Best Time to Visit
March to May and September to November (mild 18-28°C, dry). Summers exceed 35°C with no shade in the ruins
Language
Arabic; English widely understood at tourist sites
Currency
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Time Zone
AST (UTC+3)
Airport
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), 55km south in Amman
Population
250,000 (city proper)
Climate
Semi-arid Mediterranean, hot dry summers (35°C+), mild wet winters (8-15°C)
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1)
Jordan Pass
JOD 70-80 (~$99-113) covers Jerash entry + 40 sites + visa fee — essential purchase before arrival
A unique oval-shaped Roman forum ringed by 56 Ionic columns, unlike any other in the Roman world. Free with site entry (JOD 10 / ~$14, or included in Jordan Pass). Open 8AM-6PM summer, 8AM-4PM winter. Allow 30 minutes here, but budget 3-4 hours for the full site. Best photographed in golden hour light.
A 13-meter triumphal arch built in 129 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian's visit. Stands 400 meters south of the main gate — start your visit here for the dramatic approach. Recently restored with original inscriptions still visible. Free to view from outside even without a ticket.
A 245-meter Roman chariot racing arena that seated 15,000 spectators. The RACE show (Roman Army and Chariot Experience) runs daily at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM — 45 minutes of chariot races, gladiator fights, and legionary drills. Separate ticket: JOD 12 (~$17). One of the most unique experiences in Jordan.
Massive Corinthian temple dedicated to Jerash's patron goddess, built 150 AD. The 12 remaining columns are 12 meters tall — insert a spoon in the column base gaps to see them sway in the wind (earthquake-resistant Roman engineering). 15-minute walk uphill from the Oval Plaza. Allow 30 minutes.
A beautifully preserved 3,000-seat amphitheater with stunning acoustics — stand in the center of the orchestra pit and clap to hear the echo. Built 90-92 AD, still used for the annual Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts (July). Climb to the top rows for panoramic views of the entire site.
An 800-meter colonnaded main street with original chariot ruts carved into the limestone paving stones. Walk the full length to appreciate the scale — 500 columns once lined this road. Look for the intersection with the Decumanus where an elaborate tetrapylon (four-pillared gateway) still stands.
An ornate 2nd-century public fountain dedicated to the water nymphs, with two-story facade remnants and carved lion-head spouts. Originally clad in marble with a painted half-dome ceiling. Located along the Cardo Maximus, easy to miss if you rush — pause here for 15 minutes to appreciate the detailing.
Fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). Transfer to downtown Amman (30 minutes by taxi, JOD 20-25). Base yourself in the Jabal Amman or Rainbow Street area for walkability and atmosphere.
Airport transfer to Amman(30 minutes)
Pre-book a hotel transfer or use Careem app (JOD 20-25). Avoid the fixed-price taxi desk which overcharges. The highway into the city is modern and fast
Check-in and freshen up at hotel(1 hour)
Stay in the Jabal Amman area — The House Boutique Suites or Sydney Hotel have great locations near Rainbow Street. Budget options from JOD 30/night
Walk Rainbow Street(1.5 hours)
Amman's hippest strip — cafes, galleries, and street art. Stop at Hashem Restaurant (open 24 hours, been serving the best falafel and hummus in Jordan since 1952) for a cheap dinner. A full meal with juice costs JOD 3-4
Sunset from Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qala'a)(1 hour)
JOD 3 entry (included in Jordan Pass). The Temple of Hercules columns frame the city. The panoramic view over downtown Amman's white buildings stacked on hills is the perfect introduction to Jordan
Day trip to Jerash, 48km north of Amman. Hire a taxi (JOD 25-30 round trip with 3-hour wait) or take a minibus from Tabarbour station (JOD 1 each way). Arrive early to beat heat and tour bus crowds.
Drive to Jerash (depart 7:30AM)(45 minutes)
Start early — the site opens at 8AM and you want to be there when the gates open, before the 10AM tour bus rush. Bring 1.5 liters of water per person and sunscreen
Hadrian's Arch and Hippodrome RACE show(1.5 hours)
Start at the 13-meter triumphal arch 400m south of the main gate. Time for the 11AM RACE show (Roman Army and Chariot Experience, JOD 12) — chariot races, gladiator fights, and legionary drills in the original hippodrome. Only place in the world you can see this
Oval Plaza, Cardo Maximus, and South Theater(2 hours)
Walk the 800m colonnaded Cardo Maximus with original chariot ruts in the stone. At the Oval Plaza, 56 Ionic columns still stand. Climb to the top row of the 3,000-seat South Theater and clap at the center of the orchestra pit — the acoustics are extraordinary
Temple of Artemis and Nymphaeum(1 hour)
15-minute uphill walk from the Oval Plaza. Insert a spoon in the column base gaps to see the 12-meter columns sway — earthquake-resistant Roman engineering. The ornate Nymphaeum fountain along the Cardo is easy to miss if you rush
Lunch at Lebanese House in Jerash town(1 hour)
Exit the site and eat at the entrance town — much better than the overpriced cafeteria inside. Excellent mansaf and mezze for JOD 5-8 per person
Head 20km west of Jerash to Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century Ayyubid fortress. The surrounding hills are covered in ancient olive and pine forests — a surprisingly green side of Jordan.
Drive to Ajloun Castle(1 hour)
From Amman, take the highway north through rolling green hills. Ajloun is 73km northwest of Amman, or just 20km from Jerash
Ajloun Castle (Qal'at ar-Rabad)(1.5 hours)
JOD 3 entry (included in Jordan Pass). Built 1184 AD by Saladin's generals to control iron mines and guard against Crusaders. Seven towers, a moat, and sweeping views across the Jordan Valley
Ajloun Forest Reserve hike(2 hours)
Managed by RSCN. The Roe Deer Trail (2km, easy) winds through old-growth oak, pistachio, and strawberry trees. Entry JOD 7. The Soap House on-site sells olive oil soap made by local women's cooperatives
Lunch at RSCN lodge(1 hour)
Traditional Jordanian lunch spread for JOD 12 — stuffed grape leaves, fattoush, grilled chicken with sumac. Eat on the terrace overlooking the forest canopy
Return to Amman, dinner at Sufra(2 hours)
Drive back (1 hour) and dine at Sufra near the 1st Circle — a converted heritage house with the best upscale Jordanian cuisine in Amman. Mains JOD 8-15
A full day discovering Amman's layers — ancient Roman, Ottoman, and buzzing modern. The city is more interesting than most travelers give it credit for.
Roman Theater and Archaeological Museum(1.5 hours)
A perfectly preserved 6,000-seat Roman theater from the 2nd century AD. JOD 2 entry. Climb to the top for city views. The Jordan Museum of Popular Traditions has traditional costumes and Bedouin jewelry
Downtown souk walk(1.5 hours)
Wander the gold souk, spice market, and fabric shops along King Talal Street. Try knafeh from Habibah Sweets (JOD 0.50 a plate) — the queue out the door tells you everything
Lunch at Al Quds Restaurant(1 hour)
Downtown institution serving maqluba (upside-down rice and chicken) for JOD 3. Packed with locals at noon
King Abdullah I Mosque(45 minutes)
Blue-domed Ottoman-style mosque, one of few in Jordan open to non-Muslims. Free entry (modest dress required, abayas provided). Interior blue mosaic dome is stunning. Open 8AM-11AM and 12:30-2PM
Evening at Books@Cafe(2 hours)
Amman's original artsy cafe with a terrace overlooking the city on Rainbow Street. Shisha and Arabic coffee with cardamom on the rooftop is the quintessential Amman evening
A slower-paced day after three full days of sightseeing. Learn to cook Jordanian food and explore at your own pace.
Late breakfast at Fann wa Chai(1.5 hours)
Art & Tea cafe near the 1st Circle — eggs shakshuka and fresh-squeezed orange juice with a city view. JOD 6 for a full breakfast
Beit Sitti cooking class(3 hours)
Hands-on cooking in a traditional Amman home — learn to make mansaf, stuffed vine leaves, and hummus from scratch. JOD 35 per person including lunch. Book at beitsitti.com, morning sessions at 10AM
Darat al-Funun art galleries(1.5 hours)
Free contemporary Arab art in beautiful stone buildings on Jabal al-Lweibdeh hill. Sculpture garden with city views. Open Sat-Thu 10AM-7PM
Dinner at Fakhr el-Din(1.5 hours)
Splurge dinner at Amman's finest Lebanese restaurant in a 1920s villa. Cold mezze spread (JOD 20 for two) and lamb cutlets. Book for sunset on the terrace
Drive 45 minutes southwest from Amman to float in the lowest point on Earth (430m below sea level). The Dead Sea's hyper-saline water makes sinking physically impossible.
Drive to the Dead Sea(45 minutes)
Hire a driver (JOD 40-50 round trip) or rent a car. The descent from Amman to -430m is dramatic — ears pop on the way down
Float in the Dead Sea at Amman Beach(2 hours)
Amman Beach (public) charges JOD 20 entry with towel, locker, and shower. Float on your back — 34% salinity makes it impossible to sink. Don't shave beforehand and do NOT get water in your eyes. 15-20 minutes floating is plenty
Dead Sea mud bath(30 minutes)
Slather the mineral-rich black mud over your body (free at the beach), let it dry 10 minutes, then rinse. Your skin will feel impossibly soft
Lunch at Dead Sea Panoramic Complex(1 hour)
Restaurant with sweeping views across the water to Israel and Palestine. Grilled meats and salads for JOD 8-12. The museum covers the Dead Sea's ecology and alarming shrinkage rate
Return to Amman via Mount Nebo (optional)(1.5 hours)
Stop at Mount Nebo where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land — panoramic views across the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea. JOD 3 entry (included in Jordan Pass)
Final morning in Amman before heading to Queen Alia International Airport.
Breakfast at Shams El Balad(1 hour)
Organic cafe on Rainbow Street — excellent shakshuka, fresh bread, and locally roasted coffee. JOD 7-10 for a full breakfast. A perfect farewell meal
Last-minute shopping at Wild Jordan Center(1 hour)
RSCN-certified crafts supporting local communities, Dead Sea products, and Jordanian spices. The terrace cafe has great views too
Airport transfer(45 minutes)
Queen Alia Airport is 35km south. Allow 3 hours before your flight. Pick up Jordanian sweets from Al Nafura in the terminal
Buy the Jordan Pass online (jordanpass.jo) before arrival — JOD 70 for the basic tier covers your visa fee (JOD 40) plus entry to 40+ sites including Jerash and Petra. Must stay in Jordan at least 3 nights. Without it, Jerash entry alone is JOD 10 and Petra is JOD 50.
Jerash is 48km north of Amman (45 minutes by car). Hire a taxi for JOD 25-30 round trip with 3 hours waiting time, or take the public minibus from Amman's Tabarbour bus station for JOD 1 each way (45 minutes, frequent departures). Combine with Ajloun Castle (20km west) for a full day.
Licensed guides wait at the entrance and charge JOD 15-25 for a 2-hour tour. Absolutely worth it — without context, the ruins are just old stones. A guide brings 2,000 years of history alive and shows you hidden details like the swaying columns trick at the Temple of Artemis. Agree on a price before starting.
The cafeteria inside the archaeological site is overpriced and basic. Instead, eat at the restaurants clustered at the entrance in Jerash town — Lebanese House and Jerash Rest House serve excellent mansaf (Jordan's national dish) and mezze for JOD 5-8 per person. Friday lunch is busiest (local family day).
There is virtually no shade across the sprawling site. In summer (June-August), temperatures regularly exceed 38°C. Bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person, wear a hat, and apply sunscreen generously. Start early (8AM opening) to beat the heat and the tour bus crowds that arrive around 10AM.
Many tourists walk right past the hippodrome to the main ruins — the RACE (Roman Army and Chariot Experience) show is the only place in the world where you can watch Roman chariot racing reenactments in an original hippodrome. Schedule your arrival to catch the 11AM show before exploring the ruins.
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Travel GuidesEntry fees, guide prices, the chariot show schedule, and whether the Jordan Pass is worth it. Every practical question answered.
