Jerash and Amman Tour: Roman Ruins with Flexible Guide Options

A Roman theater still hosts performances nearly two millennia after it was built.

This private 8-hour tour covers Amman's classical sites—the Citadel, Roman Theater, King Abdullah Mosque and Souq Jara—then travels 48 kilometers north to Jerash, one of the Middle East's best-preserved Roman cities. Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport are included; you choose at checkout whether to add entry fees, a local guide in English or Arabic, or both. The driver shares history throughout, and you can hire a guide at the ticket office for deeper insights or explore at your own pace with a guidebook.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Amman and Jerash ruins

• Visit Amman Citadel hilltop
• See Roman period temple of Hercules
• Explore Islamic architecture at grand gateway
• Tour King Abdullah Mosque
• Walk Roman Theater and nearby museums
• Visit Byzantine church ruins
• Travel to Jerash ancient city
• Enter through Hadrian's Arch gateway
• Walk colonnaded main street
• See Oval Plaza with Ionic columns
• Visit temple with Corinthian columns
• Explore grand amphitheater
• View panoramic hilltop temple
• Admire ornate public fountain
• See massive chariot racing arena

The Experience

The day starts at the Amman Citadel, a hilltop complex holding remnants from the Neolithic era through the Ottoman period. You'll see the Temple of Hercules, built around 162–166 AD and larger than any temple in Rome itself—today its remaining columns and a colossal stone hand are still visible. The Umayyad Palace, dating to around 720 AD, shows off a cross-shaped gateway and an audience hall; the large water cistern that supplied it is still there. From the Citadel's height you get panoramic views across the city.

Down in the center, the Roman Theater is a 6,000-seat amphitheater from the 2nd century that still hosts cultural events. Climb to the top for views over Amman. The King Abdullah Mosque, a modern structure blending Ottoman and Mamluk design, sits nearby with intricate mosaics and stained glass. If time allows, the Souq Jara marketplace offers spices, handicrafts and local goods. Two small museums flank the theater—the Jordan Folklore Museum and Museum of Popular Traditions—with displays of traditional Jordanian and Palestinian costumes, crafts and mosaics.

The drive north to Jerash takes you to an ancient Roman city founded in the 2nd century BC and one of the Middle East's most complete archaeological sites. Hadrian's Gate, a triple-arched ceremonial gateway built in 129 AD, marks the grand entrance. The Oval Plaza is the most photographed spot—an unusual spacious plaza ringed by Ionic columns. The main colonnaded street stretches 800 meters with original paving; the ruts worn by ancient chariots are still visible. The hippodrome, a massive 245-meter arena, once held 15,000 spectators for chariot races. The South Theater, built between 90–92 AD, seated over 3,000 and its acoustics remain so good it still hosts performances. The Temple of Artemis, dedicated to the city's patron goddess, stands out for its towering Corinthian columns. The Nymphaeum, an ornate public fountain, shows intricate carvings though the water no longer flows. A hilltop temple offers panoramic views of the entire site.

What’s included

• The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• WiFi on board.
• and bottled water. Entry fees to all sites are included only if you select that option at checkout.
• a local guide in English or Arabic is available as an add-on option.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by R&H VIP Transportation Services

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the flexibility to choose whether you explore with a local guide or at your own pace—the private vehicle and driver are included either way, and you decide at checkout what depth of insight suits your day. The 8-hour span covers both Amman's city center and the full Jerash site without rushing between them.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the three purchase options for this tour?

You can book transportation only with the driver sharing history; add entry fees to all sites; or add both entry fees and a local guide in English or Arabic. The guide option gives deeper insights at each stop; without it, you explore at your own pace using a guidebook or hire a guide at the ticket office.

How long does the drive to Jerash take from Amman?

Jerash lies about 48 kilometers north of Amman, and the tour runs 8 hours total including all stops in the city and the archaeological site.

Can I climb to the top of the Roman Theater?

Yes, the Roman Theater has seating you can climb to reach the top, where you get views across Amman. The theater still hosts cultural events today.

What is the Oval Plaza and why is it famous?

The Oval Plaza in Jerash is an unusual spacious plaza surrounded by a colonnade of Ionic columns, making it one of the most iconic and photographed sites in the ancient city.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the tour suits all physical fitness levels. Specialized infant seats are available, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.