'Ajlun

Introduction

Ajloun, also spelled Ajlun, is the capital town of the Ajloun Governorate, a hilly town in the north of Jordan. It sits northwest of Amman, and its character is shaped by its elevated terrain and its place as the administrative centre of the surrounding governorate.

The town is noted for the impressive ruins of the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, the landmark that defines a visit here. Plan your time around the castle and the hilly setting that surrounds it.

When to go

Ajloun has a Mediterranean climate, so the seasons shape what kind of trip you have. Summer is the dry season: rain is scarce and days are typically warm, giving you reliably clear conditions for exploring the area's castles and hills. If you want dependable dry weather for time outdoors, plan your visit around these months.

Winter is the wet part of the year, when most of the annual precipitation falls. Expect cooler, damper conditions, and come prepared for rain if you travel then.

Three days in 'Ajlun

Day one: base yourself in Ajlun and use the town as your starting point for Ajloun Castle, the hilltop fortress that gives the area its character. Plan your climb for the morning, when the light is clear and the air still cool, and take your time over the views across the surrounding hills. In the afternoon, wander the streets of Ajlun itself and settle in for the evening.

• Ajloun Castle
• Ajlun town

Day two: give the day to the wider Ajloun Governorate, whose wooded hills and open countryside reward slow travel. Summer is warm and dry, so start early and carry water; winter can be bitterly cold and wet, so dress for the chill and keep plans flexible. Expect Mediterranean scenery of olive groves and forested slopes as you move between villages.

Day three: if time allows, make the journey from Amman to Ajlun for a final morning in the area before heading back. Plan a relaxed finish rather than a packed schedule, leaving room for one more look at the castle and a last walk through town. It is an easy place to linger, so build in slack for the return trip.