Things to do in Amman

Amman Citadel

The hill of Jabal al-Qal'a has been fortified since the Bronze Age. Today's highlights are the Roman Temple of Hercules (AD 160s) with its giant columns and the fragment of a colossal hand, the Umayyad Palace complex (8th century) with its domed reception hall, a cistern and colonnaded street, a Byzantine basilica and the small Jordan Archaeological Museum. Allow 1.5–2 hours; there is little shade. Included in the Jordan Pass.

Time needed

1.5–2 h

Best time

Late afternoon

Getting there

Taxi to the top, or climb the stairs from downtown (≈ 20 min)

Roman Theatre and the Odeon

The 2nd-century theatre seats about 6,000 and is still used for occasional concerts. Next to it are the small Odeon and the Hashemite Plaza, a lively evening gathering place. The Jordan Folklore Museum and the Museum of Popular Traditions sit in the theatre's wings.

Downtown souks and mosques

Walk from the Theatre past the Nymphaeum to the King Hussein (Al-Husseini) Mosque, then through the gold souk, the vegetable market and the spice shops. It is busiest and most atmospheric in the late afternoon and on Saturdays; many shops close on Friday mornings.

The Jordan Museum

Jordan's national museum traces the country's story from prehistory to today. Do not miss the plaster statues from 'Ain Ghazal (around 7000 BC), the Dead Sea Scrolls fragments and the copper scroll. Check opening days on the museum's website before you go.

King Abdullah I Mosque

Built between 1982 and 1989, with a blue mosaic dome. Non-Muslims can visit outside prayer times; women are lent a cover-up. A small Islamic museum is attached.

Rainbow Street, Weibdeh and galleries

Stroll Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman for cafés and a Friday market (Souk Jara runs in summer). In Jabal al-Weibdeh, Darat al-Funun shows contemporary Arab art in historic houses and gardens, and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is nearby.

Food tours and cooking classes

A guided food walk downtown is the fastest way into Amman's street food; cooking classes (for example at Beit Sitti) teach maqluba and other home dishes.

Nearby: As-Salt and Iraq al-Amir

As-Salt (30 min) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021 for its late-Ottoman honey-coloured houses and tolerance between communities. Iraq al-Amir (40 min) has the Hellenistic palace of Qasr al-Abd and caves in a green valley.

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City

Amman city tour

≈ 4 h

Guided overview of the capital: the Citadel, the Roman Theatre, downtown souks and a viewpoint over the seven hills.

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Free and low-cost Amman

• Walk the stairs between downtown and Jabal Amman — the views across the hills are free.
• Rainbow Street and Jabal al-Weibdeh's Paris Circle for people-watching and cafés.
• The souks and the gold market downtown, best in the late afternoon.
• Hashemite Plaza in front of the Roman Theatre in the evening.
• A falafel sandwich and a slice of knafeh cost very little — cash in dinars helps.

Amman with children

Children enjoy the Royal Automobile Museum (classic cars and royal vehicles), the Children's Museum Jordan in King Hussein Park, and climbing the Roman Theatre's steep rows of seats. The Citadel has wide open spaces and great views, but little shade, so go early. Many family restaurants in West Amman have play areas, and malls are useful on hot or rainy afternoons.