As opposed to the omnipresent in Jordan remains of Roman and Umayyad structures, Qasr al-Abd is a rare example of architecture pre-dating the Roman era. Its exact origins remain unknown, which only adds to the fascination. Qasr al-Abd is usually described as a large Hellenistic palace from the first quarter of the second century BCE. Not too far from here are the ancient caves dating back to roughly the same time period.

Taking the loose surface road to the area of Agioi Saranta or one of the nature trails, one comes across the picturesque chapel of Agioi Saranta. Its existence is betrayed by the stone-built canopy on the wild rocks, as the chapel is set in an intact cave. The forty stalactites of the cave are what encouraged a devout Christian to turn it into a place of pilgrimage. Apart from the pilgrimage, visitors can enjoy the wonderful scenery that surrounds the chapel.

The Duke’s Diwan is a time capsule of early 20th-century Amman, hidden in plain sight on the busy King Faisal Street. Built in 1924 as the city’s first post office, this Ottoman-era stone house later became the Haifa Hotel before heritage activist Mamdouh Bisharat ("The Duke of Mukheibeh") rescued it from demolition in 2001. Today, its creaking wooden floors lead through rooms frozen in Jordan’s past, complete with antique typewriters, sepia photos of camel caravans on dusty roads, and a balcony overlooking downtown’s metamorphosis. More than a museum, it’s a living diwan (gathering space): poets hold readings at the carved oak table, while artists riff under the Arabian archways. Admission is free, and the duke himself sometimes holds court, spinning tales of old Amman over cardamom coffee. Don’t miss the upstairs gallery, where rotating exhibits spotlight Jordan’s underground creatives.

When the sun sets, Protaras offers a varied and vibrant nightlife. Beside the in-house entertainment provided by the large hotels, there are plenty of restaurants, pubs, disco/bars and clubs that contribute to the fun-loving atmosphere of Protaras. Many establishments offer live entertainment and Karaoke and the discos feature famous DJs.