Things to do in Amman – Top 6 must-visit places
You cannot visit Jordan without stopping for at least a day in its capital, Amman (before you head to Petra and Wadi Rum). At first, it might seem like there aren’t many things to do in the city, but in this article, we will show you that there are plenty of places to see! Amman is the perfect start to your Jordanian adventure. It is an excellent opportunity to get introduced to this Middle Eastern country’s culture, history, and delicious cuisine.
We will start with the main historical sites and then share some lesser-known spots and hidden gems. From there, we will move to restaurants and cafes for those much-needed breaks from all the exploring. We will finish with some places to stay and day trips in case you’re making Amman your base for exploring. And there are many places nearby to visit!
Things to do in Amman – Historical sites
1. Amman Citadel
If you only have time to visit one place in Amman, it must be The Citadel. Positioned strategically on a hill in the heart of the city, it offers fantastic panoramic views of the city. This site is packed with remarkable landmarks, so we dedicated an entire article to this beautiful historical spot. Check it out for all the details and the best times to visit!

The JordanPass includes the entrance fee, which is another great reason to get the pass when visiting Jordan. However, keep in mind that the pass only allows you to enter each attraction once. We visited Amman Citadel early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and see how busy it gets. We returned then in the late afternoon to watch the sunset and check if it’s more or less busy. Turns out it was less busy but had to pay the entrance fee this time (3 JOD per person) as we already used out JordanPass entry.
2. Jordan Museum
While you could walk (25 min) to the Jordan Museum from the Roman Theatre, we recommend taking a taxi to save yourself some time. The museum is open:
- Saturday – Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Friday – 3:00pm – 6:00pm
- Tuesday – Closed
Unfortunately, the JordanPass does not include the museum, making it one of the few tourist attractions excluded. You must buy a ticket to visit, with the entry fee for foreigners is 5 JOD. Exploring all the rooms thoroughly takes about 1-2 hours. However you can complete the visit faster if you prefer just to get a general idea of the history.
Interesting fact: The museum houses part of the incredibly important Dead Sea Scrolls (3rd BC to 1st AD). The scrolls were found in Qumran caves in 1946. They are the oldest known copies of biblical texts in the world. We think that alone is a good reason why this should be on your list of things to do in Amman.
3. Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre, built in the 2nd century AD is located opposite the Amman Citadel. It definitely should be on your itinerary when in Amman. It is an impressive structure carved into the hill that can seat up to 6,000 people!
Known for its impressive acoustic design, the theatre still hosts performances and concerts. It also has two small museums – the Jordan Folklore Museum and The Jordanian Museum of Popular Traditions.

We highly recommend climbing all the way to the top to admire the views of the theatre and across the city itself from this vantage position.
Fun Fact – when built, the theatre was oriented north to prevent the sun from shining directly into the spectators’ eyes.
Things to do in Amman – Hidden Gems
4. Duke’s Diwan
The Duke’s Diwan is a historic building Downtown that houses an arts and culture center. It is the most mesmerising space in the city and a perfect opportunity to glimpse into the times gone. Built in 1924, Duke’s Diwan is worth visiting if you enjoy captivating and unique places mixed with history and art, this place is for you.
The interior looks like it was frozen in time, and you’ll feel transported to the beginning of the XX century. The atmosphere is genuinely inspiring, and we can see why poets and artists frequently visit this place.
5. Rainbow Street
Rainbow Street is the most famous street in Amman. Located in the Jabal neighbourhood, it is a very bustling and lively road. Both locals and tourists flock to this vibrant area, which offers trendy cafes, charming shops, and excellent restaurants. We actually went over there for lunch to a local restaurant (Sufra) to try a traditional Jordanian dish – Mansaf.
If you love art, you will find many charming little galleries here. Those looking to bring original and unique souvenirs from the trip can explore the local handicraft stores for the perfect gift or memory to take home.
6. King Abdullah I Mosque
During our travels, we visited many Middle Eastern countries and cities. We found it quite rare for non-Muslim tourists to be able to go inside an active mosque. However, this is not the case in King Abdullah I Mosque.
Here, tourists are welcomed here, and even have their own entrance/exit. The entry fee is 2JOD per person, and they only take cash, so make sure you have some on you! Before you enter, you will have to leave your shoes in the special designated area. In addition, women will be given an abaya to wear in order to be able to enter the mosque.

An important thing to note – Please beware of the tourist shops there! The prices are overinflated, and vendors are very pushy. It was our first day in Jordan and we had no understanding of prices. We paid way too much for a couple of headscarves, which we really regretted afterwards.
The mosque itself is pretty, but if you don’t have much time in your itinerary you can skip it.
Things to do in Amman – Restaurants
- Wild Jordan Center: owned by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, is a restaurant and café. It is a bit pricey, but if you love stunning views, you will love this place. There is even a viewing platform here to admire the city.
- Hashem Restaurant – this is the most known restaurant in Amman. Open 24/7 and serving the best falafel in town. This is no frills place, so if you’re looking for something more upscale, this is not a place for you, but we still recommend it as the falafels are amazing! Lunch or dinner will cost you around 3JOD.
- Sufra Restaurant – a restaurant with a cosy and very relaxed atmosphere serving traditional Jordanian dishes; recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Expect to pay around 25JOD per person.
- Mijana – offers an authentic culinary experience with charming decor. here, you’ll find traditional dishes at reasonable prices. The staff was super friendly and their mansaf is a must!
- Jafra – located right in the city center, this restaurant combines traditional and modern food. The decor is unique, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a band playing live music, which adds to the whole experience.

Things to do in Amman – Where to stay
There are many hotels and homestays across Amman, so you’ll be able to find the right place for you. Whether it is the perfect location for exploring or a place that will fit your budget, below are a few recommendations split by category.
Best location for exploring
- Khan Khediwe Hotel – located perfectly for exploring Citadel, Jordan Museum and the Roman Theatre. A brilliant hotel in an unassuming building
- Arab Tower Hotel – with its panoramic terrace and a great location, this hotel offers affordable stays right in the downtown area. You will be close to all the landmarks and can admire amazing views at sunset
- Hotel Philosophy – located slightly further from the centre. This hotel will definitely catch your eye with a bold and modern design.
Luxury
- InterContinental Jordan, an IHG Hotel – located further away from the downtown and main atractions this hotel offers a modern luxury and comfort during your stay.
- The House Boutique Suites – located near famous Rainbow Street with lots of cafes, restaurants and shops this is a perfect place to unwind after day of exploring Amman. It also has an outdoor pool and amazing views across the city from the terrace.
- Kaya Hotel Amman – located 400m from the King Abdullah I Mosque this modern hotel offers impeccable stay with the rooftop swimming pool, spa and great service throughout your stay.
Budget
- Zaman Ya Zaman Boutique Hotel – located opposite the Amphitheatre this hotel offers cosy vibes and great views from its sun terrace
- Medusa Home Stay – located perfectly for exploring Amman this home stay offers a amazing views and great service for very affordable price
- The Boutique Hotel Amman – a great hotel with 24/7 reception, clean rooms and perfect location for exploring Amman.
Day trips from Amman
Jordan is full of amazing locations to explore, and many of them are not far from Amman. If you’re planning to stay in the capital for longer than a day, then we recommend exploring a few of them during day trips from the city. Below is our list of a few of the nearest places that are worth visiting. You can even combine a few of them into one trip if you want to make the most of your time in Jordan.
Jerash
In our opinion, Jerash is the most impressive Roman site we’ve seen, and it beats any site we’ve seen in Rome. Yep, we said that! We know it’s controversial, but it’s the truth. There is only one other place in the world that is breathtaking, and that is Baalbek in Lebanon.

Why is Jerash on our list of day trips and things to do from Amman? First, it offers an incredible example of an ancient Roman city and, next to Baalbek, stands as one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the world. And if that wasn’t enough, it is also a Hidden Gem in Jordan (if you like a bit quieter and lesser-known places). However, it is becoming increasingly popular in recent years, so go before it gets too popular!
Jerash is located around 52km north of Amman. We recommend it as a day trip as it takes around 1 hour to get there by car and you will need at least 2 hours to see the whole site and then to go back. We honestly would recommend taking your time and exploring this incredible place slowly. Jerash is quite spread and has many individual areas to explore, like Oval Plaza, Hadrian’s Arch, and the Temple of Artemis.
This site is also included in the JordanPass, but if you don’t have one, the entry fee for foreigners is 12 JOD (around $17). As you can see, it’s definitely worth getting the Pass before visiting Jordan.
The site is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (summer) and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (winter). If you’re visiting during the Holy months of Ramadan, check times as they might be different to avoid disappointment.
Ajloun Castle
Located on a hill in northern Jordan, Ajloun Castle (71 km from Amman) offers incredible views of the surrounding area. Built in the XII century during the Crusades, this fortress is another must-visit place.
We recommend combining your trip to Ajloun with the visit to Jerash, as they’re only 30 minutes away from each other, and you can have a perfect day exploring. Additionally, entry to the castle is included in the JordanPass (otherwise, the entry fee for foreigners is 3 JOD), giving you even more reasons to visit.
Ajloun Castle is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (winter) and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (summer), and just like Jerash, we recommend double-checking the opening times during Ramadan.
Desert Castles
The best and most famous example of one of the Umayyad castles is Qasr Kharana. Located about 65 km (40 mi) east of Amman, this 8th-century structure is an architectural blend of Islamic art and Bedouin heritage.
The castle opens daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (October to April) and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (May to September). The entry fee is included in the JordanPass.
If you have a car, you could also visit Qusayr ‘Amra on the same day. You’ll need to pay 1 JOD to enter, but the ticket covers entry to the other two castles (Qasr al-Azraq and Qasr Kharana), so you won’t need to pay again to visit them.
Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable driving, you can book a tour from Amman which will take you to all 3 castles.
Summary

Amman was a perfect starting point for our Jordan trip. It introduced us to the country’s vibrant blend of history, culture, and modern experiences.
As skeptical as we were at first, we discovered that there’s more to do in Amman than meets the eye. From the ancient ruins of the Amman Citadel (our favourite place) and the impressive Roman Theatre to the vibrant atmosphere of Rainbow Street, Amman surprised us every step of the way.
Of course, no visit to Amman would be complete without sampling delicious local food. Whether it was a falafel at the legendary Hashem Restaurant or a delicious Jordanian meal at Sufra, we fell in love with food in Jordan and found it to be an experience in itself.
After Amman we headed south to Petra as we couldn’t wait to see this magnificent site and also see whether ‘Petra at Night‘ willlive up to our expectations or not.