The Eastern Desert
Stretching east of Amman, these parched desert plains comprises around 75% of Jordan and are part of what is known as the North Arab Desert.
Today in this area it is possible to see many relics of the early and medieval Islamic periods in Jordan. Dotted throughout the steppe-like terrain are numerous historic ruins, including castles, forts, towers, baths, caravan inns and fortified palaces. Known collectively as the desert castles or desert palaces, they were originally part of a chain stretching from north of Damascus down to Khirbet al-Mafjar, near Ariha (or Jericho).
Most of the desert castles can be visited over the course of a day in a loop from Amman via Azraq.