Honestly, yes, Amman is worth visiting.

We know what you’re thinking - aren’t you supposed to build the suspense throughout the article, then draw a conclusion at the end like other travel bloggers?

Well, we do things a bit differently around here. We like to get straight to the point - Amman is definitely worth visiting.

It is actually one of our favourite cities in the world - the souks, the food, the people, everything about it is so special!

This wonderful city is criminally overlooked when it comes to Jordan travel itineraries.

Too many people simply use it as a means to get in and out of the country without stopping to see what Amman’s all about.

That’s why we have created this article, highlighting all the reasons why you should visit Amman while introducing you to all the best things to do in Amman.

Stick around to the end of the article, too, because we will reveal one scenario where visiting Amman might not actually be worth it.

So, let’s dive into: Is Amman Worth Visiting?

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Is Amman worth Visiting?

As we mentioned in the introduction, we absolutely believe that Amman is worth visiting. And by visiting, we mean dedicating at least a few days to the city, not just flying in and out of the airport.

Often, people will travel to Jordan by flying into Amman and then heading South straight away towards Petra and Wadi Rum. Yes, these sites are incredible and even, in our opinion, are the best things to see in Jordan, but that doesn’t mean Amman should be skipped entirely.

Hopefully, by outlining everything to do in Amman, reassuring you that the city is completely safe to visit, and providing you with a few handy Amman travel tips, we’ll be able to convince you that Amman has to be on your Jordan bucket list.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Amman?

We suggest spending at least one full day in Amman, which means waking up in the city and going to bed there.

Ideally, we’d recommend spending at least 2 days exploring Amman because there is so much to see and do, but we appreciate that many won’t have space in their already packed Jordan travel plans.

So, spend an entire action-packed day exploring all the best things to do in Amman, and don’t forget to try as much of the local food as possible - Jordanian and Middle-Eastern cuisine is delicious!

When is the Best Time to Visit Amman?

As with any city around the world, we would recommend visiting Amman during the shoulder season - mainly April/May or October/November. Jordan is a very hot country, so travelling to Amman during these months will help you escape the heights of the summer temperatures.

It will also allow you to explore the city without the crowds. While Amman isn’t as touristy or busy as Petra, it can still get very busy during the peak summer months.

We visited in mid-November and found the temperatures to be completely manageable, and the crowds were at their lowest in Petra.

Is Amman Safe to Visit?

A quick answer to this question is easy - yes, Amman is safe to travel to.

We understand that travelling always poses certain risks, and we advise you to use regular travel caution when visiting Amman. But, in general, we felt 100% safe in Amman and in Jordan more widely.

Particularly in comparison to many of its Middle-East neighbours, Jordan is an exceptionally safe country to travel to!

Best Places to Stay in Amman

Here are just a few suggestions for the best places to stay in Amman - they lie at each end of the budget scale, showing how versatile the accommodation options are in Amman!

Budget-friendly option: Cabin Hostel - a brilliant option for anyone wanting to meet other backpackers in Amman. It’s directly in the centre of the old town too, making it walking distance from pretty much every major site in Amman.

High-end option: St. Regis Hotel Amman - if you’re looking for a more elegant place to stay in Amman, look no further than the St. Regis Hotel. It’s got more of a resort feel to it, with its own swimming pool, sauna and spa.

**St Regis Hotel** - arguably the best place to stay in Amman!

See more Amman Accommodation options here

Reasons to Visit Amman

What better way to list all the reasons to visit Amman than by outlining all the best things to do in the Hashemite Kingdom’s fascinating capital city?

Best Things to Do in Amman

Climb the Roman Amphitheatre

This imposing 6000-seater theatre dates back to the 2nd Century Roman Period.

With it overlooking Amman’s old town district, climbing the Amphitheatre steps to the top is one of the best things to do in Amman.

When we visited it was surprisingly quiet, so we sat at the top of the theatre for a while to take in the sights and sounds of Amman.

2. Marvel at the Amman Citadel

Arguably the most impressive attraction in Amman is the abandoned Citadel, which is found on top of the largest hill in the city - Jabal Al Qala'a.

The looming remnants of the Temple of Hercules were a particular highlight for us. The 30ft high pillars can be seen from all over Amman and are an excellent place to grab some Instagram-worthy photos in Amman.

Entry to the Amman Citadel is 3JD (£3.40/$4.20) and is worth every penny. Alternatively, if you have the Jordan Travel Pass, then entry is totally free.

3. Wander down Rainbow Street

Rainbow Street really lives up to its name - it’s a vibrant part of the historic district of Jebal, within walking distance of Amman’s downtown region.

The street is full of amazing hipster cafes and restaurants and is unlike any other street in Amman. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to tea and coffee options.

It is worth noting that prices for a sit-down meal on Rainbow Street can be double that of the local restaurants elsewhere, so perhaps just a coffee break is all that is needed here.

4. Haggle in the Bazaars/Souks

One of our favourite things to do in Amman was to wander around all the markets - known as Bazaars or Souks in Jordan.

Unlike at home, where a market can be full of absolutely everything, Amman works slightly differently in that the Souks are bunched together based on what goods are being sold.

For example, one souk might feature only stalls selling fruit and veg, whereas a few streets down, the next souk might only sell gold products.

We even saw a souk in Amman that sold guns, ammunition and rifles! Though, of course, we don’t suggest practicing your haggling here!

5. See the Grand Husseini Mosque

One of the standout architectural highlights of Amman is undoubtedly the Grand Husseini Mosque.

The Grand Old Mosque was rebuilt in 1924, a significant milestone in the country’s history as it was the first major architectural (re)build in Jordan’s newly appointed capital city - Amman.

While the Mosque isn’t open for public visits, it is still viewed as the epicentre of downtown Amman and seeing the incredible architecture from the outside is still one of the best experiences to have in Amman.

6. Take a Walking Tour of the City

What better way to discover a new city than by taking a walking tour? We love walking tours because they are usually budget-friendly, deeply informational, and a great way to get your bearings when you first get to a city.

You can book a private walking tour of Amman with a local guide online. We personally loved this specific walking tour because it took us to the Citadel, around the souks, to the Grand Husseini Mosque and all over the downtown area of Amman.

7. Sample Jordanian Cuisine

Jordanian and Middle Eastern cuisine is one of our favourites in the world. It’s so creamy, fresh and fragrant!

We ate flatbread and hummus during every single meal on our 1-week road trip of Jordan and we don’t regret a single thing. Hummus is something that, in our humble opinion, should be served with every meal all over the world!

For the most authentic and delicious Jordanian food in Amman, we recommend heading to the Hashem Restaurant. It’s unique in that there is no set menu, you simply sit down at a table and a server brings over delicious, fresh bowls of hummus, falafel, moutabel and flatbreads. It’s honestly incredible!

We went back to Hashem at least 3 times during our time in Amman, it was that good!

Did you know? It is possible to trek the Dana Trail all the way into the back of Petra. It’s one of the most adventurous things to do in Jordan and will live long in the memory!

Tips for Visiting Amman

Here are some quick tips for visiting Amman that will make your trip stress-free and even more magical. That is, of course, if we’ve managed to convince you that Amman is worth visiting after all. (P.S. It definitely is!)

Download an affordable Jordanian e-SIM - a reliable e-SIM is imperative during your trip to Amman and Jordan. We have a full article dedicated to the best e-SIM in Jordan, so you know exactly how to download it.
Stay in the Old Town/Downtown area - if you want to truly experience Amman in all its glory, we recommend staying in the Old Town area in downtown Amman. It’s much more authentic and gives you a better sense of what life is like in this fascinating historical city.
Listen out for the Call to Prayer - the Call to Prayer is the first call summoning Muslims to go to prayer in the Mosque. It is a sound that reverberates around the entire city of Amman and is a really magical experience to hear first hand.

Frequently Asked Questions about Amman

What should women wear in Amman?

The best piece of advice we can give is for women to dress in light, airy clothing while keeping modesty in mind.

Obviously, Amman is a very hot city to visit - reaching temperatures of up to 32°C/90°F during the summer - so breathable, comfortable clothing is a must.

While there are no specific rules on covering shoulders and legs in Amman, it is important to consider religious and societal etiquette when visiting as a tourist. So we suggest dressing modestly, in order to uphold some form of religious dress in Amman.

Something Orla experienced in Amman was that by covering up, she was not only respecting local customs, but she also felt more comfortable in knowing that she wasn’t inadvertently offending anybody.

What should men wear in Amman?

In the same regard as dressing a woman in Amman, there are no formal, written rules for what men should wear in Amman.

With that being said, we recommend wearing trousers and a light linen or cotton shirt. This is going to keep you comfortable in the warmer temperatures and will keep your knees covered - some people in Jordan see men wearing shorts as being disrespectful.

In general, for dressing in Amman and Jordan more widely, we recommend modesty and practicality at all times.

Should I still visit Amman during a short trip to Jordan?

Okay, so we promised you at the beginning of the article that we would outline a scenario where there are benefits to skipping out Amman - and here it is.

If you are visiting Jordan for, say, 2 or 3 days, perhaps as part of a wider trip to popular countries nearby like Egypt and Israel, then we recommend skipping Amman out of your Jordan itinerary.

You can just use Amman to fly in and out of, and instead maximise your time by experiencing all the best things to do in Petra and staying in the best Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum.

In our opinion, Petra and Wadi Rum are the standout highlights of any trip to Jordan. So, if you only have a few days to visit the Hashemite Kingdom, then it’s perhaps wise to skip Amman out and come back another time to explore this wonderful city.

There we have it, folks, our response to the question - Is Amman worth visiting?

In case you’ve not gathered by now, we feel very strongly that Amman is absolutely worth a visit when you’re in Jordan. It’s a fascinating city, unlike any we have been to before.

While we appreciate it doesn’t have the bucket-list factor of Petra or Wadi Rum, we feel it shouldn’t be overlooked.

On that note - Is Petra worth visiting? Read our round-up of the reasons we believe everybody should visit Petra once in their life!