Ajlun Castle & Jerash Roman ruins tour from Amman

Two of the Middle East's most intact historical sites in a single day

A day tour from Amman visits Ajlun Castle, a 12th-century fortress built under Saladin with panoramic views of the Jordan Valley, then travels to Jerash, one of the world's largest and most pristine Roman cities outside Italy. The tour includes entrance fees, a professional guide at Jerash, private air-conditioned transport and an English-speaking driver. Lunch and WiFi are available depending on the option selected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jerash3h
2. Ajloun Castle1h

Visit Ajlun and Jerash historical sites

• Visit Saladin Castle in Ajlun
• Enjoy panoramic views of Jordan Valley
• Explore Roman City of Jerash
• See theaters, temples, and colonnaded streets
• Return to Amman

The experience

The route starts at Ajlun, where the castle sits on a forested hilltop overlooking the valley below. Built during the Crusader era and later governed by Saladin, the fortress is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval Arab military architecture in the Middle East. From the ramparts, the view stretches across the Jordan Valley and the green orchards of vines and olives that fill it. The castle itself is the main stop here before the drive continues south.

Jerash is the centerpiece of the day. Known as the Pompeii of the East, it ranks among the largest and most intact Roman sites anywhere outside Italy. The city was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis and still shows the grandeur of Imperial Rome in its colonnaded main street, oval plaza, theaters, temples and churches. A professional guide walks you through the site and explains what you're standing in front of. Without a guide, the scale and the names of the structures are harder to place. The tour returns to Amman after Jerash, with the drive taking roughly an hour depending on traffic.

You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver who speaks English. WiFi and bottled water are available in the car. Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the all-inclusive option. If you book transportation and entrance fees only, you arrange your own meal. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the season. A moderate level of fitness helps, as both sites involve walking uphill and over uneven ground.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Ajlun Castle and Jerash.
• private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
• professional guide at Jerash.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• WiFi and bottled water in the car (depending on option selected).

Options for this experience

3 options

Transfers OnlyGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00Includes pickup

Includes transportation and entrance feesGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00Includes entrance fees to Ajlun Castle and Jerash, and pickup

All InclusiveGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00Includes a professional local guide in Jerash, lunch at a local restaurant, entrance fees to Ajlun Castle and Jerash, and pickup.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Jordan Select Tours

Is this one for you?Book the all-inclusive option if you want the guide's knowledge at Jerash and a meal included. Choose transportation and entrance fees only if you prefer to explore at your own pace and eat where you choose. Either way, the private vehicle means no group waits and the schedule stays flexible within the day.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Ajlun Castle and why is it worth seeing?

Ajlun Castle is a 12th-century fortress built during the Crusader era and later governed by Saladin, standing as one of the best-preserved examples of medieval Arab military architecture in the Middle East. It sits on a forested hilltop with panoramic views across the Jordan Valley and the orchards below.

How much walking is involved at Jerash?

Jerash requires moderate walking over uneven ground to see the theaters, temples, churches, colonnaded streets and oval plaza. The site is large, so comfortable shoes and a moderate fitness level help you move through it without strain.

Is a guide included at both sites?

A professional English-speaking guide is included at Jerash to explain the Roman structures and their history. At Ajlun Castle, the driver accompanies you but a dedicated guide is not part of the standard tour.

What's the difference between the transportation-only option and the all-inclusive one?

The transportation-only option covers the private vehicle, driver and entrance fees to both sites. The all-inclusive option adds lunch at a local restaurant and a professional guide at Jerash, plus WiFi and bottled water in the car.