Al-Jizah

Al-Jizah (historically known as Zizya or Ziza) is a town and administrative district center in the Amman Governorate, situated 30 km south of central Amman along Route 15 (the Desert Highway). Sitting at an elevation of roughly 720 meters on the central Jordanian plateau, the surrounding countryside consists of open dry farmland and olive groves. Today, the town functions primarily as a transit corridor and service hub because Queen Alia International Airport lies within its district limits.

Historically, Zizya served as a Roman military post recorded in the 5th-century Notitia Dignitatum as a station for Illyrian cavalry. During the medieval period, it became a major stop along the Syrian Hajj pilgrimage route from Damascus to Medina, centered around a large Roman water reservoir. Early Islamic rulers constructed palatial complexes nearby, making Al-Jizah an accessible base for exploring early Umayyad desert architecture.

The area has a semi-arid highland climate. Summers (June to August) are hot and dry, with daily maximum temperatures ranging between 31°C and 35°C (88°F–95°F). Winters (December to February) are cold, bringing daytime highs of 10°C to 14°C (50°F–57°F), chilly nights dropping to 3°C–5°C (37°F–41°F), and intermittent rainfall.

By Air

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) sits within the Al-Jizah district, located 8 km south of Al-Jizah town center and 30 km south of central Amman. Royal Jordanian operates flights to Europe, North America, and the Middle East. International carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and budget airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air serve the airport daily. Direct flights take roughly 1.5 hours from Cairo, 3 hours from Dubai, and 5 hours from London. Airport taxis to Al-Jizah town cost 10–15 JOD ($14–$21 USD) for a 10-minute drive.

By Bus

• Airport Express (Sariyah Bus): Yellow express buses run every 30 to 60 minutes between Queen Alia International Airport and Amman’s North Bus Station (Tabarbour), traveling along the Desert Highway past Al-Jizah. Tickets cost 3.30 JOD ($4.65 USD) one-way, taking 20–30 minutes from the airport to the Al-Jizah highway junctions.
• Local Minibuses: White public minibuses depart every 15 to 30 minutes from South Bus Station (Mujamma Al-Janoob) in Amman to Al-Jizah. The 25 km trip along Route 15 takes 25–35 minutes and costs 0.60–1.00 JOD ($0.85–$1.40 USD) per seat.

By Train

No train service. The historic Hejaz Railway tracks run through Al-Jizah station, but regular passenger train services do not operate.

By Car

Al-Jizah lies directly on Route 15 (Desert Highway / Airport Road), 30 km south of central Amman. Driving from downtown Amman takes 25–35 minutes on the paved multi-lane highway. From Madaba to the northwest, drive 22 km east via the Al-Samik road (25 minutes).

• Local Transport: Shared white taxis (servees) and local minibuses run continuously along the main highway and town roads for 0.35–0.50 JOD ($0.50–$0.70 USD) per trip. Unmetered yellow taxis carry passengers between local sites; expect to pay 1.50–3.00 JOD ($2.10–$4.20 USD) for short rides.
• Ride-Hailing: Uber and Careem operate along the Airport Highway corridor and at Queen Alia International Airport. Rides from Al-Jizah to central Amman cost 10–15 JOD ($14–$21 USD).
• Car Rental: Rental companies including Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt, and Arena maintain desks at Queen Alia International Airport. Rates start at 25–40 JOD ($35–$56 USD) per day.

• Qasr Mshatta: Located 8 km east of Al-Jizah town center near the airport perimeter. An 8th-century Umayyad winter palace featuring square perimeter walls, semi-circular towers, and the stone foundations of an unfinished audience hall. Entry: Free.

• Qasr al-Qastal: Situated 5 km north of Al-Jizah along the Desert Highway. An Umayyad palatial complex containing the remains of a courtyard residence, ancient mosaic floors, and one of the earliest surviving minarets in Islamic architecture. Entry: Free.

• Birket Zizya (Zizya Reservoir): Located in central Al-Jizah. A large stone-lined water reservoir constructed during the Roman era and restored under Umayyad and Mamluk rule to supply water to garrisons and Hajj caravans. Entry: Free.

• Al-Jizah Ottoman Fort Ruins: Structural remains of a 16th-century fort adjacent to Birket Zizya, built by Ottoman authorities to protect pilgrimage groups and guard the water supply. Entry: Free.

• Drive the Umayyad Desert Castle Route: Begin at Qasr al-Qastal and Qasr Mshatta in Al-Jizah before continuing east along Highway 40 to visit Qasr Kharana and Qusayr Amra.

• Plane Spotting near Mshatta: Watch international aircraft on final approach to Queen Alia International Airport from the flat desert grounds around Qasr Mshatta.

• Al Qastal Restaurant & Grills: Located on the Desert Highway near Qastal. Specializes in Jordanian mansaf (tender lamb served over rice with fermented yogurt sauce), charcoal-grilled kebabs, and fresh flatbreads. Mains: 4–10 JOD ($5.60–$14.10 USD).
• Airport Highway Bakery & Grills: A local diner in Al-Jizah serving falafel sandwiches, hummus plates, chicken shawarma, and fresh pastries. Mains: 1–3.50 JOD ($1.40–$4.90 USD).
• Al Zizia Local Eatery: Town center restaurant serving rotisserie chicken (farroj), spiced rice, lentil soup, and chopped salads. Mains: 2.50–5 JOD ($3.50–$7.00 USD).

• Tap Water: Municipal tap water is untreated for drinking and not recommended. Bottled water (Nestle Pure Life, Arwa) is widely available for 0.25–0.50 JOD ($0.35–$0.70 USD) for a 1.5-liter bottle.
• Cafés: Roadside tea shops serve cardamon-infused Turkish coffee, black tea with fresh mint, and fresh fruit juices for 0.50–1.50 JOD ($0.70–$2.10 USD).
• Alcohol: No bars or liquor stores operate in Al-Jizah town. Duty-free shops inside Queen Alia International Airport sell alcohol upon arrival, and the lounge bar at Amman Airport Hotel serves beer, wine, and spirits.

• Budget:
  • Amman Budget Lodging: No registered budget hotels operate inside Al-Jizah town. Budget travelers stay in central Amman (30 km north), where basic hotel rooms and hostel dorms cost 10–25 JOD ($14–$35 USD) per night.
• Mid-Range:
  • Opal Hotel Amman: Located 12 km north of Al-Jizah along the Airport Highway. Offers air-conditioned rooms, indoor pools, gym facilities, and an international restaurant. Rates: 50–85 JOD ($70–$120 USD) per night.
• Upscale:
  • Amman Airport Hotel: Located 3 km from Queen Alia International Airport terminals. Features soundproofed rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, free airport shuttle, and on-site dining. Rates: 90–140 JOD ($127–$197 USD) per night.

• Highway Travel Essentials: Gas station convenience stores along Route 15 stock local SIM cards (Orange, Zain, Ufinish), bottled water, maps, and packaged snacks.
• Fresh Produce Stalls: Roadside vendors along the highway sell seasonal local olives, olive oil, figs, and fresh flatbreads.

• Amman: Located 30 km north via Route 15 (30 minutes drive). The capital city features the Roman Theater, Amman Citadel, Rainbow Street, and national museums.
• Madaba: Located 22 km northwest via Al-Samik (25 minutes drive). Known for its Byzantine mosaics, including the 6th-century mosaic map of the Middle East in St. George's Church.
• Umm ar-Rasas: Located 45 km southeast via the Desert Highway (40 minutes drive). A UNESCO World Heritage site containing Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic ruins with intact floor mosaics.
• Mount Nebo: Located 32 km northwest (35 minutes drive). A vantage point with views across the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the West Bank.