Jerash & Ajloun Castle day trip: two Jordan sites in one day

Walk through two centuries of Jordan's history without splitting your itinerary

A day trip from your hotel combines Jerash, an ancient Roman city with temples and the Oval Plaza, and Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century Crusader fortress on Mount 'Auf, with transportation and an English-speaking driver. The itinerary spans five to eight hours and includes time at each site to absorb its history without rushing. Hotel pickup is included; a local guide is available as an add-on option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Jerash and Ajloun Castle

• Start at Hadrian's Arch
• Explore Oval Plaza and Temple of Zeus
• Walk Cardo Maximus and climb Temple of Artemis
• Visit Nymphaeum and Jerash Archaeological Museum
• Drive 45 minutes to Ajloun Castle
• Tour Ajloun Castle and on-site museum
• Explore courtyards, towers, and chambers
• Climb towers for panoramic views
• Visit Mamluk-era cistern

The Experience

The day starts at Hadrian's Arch, the monumental gateway into Jerash. From there you move through the Oval Plaza—once a marketplace where chariot races happened—and walk the Cardo Maximus, the main north-south street lined with shops and temples. The Temple of Artemis sits at a higher elevation and offers views across the site; the Nymphaeum, a fountain decorated with carved nymphs and sea creatures, shows the Roman attention to public spaces. The Jerash Archaeological Museum rounds out the morning, holding artifacts that anchor what you've seen in the streets.

After roughly 45 minutes in an air-conditioned vehicle, you arrive at Ajloun Castle, which sits on Mount 'Auf overlooking the Jordan Valley. Built in the 12th century under Saladin, the castle controlled trade routes and housed soldiers and knights whose daily lives you can picture while exploring the inner courtyards and towers. The on-site museum explains the castle's construction and strategic importance. A Mamluk-era cistern demonstrates medieval engineering. Climbing the towers gives you views that extend beyond the immediate landscape.

The pace is built so you spend real time at each location rather than moving between them. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is bottled water and on-board WiFi. You can book transportation only, or add a local guide who speaks English and Arabic to deepen the context at both sites. The Jordan Pass, which you can purchase separately, offers discounted entry to both Jerash and Ajloun plus access to other Jordanian attractions.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• on-board WiFi.
• English-speaking driver.
• a local guide in English or Arabic if you select that option at checkout.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendly

Operated by R&H VIP Transportation Services

Is this one for you?Choose the transportation-only option if you want to move through both sites at your own pace and spend extra time at whichever one holds you longer. Add the local guide if the history and context matter more than the freedom to linger—the guide deepens what you see at both Jerash and Ajloun without the day feeling scripted.

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Top questions

What is the Oval Plaza at Jerash and why does it matter?

The Oval Plaza was the marketplace and civic heart of ancient Jerash, where chariot races and public gatherings took place. Its colonnade still stands, and walking through it gives you a sense of how Romans organized their cities around gathering spaces.

How long is the drive between Jerash and Ajloun Castle?

The drive takes approximately 45 minutes and passes through rolling hills and olive groves, giving you a sense of the landscape between the two sites.

What can I see inside Ajloun Castle?

Ajloun Castle contains inner courtyards, towers, and chambers you can explore, plus an on-site museum explaining its construction under Saladin and its role controlling trade routes. A Mamluk-era cistern shows the engineering skill of medieval builders, and climbing the towers rewards you with panoramic views of the Jordan Valley.

Is a guide included, or do I need to book one separately?

A local guide who speaks English and Arabic is available as an add-on option at checkout. You can book transportation only if you prefer to explore at your own pace, or choose the all-inclusive option that includes the guide.

Does this tour work for visitors with mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, with all areas and surfaces at both sites designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and the itinerary suits all physical fitness levels.

Should I buy the Jordan Pass before this tour?

The Jordan Pass is recommended because it provides discounted advance entry to both Jerash and Ajloun Castle, plus access to other Jordanian attractions. You can purchase it separately before or after booking this tour.