Jerash travel guide: the Roman city and where to stay

Jerash is a strikingly well-preserved Roman city in northern Jordan, about 48 km (roughly 45 minutes to an hour) north of Amman. It was one of the ten Decapolis cities, and its colonnaded streets, plazas, and theatres still stand after about two thousand years. Half a day to a day is enough to see it, and many people pair it with nearby Ajloun in one northern trip, or stay in the northern chalets and make Jerash a stop along the way.

The colonnaded street and the Oval Plaza

The visit usually begins at Hadrian's Arch by the entrance, then leads into the famous Oval Plaza ringed by columns, and on into the colonnaded Cardo running across the city on its original Roman paving. Temples, fountains, and old markets line it, the largest being the Temple of Artemis with its massive columns.

The theatres and the festival

Jerash has two Roman theatres still in use; the South Theatre hosts performances and sometimes features bagpipe bands whose sound fills the space. In summer the site hosts the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, one of the oldest festivals in the region. Set aside two to three hours to walk the site, and carry a hat and water because it's exposed to the sun.

Best time to visit, and getting there

Spring and autumn are best for the mild weather and easy walking among the ruins. Summer days are hot so start early, and winter is cold with possible rain. You reach it from Amman in about 45 minutes to an hour on a paved road, with Ajloun another half hour on, so the two sites are easy to link in a single day.

Where to stay: chalets near Jerash

Jerash itself is a day destination, but staying in the northern hills nearby makes the trip calmer and saves you the evening drive back to Amman. Before you book, check how close the chalet is to Jerash and Ajloun, whether it fits your group, and that the photos are clear. Most important, make sure the photos are of the actual chalet, on YallaChalet we verify that before any listing goes live.

We gather the area's chalets in one place so you can compare them easily. Browse the Jerash area to see what's available and message the owner directly on WhatsApp, with no commission and no middleman. Planning a northern trip? Read the nearby Ajloun guide or the Irbid and Umm Qais guide.