Jerash, Ajloun & Umm Qais Day Tour: Roman & Medieval Sites

Three centuries of empires in one day: Roman Jerash, medieval Ajloun, Greco-Roman Umm Qais

A private day tour from Amman to three historic sites in northern Jordan: Jerash, a preserved Roman city founded by Alexander the Great; Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century fortress built by Saladin's forces; and Umm Qais, a Greco-Roman ruin overlooking Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinian Territories. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman are included, along with an English-speaking driver, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and WiFi on board. You select one of three itineraries at checkout: Jerash and Ajloun, Jerash alone, or all three sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Jerash, Ajloun, and Umm Qais

• Depart from Amman
• Explore Jerash Roman ruins
• Visit Ajloun Castle
• Tour Umm Qais Greco-Roman city
• Return to Amman

The Experience

Jerash anchors the full day. The site sprawls across a valley floor with colonnaded streets, hilltop temples, an amphitheater, and the Temple of Artemis still standing—one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world. Founded around 331 BC by Alexander the Great, it rose as a prosperous Greek and Roman trading hub, later became one of the Decapolis cities of the east, and survived centuries of Christian and Muslim rule before falling during the Crusades. Walking through the Forum and the oval plaza, the scale of what once thrived here becomes physical.

Ajloun Castle sits on a hilltop 20 kilometers away, a 12th-century fortress built by Saladin's forces to block three major passages into northwest Jordan and defend against Crusader advances. The towers, chambers, and galleries are medieval Arab-Islamic military architecture—you climb into the tower and look out over the Jordan Valley toward the Dead Sea. The contrast between the fortress's stone geometry and the landscape around it is sharp enough to hold your attention for an hour or more.

Umm Qais closes the loop. The Greco-Roman ruins of the ancient Decapolis city of Gadara sit beside an abandoned Ottoman-era village, and the vantage point is unusual: on a clear day you see into Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinian Territories at once. The site carries biblical weight too—it is where Jesus is said to have cast demons into a herd of pigs. The drive back to Amman takes the afternoon; your driver drops you at a central location you choose. The full itinerary runs nine to ten hours door-to-door.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman (or airport pickup).
• English-speaking driver.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• parking fees and fuel surcharge.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by North Amman Tourism Promotion

Is this one for you?Book the full three-site itinerary if you want to move across three centuries of empires in a single day—the Roman scale of Jerash, the medieval fortress of Ajloun, and the Greco-Roman city overlooking three countries at Umm Qais. If you prefer a shorter day or have a specific historical period in mind, choose the Jerash-only or Jerash-and-Ajloun option at checkout instead.

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Top questions

What exactly is Jerash and why is it worth a full morning?

Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy, founded around 331 BC and built into a prosperous trading center of the Decapolis. You walk through colonnaded streets, the Forum, temples, and an amphitheater—the scale and detail of what survives makes it possible to picture the city as it was under Greek and Roman rule.

Can I do just Jerash, or do I have to visit all three sites?

You choose at checkout: the tour offers three options—Jerash and Ajloun Castle together, Jerash alone, or all three sites including Umm Qais. Pick the itinerary that fits your interests and the time you have.

What is Ajloun Castle and how long do we spend there?

Ajloun Castle is a 12th-century fortress built by Saladin's military forces to control passages into northwest Jordan and resist the Crusaders. It sits on a hilltop with towers, chambers, and galleries you can climb through; the views over the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea are the main draw, and most visitors spend an hour or more exploring the structure and the surrounding landscape.

What makes Umm Qais special compared to other Roman ruins?

Umm Qais is the ruins of the Decapolis city of Gadara, and its setting is unusual—the Roman remains sit beside an abandoned Ottoman-era village, creating a stark contrast between two eras. The vantage point overlooks three countries: Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinian Territories. The site also carries biblical significance as the location of the Gadarene swine miracle.

Does the price include entry tickets to these sites?

Entry tickets to Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais are not included in the tour price and are paid separately at each site. The tour includes private transportation, your driver, hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water, and WiFi on board.

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

The tour runs nine to ten hours total, including the drive from Amman and back. Your hotel pickup time depends on which hotel you stay at; confirm the exact pickup time when you book, and your driver will drop you at a central Amman location of your choice at the end of the day.