Whether you approach Karak from the ancient Kings Highway to the east or from the Dead Sea to the west, the striking silhouette of this fortified town and castle will instantly make you understand why the fates of kings and nations were decided here for millennia.
An ancient Crusader stronghold, Karak sits 900m above sea level and lies inside the walls of the old city. The city today is home to around 170,000 people and continues to boast a number of restored 19th century Ottoman buildings, restaurants, places to stay, and the like. But it is undoubtedly Karak Castle that dominates.
From Amman:
You can get to Karak City using two main roads. Heading South on the desert highway the journey should take between one and a half to two hours. On the more scenic King’s Highway the journey should between two to two and a half hours.
From Aqaba:
Heading North, you can take the Desert Highway or King’s Highway. The Desert Highway should take 3.5 hours while the journey on the King’s Highway should take around 3 hours by car.