Ajloun Castle
An Ayyubid hilltop castle above Ajloun, built by one of Saladin’s emirs
BuiltAD 1184–85
BuildersAyyubid · Mamluk
Location3 km W of Ajloun
MuseumInside the castle
Introduction
A castle of Saladin’s emirs, watching over the hills of northern Jordan.
Crowning the summit of Jabal ‘Awf, about 3 km west of Ajloun town, Qal’at ar-Rabad, the “castle of the suburb”, is one of the finest Islamic castles of the Crusader period. From its walls the view reaches over three wadis to the Jordan Valley.
The castle was begun in 1184–85 by ‘Izz al-Din Usama, one of Saladin’s emirs, and enlarged in 1214–15 by Aybak, who added the great south-eastern tower and outer gates. Cross the bridge over the dry moat, explore the vaulted halls and towers, and finish in the small museum.
Best timeMar–May · Oct–Nov
Time needed1 hr
Ticket3 JOD · Jordan Pass
From Amman75 km · 1 hr 30 min
Combine withJerash (Gerasa) · 35 min
Google rating4.6 · Reviews
Highlights · An Ayyubid castle
Six things not to miss at Ajloun
Towers, a dry moat, vaulted halls and a museum
Ajloun is compact and well restored. These are the places that make the visit.
01 / 0601 · Defence
The bridge and Aybak’s Tower
Bridge and gate
A bridge crosses the dry moat to the gate in the great south-eastern tower, added in 1214–15.
Look closely
Aybak’s building inscription beside the entrance.
1 of 6
Part by part
What to see
Five parts of the visit, from the bridge to the museum. Pick one to see what to look for.
1 / 601 · The entrance
Cross the moat
A bridge crosses the deep dry moat, cut in the rock around the castle, to the gate in the great south-eastern tower. Aybak, majordomo of the Ayyubid ruler of Damascus, added this tower and the outer gates in 1214–15.
His Arabic building inscription is on the east face of the tower, beside the entrance.
Dry moatAD 1214–15Inscription
Look for
- The depth of the rock-cut moat
- Aybak’s inscription beside the entrance
- The arrow slits above the gate
1 / 802 · Among the pines
Walk round the walls
The first castle was a square keep with corner towers and an entrance on the east. Aybak raised the walls and probably cut the moat, and the limestone was probably quarried from the moat itself.
Walk round the outside of the castle to see the towers rising above the pine trees.
Square keepCorner towersPine woods
Look for
- The corner towers
- The finely cut limestone
- The castle seen from the pine woods
Dig deeperWhy here?
According to the chronicler Ibn Shaddad, the castle was built to control the Banu ‘Awf tribe of the mountain. It also secured northern Jordan for Damascus, guarded the iron mines of Ajloun and faced the Crusader castle of Belvoir across the Jordan Valley.
1 / 903 · Inside the keep
Explore the halls
Inside, vaulted halls, passages and stairs link the towers. Some rooms were left open to the sky, and narrow windows light the long halls.
You can wander freely between the halls and up the stairs to the towers.
Stone vaultsPassagesStairs
Look for
- The pointed vaults
- Arrow slits and windows
- Stairs between the levels
Dig deeperMongols and Mamluks
In 1260 the Mongols occupied the castle, ate its stores and threw down its battlements. In 1261 the Mamluk sultan Baybars had it repaired and restocked, and Ajloun became an administrative centre and arsenal.
1 / 804 · The top of the castle
Climb to the top
Stairs lead up to open courts and the tops of the towers. From here the view reaches over three wadis to the Jordan Valley.
Earthquakes in 1837 and 1927 badly damaged the castle, and many walls up here were consolidated by the Department of Antiquities.
ViewsTowersRestored walls
Look for
- The Jordan Valley to the west
- The Ajloun hills and pine woods
- The outline of the towers
1 / 805 · Inside the castle
Visit the museum
A small museum opened in one of the halls in 1993. It displays pottery, coins, glass, inscriptions and the mosaic of a small Byzantine chapel that was incorporated into the castle.
Outside the castle, stone sarcophagi lie among the trees.
Opened 1993Byzantine mosaicIncluded in the ticket
Look for
- The Byzantine mosaic
- Carved stones and inscriptions
- The sarcophagi among the trees
History & significance
A castle of Saladin’s emirs
Ajloun was built to hold northern Jordan against the Crusaders. Enlarged by the Ayyubids, damaged by the Mongols and restored by the Mamluks, it later housed an Ottoman garrison.
- AD 1184–85‘Izz al-Din Usama begins the castle
- AD 1214–15Aybak adds the south-eastern tower and gates
- AD 1260The Mongols occupy the castle
- AD 1261Baybars repairs and restocks it
- AD 1837 · 1927Earthquakes badly damage it
- AD 1993The castle museum opens
ProfileAjloun Castle: the full storyThe history, Aybak’s inscription and the timeline of the castle.Read the profile →Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before you go
The castle is on the summit of Jabal ‘Awf, about 3 km west of Ajloun town and 25 km from Jerash. A road climbs to the visitor centre and car park; a cable car also runs up from the Ajloun Development Zone, but its ticket does not include the castle.
Good to know: there are steps and uneven floors inside, and some halls are dim.
Opening hoursOpen dailyWinter 8:00–16:00 · April–May 8:00–17:30 · Summer 8:00–18:30 · Ramadan 9:00–17:00
Entry ticket3 JODResidents 0.25 JOD · museum included · Jordan Pass
Time to visit1 hrAbout an hour with the museum
From Amman75 kmAbout 1 hour 15 min to 1 hour 30 min by road
LocationAjloun32.3252° N, 35.7274° EGet directions
Opening hours and prices checked October 2026. Spotted a change? Let us know
On site
What you’ll find at Ajloun Castle
- Visitor centre
- Ticket office
- Toilets
- Free parking
- Museum
- Guide available
- Food & drinks
- Market / shop
- Viewpoint
Nearby: hotels
Access: no 4x4 needed
When to go
Spring, when the hills are green, and autumn are best. Ajloun is cooler than Amman in summer and can be cold and wet in winter.
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Tip: combine the castle with a walk in the Ajloun Forest Reserve nearby.
Before you go
The visitor centre has toilets and a small shop.
- Comfortable shoesSteps and uneven floors
- A warm layerThe hilltop is breezy, cold in winter
- Cash in Jordanian dinarsFor tickets and small purchases
- Jordan PassIf you have one, it covers the ticket
Common questions
Quick answers before you set off.
How long do I need at Ajloun Castle?
About an hour for the castle and the museum.
Is the museum included in the ticket?
Yes. The ticket includes the museum, and Ajloun Castle is included in the Jordan Pass.
Does the cable car ticket include the castle?
No. The Ajloun cable car runs up to the castle, but you need a separate castle ticket.
Was Ajloun a Crusader castle?
No. It was built by the Ayyubids, the dynasty of Saladin, to hold northern Jordan against the Crusaders.
Can I visit Ajloun on a tour?
Yes. Ajloun Castle is on three of our private tours from Amman, with Jerash, with Pella, or with both.
Combine with
Ajloun combines easily with Jerash, Pella and the forest reserve. Drive times are from Ajloun Castle.
1
Jerash (Gerasa)Roman city25 km · ~35 min drive · Tours 1 & 32Pella (Tabqet Fahel)Ancient city40 km · ~55 min drive · Tours 2 & 33Ajloun Forest Biosphere ReserveForest reserve10 km · ~20 min drive
Jerash (Gerasa)Roman city25 km · ~35 min drive · Tours 1 & 32
Pella (Tabqet Fahel)Ancient city40 km · ~55 min drive · Tours 2 & 33
Ajloun Forest Biosphere ReserveForest reserve10 km · ~20 min driveTour 1 Jerash & Ajloun Castle · Tour 2 Ajloun Castle & Pella · Tour 3 Jerash, Ajloun Castle & Pella. Compare the tours
Private tours
3 private day tours that include Ajloun Castle
All three tours are just for you: your own vehicle and driver, hotel pickup in Amman and entry tickets included. The price depends on how many travellers there are, up to three.
Private: only your group
Your own vehicle & driver
Hotel pick-up in Amman
Entry tickets included
from$130per group (1–3) · 92 JOD
Tour 1 · Half day · Private
Half-Day Private Tour to Jerash and Ajloun Castle
Discover two of northern Jordan’s most impressive historical landmarks on this private half-day journey from Amman. The tour begins with a visit to the magnificent ruins of Jerash, widely regarded as one of the largest and best-preserved Roman provincial cities outside Italy.
Roman cityAyyubid castle2 sitesHalf day
Duration5–6 hr
Pick-up8 or 9 AM
Group1–3, private
Included
- Private luxury transfer
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks
- Coffee/tea (on request)
- WiFi, Phone charger
Not included
- Professional on-site (local) guide
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
from$195per group (1–3) · 140 JOD
Tour 2 · Full day · Private
Full-Day Private Tour to Ajloun Castle and Pella
Escape the city and journey into the lush highlands of northern Jordan on this private day tour from Amman. Discover a region where rolling green hills, ancient ruins, and layered history come together in one unforgettable experience.
Ayyubid castleJordan ValleyAncient city5 stops
Duration6–7 hr
Pick-up8 or 9 AM
Group1–3, private
Included
- Private luxury transfer
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks
- Coffee/tea (on request)
- WiFi, Phone charger
Not included
- Professional on-site (local) guide
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
from$235per group (1–3) · 167 JOD
Tour 3 · Full day · Private
Private Tour to Jerash, Ajloun Castle and Pella
Discover the rich history and natural beauty of northern Jordan on this private day tour from Amman. Combining some of the country’s most remarkable archaeological sites with its greenest landscapes, this journey offers a refreshing and immersive experience beyond the typical tourist trail.
Roman citiesAyyubid castleJordan Valley6 stops
Duration7–8 hr
Pick-up8 or 9 AM
Group1–3, private
Included
- Private luxury transfer
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks
- Coffee/tea (on request)
- WiFi, Phone charger
Not included
- Professional on-site (local) guide
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
CancellationFull refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. No refunds or changes within 24 hours.
Pick-upFrom your hotel lobby or home in Amman, 5 minutes before your chosen start time.
BringComfortable shoes, sun hat, sunblock and sunglasses. Tours run in English.
Explore this site
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