Things to Do in Amman
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Amman, Jordan, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Amman. Built across hills the way Rome was, layers of history stacked one on top of the next, and most visitors treat it as a stopover to Petra rather than a destination in its own right, a real mistake. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Amman: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the climb. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Roman Theatre
Built into a hillside in the 2nd century during Roman rule, and remarkably still used for concerts and events today, a rare thing for a structure this old. Seating for around 6,000, and the climb to the top rows rewards you with sweeping views back over downtown Amman.
The complex includes two small museums, one on folklore and traditional Jordanian life, the other on popular tradition, both included in the ticket and worth a quick look alongside the theatre itself.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–7pm in summer, shorter in winter
Address Downtown Amman, Al Hashemi Street
Amman Citadel
Perched on Jabal al-Qal'a, one of the city's original seven hills, and layered with Hittite, Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad-era ruins all stacked on top of each other across centuries of continuous occupation. The Temple of Hercules columns and the Umayyad Palace are the standout structures, along with sweeping views over the whole city.
It's an essential stop for understanding Amman's deep history, and the archaeological museum on site adds useful context to what you're walking through.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–7pm in summer, shorter in winter
Address Jabal al-Qal'a, central Amman
Rainbow Street
A lively strip of cafes, restaurants, and small shops in the Jabal Amman district, and the best place to get a feel for how modern Amman actually lives, day and evening both. Weekends bring a proper open-air market (Souk Jara) selling crafts, food, and antiques along the street.
It's a good spot to just sit with a coffee or a shisha and watch the city go by, considerably more relaxed than the busier downtown souks.
Best time Evenings; Fridays for Souk Jara market (summer months)
Address Jabal Amman, near 1st Circle
Day-Tripping to Petra from Amman
Amman serves as the main gateway city for travellers heading toward Petra, the iconic rock-carved ancient city further south, and most visitors pass through the capital briefly before continuing on. It's a properly long day trip (around 3-4 hours each way), an overnight stay in nearby Wadi Musa is the more comfortable option if your schedule allows it.
If you are doing Petra as a day trip from Amman, leave as early as possible, the site is large and the famous Treasury facade is only the beginning of what's worth seeing there.
Getting there About 3–4 hours from Amman by car or bus
Best time Early morning departure if doing it as a day trip
King Abdullah I Mosque
A striking modern mosque with a distinctive blue mosaic dome, built in the 1980s as a memorial to Jordan's first king. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, with modest dress required and abayas provided free at the entrance for those who need them.
The mosque can hold up to 7,000 worshippers, and the interior, with its enormous dome and geometric detailing, is worth the modest entry fee even for a brief visit.
Hours Daily outside prayer times, closed to visitors Fridays until early afternoon
Address Downtown Amman, near the Citadel
Downtown Souks & Hashem Restaurant
Amman's downtown souks, spice markets, gold sellers, and general chaos, are properly worth wandering even without a shopping list, a good contrast to the calmer Rainbow Street area up the hill. Hashem, a legendary no-frills falafel and hummus spot nearby, has been feeding locals and visitors alike for decades and remains one of the best cheap meals in the city.
Go hungry, prices are low enough that trying several stalls or dishes across an afternoon barely dents a budget.
Best time Any time; mornings for a quieter market wander
Address Downtown Amman
Best time to visit Amman
March through May and September through November give the most comfortable weather, mild enough for the hillside walking between the Citadel and the Roman Theatre without summer's heat.
Summer (June through August) gets properly hot, particularly for the exposed hilltop sites, plan those visits for early morning if travelling then. Winter brings occasional rain and cooler temperatures but remains entirely workable.
Getting around Amman
Amman is hillier than most cities its size, and while downtown is walkable, getting between the seven hills (jabals) is easier by taxi than on foot. Ride-hailing apps work well and are the easiest option for visitors; agree fares upfront with traditional taxis if the meter isn't running.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Amman worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly the Citadel and Roman Theatre, and it's worth budgeting more than a rushed overnight stop before Petra, the city has real depth of its own.
- How many days do you need in Amman?
- Two days covers the main sights comfortably; most visitors combine this with onward travel to Petra and the Dead Sea.
- Is Amman expensive?
- Moderate, museum and monument entry fees are low, and downtown food (Hashem especially) is genuinely cheap, hotels and Rainbow Street dining cost more.
- What is Amman famous for?
- Being built across seven hills like Rome, its remarkably preserved Roman Theatre still in use today, and serving as the main gateway to Petra.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
