Jerash & Ajloun Castle Tour: Roman Ruins & Hilltop Views

Three centuries of stone: from Amman's temples to a Crusader fortress on the ridge

A private full-day tour from Amman that visits the Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre, then travels to Jerash (one of the world's largest preserved Roman sites outside Italy), and ends at Ajloun Castle, built in 1184–1188 to watch the Jordan Valley. An air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver, hotel pickup and soft drinks are included. Entry fees to Jerash and Ajloun depend on which option you choose at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jerash2h
2. Ajloun Castle1h

Explore Amman, Jerash, and Ajloun Castle

• Pickup from preferred location
• Visit Amman Citadel
• Explore Roman Theatre in Amman
• Drive to Jerash
• Explore Jerash ruins
• Drive to Ajloun Castle
• Tour Ajloun Castle
• Return to Amman and drop off

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Amman hotel at 7 AM, heading into the city center to explore the Amman Citadel. This hilltop complex holds the remains of a Roman temple, a Byzantine church, and an Umayyad palace: layers of empires stacked on one ridge. After about an hour and a half there, you'll walk through the Roman Theatre, a semicircle of stone seats carved into the hillside when the city was called Philadelphia. The theatre takes roughly 30 minutes to see.

Then comes the drive north to Jerash, an hour away. Jerash is one of the largest and most complete Roman cities still standing anywhere outside Italy: colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and plazas spread across a valley floor. You'll have time to walk the main avenue, see the columns up close, and understand why this place matters. It is not a ruin pretending to be grand, but an actual Roman city you can move through. After Jerash, another hour's drive takes you to Ajloun Castle, perched on a hilltop in the north. Built between 1184 and 1188 by Saladin's forces, it was designed to spot invaders crossing the Jordan Valley below. You get an hour to climb through the castle's rooms and stand on the walls where that view opens up.

Your driver will be waiting at 4 PM to take you back to Amman, with an estimated arrival around 5 PM. The vehicle is air-conditioned, has Wi-Fi, and comes stocked with soft drinks, mineral water, and wet wipes. The tour is arranged as a private booking, so the pace and timing can be adjusted beforehand through the visitor center if you need flexibility.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned luxury vehicle with Wi-Fi.
• soft drinks, mineral water, and wet wipes.
• English-speaking driver.
• hotel or location pickup and drop-off anywhere in Amman.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour guide in Jerash is includedUp to 6 per booking · Guide in 5 languages · 07:00A local tour guide is included, and pickup is included

Tour covering Jerash, Ajloun and Umm QaisUp to 3 per booking · Guide in 5 languages · 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Tour covering Jerash, Ajloun and Umm Qais: visit the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, plus Umm Qais, site of the Roman Gadara ruins. Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 5 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Yes Jordan Tours

Is this one for you?The fixed 8-hour schedule packs three major sites (Amman's center, Jerash's Roman expanse, and Ajloun's hilltop views) into a single day without requiring you to arrange transport or navigate between them. Choose the option that includes entry fees if you want everything settled before you go. Pick the Jerash-only option if you prefer to visit Ajloun on a separate trip or skip it entirely.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (2 to 5 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What is the Amman Citadel and what will I see there?

The Amman Citadel is a hilltop complex in the city center holding the remains of a Roman temple, a Byzantine church, and an Umayyad palace: three different empires layered on the same site. You'll spend about an hour and a half exploring these structures and learning their history.

How far is Jerash from Amman and what makes it different from other Roman sites?

Jerash is about an hour's drive north of Amman. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman cities still standing outside Italy, with intact colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and plazas you can walk through rather than just view from a distance.

What is Ajloun Castle and why was it built there?

Ajloun Castle was built between 1184 and 1188 by Saladin's forces on a hilltop in northern Jordan. It was constructed in that strategic location to overlook the Jordan Valley and allow the army to watch for invaders approaching from across the valley.

Are entry fees to Jerash and Ajloun Castle included in the tour price?

Entry fees depend on which option you select at checkout. One option includes the Jerash tour without entry fees. The other option includes both Jerash and Ajloun Castle entry fees (Jerash 10 JD, Ajloun 3 JD).

What is provided in the vehicle during the tour?

The air-conditioned car or minivan includes Wi-Fi, soft drinks, mineral water, and wet wipes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman are also included, and your driver speaks English.