Head out on a day trip from Amman. You’ll visit the Greco-Roman ruins at Jerash (this site is really huge!), and enjoy the views from the 12th-century castle in Ajloun.
These two cities are perfect starting points in your Jordan itinerary.
How to get to Jerash and Ajloun from Amman?
Transportation: by JETT bus round trip ~ 15 JOD or rental car
JETT bus to Jerash and Ajloun
JETT bus runs the Amman — Ajloun — Jerash — Amman service on Thursdays and Sundays.
The bus departs at 8:30AM sharp from 7th Circle, heading to Ajloun first. The trip to Ajloun takes a little less than an hour and a half, and the trip from Ajloun to Jerash takes about 1/2 an hour. The bus returns to Amman from Jerash at 4:15 or so PM.
JETT bus round trip costs ~ 15 JOD
By car
If you have a rental car, it is the easiest to drive on your own, and then you are not bound to the timetables.
By a private tour
If you don’t want to drive or be on a bus for hours, you can take a private tour – book here. The tour includes Umm Qais as well.
Entrance fee to the sites
They are free with the Jordan pass.
Where to stay?
Amman Accommodation options:
- a budget hostel: the Castle Star Hostel – right next to the Citadel with awesome views of the city
- MENA Tyche Hotel Amman 4 star – nice room a bit away from the center
- Arab Tower Hotel – a budget option with a great view
Visiting Ajloun
The city of Ajloun is best known for its 12th-century Ajloun Castle.
This is the first stop on your day trip, the bus drops you right in front of the entrance. If you travel by car, you can also park nearby. You’ll get a brochure at the entrance with the castle’s history.
Ajloun castle was built in 1184 by one of the nephews of Saladin (first sultan of Egypt and the Levant, founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty, etc.), Izz ad-Din Usama bin Munqidh. It has an excellent strategic position atop a hillside at 1250 meters above sea level.
The castle was built as a fortification against invading Crusaders. Later it was damaged by the Mongols, rebuilt, and overtaken by the Ottomans. Most of the other surviving castles in the area (like Karak – see more here) are Crusader castles, but Ajloun was built as a protection against the Crusaders. Considering the many attacks plus surviving several earthquakes (they are quite common in Jordan), the castle is in good shape!
Visiting Jerash
Jerash, or as it was called earlier, Gerasa has a very extensive heritage site.
Jerash is sometimes called “The Pompeii of the East”. It is not so surprising the ruins are well-preserved, and the area is huge. You’re allowed to climb and explore up and down the various buildings, including amphitheaters (North Theatre and South Theatre), temples (Temple of Zeus, Temple or Arthemis), and other buildings (Hippodrome, Forum, the Bath, etc.).
And how old are the ruins? There are mostly built during the Roman annexation, starting in 63 BC. Later it became a province of Syria then it belonged to the province of Arabia, which covered Amman and Petra too.
More about Jordan
- Wadi Rum trip – A Family-Friendly Destination in the Jordanian Desert
- 10 Reasons You Need to Visit Jordan
- Wadi Mujib Siq trail “hike” – everything you need to know about it!
- How to visit Ajloun and Jerash, Jordan, from Amman?
- Is travel to Jordan safe?
- Jordan road trip & Jordan itinerary
About the Author
Katalin
Katalin is a Lapland-based outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, road-tripping, and traveling with her family. She spends her free time far away from civilization in one of the national parks around the world, explores off-the-beaten-path places, or hops on a road trip with her kids in an RV.
Read more about her adventures and the blog.
