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Balqa Highlands
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Explore Jordan’s Balqa Highlands for historic As-Salt, olive-covered hills, village culture, limestone architecture and views towards the Jordan Valley.

The Balqa Highlands form a green, elevated belt west and north-west of Amman, where limestone ridges descend towards the Jordan Valley. The landscape is markedly different from the arid image often associated with Jordan: winter rains support olive groves, orchards and seasonal grasses, while deep wadis cut through the plateau before falling towards the valley. The historic city of As-Salt is the principal destination and the clearest expression of the region’s architectural and cultural character.
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As-Salt spreads across steep hillsides linked by stairways, narrow lanes and old commercial streets. Its substantial Ottoman-era houses, built from the local golden limestone, reflect a period when merchants from different religious and ethnic communities traded in the town and connected the highlands with Palestine, Syria and the Jordan Valley. The city’s historic centre is best explored slowly, on foot, with time for its old houses, mosques, churches, small museums and viewpoints over the surrounding hills. The As-Salt Old Town Museum and the Abu Jaber Museum are useful introductions to local history and domestic architecture.
Beyond Salt, the uplands include rural communities such as Fuheis and Mahis, whose surroundings combine olive cultivation, small farms, woodland patches and broad views towards the Jordan Valley. Fuheis has a visible Christian heritage, while villages and agricultural areas around the highland roads retain a quieter rhythm than Jordan’s principal urban centres. Wadi Shu'aib provides one of the region’s most recognisable natural corridors, although conditions and access vary by season and route. Visitors should check local advice before attempting longer walks in wadis.
Food is closely connected to the landscape. Olive oil, olives, seasonal fruit, yoghurt, flatbreads and home-style dishes are central to the region’s rural table, while restaurants and cafés in Salt and the surrounding towns offer Jordanian specialities in both traditional and contemporary settings. The highlands are also a rewarding base for short drives, village visits, heritage walks and viewpoints over western Jordan. Spring is particularly attractive when the hills are green, but the terrain is exposed in summer and can become slippery after winter rain.

When is the best time to visit Balqa Highlands?

Best: May, September–October · 24–29°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1150
February1340
March1635
April2020
May (best)2510
June301
July320
August320
September (best)292
October (best)2410
November1820
December1340

Getting to and around Balqa Highlands

How to get there

The Balqa Highlands are reached most easily by road from Amman, with As-Salt roughly west of the capital and connected by major highways and local roads. Queen Alia International Airport, south of Amman and outside the region, is Jordan’s principal international gateway; onward travel normally requires a taxi, private transfer or hired car. Amman’s urban transport hubs can provide connections towards Salt and nearby towns, but routes and departure arrangements may change. Visitors arriving through Amman should confirm the final local connection before setting out for smaller communities.

Transportation

As-Salt and the larger towns have taxis and local public transport, but rural routes, hill villages and wadi access are less straightforward. A hired car is practical for combining Salt with Fuheis, Mahis, agricultural areas and viewpoints, although drivers should expect steep roads, bends, variable signage and busy urban traffic near Amman. Walking is the best way to understand Salt’s historic centre, but its stairways and slopes require reasonable mobility. For rural walks or Wadi Shu'aib, use a known route and arrange transport back in advance rather than assuming a regular return service.

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Best attractions in Balqa Highlands

The Balqa Highlands are best experienced through a combination of heritage, landscape and everyday rural life. As-Salt’s historic centre provides the region’s main cultural attraction, with steep lanes, Ottoman-era houses, small museums, churches, mosques and former commercial streets revealing how the town functioned as a regional market. Guided walks can add context to buildings that may otherwise appear simply residential. Outside Salt, the uplands offer drives through olive-growing country, village viewpoints and agricultural scenery that changes noticeably between spring’s green hills and summer’s dry gold. Fuheis and Mahis provide opportunities to see settled highland communities and their contrasting religious and social histories. Wadi Shu'aib is a significant natural corridor for those interested in rural walking and the relationship between plateau and valley, although routes should be assessed locally and weather watched carefully. The wider area also supports visits centred on local food, seasonal produce, family-run cafés and photographic landscapes rather than large commercial attractions. Travellers should allow time for unplanned pauses: a roadside view, an old stone building or a conversation about olive cultivation can be as revealing as a formal museum visit.

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Best landmarks in Balqa Highlands

As-Salt’s historic limestone houses are the Balqa Highlands’ defining architectural landmark, particularly where rows of tall Ottoman-period buildings climb the slopes above the old commercial streets. The Abu Jaber Museum occupies one of these substantial houses and helps explain the town’s merchant history, domestic architecture and social development. The old As-Salt area also contains the Great Mosque and historic Christian churches, whose proximity reflects the town’s long tradition of interaction between communities. Al-Khader Church, associated with the Christian heritage of Salt, is another important religious landmark, although visitors should confirm access and observe worship arrangements. The stairways and narrow lanes linking these buildings are themselves part of the historic townscape. Beyond the built environment, the escarpments and ravines around Wadi Shu'aib form a natural landmark system, showing how the high plateau breaks towards the Jordan Valley. Olive-covered ridges, limestone outcrops and broad western views provide the region’s principal landscape signatures, while village stone houses and old agricultural terraces add a human dimension to the scenery.

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Best restaurants in Balqa Highlands

Dining in the Balqa Highlands is grounded in Jordanian home cooking and the produce of a wetter, more agricultural upland than much of the country. In As-Salt and surrounding towns, visitors can find establishments serving mansaf, maqluba, grilled meats, mezze, lentil dishes, flatbreads and yoghurt-based accompaniments, alongside simpler cafés and bakeries. Olive oil and table olives are particularly important regional products, while seasonal fruit, herbs and vegetables appear in rural kitchens and family-run eateries. Fuheis and Salt have restaurants and cafés suited to a longer meal, whereas smaller villages may offer fewer choices and more limited hours. Coffee, tea and sweet pastries are common social features of a stop in town. Markets and farms can provide opportunities to buy olive oil, olives, cheese and preserves, though quality and packaging vary, so choose reputable sellers and check that products can travel safely. Dining customs are generally shared with Jordan nationally, with generous portions and meals often designed for sharing rather than individual courses.

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Best bars in Balqa Highlands

Nightlife in the Balqa Highlands is comparatively restrained and centres on cafés, restaurants, family gatherings and traditional social spaces rather than a concentrated club scene. As-Salt’s evenings are suited to walking through the illuminated historic streets, drinking coffee or tea and dining, while Fuheis has a more visible Christian social and restaurant culture. Some contemporary venues in or near the larger towns may serve alcoholic drinks, but availability is not uniform and visitors should not assume that every restaurant or hotel does so. Rural communities generally become quiet earlier, with evening activity focused on homes, cafés and local gatherings. Live music or seasonal events may occur, but programmes and venues change, so current local information is necessary. Respect local religious and family customs, keep noise moderate in residential areas and remember that experiencing the region does not depend on alcohol or late-night entertainment.

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Best nightclubs in Balqa Highlands

Nightlife in the Balqa Highlands is comparatively restrained and centres on cafés, restaurants, family gatherings and traditional social spaces rather than a concentrated club scene. As-Salt’s evenings are suited to walking through the illuminated historic streets, drinking coffee or tea and dining, while Fuheis has a more visible Christian social and restaurant culture. Some contemporary venues in or near the larger towns may serve alcoholic drinks, but availability is not uniform and visitors should not assume that every restaurant or hotel does so. Rural communities generally become quiet earlier, with evening activity focused on homes, cafés and local gatherings. Live music or seasonal events may occur, but programmes and venues change, so current local information is necessary. Respect local religious and family customs, keep noise moderate in residential areas and remember that experiencing the region does not depend on alcohol or late-night entertainment.

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Best shops in Balqa Highlands

Shopping in the Balqa Highlands is concentrated in As-Salt’s traditional commercial streets, local markets and independent shops rather than large modern retail complexes. Visitors can look for Jordanian food products such as olive oil, olives, za'atar, dried herbs, preserves, sweets and seasonal produce, with quality and provenance worth checking before purchase. Small craft and gift shops may stock ceramics, embroidery, woven goods, soaps and locally themed souvenirs, while the historic centre’s older streets retain a practical market character alongside tourism-oriented businesses. Fuheis and neighbouring towns offer cafés, bakeries and everyday shops, but their retail scenes are more local than destination-focused. Farmers and reputable food sellers are the best sources for understanding the highlands’ olive-growing economy; bottled products should be sealed and packed securely for travel. Bargaining is not appropriate everywhere, so ask the price and negotiate courteously only in settings where it is clearly customary.

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Balqa Highlands essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD), used throughout Jordan. Hotels, larger restaurants, museums and established businesses in As-Salt generally accept cards, and contactless payment may be available, but smaller cafés, taxis, village shops and rural businesses may require cash. Carry modest notes and coins for local transport, refreshments and small purchases. Exchange facilities and ATMs are easier to find in Amman and larger towns than in rural parts of the highlands, so obtain some Jordanian dinars before travelling away from the main urban areas.
Safety
The highlands are generally visited through ordinary urban and rural precautions, but steep terrain, uneven paving and exposed roads deserve attention. In Salt’s old centre, stairways can be slippery after rain and tiring in hot weather. In rural wadis, flash flooding can occur after heavy rainfall, even when conditions seem dry at the starting point; avoid entering a wadi during unsettled weather. Drive defensively, expect pedestrians and changing road conditions, and take care near unfenced edges and viewpoints. Respect private homes, cultivated land and religious places.
Emergency Situations
Jordan’s national emergency number is 911, which should be used for police, ambulance and civil-defence assistance. Explain the location as clearly as possible, using a recognised town, road, museum or landmark, because rural addresses may be imprecise. For a walking incident, share a map pin or route details with companions and local contacts. In serious mountain or wadi situations, do not move an injured person unnecessarily unless there is immediate danger. Travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover is sensible for visitors undertaking rural walks or driving.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly in towns and villages, particularly when visiting mosques, churches or family homes, and remove shoes where requested. Ask permission before photographing residents, military or government buildings, and private interiors. Jordanian hospitality often includes coffee or food; accept graciously when possible, or decline politely rather than abruptly. Use the right hand for greetings and shared food where appropriate, and allow people to pass on narrow stairways. Do not climb historic walls, enter closed buildings, pick olives or crops, or treat residential courtyards as public attractions.
Local Tips
Salt’s historic core is most rewarding early or late in the day, when the light suits its limestone façades and the slopes are cooler. Combine heritage sightseeing with a meal or coffee rather than trying to rush between scattered sites. Ask locally about current access before heading into Wadi Shu'aib or lesser-used rural tracks, especially after rain. The highlands’ olive oil, yoghurt, fruit and home cooking are more characteristic purchases than mass-produced souvenirs. English is common in tourism settings but less dependable in small villages, so a translated destination name and offline map are useful.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloمرحبا[Marhaba]
Goodbyeوداعا[Wad'an]
Yesنعم[Na'am]
Noلا[La]
Please/You're welcomeمن فضلك[Min fadlik]
Thank youشكرا[Shukran]
Excuse me/Sorryعفوا[Afwan]
How are you?كيف حالك؟[Kayfa halak?]
Fine. And you?بخير. وأنت؟[Bikhayr. Wa anta?]
Do you speak English?هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟[Hal tatahaddath al-ingliziyya?]
I don't understandلا أفهم[La afham]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseأود رؤية القائمة، من فضلك[Awad ru'yat al-qa'ima, min fadlik]
I don't eat meatأنا لا أتناول اللحوم[Ana la atanaawal al-luhum]
Cheers!صحتين[Sihatin]
I would like to pay, pleaseأود الدفع، من فضلك[Awad al-daf', min fadlik]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!ساعدني![Sa'adni!]
Go away!ابتعد![Ibt'id!]
Call the Police!اتصل بالشرطة![Ittasil bil-shurta!]
Call a doctor!اتصل بطبيب![Ittasil bi-tabeeb!]
I'm lostأنا ضائع[Ana da'i']
I'm illأنا مريض[Ana marid]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...أود شراء...[Awad shira']
I'm just lookingأنا فقط أنظر[Ana faqat anzhur]
How much is it?كم ثمنه؟[Kam thamanuh?]
That's too expensiveهذا مكلف جدا[Hatha mukallaf jiddan]
Can you lower the price?هل يمكنك تخفيض السعر؟[Hal yumkinuka takhfid al-si'r?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?كم الساعة؟[Kam al-saa'a?]
It's one o'clockالساعة الواحدة[Al-saa'a al-wahidah]
Half past (10)نصف (10)[Nisf (10)]
Morningصباح[Sabaah]
Afternoonبعد الظهر[Ba'd al-zuhur]
Eveningمساء[Masa']
Yesterdayأمس[Ams]
Todayاليوم[Al-yawm]
Tomorrowغدا[Ghadan]
1١[Waahid]
2٢[Ithnayn]
3٣[Thalatha]
4٤[Arba'a]
5٥[Khamsa]
6٦[Sitta]
7٧[Sab'a]
8٨[Thamaniya]
9٩[Tis'a]
10١٠[Ashara]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?أين يوجد...؟[Ayn yujad...?]
What's the address?ما هو العنوان؟[Ma huwa al-'unwan?]
Can you show me (on the map)?هل يمكنك أن تري لي (على الخريطة)؟[Hal yumkinuka an turi li (ala al-kharita)?]
When's the next (bus)?متى تكون (الحافلة) التالية؟[Mata takun (al-hafila) al-taliya?]
A ticket (to ....)تذكرة (إلى ....)[Tadhkira (ila....)]

History of Balqa Highlands

Ancient Settlement on the Balqa Plateau

The Balqa uplands have long benefited from rainfall, springs and their position between the Jordan Valley and the interior plateau. Archaeological remains across the wider area indicate settlement and agricultural activity from prehistoric and ancient periods, although individual sites vary considerably in scale and interpretation. The highlands’ elevated routes connected communities travelling between the valley, the eastern plateau and the lands west of the Jordan River. This geography helped make the region a corridor rather than an isolated mountain district, with farming, pastoralism and trade all contributing to its historical character.

Roman and Byzantine Landscapes

During Roman and Byzantine rule, the Balqa region formed part of a network of roads, agricultural settlements and fortified or administratively useful sites linking the Levantine interior. Stone construction, cisterns, terraces and traces of rural occupation remain part of the wider highland archaeological landscape. Christianity became prominent in the Byzantine period, leaving a legacy visible in Jordan’s churches and religious traditions. The precise remains encountered around the modern towns are diverse, but the period established enduring patterns of cultivation, settlement and movement across the plateau.

Early Islamic and Medieval Connections

After the seventh-century Islamic conquests, the Balqa became part of the wider political and commercial world of the Islamic Levant. Its routes linked the Jordan Valley with inland towns and the approaches to Damascus and Jerusalem. Control, settlement and trade shifted under successive regional powers, while villages and agricultural lands continued to depend on water management and seasonal cultivation. Medieval travellers described the Balqa as a productive district in comparison with drier areas farther east, a reputation that still helps explain the importance of orchards and olive groves in the highlands.

As-Salt under Ottoman Rule

As-Salt expanded in importance during the later Ottoman period, particularly in the nineteenth century, when merchants and families from different communities settled or traded there. Its position on routes between the Jordan Valley, Nablus, Jerusalem, Damascus and the interior made it a commercial centre. Wealth generated through trade was expressed in large limestone houses with courtyards, decorated façades and storage areas. The historic buildings visible today are therefore not merely domestic architecture; they record the town’s role as a regional market and meeting place before the growth of modern Amman.

The Early Emirate of Transjordan

Following the First World War, As-Salt and the surrounding Balqa were drawn into the political formation that became the Emirate of Transjordan under Emir Abdullah, later the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Salt was an important urban centre during this formative period, while Amman gradually grew into the country’s administrative and demographic focus. The transition altered trade routes, government structures and patterns of investment across the highlands. Roads and modern institutions later connected the region more closely with the capital, even as Salt retained its distinct historic identity.

Agriculture, Migration and Modern Change

In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, the Balqa Highlands experienced changes common to much of Jordan: improved roads, expanded education, new construction and movement between villages, Salt and Amman. Agriculture remains important, especially olive growing and the cultivation of fruit and seasonal crops, but many households now combine rural landholding with urban employment. The region’s built heritage has consequently become a central part of its contemporary identity. Conservation in As-Salt seeks to maintain historic streets and houses while allowing the city to remain a lived-in community rather than a preserved architectural stage set.

Balqa Highlands in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Balqa Highlands, Jordan

Discover the beauty of Balqa Highlands with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more.

  • Comprehensive information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • High-quality images, detailed descriptions, and local tips for each location.
  • Interactive maps and contact details for easy navigation and planning.
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More about the Evendo app

Explore Balqa Highlands like never before with Evendo, your all-in-one, free travel guide app. From historical landmarks to local dining spots, Evendo has it all.

  • Booking options for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly within the app.
  • History of Balqa Highlands and travel essentials for first-time visitors.
  • Curated local tips for an authentic travel experience.
  • ‘Near me’ feature to discover nearby attractions and services.
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation through the app and the destination.

Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate travel companion for exploring the enchanting Balqa Highlands in Jordan. This app is designed to help you make the most of your trip with detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities the region has to offer. Imagine strolling through the historic streets of Salt, visiting the renowned As-Salt Archaeological Museum, or experiencing the serene beauty of Wadi Shuayb. With Evendo, all this information is at your fingertips, complete with images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.

Plan your visit to famous landmarks like the Roman Theatre of As-Salt, and take in the panoramic views from the top of Mount Nebo. For food enthusiasts, Evendo highlights must-visit restaurants such as the local favorite, Tawaheen Al Hawa, where you can indulge in authentic Jordanian cuisine. The app also simplifies your travel planning by allowing you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly within the app. No more hassle of searching and planning; everything you need is in one place.

Evendo is not just a travel guide; it’s your gateway to experiencing Balqa Highlands like a local. The app features curated local tips, easy navigation, and a ‘Near me’ feature that shows you what's around your current location. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or an adventurer, Evendo ensures you get the most out of your visit to Balqa Highlands. And the best part? It’s entirely free. Download Evendo today and start your unforgettable journey in Balqa Highlands.

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