to be overcharged for tip after the ride so we politely declined and chose to walk. They’ll even try to show you an alternate “shortcut” to the Treasury via the map — the “Indiana Jones” path — and tell you to return via the longer route to avoid backtracking. Sounds smart, but we weren’t convinced. We stuck to the standard route and had no regrets. The walk is part of the experience.

Despite it being June (summer), it wasn’t unbearably hot. The breeze wasn’t warm, and once you reach the rock-covered areas, the sun isn’t directly overhead, so it feels cooler. Going early was definitely a good call!

A lot of what we read before the trip talked about “hiking” to the Treasury, but honestly, if your main goal is just to reach that iconic view, the walk isn’t bad at all. The real challenge is just the heat, which is still better than Saudi heat! And honestly, the scenery — even if it’s mostly in shades of brown — is breathtaking. The cliffs, the narrow passages, the carvings — it’s a cinematic experience. And the moment the Treasury reveals itself through the narrow canyon? WOW. Words and photos can’t do it justice, so I’ll just share a bunch and let them speak for themselves.

As for what to wear — I noticed most tourists wore linen pants and breezy tops. There were a lot of Muslim visitors too, dressed modestly and completely covered, yet managing just fine. I wore a long skirt and a satin long-sleeved blouse — the sleeves were mostly to protect my skin since I burn easily. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel hot at all. Don’t forget to bring water, and definitely wear a hat or scarf to shield your head from the sun!

We walked as far as the Main Theater, then made our way back. That was more than enough for us. If you plan to go further — like the Monastery or High Place of Sacrifice — prepare for more intense climbs and longer walks.

Quick Tip: Don’t buy souvenirs near the Treasury. Prices there are ridiculously inflated — about 10x more expensive than the shops outside, especially the ones near the Petra Museum by the entrance. Same goes for food — better to eat elsewhere.

Speaking of the Petra Museum, we visited it briefly after our walk. It’s free, modern, and well air-conditioned (important! 😅). It showcases a concise yet informative history of the Nabataeans and Petra — a great way to cool off while learning something.

We ate at La Plaza Pizza Restaurant in Petra, near the souvenir stores. The food was good but the price was really inflated. Probably our most expensive meal in Jordan, even though we've eaten in much fancier places.

After lunch, we called our driver and headed back to Amman. It’s funny to think we had only been in Jordan for less than 24 hours by then — and yet we had already ticked off such a big bucket list item!

 

The afternoon was for rest and recovery — we were definitely wiped out by the heat. In the evening, we explored Rainbow Street, which was just a short walk from our apartment. We ate at Mijana, a charming spot nearby. The street was glowing — literally! Colorful string lights hung across the street, giving it a festive vibe. People were out taking photos under the lights, and the atmosphere was so lively. It felt like a perfect slow-down after the big Petra day.

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Day 3 – Chill Day, Cat Cafés, Kunafa & a Private Pool Surprise

After two packed days, we decided to slow things down today. We ditched our original early-morning itinerary and let ourselves enjoy a leisurely start instead — which honestly felt just right. Instead of rushing through sightseeing before check-out, we chose a hearty breakfast and a calm morning.

There were plenty of breakfast spots near our apartment, but only one was open — Bake House. Good thing it didn’t disappoint! The food was tasty, the servings were generous, and it was a cozy little spot to begin a relaxed day.

After breakfast, we went back, packed our bags, and got ready for check-out. Next stop: The Roman Theater.

We paid JD 2 each (about SAR 10 / PHP 150) to go inside the theater and visit the small museum. Like I mentioned before — if you’ve seen the Colosseum in Rome, this might feel a bit modest in comparison. But it was still lovely to see. It’s especially cool that they still use the theater today for events and concerts. How amazing is it to perform or watch something in a space that’s been around for centuries?

The museum was okay — mostly statues and archaeological pieces. Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of statue-heavy museums, so we didn’t linger too long.

After that, we drove downtown on a mission: to find the best kunafa in the world. But before dessert destiny, we stumbled upon a quaint bookstore café near our parking spot — and it felt like fate. It had updated English novels, a whole section for Arabic titles, a peaceful vibe, and soft couches in the coffee corner. The best part? Their resident cat lounging lazily like he owned the place. A surprise little heaven for a book-and-coffee lover like me - that is, Sukuon. 

Eventually, we found the kunafa spot — Habibah Sweets - and yes, they proudly had a sign claiming to serve the best kunafa in the world. The shop itself looked simple, even unassuming. But once you step inside? Everything looked tempting! They give free taste too! We ordered a fresh, hot kunafa and ate it in the car as we drove towards Mt. Nebo.

Mt. Nebo is a place of spiritual and historical significance. According to tradition, this is where Prophet Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death. At the top, you’ll find a memorial site, a church with ancient Byzantine mosaics (like the Mosaic of Diakonikon), and a small museum. The views from the summit are incredible — you can see the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and on clear days, even Jerusalem. There’s a quiet, reflective atmosphere here — the kind that makes you pause and take a deep breath - really! Or if you're Pinoy and you've been watching movies where broken hearted people scream on top of their lungs when in high places, the place can make you want to scream. hahaha.

From Mt. Nebo, we continued our drive and passed through scenic winding roads on our way to Mövenpick Dead Sea — our next stay.

And wow, what a property! Mövenpick is massive. At check-in, the front desk staff tried to upsell us to a pool-access room — but guess what? They ended up giving it to us for free! Our second complimentary upgrade on this trip! 🥹✨ Now we had direct access to a private pool just outside our room. Total win.

 

The resort is so large that they actually hand out maps when you check in — and framed ones are posted all over like art. 

Our room was beautiful — with a charming, slightly old-world design that matched the overall vibe of the resort. 

The whole property has a vintage, traditional style, which actually sets it apart. While most nearby resorts are sleek and modern, Mövenpick leans into the historic feel of the region — and that becomes part of its charm. It’s like stepping back in time in the best way. After all, you’re in a place steeped in history — having a resort that reflects that just adds to the full experience.

You can walk, or just call for a golf cart to take you around. After settling in, we explored the grounds and the Dead Sea beach area. Photography and video use aren’t allowed in the pool or beach areas — but when we saw other people sneaking in some quick shots, we quietly did the same. Hehe!

We spent the rest of the day exactly how we dreamed: relaxing. We swam in our private pool, lounged in our room, then swam again. That kind of calm rhythm defined our two-night stay there — and I loved every second of it.

Here's the private pool right outside our room:

For dinner, we ate at XXX, an Italian restaurant at the resort. Yes, I know — Italian food in Jordan?! Haha. But to be fair, this was already my third pizza since we arrived. What can I say? I’m a boring eater, and I know what I like! Ton’s been exploring Jordanian dishes well enough for the both of us anyway, so I don’t feel too bad about it.

We ended the night with another swim and, of course, my non-negotiable: a bubble bath before bed. Because if there’s a tub, I’m using it. #BubbleBathGirly

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Day 4 – Spa Day, Sunsets & Soaking it All In

Day 4 was all about recharging and relaxing — just as we planned. No long drives, no tourist spots, no schedule to follow. Just us, the pool, the spa, and the Dead Sea.

We started the day with breakfast at Mövenpick’s grand ballroom, which they opened up to accommodate the holiday crowd for Eid Al Adha. The buffet was okay — I went for the essentials. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it did the job.

After breakfast, we headed straight to our private pool (of course!) and spent the morning soaking, swimming, and lounging. Then it was bubble bath time again for me — I’ve been making the most of that tub!

Our big highlight for the day was our spa booking at 4:00 PM. We chose the “On the Back of the Dead Sea” treatment, and it was heavenly. It started with a Dead Sea salt exfoliation, followed by a full body mud wrap, and ended with a deeply relaxing 50-minute full-body massage. Everything was perfect.

A small but thoughtful touch I really appreciated — under the massage table, instead of staring at a plain floor, there were fresh flowers arranged just for that view. A big little thing that made a difference.

One of the perks of booking a spa treatment is that you get full access to their spa amenities: an infinity pool, hydrotherapy pool, Dead Sea pool, sunset pool, a cozy lounge, locker rooms, sauna, and even a spa bar. The entire spa area felt peaceful and calm — far quieter than the main resort pools which were busy with holiday guests. Not that we minded — we barely left our own private pool anyway. 

Before our treatment, we enjoyed a dip in the infinity pool and hydrotherapy pool, then relaxed in the spa lounge with some complimentary coolers. 

After the treatment, we tried the Dead Sea pool — a unique experience in itself — then waited at the sunset pool to catch the golden hour. The view was breathtaking. Watching the sun melt into the horizon over the Dead Sea is a moment that stays with you.

Here is a timelapse of the beautiful sunset:

We ended the night with dinner at The Grill, then went back to our room for a night swim — the perfect way to wind down and close out a day of pure indulgence.

 

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Day 5 – One Last Breakfast & Heading Home

On our last morning at Mövenpick, we had the buffet breakfast once again — this time back at their regular restaurant. The Eid holiday crowd had thinned out, so it was a lot quieter, though the food spread remained the same. We enjoyed our meal at a more relaxed pace.

We didn’t go for a swim anymore — we didn’t want to travel with wet swimsuits, after all. Instead, we took it slow, had a nice warm shower, packed up, and checked out early so we’d have enough time to return the rental car and drive to the airport.

Thankfully, everything went smoothly — returning the car was quick and easy, and we arrived at Queen Alia International Airport with time to spare. We decided to use up our remaining JD 20 and ended up, quite happily, at McDonald’s. They had a Strawberry Custard Pie, which I was excited to try. Sadly, it was just okay — but maybe that’s because I saved it for later and only got to eat it when we arrived in Jeddah, so it wasn’t fresh anymore. What I did love, though, was putting my apple pie in my caramel sundae — a combo I saw online and have been wanting to try - it's just that we do not have apple pie in McDonald's in Saudi.

Our flight route this time was Amman to Jeddah, then a longer layover before heading to Dammam. We passed the time in the food court over coffee, chatting, people watching, and quietly soaking in the end of our quick adventure. The airport was packed with people coming from Hajj, and our flight was completely full. It was also our first time landing in Dammam from a domestic flight, which felt a bit strange but was convenient for our drive back.

After collecting our car from long-term parking (paid easily via bank transfer!), we made one last stop — dinner at Yasumi Ramen Shop — then drove the final stretch back to Al Ahsa.

And finally, as if our hearts weren’t already full from all the new sights, flavors, and memories, we came home to the sweetest welcome of all — our cat. Well… “sweetest” might be a bit of a stretch. We had been home for 10 minutes when he casually walked out of the second bedroom — where he and his sitter had been napping — looked at us like we were the ones disturbing his peace, and then made his way to our room like nothing happened.  I think he was extra clingy in the days that followed… or so I think.

Oh — and one last thing about this trip? If you scroll through all our food photos, you’d never guess that the most expensive meal we had was the one that looked the most basic — our lunch inside Petra! Just a friendly reminder: don’t give in to the tiredness and hunger. Wait a little longer and grab food outside the tourist spot.

Ton’s take? “At least we got to eat at one of the wonders of the world.” Touché.