Your guide to Amman
Amman highlights
Coffee culture
Whether poured from gleaming ‘dallahs’ (coffee pots) or pulled as a flat white, coffee is part of Amman’s social fabric. Traditional cafes serving cardamom-flavoured Arabic coffee, known as ‘qahwa sada’, share the streets with modern espresso bars. Here, conversations stretch late into the night and tables stay occupied long after the cups are empty.
Living history
Amman’s landmarks tell the story of the city over thousands of years. The Citadel holds the oldest ruins, from the towering columns of the Temple of Hercules to the domed Umayyad Palace. Below, the Roman Theatre is a powerful symbol of the city’s Roman chapter and remains central to daily downtown life.
Hilltop views
Taking in the views is a must on your stay in Amman. Spread across roughly 20 hills, the city delivers a dramatic skyline dotted by rooftop terraces where locals gather to watch the sunset. Head to the Citadel and Jabal Amman for the best viewpoints, and see pigeons released from Al-Balad (downtown) circle the dusk sky before returning home.
Amman: Know before you go
| Language | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Currency | Jordanian dinar (JD) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
| High season | March - May and September - November |
| Low season | June - August |
Find the best time to go to Amman
Weather in Amman
March – May: Spring days are mild, and the surrounding hills turn green after winter rains. It’s an ideal time for walking between neighbourhoods, sightseeing and sitting outside at cafes.
June – September: Summer is hot and dry, with daytime temperatures reaching highs of 35°C. Time your sightseeing for the early mornings or after dark.
October – November: Expect warm days and crisp nights during autumn. Crowds thin out, and outdoor dining and rooftop hangouts feel especially comfortable. You’ll still need a light jacket or sweater.
December – February: Winter is cool and wet, though snow is rare in the city. Bundle up, and enjoy bargains on everything from hotels to attractions.
Events in Amman
Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts (July to August): Held in the Roman ruins of nearby Jerash, this major summer festival features open-air concerts, dance performances and theatre staged against one of Jordan’s most dramatic historical backdrops.
Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (July to August): This summer festival spotlights Arab and regional filmmakers through screenings, talks and open-air events held across the city.
Amman Jazz Festival (September): Jordan’s only major jazz event brings live performances by regional and international artists, blending jazz with electronic, Latin and traditional Middle Eastern influences.
Amman Design Week (October): Explore Amman’s creative side at this celebration of all things design, from architecture to traditional crafts. Exhibitions and workshops highlight local talent and contemporary ideas.
The best neighbourhoods in Amman
Jabal Al Lweibdeh
Often considered Amman’s cultural hub, Jabal Al Lweibdeh clusters galleries, cultural centres and independent cafes along shaded streets. The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts and Darat al Funun anchor the area, while Paris Square serves as a casual meeting point for artists, writers, students and long-time locals throughout the day.
Good for: Galleries, cafes, bookshops
Abdali
Abdali showcases Amman’s contemporary side, with wide boulevards, sleek towers and a defined commercial district. Many of the city’s newer hotels sit alongside upscale shopping and dining here. Stop by King Abdullah I Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. Its blue mosaic dome is a defining feature of Amman’s skyline.
Good for: Modern hotels, luxury shopping, fine dining
Jabal Amman
If you’re deciding where to stay in Amman, Jabal Amman offers a central base with real character. Set on one of the city’s original hills near downtown, it’s not far from the Citadel and Roman Theatre. Rainbow Street cuts through the neighbourhood with cafes, bars and shops, linked by staircases and walkable side streets lined with hotels.
Good for: Cheap eats, nightlife, easy exploring
Things to do in Amman
Free things to do
A great free way to explore Amman is through its growing street art scene. Downtown is an easy place to find it, especially along the colourful Al Kalha Stairs linking the old city to Jabal Al Lweibdeh. Unwind in Al Hussein Public Parks or head just outside town to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, a site tied to a local legend.
Shopping
From traditional markets to sleek malls, Amman covers all bases. Explore Al-Balad for classic souks selling spices, gold and souvenirs. Rainbow Street is better for boutiques and people-watching, especially when Souk Jara pops up on Fridays during summer, selling local crafts and antiques. For a more upscale shopping fix, Taj Mall in the Abdoun district and Abdali Mall are the go-tos.
Nightlife
Amman’s nightlife centres on Jabal Amman, and particularly Rainbow Street with its mix of cafes, shisha lounges, bars and dance spots. For a more cosmopolitan vibe and city views, find your way to the high-end rooftop bars and lounges of Abdali Boulevard. Prefer a cultural experience? Catch live performances at Al Balad Theater or Al-Hussein Cultural Center.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Amman range from no-frills falafel counters to traditional kitchens serving classics. Crisp chickpea fritters tucked into pita, falafel is the everyday favourite — try it at Hashem Restaurant in Al-Balad. Hummus is equally central, while ‘mansaf’, the lamb-and-yoghurt national dish, is a highlight of any meal. Save room for ‘knafeh’, a gooey cheese pastry soaked in syrup.
Take in the culture
The best museums in Amman trace Jordan’s story across millennia. At The Jordan Museum, see the Ain Ghazal statues, dating back roughly 9,000 years, alongside fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. For a modern counterpoint, the Royal Automobile Museum displays luxury cars and motorcycles once owned by the late King Hussein.
Family friendly
The Children’s Museum Jordan offers hands-on science exhibits, creative workshops and outdoor play areas that will keep the kids busy for hours. The Royal Tank Museum is a guaranteed hit, with more than 150 real tanks to explore, including a few you can climb into. On hot days, head to Amman Waves Aqua Park and Resort for slides, pools and a lazy river.
Get ready for Amman
Budget
While not the most budget-friendly capital in the Middle East, experiencing Amman affordably is easy to manage. An inexpensive meal comes in under 10 Jordanian dinars (JOD). Drinks are reasonably priced in restaurants, with bottled water less than JOD1 and a local beer roughly JOD5. Getting around is affordable too, with short taxi rides usually around JOD2.
Day trips from Amman
Travel 45 minutes north to Jerash for some of the region’s best preserved Roman ruins, or go south to Madaba for ancient mosaics and cafe-lined streets. About an hour to the west, the Dead Sea delivers its famously buoyant float — walk in slowly, lean back, and let the water do the work.
Getting around Amman
Rideshare apps like Uber and Careem are the easiest way to get around. If you do take a cab, only use licensed taxis and ask the driver to turn on the meter. Central areas like downtown and Rainbow Street are walkable, though the city’s steep hills and endless stairs mean sightseeing often doubles as a workout.
