Full-Day Tour: Umm Qais, Jerash & Ajloun from Amman

Six to eight hours across three hilltop ruins, from Roman theaters to a Crusader castle

A full-day tour from Amman covers three archaeological sites in Jordan's north: Umm Qais with its Roman theaters and views across the Sea of Galilee; Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century fortress on a hilltop 75 km northwest of the city; and Jerash, a vast Roman city with an 800-meter colonnaded street, a 3,000-seat theater, and temples to Artemis and Zeus. Hotel pickup at 8 am and door-to-door return are included; you choose whether to add a local guide at Jerash or travel with the driver alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Umm Qais, Jerash, and Ajloun

• Meet driver at hotel lobby at 8 am
• Visit archaeological site of Umm Qais
• Explore Roman theaters and colonnaded street
• See Basilica Terrace and Umm Qais Museum
• Enjoy panoramic views from Umm Qais hilltop
• Tour Jerash archaeological site
• See Hadrian's Arch and Hippodrome
• Walk Oval Plaza and Cardo Maximus
• Visit South Theater and Temples of Artemis and Zeus
• View Nymphaeum fountain
• Visit Ajloun Castle and museum
• Enjoy panoramic views from Ajloun battlements

The Experience

Your driver meets you at the hotel lobby at 8 am and heads north toward Umm Qais, a hilltop archaeological site where two Roman theaters built from black basalt stone sit alongside a well-preserved colonnaded street called the Decumanus Maximus. A Byzantine basilica terrace marks where a church was built over an earlier Roman mausoleum, layering centuries of use into one hillside. The Umm Qais Museum, housed in a restored Ottoman building, holds artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Islamic periods. The site's main draw for many visitors is the panoramic view from the hilltop: on a clear day you see the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River, and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights spreading out below.

The route then moves to Ajloun Castle, a fortified structure roughly 75 km northwest of Amman, built on a hilltop above the town of Ajloun. The original design included four main towers and a moat; later expansions added more towers and a gate with a drawbridge. Inside, rooms, corridors, and staircases form a labyrinthine layout you can walk through. A small museum within the castle displays artifacts from various periods of its history. From the castle's battlements, the view opens across the Jordan Valley, the Sea of Galilee, and the forested hills surrounding it.

Jerash, the day's largest site, is a vast Roman city that requires hours to explore properly. Hadrian's Arch, a grand triple-arched gate, marks the entrance. The Hippodrome, a massive arena that once seated 15,000 for chariot races, sometimes hosts reenactments. The Oval Plaza, an iconic forum ringed by Ionic columns, functioned as a market. The Cardo Maximus, the main colonnaded street, stretches 800 meters with original paving and chariot wheel ruts still visible. The South Theater, seating over 3,000, remains in use for performances and festivals. The Temple of Artemis rises with impressive Corinthian columns; the Temple of Zeus sits on a hilltop offering panoramic views across the ruins. The Nymphaeum, a grand public fountain with an ornate facade and water channels, reveals how the city managed its water system. If you've selected the local guide option, they walk you through these structures; otherwise, the driver navigates the site with you and returns you to your hotel by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at 8 am.
• English-speaking driver and door-to-door service.
• bottled water and WiFi onboard.
• local guide at Jerash (available if you select the All Sites & Guide option at checkout).

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendly

Operated by R&H VIP Transportation Services

Is this one for you?Book the Private Transportation option if you prefer to set your own pace at each site and move between them without a structured narrative; choose the All Sites & Guide option if you want someone to explain the history and architecture as you walk through Jerash, the day's most complex site.

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Top questions

What are the two Roman theaters at Umm Qais made of?

The main western theater at Umm Qais is built from black basalt stone, a distinctive material that makes it imposing even in ruins.

Can I see the Sea of Galilee from any of the three sites?

Yes. Both Umm Qais and Ajloun Castle sit on hilltops with panoramic views that include the Sea of Galilee on clear days, along with the surrounding valleys and hills.

How long is the Cardo Maximus, the main street at Jerash?

The Cardo Maximus stretches 800 meters and is lined with columns; you can still see the original paving and chariot wheel ruts worn into the stone.

Do I need a guide to walk through Jerash, or can I explore it on my own?

You can choose at checkout: the Private Transportation option includes the driver, who navigates the site with you; the All Sites & Guide option adds a local English-speaking guide who walks you through the structures and their history.

What time does the tour start and when do I return to my hotel?

The driver picks you up at your hotel at 8 am. The full day runs six to eight hours, so you return by late afternoon, depending on how much time you spend at each site.

Is there a museum at Ajloun Castle?

Yes, a small museum inside the castle houses artifacts from various periods of its history.