Jerash

Roman Grandeur in Jordan’s Hills

Jeric is a city in northern Jordan where ancient Roman streets intersect with modern life. The well-preserved ruins of Jerash showcase columns, amphitheaters and temples that once served as part of the Decapolis trade network. Local markets sell spices, textiles and handmade crafts while nearby restaurants serve mezze platters alongside traditional coffee. Visitors can walk along stone pathways dating back centuries or explore contemporary cafes in restored Ottoman buildings. The city maintains a balance between historical preservation and daily routines without relying on tourist clichés.

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City in Jordan

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	6

Read details

3/5

English is spoken at the main tourist sites, hotels, and by guides. In shops and local restaurants, English is less common, but basic communication is usually possible. A few Arabic phrases are appreciated.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Jerash Summary

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World-class for Roman ruins. Walk colonnaded streets, explore ancient theaters and temples and experience one of the best preserved Roman cities in the region.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Ruins

Historic sites

Walkable

Architecture

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🥗 8

Vegetarian

Jordan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Jordanian Dinar (JOD) £1 ≈ JOD 0.944
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment options are available in Jordan, especially in urban areas like Amman. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Mobile payment options are also becoming popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping in Jordan is common and appreciated. In restaurants, a 10% tip is usually expected, and taxi drivers typically expect a small tip or rounding up of the fare.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Jordan but is generally restricted to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and hotels. Public consumption of alcohol is not widespread.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in public places but is restricted in certain indoor areas like restaurants and public transport. Smoking areas are available in many public buildings.

Jordan Independence Day (25 May)	A national holiday celebrated with events and parades
Eid al-Fitr (Varies)	A religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with feasts and gatherings

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Careem, Uber
Other:	Jordan is known for its ancient historical sites, such as Petra and the Dead Sea. The country offers rich cultural experiences but requires caution due to the regional political situation.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
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Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Jerash, Jordan

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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High season:	March - May, Oct.
Shoulder season:	June, Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ruins have almost no shade, so visit early morning or late afternoon from June to September

Most visitors come as day trips from Amman, so mornings before 10:00 are quietest

Ramadan: some local restaurants closed during the day, ruins stay open with shorter hours

Don't miss

🏛️ Walk through the ancient Roman ruins of the Oval Plaza
🌅 Marvel at the towering Hadrian’s Arch at sunset
🎭 Explore the preserved Roman theater and test its acoustics
🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the colonnaded streets lined with history
🏺 Visit the Archaeological Museum to see local artifacts
📸 Capture panoramic views of Jerash from the nearby hills

You've been here?

Why travel to Jerash?

Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy and you’ll be amazed by how much of the ancient city remains. From the monumental Hadrian’s Arch to the vast Oval Plaza, the city’s colonnaded streets, temples and amphitheaters invite you to step back in time. The annual Jerash Festival transforms the ruins into a stage for music and dance, making the past feel vibrantly present. It’s easy to visit as a day trip from Amman and the site is less hectic than Petra. Just take care climbing the ruins – some stairways have no barriers and surfaces can be slippery. Summers can be hot and public transport, while cheap, is often crowded and basic. Still, Jerash’s blend of history, scenery and relative tranquility makes it a must-see in Jordan.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Nymphaeum
2 The Hippodrome
3 The Cardo
4 The Temple of Artemis
5 Temple of Zeus
6 South gate
7 Oval Forum
8 South Theatre
9 Arch of Hadrian
10 North Theatre

🎡Places for activities

1 Roman Theatre
2 Jerash Museum

🎈Events

Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts (July)
Chariot race reenactments
Seasonal local food fairs
Traditional music performances
Spring wildflower walks

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Knowledge before you go

Buy Jordan Pass. Covers entry fee plus 40+ other sites.
Start at Hadrian's Arch then follow Cardo Maximus colonnaded street to Oval Plaza and temples.
Climb South Theater seats to test acoustics and view Temple of Artemis across ancient city.
Visit Jerash Festival site in July for chariot races in the hippodrome like ancient Romans did.

How to travel to Jerash

Most visitors arrive via Amman, about 48 km away. Public buses run from Amman’s Tarbarbour terminal to Jerash throughout the day (pay on the bus, no set timetable). Taxis and rental cars are also options. Queen Alia International Airport is the main entry point to Jordan, about 1.5 hours’ drive from Jerash.

Access summary

From Queen Alia Airport (AMM): Taxi or car, usually about 1–1.5 hours.
From Amman city: JETT/local bus or taxi, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From Ajloun: Short scenic drive or taxi through hills, around 40–60 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Jerash

Jerash has a handful of guesthouses and small hotels, mostly simple but comfortable. Most travelers visit as a day trip from Amman, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the site in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s quietest.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

apartment between ajloun castle and Jerash ruins

Dar Gerasa chalets - شاليهات دار جراسا

شاليهات إيليت بانوراما فيو

Jarash

شقق العون

Dayroz farm

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How to get around Jerash

The archaeological site is walkable, but wear sturdy shoes – paths are uneven and some climbs are steep. Local buses connect Jerash to Amman, but they leave when full and can be crowded. Taxis are easy to find and affordable for short trips. If driving, there’s free parking near the site.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-36 %

Daily expenses in Jerash are around 36% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to JOD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£35	£89	£252
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£41	£90
🍝 Food per day	£16	£42	£144
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£5	£18

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£16
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.05
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£4.40
💇 Basic haircut	£5

Safety information overview

General safety

Jerash is generally safe for tourists, with low crime and a relaxed atmosphere. Petty theft can occur in crowded areas. Take care on uneven ruins and avoid climbing without caution — there are few barriers on ancient structures.

Health & Medical

Basic medical care is available in Jerash, but for serious issues, Amman has better facilities. Heat and dehydration are the main risks in summer — carry water and avoid midday sun. Pharmacies are available in town.

Accessibility

The site is not fully accessible — paths are uneven and some ruins require climbing steep, unprotected stairs. Wheelchair access is limited. Those with mobility issues may find some areas difficult or inaccessible.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available at the site and in town. Always carry enough water, especially in hot weather.