Jordan

Amman

An ancient hilltop capital where Roman stones meet modern coffee shops.

Local time
UTC+3
Population
4.0M
Safety

Cost of a day

$$$$$
Moderate
  • Food$$$$$About $46 a day: light breakfast, cheap lunch, mid-range dinner
  • Stay$$$$$3-star hotel about $48 a night for two
  • Transport$$$$$About $3.1 a day: 4 public transit rides

Exchange rate

🇯🇴 JOD =
Rates from 2026-10-23, refreshed monthly.

Getting in

AMMQueen Alia International AirportMain gateway for Jordan, about 26 km south of the centre.
HowCostTime
Sariyah Airport Express bus7th Circle and Tabarbour North Station3.30 JOD45-60 min
Buy the ticket at the kiosk outside arrivals; cash is safest.
BRTJordan Museum area0.610 JOD60-80 min
Take the bus to Tabarbour, then transfer to the BRT.
TaxiCity centre22.5 JOD30-45 min
Fixed airport fare; pay by card at the taxi booth.
Uber / CareemCity centre15-25 JOD30-45 min
Pick up at the departures level upstairs.

Estimates, checked October 2026. Wikivoyage: Amman

Getting around

Use Uber, Careem or taxis for most trips; the BRT bus is the cheap backbone.

  • MetroNo metro or tram in Amman. Don't plan around rail.
  • Bus ★The BRT bus network is the fast backbone, about 0.610 JOD a ride. City buses are cheap but often Arabic-only; pay exact fare or swipe a Visa or MasterCard.
  • Taxi / ride apps ★Yellow and grey taxis use meters; most trips in town stay under 2–5 JOD. Uber and Careem work well, with core rides about 1–4 JOD.
  • Rental carDriving is common but traffic is heavy. Rental desks are at the airport and in town.
  • WalkingWalking is patchy: steep hills, missing sidewalks and few crossings. Plan some rides.
Recommended stay★ 1 night (2 days)

One night suits you, covering the Citadel, Roman Theatre and downtown in a day, with an evening to unwind.

Best for
  • HistoryRoman citadel, amphitheatre and the old downtown.
  • FoodFalafel, mansaf and sweet shops on Rainbow Street.

Weather by month

12°5°Jan🌧 9d
14°6°Feb🌧 9d
17°8°Mar🌧 8d
23°12°Apr🌧 4d
28°16°May🌧 2d
31°19°Jun
33°21°Jul
33°21°Aug
31°20°Sep🌧 1d
26°17°Oct🌧 2d
20°12°Nov🌧 5d
15°7°Dec🌧 6d

Average daily high / low (°C), sea temperature and rainy days. Typical figures, not a forecast.

Climate

Mediterranean-style climate: hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

  • Best time: April to May and OctoberWarm days around 23–28°C with little rain. Ideal for the Citadel and walking downtown.
  • Hot, dry summer (June to September)Highs of 31–33°C and almost no rain. Sightsee early morning and evening; rest indoors at midday.
  • Wet winter (December to February)Highs of 12–15°C with 6–9 rainy days a month. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket.
  • Rain is seasonalMost rain falls from November to March. Summer months are almost completely dry.
  • Cool nights year-roundEvenings drop fast, especially in winter. A light jacket helps in spring and autumn.
  • What to packLight clothes and sunscreen for summer; warm layers and a rain jacket for winter. Comfortable shoes for steep, hilly streets.

Landmarks 6

Must-see · 2

  1. 1

    Amman Citadel

    The hilltop site where Amman's history layers from Roman to Umayyad times, with the Temple of Hercules columns and the Umayyad palace remains. It is the city's defining sight and gives wide views over downtown. Go early morning or late afternoon for cooler weather and better light; it is a short taxi ride from downtown.

  2. 2

    Roman Theater

    A well-preserved 2nd-century Roman theater cut into the hillside, still used for performances. Its scale and setting make it a must-see for first-time visitors. Visit in the morning to avoid the midday heat; it is a short walk from downtown and the Citadel.

1Amman Citadel2Roman Theater

Cultural

Ancient Site 2

Market 1

Christian 2

Activities

Food 1

Overview

History & significance

Highlights

    Day trips from Amman

    Mādabā · 33 min by road

    ★★★☆☆ · Half day · 34 km from Amman

    Take a minibus or service taxi from Amman's Abdali bus station to Madaba (about 45 minutes to an hour), with taxis available for the trip on to Mount Nebo.

    • Bus1 h 08 · from $1-$22
    • Car33 min · taxi ≈ 20 JOD

    What to see

    • Madaba Mosaic Map in St George's Church
    • Mount Nebo viewpoint
    • Archaeological Park
    • Old town streets

    1 landmark quest to check off here

    Times and prices are typical one-way estimates (train and bus: Omio / Rome2Rio route data; taxi: local tariff × road distance, tolls extra). Exact prices are on the booking page.

    Plans

    Amman rewards visitors with Roman ruins, a buzzing downtown and easy day trips across Jordan. Pick how long you have and what you enjoy most. Prices checked October 2026; ≈ marks estimates.

    How long?

    What do you enjoy most?

    1 night · History ★ Recommended length

    First-timers who want the Roman core and the old downtown in one tight day.

    Stay: Downtown (Al-Balad). Walk to the Citadel, Roman Theatre and Hashemite Plaza. Cheapest base and best for street food.

    Tickets & tours
    ≈ JOD 16
    per person
    Taxis
    ≈ JOD 14
    per taxi, up to 4 people
    Hotel
    JOD 25–90
    1 night · Downtown (Al-Balad)
    Day 1

    Citadel, theater and the old souq

    Tickets ≈ JOD 16 pp · taxis ≈ JOD 14
    123456
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. Taxi from your hotel · 505 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ JOD 2
    2. 1

      08:30–09:15 · ≈ JOD 2–4 for falafel, hummus and tea

      Falafel breakfast at a Downtown institution

      Start with a cheap falafel breakfast. Go early, it gets busy.

      Open Early morning to late evening

    3. Taxi · 635 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ JOD 2
    4. 2

      09:30–11:00 · ≈ JOD 2–3 entry; Jordan Pass covers it

      Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) Landmark quest

      Walk up from downtown. Bring water and a hat, there is little shade.

      Open Daily roughly 08:00–18:00 in summer, shorter in winter — check on the day · Source

    5. Taxi · 1325 m · ≈ 9 min · ≈ JOD 2
    6. 3

      11:15–11:45 · Free

      Viewpoint over Downtown from Jabal Amman

      Short taxi ride. Best light is later, but the view is clear at midday.

      Open Always open; go before dark

    7. Taxi · 2 km · ≈ 10 min · ≈ JOD 2
    8. 4

      12:00–12:45 · ≈ JOD 2 entry; small extra for the folklore museums

      Roman Theater Landmark quest

      Back down in the valley. The small museums beside it are included.

      Open Daily roughly 08:00–17:00 — check on the day

    9. Taxi · 2 km · ≈ 10 min · ≈ JOD 2
    10. 5

      13:15–14:15 · ≈ JOD 6–12 per plate at a local restaurant

      Mansaf (national dish) Landmark quest

      Lunch. Many downtown places serve mansaf daily; ask before you sit.

      Open Lunch and dinner; many places serve it daily

    11. Taxi · 2 km · ≈ 10 min · ≈ JOD 2
    12. 6

      14:30–16:00 · Free to walk; bring cash for snacks and spices

      Downtown Amman Souq Landmark quest

      Wander the market lanes. Friday mornings are quiet, so plan around that.

      Open Shops roughly 09:00–20:00; quiet on Friday mornings

    13. Taxi back to your hotel · 611 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ JOD 2

    Swap in instead

    • Add a day trip to Jerash for Roman ruins; check bus and tour options on the day.
    • Swap an afternoon for Madaba and Mount Nebo, known for mosaics and views.
    • Float in the Dead Sea: a long half-day trip; check transport and prices on the day.

    Getting around

    • No metro or tram; the BRT bus network is the fast backbone, about 0.610 JOD a ride.
    • City buses are cheap but often Arabic-only; pay exact fare or swipe a Visa or MasterCard.
    • Yellow and grey taxis use meters; most trips in town stay under 2-5 JOD.
    • Uber and Careem both work well in Amman; core rides cost about 1-4 JOD.
    • Driving is common but traffic is heavy; car rental desks are at the airport and in town.
    • Walking is patchy: steep hills, missing sidewalks and few crossings, so plan some rides. No ferry service.

    Where to stay

    • Downtown (Al-Balad) · ≈ JOD 25–90 a night
      Walk to the Citadel, Roman Theatre and Hashemite Plaza. Cheapest base and best for street food.
    • Jabal Amman (1st Circle) · ≈ JOD 40–130 a night
      Quiet, leafy streets near Rainbow Street cafés. Good middle ground between old and new Amman.
    • Abdoun · ≈ JOD 70–200 a night
      Upscale, calm and close to restaurants and malls. Best if you want quiet nights and easy taxis.
    • Shmeisani · ≈ JOD 55–160 a night
      Modern business district with hotels and cafés. Central for the BRT and short rides to most sights.

    Food & drink

    • Start with falafel and hummus at a downtown shop; a full plate is often under 3 JOD.
    • Try mansaf, the national dish of lamb cooked in yogurt, for a bigger sit-down meal.
    • Rainbow Street and Jabal Amman have cafés and sweet shops; knafeh is the local dessert to order.
    • Cheap eats: shawarma, falafel and fuul sandwiches for about 1–3 JOD.
    • Book a popular restaurant for Friday lunch; many places are busy and some close early on Fridays.

    Tips

    1. Visit the Amman Citadel at sunset for spectacular views over the hilly city and Roman Theater
    2. Uber and Careem are the best and safest ways to navigate the difficult terrain
    3. Dress modestly in public spaces, covering shoulders and knees
    4. Eat falafel and hummus at the famous Hashem Restaurant in downtown
    5. Stairs connecting the various 'jabals' are common, so wear comfortable shoes
    Sources for prices and hours

    Taxi costs are estimates from straight-line distance and the metered fare. Map positions are approximate.

    Tours & activities

    Take this tour to unlock 2 landmark quests

    Amman Citadel
    Roman Theater
    • Covers the Citadel and Roman Theater
    • Orientation to downtown Amman
    • 428 reviews · 4.9 rating
    City highlightsLocal guide

    Amman

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.9 (428)

    Take this tour to unlock 2 landmark quests

    Amman Citadel
    Roman Theater
    • Amman city tour from Amman
    • Visits the main ancient sites
    • 43 reviews · 4.6 rating
    Half dayFrom Amman

    Amman City Tour From Amman

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.6 (43)

    Take this tour to unlock 2 landmark quests

    Madaba Map
    Mount Nebo
    • Dead Sea, Nebo, Madaba and Baptism Site
    • See the Madaba mosaic map
    • 434 reviews · 4.8 rating
    Private or groupHotel pickup

    Dead Sea, Nebo, Madaba & Baptism Site Private or Group Tour

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.8 (434)

    Take this tour to unlock 2 landmark quests

    Madaba Map
    Mount Nebo
    • Madaba, Mount Nebo and Baptism site
    • Short day trip from Amman
    • 160 reviews · 4.9 rating
    Day tourChristian sites

    Day Tour Madaba, Mount Nebo and Baptism site

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.9 (160)

    Souvenirs

    Dead Sea mud and salt cosmetics

    JOD 8–251 to 2 small items · estimate

    These are Jordanian skincare products made from minerals of the Dead Sea, which lies on Jordan's western border. They are sold in sealed packs for travel.

    Where: Trinitae, Rainbow Street
    Choose sealed products so they are easy to pack and carry home.

    Olive oil soap

    JOD 2–51 bar, 100 to 150 g · shop prices

    Olive oil soap is a traditional product of the region, made with olive oil. Choose a bar made in Jordan.

    Where: Wild Jordan Center craft shop
    Pick a bar that is labeled as made in Jordan.

    Flights

    Dates are departure dates at each airport, which may differ from your itinerary arrival date. Select your flight and complete payment on Trip.com.

    Search flights · Trip.com

    Hotels

    Search all Amman hotelsHotels.com

    Popular hotels

    eSIM

    Get an eSIM for AmmanStay connected in Jordan from day one · Airalo
    Compare all 3 plans · choose data and duration

    Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Data-use estimates are a guide; verify coverage, activation rules and the final price on Airalo.

    Luggage storage

    Store your bags in AmmanDrop luggage at nearby shops and hotels · Bounce