Halawah Travel Guide

City City in Jordan's Ajloun Governorate

Olive terraces and pine-cloaked hills surround Halawah; travelers visit for Ajloun Castle nearby, hiking tracks through the Ajloun Forest Reserve, and simple homestays serving olive oil, flatbreads and local hospitality.

Main image
Costs
Very affordable - $30-60/day
Local guesthouses and Jordanian lunches keep costs low.
Safety
Generally safe, conservative area
Conservative, generally safe area; respect local customs.
Best Time
March-May, September-November
Mild spring and autumn weather is ideal for hill walks.
Time
Weather
Population
5,376
Infrastructure & Convenience
Rural roads and basic bus services; limited English signage and tourist facilities.
Popularity
Off-the-beaten-path for hikers, olive tourists and cultural visitors.
Known For
olive groves, Ajloun hills, local markets, traditional villages, nearby Ajloun Castle, hiking, cool summer climate, terraced agriculture, rural hospitality
Halawah lies in the Ajloun highlands, part of one of Jordan's main olive-producing regions.

Why Visit Halawah? #

Set among Ajloun’s rolling hills, this village is a gateway to oak forests, olive groves and centuries-old hilltop fortifications. Hikers head to the Ajloun Forest Reserve and history fans visit Ajloun Castle nearby, while the village’s olive oil and seasonal harvests give a taste of local agriculture. Traditional dabke dancing and communal meals during festivals offer a glimpse of northern Jordanian customs, making it appealing for nature lovers and culture seekers alike.

Top Things to Do in Halawah

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Ajloun Castle (Qal'at ar-Rabad) - 12th-century hilltop fortress with panoramic views over the Jordan Valley.
  • Ajloun Forest Reserve - Protected woodland with walking trails, picnic areas and native wildlife.
  • Local olive oil cooperative - Small cooperative producing and selling regional olive oil and traditional products.
Hidden Gems
  • Said Al-Maajid handcraft workshops - Local workshops where artisans carve wood and create traditional Ajloun handicrafts.
  • Ajloun soap-house experiences - Small producers demonstrating traditional olive-oil soap making and selling samples.
  • Tell Mar Elias viewpoint - Hilltop archaeological site with views across the surrounding olive-covered hills.
Day Trips
  • Jerash ruins - One of the region's best-preserved Roman cities with monumental colonnades and theatres.
  • Amman - Jordan's capital offering museums, Roman theatre and vibrant downtown souks.

Best Time to Visit Halawah #

Halawah and the Ajloun hills are at their best in spring and autumn when mild days and wildflowers make hiking delightful. Summers are hot and dry; winters are cooler and wetter, with occasional higher-elevation snow.

Winter
December - February · 4-12°C (39-54°F)
Cool, wet and occasionally snowy on higher slopes; roads can be slick, but lower tourist numbers make cultural sites more peaceful and affordable.
Summer
June - August · 22-34°C (72-93°F)
Hot and dry inland with strong sun; mornings are best for outdoor exploring, while afternoons demand shade or early evening outings.
Spring/Autumn
March - May & September - November · 12-25°C (54-77°F)
Mild, fragrant days ideal for hiking, olive groves and ruins-perfect weather for exploring without the intensity of summer heat or winter rain.

Best Time to Visit Halawah #

Climate

Halawah's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
49°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 95 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.

89 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 23°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.9h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 27°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.7h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
14.1h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
20° 32°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.9h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
20° 31°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 30°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 27°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
11.2h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

How to Get to Halawah

Halawah sits in the Ajloun Governorate north of Amman; Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is the main international gateway. There is no direct passenger rail - overland buses or private transfers from Amman or Irbid are the usual approach.

By Air

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM): Amman’s main international airport. From AMM you can rent a car or take a private transfer toward Ajloun Governorate; the drive to Halawah (Ajloun area) takes roughly 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic.\n\nAmman-Marka Airport (AMM/Marka): Domestic and some regional flights land here; ground transfers to Ajloun are similar to Queen Alia but services are less frequent - most international travellers use Queen Alia for onward land travel.

By Train & Bus

Train: Jordan currently has no intercity passenger rail service linking Amman to Ajloun; rail options are not a practical route to Halawah.\n\nBus / Shuttle: Intercity buses and private minibus (service vans) run from Amman to Ajloun and nearby towns; JETT coaches serve major corridors to Irbid and northern Jordan and you can change for local minibuses to Ajloun. Expect the final leg to Halawah to be by local minibus or taxi; check schedules in Amman bus stations (e.g., Abdali or South Bus Station) and with local operators.

Where to Stay in Halawah #

Budget
Halawah / Ajloun outskirts - $15-40/night
Halawah itself has very few formal hotels. Budget travellers usually stay in Ajloun town where basic guesthouses and rooms are available.
Mid-Range
Ajloun town - $40-90/night
Mid-range hotels are mainly in Ajloun town (short drive). Expect comfortable family-run hotels with breakfast and easy access to the castle.
Luxury
Ajloun/Irbid - $100+/night
Luxury hotels are scarce near Halawah; travellers seeking higher-end amenities usually stay in Irbid or Amman, a significant drive away.

Where to Eat in Halawah #

Rural Jordanian Home Cooking
Ajloun province dining highlights mezze, flatbreads, olive oil and mountain herbs. Small family-run restaurants serve hearty stews, grilled meats and local labneh in homely settings.
Olive Oil & Local Produce
Seasonal produce and regional olive oil shape simple dishes. Meals often focus on shared plates-fresh salads, tabbouleh and grilled vegetables from nearby orchards and gardens.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Halawah's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Local
Regional
Jordanian
Coffee Shop

Nearby Cities #