Amman
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Amman
Amman was first mentioned as Rabbath Ammon in the Hebrew Bible around the 10th century BCE. Although the Jordanian capital has its fair share of ancient remnants, it is the way Amman experiences modernity that fascinates the most. Often listed among the most progressive cities in the Middle East, Amman is a flourishing capital growing by the hour, inhabited by a culturally diverse and rather liberal populace.Hitta resa
The capital's most important historic landmark is an entire area known as the Citadel, perched on top of Amman's highest elevation — the Jabal al-Qal'a hill. Its story dates back to as early as the Bronze Age, with various epochs bringing cultures and peoples who have all left their mark here. The Citadel's two primary attractions are the ancient Temple of Hercules (162-166 AD) and the Ummayad Palace dating back to the 8th century.
The so-called Temple of Hercules (AD 162–166) dominates Amman’s Citadel. These days, archaeologists prefer to call it the Great Temple of Amman, since its dedication remains uncertain. Only six Corinthian columns stand reconstructed today. The rest lie as fragmented drums, their dowel holes revealing Roman engineering techniques. A colossal marble statue once graced the site. All that survives is a weathered elbow and fingers, suggesting a figure over 13 metres tall, likely toppled in the 8th-century earthquake. The temple’s platform doubles as Amman’s premier viewpoint, framing the modern city against the 150-metre Jordanian flag. Excavations nearby expose layers of civilisation: Umayyad palaces, Byzantine churches, and Roman baths intertwine with older Bronze Age ruins. Though the Hercules name persists thanks to the sculptural remnant, archaeologists emphasise the temple’s civic importance. Its sheer scale reflects Amman’s status as a regional hub. Guides prove invaluable for deciphering 9,000 years of history compressed into a single hilltop.
Darat Al Funun unites contemporary Arab art with layered history. Housed in a gracefully restored 1920s complex, its rotating exhibitions unfold alongside Byzantine ruins, including a 6th-century church at the entrance. The hillside gardens frame panoramic views of Amman, making this as much an architectural pilgrimage as an art destination.
One of Amman's most entertaining attractions is the Royal Automobile Museum, mostly containing (nearly a hundred!) vehicles from the collection of late King Hussein of Jordan. Models spanning the second half of the 20th century make for an interesting look around, the latest hit addition being the very vehicle used in the filming of acclaimed "The Martian".
The spectacular Roman Theatre, although restored in the late 20th century, remains largely true to the way it was once conceptualised in as early as 2nd century AD. It's a highlight for most visitors to Amman, used as a venue to house open-air concerts and shows in the summer.
The iconic blue-domed mosque is one of the country's most recognisable attractions, a place of worship as much as a national landmark and even somewhat of a museum: a few archaeological finds and personal items of King Abdullah, who inaugurated the mosque, are also displayed here. Unlike at most other mosques, non-Muslim visitors are welcome inside, provided they follow the rules of attendance.
The Rainbow Street is in close proximity to some of the city’s must-see sites and acts as the tourist hub of Jordan. The sidewalks are wide enough for to accommodate long walks. It is an excellent destination for shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as delicious, quick bites. The weekend starts Thursday night here, with slowly cruising cars and strolling pedestrians. The street runs east from the First Circle to Mango Street, opposite the neighbourhood of Lweibdeh. Friday during the summer, Fawzi Al Maalouf Street, just off Rainbow street, becomes the Souk Jara.
King Faisal Street is one of the main thoroughfares of Amman. On this palm-fringed strip, gold dealers from the Gold Souq weigh bracelets under neon lights, while juice vendors press pomegranates nearby and old men play backgammon at pavement cafés. The street’s charm lies in its contrasts: the 1924 post office (now The Duke’s Diwan) overlooks a row of buzzing local businesses, and the call to prayer from Al Hussein Mosque competes with taxi horns. At night, the air thickens with the scent of sizzling lamb from decades-old shawarma stands, and crowds gather at Habibah Sweets for knafeh so fresh it crackles.
The capital's most important historic landmark is an entire area known as the Citadel, perched on top of Amman's highest elevation — the Jabal al-Qal'a hill. Its story dates back to as early as the Bronze Age, with various epochs bringing cultures and peoples who have all left their mark here. The Citadel's two primary attractions are the ancient Temple of Hercules (162-166 AD) and the Ummayad Palace dating back to the 8th century.
The so-called Temple of Hercules (AD 162–166) dominates Amman’s Citadel. These days, archaeologists prefer to call it the Great Temple of Amman, since its dedication remains uncertain. Only six Corinthian columns stand reconstructed today. The rest lie as fragmented drums, their dowel holes revealing Roman engineering techniques. A colossal marble statue once graced the site. All that survives is a weathered elbow and fingers, suggesting a figure over 13 metres tall, likely toppled in the 8th-century earthquake. The temple’s platform doubles as Amman’s premier viewpoint, framing the modern city against the 150-metre Jordanian flag. Excavations nearby expose layers of civilisation: Umayyad palaces, Byzantine churches, and Roman baths intertwine with older Bronze Age ruins. Though the Hercules name persists thanks to the sculptural remnant, archaeologists emphasise the temple’s civic importance. Its sheer scale reflects Amman’s status as a regional hub. Guides prove invaluable for deciphering 9,000 years of history compressed into a single hilltop.
The downtown, or Al Balad, is one's best bet for finding great bargains in Amman. The area is packed with all manner of shops and businesses, selling clothing, accessories, intricate jewellery, herbs, and various edibles. Haggling is expected — count on bringing the original price down by at least half, unless the specific locale has a fixed-price policy.
The Jordan River Foundation Design showroom stocks exquisite home decor pieces, rugs, accessories and Dead Sea cosmetics, along with a plethora of other pieces, all of the highest quality. Prices here are steep for good reason: the foundation supports women and youths from local communities, and all profits made are put towards development projects.
Souq Jara enlivens Fawzi Malouf Street, adjacent to Rainbow Street’s terminus, every Friday from May to September. This weekly market channels profits back into the community while showcasing Jordanian crafts. Under canvas awnings, vendors display handwoven textiles, olive-wood carvings, and aromatic spice blends — all ripe for good-natured bargaining. The souq’s magic lies in its convivial rhythm: live oud music accompanies haggling, while sizzling shawarma and sesame-studded kaek bread scent the air. Families gravitate toward the children’s play area or evening film screenings projected between stalls. Arrive by mid-morning to browse at leisure, or stay past sunset when cultural performances animate the cobbled street. Cash remains king for securing those one-of-a-kind finds, from silver Bedouin jewellery to hand-painted ceramics.
This long-standing souvenir store's roots go back to late 19th century Palestine, where the owning family first established a shop. It's packed to capacity with ceramics, jewellery, lamps, and all manner of tinkles born to make excellent gifts; a trip out of downtown to come here is certainly in order.
Trinitae's cosmetics offering extends beyond soaps to include a few other skincare products, all made with organic local ingredients, from plants and oils to salts of the Dead Sea. It's a heaven of luxurious organic goods of the highest quality. Gift sets are available.
The downtown, or Al Balad, is one's best bet for finding great bargains in Amman. The area is packed with all manner of shops and businesses, selling clothing, accessories, intricate jewellery, herbs, and various edibles. Haggling is expected — count on bringing the original price down by at least half, unless the specific locale has a fixed-price policy.
The Jordan River Foundation Design showroom stocks exquisite home decor pieces, rugs, accessories and Dead Sea cosmetics, along with a plethora of other pieces, all of the highest quality. Prices here are steep for good reason: the foundation supports women and youths from local communities, and all profits made are put towards development projects.
The Queen Alia International Airport is Jordan's primary international air hub. Passengers can take the Sariyah shuttle bus connecting the airport to Tabarbour (North) Bus Station via the Seventh Circle. These buses run every half hour from 6am to 6pm and every hour from 6pm to midnight. Journey time is normally somewhere between 45 and 60 minutes. Taxis operate on a 24/7 basis and may be easily hired at the airport. Fares are fixed and current prices displayed at the taxi park.
Nationals of most countries are eligible for a single-entry visa upon arrival. The visa process is normally quick and uncomplicated, with no paperwork involved. The upon-arrival visas are not issued at King Hussein Bridge or Wadi Araba land border crossing points. Having Israeli border crossing stamps can possibly complicate coming into or leaving Jordan. The Jordan Pass is recognised universally, and entitles the holder to a waiving of the visa fee. For multiple-entry visas, travellers will need to apply in advance prior to travel. Consult the link below to find out whether a visa is required for you.
The summer months of July and August tend to get quite hot and heavy, so if avoiding extreme heat is something you're interested in, we recommend planning your visit for some time during the spring (March to May) or autumn (October to November).
Amman’s public transport system operates through a combination of service taxis, microbuses, and intercity buses. Yellow service taxis follow fixed numbered routes with standard fares, stopping informally at the base of hills. They offer the most efficient urban transport but lack marked stops. For longer journeys, JETT buses provide affordable and comfortable connections to major cities, though departures are limited to a few daily trips. Within the city, microbuses (shared minivans) are the cheapest option. Unfortunately, they run unpredictably, departing only when full. Since 2023, Amman’s Bus Rapid Transit system has introduced two routes: the Red Line from Sweileh to Ras Al-Ain downtown, and the Blue Line from Sweileh to Mahatta Terminal, intersecting at Sports City. The BRT offers air-conditioned reliability, though microbuses remain essential for local routes.
There are plenty of yellow cabs circulating around the city. You can easily flag them down, and they are generally inexpensive. That said, it is important that you take note of the cab meter being reset and functioning when you get in. There have been reports of drivers trying to avoid turning the meter on for reasons of heavy traffic or bad weather, so do insist the meter be used regardless of any possible circumstance. Uber is widely used in Amman, and so is its Middle Eastern counterpart Careem.
Pharmacy One is a drug store chain with several branches across the city, which all operate on a round-the-clock basis. Drug Center Pharmacy is also well-reputed.
There are several post offices across the city, but stamps can be bought at most souvenir shops without the need to locate one. For shipping valuables, using a private postage service like DHL or FedEx is recommended.
Country code: +962 Area code: 6
The Queen Alia International Airport is Jordan's primary international air hub. Passengers can take the Sariyah shuttle bus connecting the airport to Tabarbour (North) Bus Station via the Seventh Circle. These buses run every half hour from 6am to 6pm and every hour from 6pm to midnight. Journey time is normally somewhere between 45 and 60 minutes. Taxis operate on a 24/7 basis and may be easily hired at the airport. Fares are fixed and current prices displayed at the taxi park.
Nationals of most countries are eligible for a single-entry visa upon arrival. The visa process is normally quick and uncomplicated, with no paperwork involved. The upon-arrival visas are not issued at King Hussein Bridge or Wadi Araba land border crossing points. Having Israeli border crossing stamps can possibly complicate coming into or leaving Jordan. The Jordan Pass is recognised universally, and entitles the holder to a waiving of the visa fee. For multiple-entry visas, travellers will need to apply in advance prior to travel. Consult the link below to find out whether a visa is required for you.
