Things to see and do in Jerash

Jerash is located in the northwest of Khoradania and is an ancient city of the Decapolis. These impressive ruins leave all travellers in awe of their grandeur, especially those with a passion for history. In fact, Jerash was one of the most important Roman cities and is now one of the best preserved in the entire Near East. An earthquake in the 8th century left the city buried and it was not discovered until the early 19th century, which is why it is in such good condition. It’s very important to choose what to see in Jerash before you visit, as the options are all incredibly beautiful.

Follow this post to find out what to see in Jerash so you can prepare ahead of time. We’ll give you all the tips you need to keep in mind during your visit, as well as lots and lots of recommendations for food, accommodation… Absolutely everything! Thanks to Passporter, all you have to worry about is sunscreen and enjoying the wonders that await you in Jerash.

What are the best places to see in Jerash?

All of the Jerash complex can be visited on your own, although we recommend visiting it with a guide who can explain the history of the monuments to you. This way, the visit is much more interesting. The entrance fee to visit all of Jerash is 12 Jordanian dinars, but it’s included in the Jordan Pass, so if you have it, it’s totally free. Jerash is 50km from Amman, about 50 minutes by car. Free parking is available for visitors at the entrance. If you prefer to go by public transport there is the option of taking a bus from Amman to Jerash for one Jordanian dinar.

1. Hadrian’s Arch

As soon as you enter the complex, the first thing you will see at Jerash is the impressive Hadrian’s Arch. This is the southern gateway to the ruins of the ancient city. In fact, despite being a very old monument, it is very well preserved. The Hadrian’s Arch was built in 130 AD to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian. It is a façade measuring some 13 metres in height, and its structure is so impressive that it is not overlooked by any traveller who enters Jerash.

2. The Church of Marianos

Once you pass through Hadrian’s Arch, the base of the ancient Church of Marianos will appear before you. Only the remains of the floor, which was composed of beautiful Byzantine mosaics, are left. This church was built in 570 BC under the episcopate of bishop Marianos, so make sure you visit it when you visit Jerash.

3. The Hippodrome of Jerash

Just opposite the Church of Marianos, stands the ancient Jerash Hippodrome. This hippodrome was built in the 3rd century BC and is still in very good condition – in fact, it is the best preserved in the entire Roman Empire! Travellers are often impressed by the size of this monument, which measures 265 metres long and 50 metres wide. When it was built it could hold 17,000 spectators, which is why it is so large.

When you visit, you will also notice that the northern part of the hippodrome has an amphitheatre. This innovation dates back to the 4th century BC and was built for the purpose of holding gladiatorial fights or other events. Unfortunately, the hippodrome was severely damaged by an earthquake in 749 BC and so only ruins remain today. However, it is well worth a visit just for the historical importance of the site.

4. Temple of Artemis

The Temple of Artemis is one of the best preserved temples you will see in Jerash. Along with Zeus, Artemis was one of the most important and most revered goddesses in the city of Jerash. The temple of Artemis was erected in 135 AD and it was decided to place it in the highest part of the city so that it could be seen from all corners. Although now we can only see the bases of the porticoes, it was once beautifully decorated on the inside as well.

5. The Oval Square

The Oval Square is named for its oval shape and when you go to see Jerash, you will realise that it is located at a key point in the city. The purpose of this square was to link the main avenue of the city with the temple of Zeus, the second most revered god in Jerash.

Although the square was built in the early 2nd century BC, it is recorded that the paving was added in the 4th century BC. The Oval Square consists of 56 columns surrounding a 90-metre-long area. This is one of the most photo-worthy places in Jerash because of how well preserved it is.

6. The South Gate

The South Gate is the main gate to Jerash today, although this was not always the case. Originally, in the 4th century BC to be precise. The South Gate was part of the city wall that protected the city, since during Byzantine times Jerash was an open city. This is another of the oldest and best-preserved monuments you will see in Jerash, so what are you waiting for?

7. The Temple of Zeus and the Southern Theatre

Like the Temple of Artemis, the Temple of Zeus enjoys a privileged position in the city of Jerash. It stands on a hilltop overlooking the Oval Square. The Temple of Zeus retains only the 8 columns of its main façade but it was once spectacular. When it was built in 27 BC it was divided into two parts: the upper and lower terraces.

8. Cardo Maximus

The Cardo Maximus was built in the 2nd century BC and was the most important street in all of Jerash. This main artery is 800 metres long and connects two of the city’s main monuments: the North Gate and the Oval Square. While walking along the Car Maximus you will see many other monuments of interest in Jerash such as the Market Place, the Mezkite and the Baths. It is worth noting that the columns that surround this street are later, dating from the Byzantine period.

9. Macellum

The macellum is a super interesting structure, but even more so when you know what it was used for. It is an ancient covered market in a circular shape. It was once surrounded by many columns with a fountain in the centre, and it also had some curious lion-shaped sculptures that served as table legs at the same time. This was where the merchants conducted all their business. A visit here will make you feel like you’re in a market in Ancient Rome.

10. The Cathedral

The Cathedral is the oldest church you will see in Jerash, dating back to 450 BC! This curious structure, of which a doorway and several columns remain, will appear before you as you walk along the Cardo Maximus. It is believed to have been a pagan sanctuary erected in honour of the god Dionysos.

Also, just behind the Cathedral you can visit the Church of St Theodore. This was built in 496 BC and the main material used for its construction was stones from ancient Roman buildings.

11. Nymphaeum

The Nymphaeum was built in 190 BC as a public fountain to supply water to the inhabitants of the city and also to the public baths. Although they are no longer preserved, when the Nymphaeum was built, it had seven statues in the shape of lions and they spat out jets of water. So we can say that it was also a very aesthetic fountain.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to visit around Jerash?

1. Museum of Jerash

On leaving the site, we recommend a visit to the Jerash Museum. It is located just outside the exit. The Jerash Museum houses more delicate objects that were also found on the site, such as coins, jewellery, precious stones, some statues, marble and stone altars. As a special attraction, the museum also has mosaic paintings from various regions of Jerash. The entrance fee is included in the price of admission to the museum, so don’t miss out!

What to see in Jerash in a day?

Generally the city can be visited in one day, but if you’re wondering what to see in Jerash we recommend:

• Hadrian’s Arch
• The Oval Piazza
• The Temple of Artemis
• The Cathedral
• The Thistle Maximus

Where and what to eat in Jerash?

When you go to see Jerash, you’ll find that one of the best things about Jordan is its cuisine. In general in all Middle Eastern countries, the first thing you’ll be served is the mezze, which consists of various cold appetizers. Among these we recommend you try chickpea hummus or falafel. Also, while in Jordan you should try the Baba Ghanous (aubergine hummus), the Tabbouleh, or the Kibbe. We recommend the following restaurants in Jerash:

• Artemis Restaurant: This restaurant offers a la carte or buffet for 12 dinars. In general it is a restaurant that offers a lot of variety, with a lot of salads and healthy food such as chicken with aubergines. Everything is accompanied by their typical homemade bread.
• Green Valley Restaurant: In addition to a beautiful outdoor dining room decorated with fountains and reed ceiling fans, the Green Valley Restaurant serves delicious Jordanian dishes at an excellent value for money.
• Lebanese House: All the food served at the Lebanese House is delicious. The dishes always consist of typical food and very generous portions. The place is clean and the staff is super friendly and attentive – you’ll love it!

Where to sleep in Jerash?

Generally when you go to see Jerash, it’s only a day trip, so most travellers don’t usually stay there. However, if you’d like to use Jerash as a starting point for visiting other parts of northern Jordan, we recommend:

• Hadrian’s Arch: This accommodation is perfectly located, just 1.9 km from the ruins of Jerash. It offers all facilities: garden, free private parking, shared lounge and kitchen and barbecue facilities. Price for a double room for two people is 36 euros per night.
• Full panorama Jerash: Also located very close to the ruins of Jerash, the Full panorama Jerash offers rooms with private bathroom, air conditioning, flat-screen TV and fridge. This bed and breakfast also serves a vegetarian or halal breakfast. Price for a double room for two persons is 35 euros per night.
• Moon valley Jerash: This beautiful accommodation is located just 1.7 km from the ruins of Jerash and a delicious halal breakfast is served every morning in the flat. All accommodation includes a fully equipped kitchenette with dining table, satellite TV and a private bathroom. It’s like being at home! Price for a double room for two persons 40 euros per night.

Tips for your trip to Jerash

• The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian dinar and currently the equivalence is 1 Jordanian dinar=1.26 euros. We recommend that you use your credit card to pay and withdraw cash from ATMs when you arrive in Jordan.
• The best time to see Jerash is in spring (between March and May) and autumn (September to November). These are the times of year with the most pleasant temperatures in Jordan and there will be virtually no risk of rain. So you can enjoy the best weather in Jerash.
• A visa is required to enter Jordan in addition to your passport. This visa is issued on arrival in Jordan and costs 40 Jordanian dinars. It is valid for 30 days with a single entry.
• We recommend that you get your Jordan Pass to get around Jerash and the country in general.
• You could hire a car in Jerash to get around the country easily. The Spanish driving license is valid for driving in Jordan. Jordan is also a very safe country that you can easily visit on your own.
• Buy travel insurance because health care in Jordan is private and you’ll have a lot more peace of mind.
• Although there are no mandatory vaccinations for travel to Jordan (Yellow Fever for passengers from endemic countries), we recommend that you visit the vaccination centre just in case.

How to organise what to see on your trip to Jerash

You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the options suggested by the Passporter website. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and what to do in Jordan. Thanks to Passporter you can sort your selection in order of preference and organise your routes around this beautiful country.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your trip before you leave home, don’t worry, Passporter can help. In our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter, we explain step by step how to create your ideal trip so that you don’t miss anything and get the most out of your stay.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Jerash