Halawah
Halawah at a Glance
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.
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.
Best Things to Do in Halawah
Archaeological Site
Temple of Artemis, Jerash
Roman temple ruins within Greco-Roman Jerash site
Archaeological Site
Gadara
Ancient Hellenistic city with Roman ruins
Lake
Sea of Galilee
Freshwater lake central to New Testament events
Valley
Jordan Valley
Fertile rift valley along the Jordan River
Mountain
Mount Tabor
Biblical hill in Israel with pilgrimage significance
Mountain
Mount Gerizim
Sacred West Bank mountain important to Samaritans
Archaeological Site
Shechem
Ancient biblical city and archaeological site in Samaria
Archaeological Site
Pella
Ancient Greco-Roman city ruins and archaeological site
Halawah Bucket List
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.
Nearby Cities #
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
Cool, wet and occasionally snowy on higher slopes; roads can be slick, but lower tourist numbers make cultural sites more peaceful and affordable.
Summer
Hot and dry inland with strong sun; mornings are best for outdoor exploring, while afternoons demand shade or early evening outings.
Spring/Autumn
Mild, fragrant days ideal for hiking, olive groves and ruins-perfect weather for exploring without the intensity of summer heat or winter rain.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 6° - 14° | 9° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 12° - 23° | 17° | 21 mm | some cloud | 61% | 2.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Ideal | 15° - 27° | 21° | 6 mm | mostly sunny | 55% | 3.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.7h |
| June | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 53% | 3.4 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 14.1h |
| July | Ideal | 20° - 32° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 56% | 3.4 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.9h |
| August | Ideal | 20° - 31° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 59% | 3.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 0 mm | clear | 58% | 3.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 16° - 27° | 21° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 56% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 45 mm | mostly sunny | 58% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 7° - 16° | 11° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
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.
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.
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.
How to Get Around Halawah
Halawah is best reached by road from Amman (private transfer or rental) or by coach to a northern hub followed by a local minibus/taxi. Public transport exists but expect transfers and limited timetables for the final stretch.
- Private car / rental (JD 30+/day (rental varies)) - Driving from Amman is the most straightforward option and gives flexibility to visit hilltop sites around Ajloun. Roads are generally in good condition but can be steep and winding near Ajloun; GPS or offline maps are recommended.
- Intercity bus / coach (JD 2-6) - Buses and JETT coaches run from Amman to Irbid and other northern cities; from those hubs you catch local minibuses or taxis to Ajloun and Halawah. Coaches are comfortable and economical for the longer leg to northern Jordan.
- Local minibus (service vans) (JD 0.5-2) - Minibuses connect Ajloun with surrounding villages and with bus hubs in Irbid/Amman. They are frequent but can be crowded; pay attention to departure points in the main towns.
- Taxi / shared taxi (JD 5-20 (depending on distance)) - Taxis and shared taxis are commonly used for flexible point-to-point travel around Ajloun; they are practical for reaching remote villages or for travel outside bus hours. Agree fare before boarding.
- Walking - Villages in Ajloun are compact and best explored on foot once you arrive; the terrain is hilly so be prepared for climbs and bring water, especially in summer.
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.
Budget guesthouses (Ajloun listings) - Local guesthouses and small B&Bs listed here
Ajloun guesthouse options (Tripadvisor) - Affordable local stays near Ajloun
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.
Ajloun mid-range hotels (Booking) - Small hotels near attractions in Ajloun
Ajloun Hotel (Facebook page) - Locally run, central Ajloun hotel
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.
King Hussein Hotel (Irbid area) - One of the more upscale nearby city hotels
Higher-end hotels (regional listings) - Limited premium options nearby
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.