If you are into Roman history, you might want to go to see the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum in Rome, the ruins of Pompeii in Southern Italy or even the Pont du Gard in France. But what if we told you that you can see much better Roman ruins in Jerash, Jordan? 

In this travel guide, we will show you how to get to Jerash, Jordan, which Roman ruins to check out in the city centre, how to visit the ruins for free and where to stay the night. 

Key Takeaways 

• Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring Jerash’s extensive Roman ruins, including Hadrian’s Arch, the South Theatre, and the Colonnaded Street.
• Travel from Amman by JETT bus, public bus, rental car, or taxi; the bus ride takes about one hour.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, sun protection, and snacks, especially if visiting during the warmer months. Book the Jordan Pass to save on entrance fees. 
• Consider visiting during the Jerash Festival in July or August to enjoy cultural events like music, theatre, and chariot races.

The 3 Best Hotels in Jerash, Jordan

From budget to luxury, these are the 3 best hotels to stay at in Jerash, Jordan: 

Budget	Jerash City View Hotel	from $ 49 per night	Click here for rates & availability.
Comfort	Celestia Boutique Inn	from $ 61 per night	Click here for rates & availability.
Luxury	Dream Hotel Jerash	from $ 108 per night	Click here for rates & availability.

A Quick Introduction to the City of Jerash

Jerash, Jordan, is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy and in the Middle East. Yes, would you believe it? Located about 48 kilometers north of Amman, it is Jordan’s second most popular tourist destination after Petra. 

The ancient city of Jerash (Gerasa) has a history spanning over 9,500 years with the earliest archaeological finds in the area dating back to the Neolithic Age. It was a key city in the Roman province of Syria. It was also during this period when Jerash began construction on most of the buildings that survived as ruins until today. 

Today, visitors can explore extensive ruins including Hadrian’s Arch, the Oval Plaza, the Colonnaded Street (Cardo Maximus), large theatres and a hippodrome, all still located in the heart of the modern city of Jerash. 

How to Get to Jerash, Jordan 

Thanks to its relatively short distance from Jordan’s capital city of Amman and its walkable archaeological complex in the centre of the modern city, Jerash is the perfect destination for a day trip. 

These are the best transportation methods to get from Amman to Jerash: 

• By JETT Bus: The most comfortable, yet still affordable, option to get from Amman to Jerash, is taking a JETT Bus. To take a JETT Bus to Jerash, visit the JETT Bus website and select the route 7th Circle (in Amman) to Jerash Festival and book your ticket online. Note that this route only operates during the festival. 
• By public bus: For any other date, you can simply take any other public bus to Jerash. While you cannot book the in advance, we assure you it’s just as easy to catch them. Simply head to Tabarbour Station in Amman, ask for the bus to Jerash, pay your ticket (approx. 2 JODs) and wait for the bus to fill up. The bus ride takes one hour and leaves you at Jerash Bus Station. 
• By rental car: If you are planning to check off other sites north of Amman, such as Ajloun Castle, we highly recommend renting a car for the day trip. Renting a car in Jordan is fairly cheap with daily rates starting from just $ 23 (or 20 €). Arrange for a pickup from a station at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) to avoid the traffic of the city and off you go. 
• By private taxi: To easily transfer from your hotel in Amman to your hotel in Jerash, simply take a taxi. Thanks to the short distance, taking a taxi to Jerash is pretty affordable. To book your taxi, spare yourself from negotiating with drivers on the busy streets and simply pre-order a taxi from one of the international ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Kareem. The ride costs around 20 JODs. 

7 Roman Ruins to See in Jerash, Jordan

Once you have made your way to Jerash, you will either be dropped at Southern Bus Station just south of the main sites of the city, at the Central Bus Station north of the complex, or find a parking spot by following the signs to the ‘Jerash Visitor Free Car Parking’. From there, you can begin exploring the remnants of the Roman city of Gerasa. 

From south to north, these are 7 Roman ruins you cannot miss when visiting the city of Jerash, Jordan: 

Hadrian’s Arch 

Starting from the central bus station, the first site you will see is the imposing Hadrian’s Arch. Originally constructed over 2,000 years ago and restored in 2005, this stone arch commemorated the visit of emperor Hadrian to the ancient city of Gerasa. 

Interestingly, the 22-meter high triumphal arch is located far from the Oval Plaza in the ancient city center. This may suggest that Jerash was meant to expand even further, before eventually declining. 

The Hippodrome

Passing Hadrian’s Arch, you will find yourself walking next to the Roman hippodrome of Jerash, also called the circus of Jerash. Possibly taking heavy inspiration for the Roman Circus Maximus, this ancient arena once hosted horse and chariot races for the inhabitants of Jerash to enjoy and bet on. 

On its long side, the hippodrome of Jerash measures some 250 meters, guiding you along your way to the other ancient ruins in Jerash. Do make a stop for the hippodrome, though. It’s much better preserved than the Circus Maximus in Rome and 100 % worth a closer look. 

The South Theatre 

Keep walking further north and you will reach the Jerash Visitor Centre. Pay your entry fee of 10 JODs per foreign adult and enter the main archaeological site through the South Gate, the ancient entrance gate to the city. 

Turn left from the South Gate, pass the Temple of Zeus and you will see the first of three impressively preserved theatres, the South Theatre. Slightly older than Hadrian’s Arch, this Roman theatre was built on the behest of emperor Domitian. With a capacity of roughly 3,000 spectators, it is the largest theatre of Jerash. The theatre is still in use today. 

The Oval Plaza (Oval Forum)

Turn back and follow the main path towards a large plaza. The Oval Plaza, also referred to as the Oval Forum, once functioned as the beating heart of the Roman city of Jerash. Today, the oval-shaped plaza is still lined by an Ionic collonade. 

The Oval Plaza is the perfect halfway point of your tour of Jerash, allowing you to rest in the shade of the columns and to overlook the ancient ruins that follow. The Oval Plaza marks the southern end of the Colonnaded Street, that runs from there all the way to the North Gate. 

The Colonnaded Street (Cardo Maximus)

The Colonnaded Street, or Cardo Maximus, is the Main Street of ancient Jerash, reaching from the Oval Forum in the south to the North Gate in the north. In total, the Cargo Maximus, is around half a mile (or around 800 metres) long. Over much of its length, it is still lined with Corinthian and Ionic columns. 

On your walk along the Colonnaded Street, you will pass other notable buildings constructed under Roman rule, such as the Temple of Artemis, the Nymphaeum, the Propylaeum, and the North Tetrapylon, another monumental gate. Cross this gate and turn to the left to get to the North Theatre. 

The North Theatre

As the counterpart of the larger South Theatre, the North Theatre of Jerash is often discarded as less meaningful and interesting which could not be further from the truth. While the North Theatre is slightly smaller and younger than the Southern one, it was equally important for cultural events and remained in use well into the Early Middle Ages. 

Nowadays, the North Theatre also serves a a location for cultural events such as the Jerash Festival. This theatre is definitely worth a look, especially if you want to avoid the tourist masses at the Southern Theatre. 

The North Gate 

From the North Theatre, it only takes some five more minutes of walking until you arrive at the North Gate. Yet another monumental gateway, the North Gate marks the end of the ancient city or Gerasa. Once you cross it, you will stand in front of the Main Street of the modern city of Jerah. 

Cross the Main Street to catch your bus back to Amman from the Central Bus Station or continue exploring by hitting the Byzantine Church right behind the bus station. 

If you have time to spare, we also recommend visiting the Jerash Archeological Museum located in the Jerash Archeological Park. The entrance fee is already included in your ticket to the ruined city. 

5 Things to Consider Before You Visit Jerash

Before you add Jerash to your Jordan itinerary, check out these five tips for planning your day trip to Jerash. 

From the best time to visit, to how much time to plan and what to pack, this is what you need to know before visiting Jerash, Jordan: 

• When to Visit: The best time to visit Jerash, Jordan, is during the Jerash Festival. During the Jerash Festival, the city is transformed into the site of cultural events such as musical performance, theatre, dances and even a chariot experience. In 2026, the Jerash Festival will be held in the month of August. The exact date will be announced soon. 
• How Much Time to Plan: To explore the main sites at a leisurely pace, we recommend planning to spend three to four hours in the archaeological site. Including your drive there and back as well as lunch or coffee in the city centre, you should allocate around eight hours to your trip. 
• How Much to Pay: Foreign adults pay 10 JODs to enter the main archeological park in Jerash. The entrance fee includes the entrance to the Jerash Archeological Museum. We recommend purchasing the Jordan Pass before your trip. Starting at 70 JODs, the Jordan Pass includes your entry visa fee, you entrance fee to Petra and Jerash and 30+ other attraction in the country. 
• What to Pack: Visiting Jerash means spending a full day walking under the possibly scorching sun. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a hut and make sure to apply sunscreen before starting your tour of Jerash. We recommend bringing along some snacks and plenty of water, so you don’t have to cut your tour in half to leave the complex for food. 
• To Book a Tour or Not? In our opinion, booking a tour of Jerash is not necessary. The archaeological site is one of the most well-preserved sites of the Roman world, well-connected to Amman by bus and easily navigable independently. If you want to learn more about the Roman architecture in Jerash without doing all the reading yourself, book a Jerash walking tour. 

Where to Stay in Jerash, Jordan 

If you are visiting Jerash during the Jerash Festival, you might want to consider spending a night or two in the city to catch some of the musical performances or the chariot experience.

From budget to comfort and luxury, these are the best hotels to stay in Jerash, Jordan: 

• Budget: Located in a quieter neighbourhood of Jerash, the Jerash City View Hotel offers affordable private rooms starting from just $ 49 per night. Although it’s technically right next to the Roman ruins, you do need to walk around them first or take a 3-minute taxi to get to the entrance. The hotel itself stands out with clean, comfortable room and excellent service. 
• Comfort: At Celestia Boutique Inn in Downtown Jerash, you will get the perfect mix of convenience and comfort from $ 61 per night. The boutique hotel is carefully decorated, offering lots of privacy and comfort, while oozing a modern Jordanian charm. Every booking comes with a complimentary breakfast, fueling you for your 5-minute walk to the North Gate. 
• Luxury: While not a traditional luxury experience, the Dream Hotel Jerash in Downtown Jerash offers the highest level of service, spacious double rooms along with a hearty breakfast served in the rooftop restaurant. Thanks to its height, the hotel also provides an unobstructed view of the Roman ruins. Nightly rates for the Dream Hotel Jerash start from $ 108. 

The Bottom Line 

If you have a day to spare in your Jordan itinerary, we highly recommend squeezing in a day trip to Jerash. Take a one-hour bus from Tabarbour Station in Amman for 2 JODs in the morning, explore the Roman ruins by yourself or join a walking tour and visit some events of the Jerash Festival, if you are lucky enough to visit at the right time. 

In Jerash, you will find some of the best surviving ruins of the ancient world, featuring Roman ruins such as Hadrian’s Arch, the South Theatre and the Cardo Maximus and a small museum displayed artefacts found on the archaeological site – all included in your Jordan Pass. 

Frequently Asked Questions