Amman city tour & desert castles: 3 Umayyad fortresses

Three desert castles in one day, starting from Amman's hilltop ruins

An eight-hour tour of Amman and three Umayyad desert castles combines the capital's landmarks with the fortress architecture of Jordan's eastern desert. Start downtown at Al Balad and the Citadel overlooking the city, then drive to Kharana Castle, the UNESCO-listed Amra with its 8th-century frescoes, and Azraq, the fortress Lawrence of Arabia used during World War I. Transport, hotel pickup and an English-speaking driver are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Downtown Amman4h
2. Amman Citadel1h
3. Kharana Castle30m
4. Amra Castle30m
5. Azraq Castle30m

Explore Amman and Desert Castles

• Visit Amman downtown and markets
• Explore the ancient Amman Citadel
• Tour Qasr Al-Harranah desert castle
• Visit UNESCO Quseir Amra frescoes
• Explore Qasr Al-Azraq fortress

The experience

The day starts in Amman's downtown, Al Balad, where the streets narrow around local markets and older buildings. From there you climb to the Citadel, the ancient hilltop site that anchors the city's skyline and holds archaeological layers going back thousands of years. Both stops sit within the capital itself, so the morning covers Amman's core before the route turns east into the desert.

The three castles are what separate this tour from a city-only visit. Kharana Castle stands as a fortress from the 8th century, its architecture a window into how the Umayyad rulers built in the open desert. Amra, the smallest of the three, holds the frescoes: lavish painted scenes that survived centuries inside the stone walls, now protected as a UNESCO site. Azraq is the largest and the one with the documented history: it was a military base during World War I, and Lawrence of Arabia stationed troops there. Each one is distinct in scale, decoration and story, so the three together show different sides of the same era.

The tour runs eight hours total with an air-conditioned vehicle and a driver who speaks English. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Amman hotels are included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the starting point. Entrance fees to the city sites and the three castles are separate, as are any meals or drinks along the way.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Amman hotels.
• English-speaking driver for the full eight hours.

Options for this experience

2 options

Passengers 4 to 6 in a minivanUp to 6 per booking · 7 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:30Pickup is included in the Hyundai H1 option

Vehicle for 1 to 3 passengersUp to 3 per booking · 7 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:30Pickup is included in the standard saloon (sedan) option

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 10:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Retaj Jordan Tours and transportation

Is this one for you?Choose the minivan if you're traveling as a group of four to six. The car works for one to three passengers. Either way, the fixed eight-hour route covers both the city and all three castles in a single day, so you see the capital's core and the desert fortresses without splitting the trip.

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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's the difference between Amra and the other two desert castles?

Amra is famous for its 8th-century frescoes: painted scenes of hunting, bathing and feasting that cover the interior walls. The other two castles, Kharana and Azraq, are larger fortresses without the same decorated interiors, so Amra is the one to see if the artwork and decoration matter to you.

Can I visit Azraq Castle if I'm interested in World War I history?

Azraq was a military base during World War I and Lawrence of Arabia used it as a headquarters. The fortress itself dates to the Umayyad period, but the World War I connection is part of its documented history, so it's a natural stop if that era interests you.

How much walking is involved at each stop?

The Citadel and downtown Al Balad involve moderate walking through streets and up the hill. The three desert castles require walking around and through the fortress structures themselves. The tour description notes that travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

Does the tour include a guide who explains the sites?

The tour includes an English-speaking driver who provides transport. A separate tour guide is not included, so the driver's commentary and your own exploration are what you get at each stop.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

Transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and the driver are included. Entrance fees to the Amman sites (around USD 23.90) and the desert castles (around USD 8.00) are separate, as are any meals, drinks or gratuities.