Amman

As Middle Eastern cities go, Amman is a relative youth, being mostly a creation of the 20th century. But though it lacks the storied history and thrilling architectural tapestry of other regional capitals, there’s plenty here to encourage you to linger awhile before making for Petra, the Dead Sea or Wadi Rum. In fact, Amman is one of the easiest cities in which to enjoy the Middle East experience.

Downtown Amman is a must-see. At the bottom of the city’s many hills and overlooked by the magisterial Citadel, it features spectacular Roman ruins, an international-standard museum and the hubbub of mosques, souqs and coffeehouses that are central to Jordanian life.

Elsewhere, urbane western Amman has leafy residential districts, cafes, bars, modern malls and art galleries; and in earthy eastern Amman, it’s easy to sense the more traditional and conservative pulse of the capital.

Explore Amman

Citadel
The area known as the Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel Al Qala’a (about 850m above sea level), and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon…
Darat Al Funun
On the hillside to the north of the downtown area, this cultural haven is dedicated to contemporary art. The main building features an excellent art…
Jordan Museum
The Jordan Museum, located next to the City Hall, is one of the best in the Middle East. Housed in a grand modern building, a series of beautifully…
R
Royal Automobile Museum
You really don't have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy this museum, which displays more than 70 classic cars and motorbikes from the personal collection of…
C
Children's Museum
This brilliantly designed hands-on museum for kids is a complete joy. In its many zones, young visitors can play and learn about everything from the…
Roman Theatre
This magnificently restored theatre is the most obvious and impressive remnant of Roman Philadelphia, and is the highlight of Amman for most foreign…
Q
Qasr Al Abad
The small but impressive Qasr Al Abad, west of Amman, is one of the very few examples of pre-Roman construction in Jordan. Mystery surrounds the palace,…
J
Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
This small but impressive gallery is a wonderful place to gain an appreciation of contemporary Jordanian painting, sculpture and pottery. The attractive…
H
Haya Cultural Centre
Designed especially for children, this centre has a library, a playground, an interactive ecomuseum and an inflatable castle. It also organises regular…

Citadel
The area known as the Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel Al Qala’a (about 850m above sea level), and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon…
Darat Al Funun
On the hillside to the north of the downtown area, this cultural haven is dedicated to contemporary art. The main building features an excellent art…
Jordan Museum
The Jordan Museum, located next to the City Hall, is one of the best in the Middle East. Housed in a grand modern building, a series of beautifully…
R
Royal Automobile Museum
You really don't have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy this museum, which displays more than 70 classic cars and motorbikes from the personal collection of…
C
Children's Museum
This brilliantly designed hands-on museum for kids is a complete joy. In its many zones, young visitors can play and learn about everything from the…
Roman Theatre
This magnificently restored theatre is the most obvious and impressive remnant of Roman Philadelphia, and is the highlight of Amman for most foreign…
Q
Qasr Al Abad
The small but impressive Qasr Al Abad, west of Amman, is one of the very few examples of pre-Roman construction in Jordan. Mystery surrounds the palace,…
J
Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
This small but impressive gallery is a wonderful place to gain an appreciation of contemporary Jordanian painting, sculpture and pottery. The attractive…
H
Haya Cultural Centre
Designed especially for children, this centre has a library, a playground, an interactive ecomuseum and an inflatable castle. It also organises regular…

Latest Stories from Amman

Food 11 free things to do in Amman, Jordan
Aug 8, 2019 • 5 min read
Amman is considered the most expensive city in the Arab world. Thankfully, it’s also home to affordable street eats (hello, fresh falafel for under one…
Beaches 8 unmissable adventures in Jordan
Jun 5, 2019 • 6 min read
Jordan, still too often dismissed by overly cautious tourists who skip over the entire region, has been quietly building itself into the adventure hub of…
Food Taste of Rainbow Street: a stroll along Amman's famous road
Jan 25, 2019 • 6 min read
Rainbow Street invites visitors and locals to do something that’s not always easy or possible in Jordan’s crowded capital: walk! As a city built on hills,…
Art Inside Jordan's fiercest football rivalry
Nov 15, 2018 • 9 min read
They may not be household names in international football, but the intense rivalry between Al Wehdat and Al Faisaly, Jordan’s two best teams, runs deep…
Food A foodie's guide to Amman, Jordan: the Middle East destination for food lovers
Aug 28, 2018 • 6 min read
While most travellers head for Jordan with Petra high on the agenda, investing some food-fuelled days in the cosmopolitan capital Amman is a delicious…
Food Jordan for two: romantic things to do with the one you love
Aug 3, 2018 • 6 min read
Jordan might not immediately strike travellers as a hotspot for a romantic getaway, but it should. The warm hospitality, exquisite sunsets, endless…
Food Two days in Amman: the best of Jordan's capital in 48 hours
Feb 26, 2018 • 6 min read
Although many travellers to Jordan have their sights set on the architectural marvels of Petra and the magical martian landscapes of Wadi Rum, the capital…
Art Art in Amman: six of the city's don't-miss galleries
Feb 2, 2018 • 5 min read
A flourishing art scene might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Amman, Jordan's capital that stretches out over seven hills and…
Food Go nuts: where to find the best kunafeh in Amman
Oct 31, 2017 • 5 min read
Kunafeh, kanafeh, kunfah, konafeh, kunefe, knefe, kadayf... no matter how you see it spelled, when you travel through Jordan, you will encounter this…
Food Such great heights: where to find the best views in Amman
Oct 3, 2017 • 5 min read
To really see a destination, sometimes you need to view it from a variety of angles. Amman’s abundance of open-air terraces and rooftop restaurants offer…
Food Caffeine fix: Uncovering the best cafes in Amman
Aug 10, 2017 • 6 min read
Although Jordanians have been drinking coffee since the 15th century, Amman’s cafe scene has only recently begun to blossom, with a number of independent,…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Amman.

See
Citadel
The area known as the Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel Al Qala’a (about 850m above sea level), and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon…
See
Darat Al Funun
On the hillside to the north of the downtown area, this cultural haven is dedicated to contemporary art. The main building features an excellent art…
See
Jordan Museum
The Jordan Museum, located next to the City Hall, is one of the best in the Middle East. Housed in a grand modern building, a series of beautifully…
See
Royal Automobile Museum
You really don't have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy this museum, which displays more than 70 classic cars and motorbikes from the personal collection of…
See
Children's Museum
This brilliantly designed hands-on museum for kids is a complete joy. In its many zones, young visitors can play and learn about everything from the…
See
Roman Theatre
This magnificently restored theatre is the most obvious and impressive remnant of Roman Philadelphia, and is the highlight of Amman for most foreign…
See
Qasr Al Abad
The small but impressive Qasr Al Abad, west of Amman, is one of the very few examples of pre-Roman construction in Jordan. Mystery surrounds the palace,…
See
Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
This small but impressive gallery is a wonderful place to gain an appreciation of contemporary Jordanian painting, sculpture and pottery. The attractive…
See
Haya Cultural Centre
Designed especially for children, this centre has a library, a playground, an interactive ecomuseum and an inflatable castle. It also organises regular…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Amman with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.