Amman

عمّان

Jordan's vibrant capital city built on seven hills, featuring Roman theaters, Byzantine churches, and a thriving modern culture. It serves as the gateway to exploring the entire region and offers excellent museums, restaurants, and shopping.

Things to do

• Roman Theater — A well-preserved 2nd-century Roman amphitheater carved into the hillside that once seated 6,000 people and now hosts cultural performances.
• Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) — An archaeological site atop one of Amman's seven hills containing ruins from various periods including a Byzantine church, Umayyad palace, and commanding views of the city.
• Jordan Museum — The country's premier museum showcasing artifacts from the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient Nabatean pottery, and Islamic manuscripts across Jordan's history.
• Rainbow Street (Jabal al-Weibdeh) — A vibrant neighborhood filled with independent galleries, vintage shops, quirky cafes, and street art representing Amman's contemporary creative scene.
• King Abdullah Mosque — A striking modern blue-domed mosque completed in 1989 with an interior that can accommodate 3,000 worshippers and offers guided tours for non-Muslims.
• Darat al-Funun — A contemporary art space housed in restored historic villas featuring rotating exhibitions of modern Arab and international art.

Food to try

• Mansaf — Jordan's national dish of lamb cooked in a yogurt sauce served over rice and topped with pine nuts, traditionally eaten with hands using flatbread.
• Falafel — Deep-fried chickpea fritters that are a ubiquitous street food and breakfast staple, served with tahini sauce and wrapped in pita bread.
• Zarb — Lamb or chicken slow-roasted in an underground oven with vegetables, offering smoky flavor and typically found at special occasions or upscale restaurants.
• Musakhan — A Palestinian dish of roasted chicken served on flatbread with sumac-onion sauce and pine nuts, representing the region's culinary heritage.
• Hummus and Baba Ghanoush — Creamy chickpea and roasted eggplant dips drizzled with olive oil and served as mezze appetizers in nearly every restaurant.
• Fresh Jordanian Mint Tea — A sweet tea prepared with local fresh mint and traditionally served in small glasses as a welcoming gesture throughout the day.

Local customs & good to know

• Haggling in souks — Bargaining is expected and culturally accepted in Amman's markets and souks; starting at 40-50% of the asking price and negotiating politely is standard practice.
• Dress modestly — While Amman is cosmopolitan, wearing modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful, especially when visiting mosques or older neighborhoods.
• Hospitality customs — If invited to a Jordanian home, expect warm welcomes with coffee or tea; removing shoes at the entrance and accepting offered refreshments are important gestures of respect.
• Friday is sacred — Many restaurants and shops have altered hours on Friday, the Islamic holy day, and midday prayers significantly affect business operations in the city.