Amman

How many days: 3

Spend your first day exploring the Citadel, Roman Theatre and downtown markets. Use the second day for Rainbow Street, Jabal Al Weibdeh and the city's museums, leaving time to enjoy local food and neighbourhood cafés.

On the third day, consider an excursion to Jerash or the Dead Sea, depending on your interests. Three days gives you a good introduction without rushing. If you are travelling onwards to Petra or Wadi Rum, Amman works well as the starting point.

What to do in Amman

Explore the Amman Citadel

Walk among archaeological remains on Jabal Al Qal'a, including the Temple of Hercules and Umayyad structures. The hill also offers broad city views.

Visit the Roman Theatre

See the impressive ancient theatre built into a hillside in downtown Amman. Its scale makes it one of the city's most recognisable landmarks.

Wander through downtown Amman

Explore traditional shopping streets, markets and food stalls. The area gives you a strong sense of everyday city life.

Walk along Rainbow Street

Explore this well-known street and the surrounding Jabal Amman neighbourhood. It is a pleasant area for cafés, shops and evening walks.

Discover Jabal Al Weibdeh

Spend time in a neighbourhood known for galleries, cafés and older architecture. Its streets offer a quieter contrast to downtown.

Visit the Jordan Museum

Explore displays covering Jordan's history and archaeology. It provides useful background for visiting Petra and other historic sites.

See the King Abdullah I Mosque

Admire the distinctive blue-domed mosque. Check visiting arrangements and follow appropriate dress requirements.

Explore Jerash

Take a trip north to see extensive Roman-era ruins, including colonnaded streets and theatres. It is one of Jordan's major archaeological sites.

Visit the Dead Sea

Travel west to experience the unusually salty water and stark landscape. Follow local bathing guidance and avoid getting water in your eyes.

Watch the city from a hillside

Find a suitable public viewpoint to appreciate Amman's densely packed buildings and surrounding hills. The city looks particularly atmospheric in softer light.

What to eat and drink

Try mansaf

Taste Jordan's national dish of lamb, rice and fermented yoghurt sauce. It is strongly associated with celebrations and hospitality.

Eat falafel and hummus

Enjoy freshly prepared falafel with creamy hummus and warm bread. It is an excellent inexpensive-style everyday meal without needing a formal dining experience.

Sample knafeh

Try this sweet dessert made with pastry, cheese and syrup. It is especially popular as an after-dinner treat.

Enjoy shawarma

Choose thinly sliced seasoned meat wrapped in bread with sauces and vegetables. It is convenient when exploring the city.

Try maqluba

Taste a rice dish layered with vegetables and sometimes meat, traditionally turned out before serving. It is a satisfying example of home-style cooking.

Drink Arabic coffee

Try coffee served in the local style, sometimes flavoured with cardamom. Tea is another common choice during a break.

Getting around

Downtown Amman, Rainbow Street and parts of Jabal Al Weibdeh are enjoyable on foot, but steep hills and uneven pavements make walking between districts tiring. The city is much larger than it first appears, and traffic can be heavy. Public buses and bus rapid transit services cover selected routes, although they may not reach every sightseeing stop conveniently.

Taxis and app-based rides are often the simplest way to move between neighbourhoods. Use a meter or confirm the fare beforehand. Hiring a car is more useful for excursions outside Amman than for central sightseeing, where congestion and parking can be frustrating. For Jerash or the Dead Sea, arranged transport may be easier.

Good to know

• Amman's hills make walking more demanding than distances on a map suggest.
• Dress modestly around religious sites and in more traditional neighbourhoods.
• Carry some cash for markets, small food stalls and local transport.
• Summers can be hot, while winter evenings can be surprisingly cold.
• Check official travel advice and regional security conditions before travelling around Jordan.
• Allow extra time for road journeys during busy periods, particularly when leaving the city.