Shoubak
Shoubak at a Glance
Costs: $40-70 USD/day - simple guesthouses and local restaurants keep costs modest.
Safety: Generally safe, conservative mountain town - relatively stable but conservative and sometimes isolated; basic services only.
Best Time: March-May, September-November - cooler shoulder seasons suit hiking and exploring the castle.
Why Visit Shoubak?
Perched on a cool highland plateau south of Petra, Shoubak attracts visitors drawn to its Crusader-era Montreal Castle and sweeping mountain views. The town’s apple orchards and simple stone houses give it a pastoral feel, while local Bedouin traditions and communal coffee ceremonies provide cultural depth. For food lovers, hearty mansaf and roasted mountain lamb taste like Jordanian countryside; stay for seasonal festivals and friendly village markets.
Best Things to Do in Shoubak
Archaeological Site
Petra
Rock-cut Nabatean city with monumental sandstone facades
Archaeological Site
Al-Khazneh
Ornate rock-cut tomb facade in Petra's archaeological city
Castle
Montreal (castle)
Crusader-era hilltop castle near Shobak in Jordan
Nature Reserve
Dana Biosphere Reserve
Jordanian biosphere reserve protecting diverse desert and canyon ecosystems
Tomb
Ad Deir
Monumental rock-cut 'Monastery' at Petra
Monument
Siq
Narrow sandstone gorge forming Petra's dramatic entrance
Tomb
Tomb of Aaron (Jordan)
Hilltop shrine near Petra reputed to contain Aaron's tomb
Archaeological Site
Beidha (archaeological site)
Neolithic archaeological site with ancient settlement remains
Shoubak Bucket List
Don't Miss
Shoubak (Montreal) Castle - Crusader castle founded by Baldwin I, perched above town with weathered stone halls.
Terraced apple orchards - Walk among terraced apple orchards and small farms offering seasonal fruit and local hospitality.
Shoubak weekly souq - Weekly souq sells spices, handcrafts and fresh produce, lively with regional vendors.
Hidden Gems
Dana Biosphere Reserve hiking routes - Hiking routes in Dana reserve reveal sandstone canyons, endemic birdlife, and remote viewpoints.
Wadi al-Hasa - Drive into Wadi al-Hasa for dramatic river-carved gorges and ancient irrigation remains.
Bedouin tea gatherings - Join a Bedouin family for tea and traditional stories over open-fire hospitality.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Shoubak
Best time to visit is spring (March-May) when temperatures are mild and wildflowers bloom; autumn is also pleasant. Winters bring frosts and occasional snow while summers are hot but milder than the deserts.
Winter
Winters are cold by Jordan standards, often with frosts or light snow; clear skies make it atmospheric, but some services can be limited.
Spring
Spring is ideal: wildflowers, comfortable days and crisp nights - great for hikes, castle visits and avoiding summer heat of Jordan’s lowlands.
Summer
Summers are warm to hot by day but much cooler than the desert-expect dry conditions, busy school holidays and spectacular clear evenings.
Shoubak's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 0° - 11° | 3° | 61 mm | mostly sunny | 68% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.3h |
| February | Good | 2° - 12° | 5° | 56 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.0h |
| March | Very Good | 4° - 16° | 9° | 47 mm | mostly sunny | 57% | 2.4 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 8° - 22° | 15° | 16 mm | mostly sunny | 48% | 3.0 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Ideal | 12° - 27° | 19° | 3 mm | clear | 41% | 3.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.6h |
| June | Ideal | 15° - 30° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 2.9 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.9h |
| July | Ideal | 16° - 31° | 23° | 0 mm | clear | 41% | 2.8 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.8h |
| August | Ideal | 16° - 31° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 2.6 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Ideal | 14° - 29° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 51% | 2.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 12° - 25° | 18° | 4 mm | clear | 52% | 2.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.3h |
| November | Excellent | 6° - 18° | 12° | 20 mm | mostly sunny | 56% | 2.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.5h |
| December | Good | 2° - 12° | 5° | 52 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 2.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.1h |
How to Get to Shoubak
How to Get Around Shoubak
- Walking -
- Bus -
- Taxi -
- Private transfer -
- Walking -
Where to Stay in Shoubak
Budget
Shoubak centre - $15-40/night
Shoubak is a small, quiet town with a few simple guesthouses and local rooms for rent. Verified online booking options within town are limited.
Mid-Range
Shoubak / Mukawer road - $30-70/night
Expect family-run inns offering modest comfort. For a wider mid-range selection and secure online booking, consider Ma’an or Petra, about an hour or more away.
Luxury
Petra / Aqaba (nearest luxury) - $120-300/night
There are effectively no luxury hotels in Shoubak. Luxury stays are only available in nearby Petra or Aqaba, where full-service resorts and international chains operate.
Where to Eat in Shoubak
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Shoubak’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Shoubak
Nightlife in Shoubak is quiet. Evenings revolve around local cafés and family restaurants rather than bars or clubs. If you’re after more evening options, head to nearby larger towns where there are more cafés and social venues.
Shopping in Shoubak
Shopping is limited to basic grocery shops, small kiosks and local vendors selling produce and household items. For larger markets, branded shops or more variety, travel to Karak or the larger cities. Souvenirs and tourist-oriented shopping are scarce in town.