If you’re planning a trip to Jordan to see the ancient city of Petra or to go glamping in the desert of Wadi Rum, don’t forget to spend some time in the attractive capital, Amman.
The highland capital of Jordan is home to several sights and activities that immerse visitors in the local culture and pique their interest in the rest of the country. It’s a hidden gem that deserves at least a couple days of your vacation time.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Amman
Whatever your reason for visiting Jordan, you’ll get a taste of it in the capital city of Amman. Want to act like a real archaeologist for a day?
Seeing the Roman Theater and the Amman Citadel will transport you to another era. Want to fully submerge yourself in Jordanian culture? There are numerous museums and galleries in Amman, and the people-watching on Rainbow Street is second to none.
1. Amman Citadel National Historic Site
Amazing archaeological remains can be seen in close proximity to Amman, the capital of Jordan. The Amman Citadel, situated on the city’s highest peak, is within easy walking distance of the main tourist areas and provides breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding area.
The Citadel is more than just a vantage point, though; it also features monuments and museums dating back to the Bronze Age. You may see the remains of the Temple of Hercules, an important Roman building that connected this location to the Forum, by looking at the two gigantic pillars on a podium.
A huge stone sculpture depicting three bent fingers can be found nearby. Experts believe the huge statue of Hercules, which could have been more than 12 metres tall, once included the humanising component.
It shows visitors how impressive the Citadel was back when it was first built. The Umayyad Palace, which is located on the upper levels of the Citadel above the Temple of Hercules, is another spectacular assemblage of buildings.
An earthquake in the middle of the eighth century destroyed much of the complex, but a few places have been reconstructed for visitors to explore. You may visit the ancient governor’s palace, the Umayyad Cistern, and the Byzantine Basilica, as well as a domed audience hall that was inspired by the Byzantine church that once stood there.
Visit the Jordan Archaeological Museum to get up close to artefacts unearthed around the Citadel, including some of the earliest known large-scale human sculptures, and to learn more about these intriguing sites.
2. Roman Theater
Among the many activities to do in Amman, a visit to the Roman Theater is highly recommended. The antique attraction is a seamless fusion of ancient Jordanian culture and the city’s thriving contemporary scene.
The rebuilt Roman Theater, located just 20 minutes from the Amman Citadel, helps visitors picture what life was like in the city approximately 2,000 years ago, when it was known as “Philadelphia.”
The sweeping steps in this architectural marvel can accommodate up to 6,000 people. The amphitheater’s unusual orientation towards the north provides shade from the sun for the audience. The finest lighting for taking pictures is early in the day, so come then.
The Roman Theater in modern-day Amman is the scene of some of the city’s most significant cultural events, such as concerts and plays throughout the summer. Both the Jordan Museum of Popular Traditions and the Jordan Folklore Museum are located here, and they feature excellent costume collections.
3. Rainbow Street
In Amman, Rainbow Street is where you want to be noticed. Located in Jabal Amman’s ancient neighbourhood, the famed route provides pedestrians with a tranquil space to escape the hectic traffic of Amman and discover a different side of the city.
Even though Jordanians don’t start their weekend until Thursday night, visitors can find much to do on the tourist-friendly Rainbow Street any day of the week. To perk up, stop by one of the many charming cafes lining Rainbow Street, such as Turtle Green Tea Bar or Jara Café, and have a cup of tea.
Or, have a refreshingly inexpensive meal of tender meats marinated in yoghurt sauce, prepared with care and served at Al Quds. Gerard Ice Cream should definitely be saved for dessert. Then, browse the shops on Rainbow Street to pick up some mementos.
On some Friday evenings, a flea market called Souk Jara sets up shop on a side street in Rainbow, where you can see locals make crafts and purchase one-of-a-kind items. The Wild Jordan Center, located just off Rainbow Street, is a great place to get unique gifts and souvenirs manufactured right there in Jordan.
The shop’s proceeds go towards helping Jordanian artisans and environmental causes. Visit one of the local art galleries, such Nabad Art Gallery or Jacaranda, to round out your sightseeing excursion on Rainbow Street.
4. Royal Automobile Museum
The Royal Automobile Museum in Amman’s northern suburbs has something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong petrolhead or just love taking road trips. The museum was founded in 2003 and features the collection of rare automobiles and other vehicles that belonged to the late King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan.
Some of the most interesting vehicles in the collection are an experimental motorcycle from 1885, an armoured Rolls Royce from World War I, a Porsche Carrera GT, a Bugatti Veyron, and a flawless 1952 Aston Martin. The Mars rover from the 2015 film The Martian, shot in Wadi Rum, is on exhibit outside the museum as well.
5. Falafel and Hummus at a Restaurant in Amman
It’s a widely discussed topic as to which restaurant in Amman serves the best falafel. You may munch your way across the city in search of the best falafel by stopping at any of the many places that serve the popular chickpea fritters.
The falafel at Hashem is popular among both locals and visitors. The downtown Amman restaurant has been operational for decades, yet it is still popular enough to be open around the clock, every day of the week.
The chickpea balls are delicious when served with fresh mint, tomato, and onion alongside warm, fluffy pita bread and hummus drizzled with olive oil. Enjoy with a soothing cup of mint tea.
Yet, if you’re looking for falafel in Amman, Hashem is just the beginning. You may also try the falafel at Al Quds Falafel on Rainbow Street, Abu Jbara in Madina Munawara, or the airport location of Al Kalha for your final dinner in Jordan.
6. Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is the place to go if you want to get a feel for art from the Middle East. The museum, despite its modest size, displays works from all over the world, with an emphasis on Jordan and the surrounding region.
Artists from almost seventy different nations are represented in the permanent collection’s more than three thousand paintings, multimedia compositions, photographs, woven works, and sculptures.
The museum is well-liked because it does more than just showcase works of art; it also offers a variety of programmes, such as talks, seminars, and workshops, that teach visitors how to make their own masterpieces using the methods of the featured artists. Find out what’s happening at the museum or in your area of town by calling ahead or inquiring at your hotel.
7. The Relax Time
Although though the Dead Sea is Jordan’s most popular destination for relaxation, the capital city of Amman has a growing reputation as a top destination for wellness tourists. In reality, centuries-old practises of taking a bath at the city’s hammams are being practised today.
Relax in the sauna, steam room, community bath, or individual treatment room—all with a Middle Eastern twist—at several of these facilities.
The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Amman, Gaia’s Cocoon Spa, the Marrakech Hammam, and the Al-Pasha Turkish Bath are all highly recommended. You will feel refreshed and ready to continue your sightseeing adventures after visiting any of these locations.
8. Qasr Al-Kharranah
Qasr al-Abd, located about 20 km west of Amman, is one of the few surviving Hellenistic buildings in Jordan. The desert palace, constructed with some of the region’s largest blocks, includes two floors that stood during the devastating earthquake of 362.
The once-opulent landmark is now more modest, but the carved lions on the roof and the sculpture large cats that acted as fountains are still visible.
9. Grand Husseini Mosque
It’s hard to think that Amman’s oldest mosque, Al-Husseini Mosque, was the first major architectural project of the Jordanian kingdom and was completed less than a century ago, in a city with so many ancient treasures.
The mosque was originally established in 640 CE, making the pink and white stone edifice that King Abdullah I commissioned of significant historical significance. Also, it is widely thought that the Cathedral of Philadelphia once stood there.
After 63 years of service, the mosque was renovated in 1987 and now bears the name of Sharif Hussein, the leader of the Great Arab Revolution.
These days, its noonday prayers and Friday prayers might gather as many as 1,500 worshippers. From the outside, you can see how significant this mosque is to the people of Amman, but if you’re properly attired, you could even be let inside.
10. Darat al Funun-The Khalid Shoman Foundation
Darat al Funun is a collection of restored historic buildings and warehouses housing museums and galleries specialising in modern and contemporary art. One of the first collections of modern art from the Arab world can be found at this landmark.
Oil paintings, photographs, sculptures, multimedia works, videos, and books are all represented from the work of over 140 artists. Darat al Funun is more than just a museum, though; it’s also an important archaeological site.
The southern gardens of the centre offer views of an ancient cave and the remains of a Byzantine church from the sixth century. It’s a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
