About Irbid

Irbid,Jordan’s second-largest city is something of a glorified university town.

Home to Jordan University of Science and Technology, which is regarded as one of the most elite centres of learning in the Middle East, Irbid is in many ways more lively and progressive than staid Amman. The campus, which is located just south of the city centre, is home to shady pedestrian streets lined with outdoor restaurants and cafes. Since the start of the crisis in Syria, Irbid has taken in large numbers of refugees, who live in the city itself or in the extensive camp on the outskirts.Historians and archaeologists have identified Irbid as the Decapolis city of Arbela. The area likely predates the Romans, with significant grave sites suggesting settlement since the Bronze Age. Aside from the tell lying at the centre of town, however, there is little evidence today of such antiquity.

Irbid houses two very worthwhile museums, and forms a good base from which to explore the northern Jordan Valley or to start a trip to Umm Qais, Pella, Ajloun, Umm el-Jimal, or Syria.

Head downtown for a bit of history

A brief walk through the famous Dar As-Saraya museum reveals Irbid’s ancient origins. The museum, housed in a traditional 19th century Ottoman-style building, features several exhibits on pottery, sculptures, mosaics, and jewellery dating back to 3200 BC. Take a few minutes to sit and enjoy the museum’s beautiful courtyard on your way out, which features several ancient sarcophagi. Just a few blocks down from the museum, you can peek into the hidden Beit Arar, a shrine to a famous 19th century poet Mustafa Wahbi Tal, whose writings and advocacy on behalf of underprivileged groups made him one of Jordan’s national literary national treasures.

Step into a local bakery or sweet shop

Step into any bakery this time of year and feast your eyes upon Irbid’s traditional Eid bread, baked with anise and black sesame breads in celebration of Ramadan. If you crave more variety, check out Irbid’s upscale Jawharat Al-Sharq, which offers a smorgasbord of confectionery sweets. Jordan’s national cheese dessert with orange semolina crust, also known as kunafeh, is not to be missed.

Stroll through the university campus to get a taste of student life

hough quieter than Amman, Irbid’s city is bustling with student life. Home to two of Jordan’s main universities, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and the Yarmouk University , you’ll find a noticeably younger and hip crowd walking around University Street. Walk along the main university drag, which won the Guinness World Record for most internet cafes – 150 in a single kilometre!

Try some food

One of Irbid’s many hidden secrets is its delicious Yemeni cuisine. Head to a restaurant called Hadramaut, located just off University Circle, where you’ll be taken down a set of stairs. Take off your shoes and sit cross-legged on a carpet, traditional-style. Make sure to order a plate of ful medemes (fava beans), shakshouka (eggs with green chilli and tomato), fahsa (sizzling beef stew served in a black clay pot), and malawah (a flakey layered bread fried in butter). Top off your dinner with an order of shai Adeni, or traditional Yemeni tea, brewed with condensed milk, cardamom, and cinnamon cloves.

Take an afternoon break at Hotels and Cafe

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Tucked away behind University Circle, check out Irbid’s old Hotels and Cafes, which features a quaint outdoor courtyard. You’ll find a mix of local and Western art pieces inside the cafes, where you’ll see the university’s hip crowds sipping coffee or sharing an order of lemon and mint flavored shisha, or hookah.

Wander the souks in front of Irbid’s main mosque

Head to Irbid’s main mosque and just get lost. While listening to the sound of the call to prayer, wander the streets lined with fruit and vegetable sellers calling out prices and haggling with locals. At this time of year you can find Jordan’s delicious seasonal fruits, including sour green plums, watermelons, and small peaches. They’re much cheaper than what you’d find in Amman.

Escape the city for a day hike through one of Irbid’s wadis

Escape the city for a day to one of Irbid’s beautiful wadis. Discover the area’s greenery while hiking through Wadi Rayyan, also known as Wadi al-Yabis. The area is located south-west of Irbid city and characterized by a vast terrain. Take a day or two to explore the wadi’s many mountains, valleys, plains, and waterfalls. There you’ll also find a number of religious shrines and ancient sites

Explore Irbid’s ancient archaeological sites in Um Qais

A northern town perched on top of a hill, Um Qais is home to the ancient Gadara ruins. Located right at the axis of Jordan’s borders with Palestine, and Syria, you can enjoy the site’s stunning panoramic views of the Sea of Gallilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk River. The site was once a bastion of Greek cultural life. If you care for another day or two of exploring Irbid’s ancient sites, you can also check out Pella and Beit Ras (Capitolias).