A Crusader fortress built in 1115, predating Karak by about 25 years, perched alone on a cone-shaped hill with almost 360-degree views over the surrounding highlands. It's less restored and less visited than Karak, which some travelers actually prefer — the ruined, overgrown state feels more like discovering it yourself than walking a managed heritage site.
Showbak is about 2.5 hours south of Amman (185 km) on the King's Highway, roughly an hour north of Petra — a natural stop between Dana/Karak and Petra on a multi-day southern route.
Spring and autumn for comfortable walking on the exposed hilltop — there's little shade at the summit, so a cooler day makes the climb more pleasant.
The climb to the top is short but steep and uneven in places — sturdy shoes matter more here than at Karak, which is better paved. It's a good stop specifically because it's quieter; don't expect the same infrastructure (visitor centre, defined paths) as Karak.