Amman
Visited in January 2010
At a glance
- Country
- Jordan
- Region
- Amman Governorate
- Population
- 4 million
- Best time to go
- March to May, September to November
- Main airport
- Amman Queen Alia International (AMM)
- Coordinates
- 31.95°N, 35.93°E
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Overview
Amman spreads across a series of hills, or jabals, in a sea of pale limestone buildings. It is a modern, hospitable capital with Roman ruins at its heart and the Ottoman-era downtown below.
Most travellers pass through on the way to Petra, but it deserves a couple of days. Eat well, wander the souks and use the city as a base for Jerash, the desert castles and the Dead Sea.
Things to see
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Photo: David Bjorgen, CC BY 2.5 Amman Citadel
Roman columns, an Umayyad palace and sweeping views over downtown from the city's highest hill.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Roman Theatre
A steep 2nd-century theatre cut into the hillside, still used for performances, facing the Hashemite Plaza.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Dan Palraz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Jordan Museum
The country's story from prehistory onward, including fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls and ancient plaster statues from Ain Ghazal.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Makeandtoss, CC0 King Abdullah I Mosque
A blue-domed modern mosque that welcomes respectfully dressed visitors outside prayer times.
Things to do
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Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Jerash
One of the best-preserved Roman cities anywhere, with colonnaded streets and theatres, under an hour north.
Find tours -
Photo: لا روسا, CC BY-SA 4.0 Float in the Dead Sea
The resorts on the shore are about an hour's drive, and the salty water holds you up effortlessly.
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Photo: elif ayse, CC BY 2.0 Eat downtown
Grab falafel and hummus in the busy downtown cafés, then knafeh, a warm cheese pastry soaked in syrup.
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Photo: Producer, CC BY-SA 3.0 Rainbow Street
An evening stroll past cafés, rooftop bars and craft shops in Jabal Amman.
Where to stay
Jabal Amman
Characterful and central around Rainbow Street, with boutique hotels and easy walks downtown.
Hotels in Jabal AmmanDowntown
Budget hotels right by the souks and ruins, noisy but convenient.
Hotels in DowntownAbdali and Shmeisani
Modern international hotels near shopping and business districts.
Hotels in Abdali and Shmeisani
Getting around
Amman is hilly and spread out, so taxis and ride-hailing apps are the norm. Downtown and Jabal Amman are walkable, connected by long stairways.
Queen Alia airport is around 35 kilometres south; a taxi takes about 40 minutes and an airport express bus runs to the city.
When to go
Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant. Summers are hot but dry, and winters can be cold and wet, with occasional snow on the hills.
Plan your trip to Amman
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.