There is an old Arabic saying: “Pearls do not lie on the seashore. To find one you must dive for it”.
Amman, along with many capital cities of the world, is sometimes given short shrift in the more common tourist media, and therefore hardly ever features on one of those hip, trendy “before you die” bucket lists. But if you really want to find a pearl in the Middle East, the capital of Jordan is a fabulously interesting and electrifying city!
Amman is literally where the very old meets the new. Beside Roman ruins you will find trendy cafes; in amongst souks you will find nightlife like no other – and yes, you will love it all.
Of course, there are some bigger, more exotic tourist destinations in Jordan, but when visiting this wonderful country you really HAVE to spend some time in Amman, even if it’s for a few short hours.
This once small town has metamorphosed into one of the most sophisticated and exciting cities in the Middle East, and was selected as the chosen capital of the kingdom, at that time called Trans-Jordan, in 1921. It is now one of the most fascinating cities in the region, but one that is still fairly underrated.
Since the start of the Arab Spring, there have been a few sporadic protests in Jordan but these are in no way comparable to other areas in the region. Jordan and Amman are still regarded as being very safe to visit, so yes, you should really put Amman on the list of places to Must See.
In no particular order, these are the must-sees in Amman…
If you want history, head to The Citadel
Amman’s highest hill, Jebel al-Qala’a, is where you will find the most interesting historical sites. Some of the most famous Roman, Umayyad and Byzantine ruins in the world are all in this area, otherwise known as The Citadel.
The Citadel formed the original city and houses the monumental Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace, and the National Archaeological Museum. It also has the most magnificent views of Amman’s hills and breath-taking views of downtown Amman.
You’ll need a few hours or even half a day to do justice to this ancient site. A good time to go is the afternoon where you can watch the sun set over the hills and listen to the serenading of the mosques and the calls to sunset prayers, as they filter through the valleys around The Citadel.
A little way down the hill you will find the Roman Theater built in the second century. This impressive theater was the center of ancient Amman and named Philadelphia by the Greeks.
Here’s a quick view of downtown Amman from The Citadel…
If you’re in need of food…
Amman is known for its sweet and spicy flavors and you will find candied fruits, baklava, and sweet cheese pastries galore. The many food stalls you can find interspersed with fine dining experiences will offer an array of different Jordanian specialties from traditional Arab and Levantine dishes as well as newer cuisines in the trendy cafes.
Don’t miss our guide to some of the best eats in Amman.
If you love architecture, head to the Mosques
Islamic architecture is on show in Amman and beautiful examples of a range of styles from ancient to modern can be seen in the city. The Ottoman-style King Hussein Mosque rebuilt in 1932 has magnificent towering minarets. Also impressive is the turquoise-domed King Abdullah Mosque with its intricate Quranic inscriptions.
If you need some retail therapy…
Souk al-Bkharia in downtown Amman is where you can pick up lanterns, souvenirs, antiques, and jewelry. The Gold Souk is where you can find intricate gold and silver jewelry, or if you interested in vintage fashion visit the Jordan Folklore Museum and the Museum of Popular Tradition in the Roman Theater.
If you want to soak up the local vibes…
A great place to just amble about and enjoy the local vibe is at Jabal Amman, which is located on one of the hills of Amman. The area was populated by the Jordanian elite in the early 20th century, but now it is a trendy place where students and young professionals hang out.
The lovely Mango and Rainbow streets allow you to amble among old villas and new boutiques and cafes, while the Souk Jara is a great place for a coffee and to dig out some awesome handicraft souvenirs – definitely worth a visit!
If you’re around in May, watch out for the annual street graffiti festival, known as Baladak. See the al-balad.org website for more details about his festival and other events they hold throughout the year.
If you’re dreaming of the Dead Sea and other exotic destinations…
Amman is a GREAT place to make day trips to the nearby sights – for example, only an hour away are the mineral-rich waters of the amazing Dead Sea. This is the lowest point on the planet and sits at 1 300 feet below sea level. The mineral-rich water is believed to have healing properties and many visitors go there to float in the water (yes, with a newspaper handy for the ultimate tourist shot!).
Nearby in the hills of the Dead Sea, check out the waterfalls of Hammamat Ma’in where you can soak in a variety of public pools in amongst the incredible surrounding landscape. You can also stop off in the town of Madaba where you can see a collection of impressive Byzantine mosaics, and if you’re up for some adventure, try the amazing hike at Wadi Mujib.
