What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Amman, Jordan.
Photo: Berthold Werner / Wikimedia Commons
Amman is Jordan's capital, built on hills that mix Roman ruins with modern life. In Downtown (Al-Balad) you'll find the Roman Theatre and Nymphaeum close together, while the Amman Citadel sits above on Jabal Al-Qal'a. Rainbow Street and Jabal Al-Weibdeh give a quieter, café-focused side of the city. The best months to visit are April, October, November and March, when temperatures are milder than in the summer heat.
Two to three days cover the main sights: the Citadel, Roman Theatre, Downtown Souks, and a museum or two, with time left for Rainbow Street and Jabal Al-Weibdeh's galleries.
Jabal Al-Qal'a
The hilltop where Amman began, with the columns of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the restored domed hall of the Umayyad Palace. Go for the layers of history and the wide views over downtown and the surrounding hills.
Downtown (Al-Balad)
A large Roman theatre cut into the hillside, facing the Hashemite Plaza. You can climb to the top rows for a view of the city. Two small museums of folklore and popular traditions sit in the side wings.
Ras Al-Ein
The country's main history museum, covering Jordan from prehistory to modern times. Highlights include the Ain Ghazal plaster statues, among the oldest human figures ever found, and fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Downtown (Al-Balad)
The old commercial heart of Amman, with the Gold Souk, spice and produce stalls, and the Al-Husseini Mosque. It is the best place to see everyday city life and try cheap local food such as falafel and kanafeh.
Abdali
A large modern mosque known for its blue mosaic dome. It is one of the few mosques in Amman that regularly welcomes non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times; modest dress is required and women must cover their hair.
Jabal Amman
A sloping street of old stone houses, cafés, rooftop bars and small shops. It is busiest in the evening, when locals and visitors come out to eat and walk.
Jabal Al-Weibdeh
A contemporary Arab art centre spread over several restored historic houses and a garden. The grounds include the ruins of a small Byzantine church and offer a calm view over downtown.
Jabal Al-Weibdeh
A gallery of modern and contemporary art from Jordan, the Arab world and other developing countries. It suits travellers who want to see Amman's creative side alongside its ancient sites.
Downtown (Al-Balad)
The remains of a Roman public fountain building, a short walk from the Roman Theatre. It is easy to add to a walk through the downtown souks.
King Hussein Park
A collection of cars and motorbikes from the royal family, used to tell the story of modern Jordan. It is a good choice for car fans and for families.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C / 4°C | 8 days (43 mm) | 8.7 h/day | 5.5/10 |
| February | 14°C / 5°C | 7 days (41 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 6.9/10 |
| Best month: March | 18°C / 8°C | 5 days (27 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 8.9/10 |
| Best month: April | 24°C / 12°C | 3 days (11 mm) | 12.0 h/day | 9.4/10 |
| May | 28°C / 16°C | 1 day (6 mm) | 12.7 h/day | 8.6/10 |
| June | 32°C / 19°C | 0 days (0 mm) | 13.1 h/day | 7.2/10 |
| July | 34°C / 21°C | 0 days (0 mm) | 13.2 h/day | 4.6/10 |
| August | 34°C / 21°C | 0 days (0 mm) | 12.9 h/day | 4.6/10 |
| September | 32°C / 19°C | 0 days (1 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 7.1/10 |
| Best month: October | 27°C / 16°C | 1 day (6 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 9.3/10 |
| Best month: November | 20°C / 11°C | 4 days (15 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 9.3/10 |
| December | 15°C / 7°C | 5 days (24 mm) | 8.5 h/day | 7.4/10 |
Highs reach 12°C with 8 rain days, Amman's wettest and coolest month. Score is 5.5, an ok time if you don't mind chilly, damp days.
Highs climb to 14°C with about 7 rain days. Score rises to 6.9, good conditions as winter starts to ease.
Highs hit 18°C and rain drops to 5 days. Score of 8.9 makes this one of the best months to visit.
Highs reach 24°C with just under 3 rain days and 12 hours of sun. Score peaks at 9.4, the best month overall.
Highs rise to 28°C and rain is rare, only 1.4 days. Score stays high at 8.6, still a best-month pick.
Highs reach 32°C with almost no rain. Score drops to 7.2, good but noticeably hotter.
Highs peak at 34°C with zero rain days, the driest and hottest stretch. Score falls to 4.6, an ok time if you can handle the heat.
Highs stay at 34°C with no rain at all. Score holds at 4.6, tough weather due to sustained high heat.
Highs ease slightly to 32°C with barely any rain. Score improves to 7.1, a good time as the heat starts to soften.
Highs fall to 27°C with just over 1 rain day. Score reaches 9.3, one of the best months for comfortable temperatures.
Highs drop to 20°C with rain returning, 3.5 days. Score stays strong at 9.3, mild and still a best-month choice.
Highs fall to 15°C with 4.5 rain days as winter sets in. Score sits at 7.4, good but cooler and wetter.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Jordan →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, cafes, walking
This hill west of Downtown holds Rainbow Street, the old circles and many cafes, restaurants and rooftop bars. It is a good base because you can walk down to Downtown and the Roman Theatre, and taxis are easy to find. The streets are steep, and Rainbow Street gets loud and crowded on weekend evenings.
Good for budget travellers, sightseeing
Also called Al-Balad, this is the old centre in the valley, close to the Roman Theatre, the souks and the stairs up to the Citadel. You can step out of your door into street food stalls and markets. It is noisy with traffic and the call to prayer, and rooms are often basic.
Good for slow travel, art, quiet
An older residential hill with stone houses, small galleries and relaxed cafes around Paris Circle. It feels local and calm, and you can walk down to Downtown. The hills are steep, and there are fewer places to eat late at night than in Jabal Amman.
Good for business travellers, modern comforts
A newer district with the Abdali Boulevard, shopping malls and modern towers, next to the King Abdullah I Mosque. It has newer hotels and easy access to transport, including buses to other cities. It can feel sterile, and the old sights need a taxi or a long uphill walk.
Good for business travellers, dining
A commercial area north-west of the centre with offices, banks, restaurants and international chains. It is practical and well served by taxis, with plenty of places to eat. It has little historic character, and the old town is a taxi ride away.
Good for families, shopping, longer stays
A residential and shopping district in west Amman with malls, supermarkets and many restaurants. It suits travellers who want space and modern conveniences away from the busy centre. It is far from the main sights, so you will rely on taxis or ride-hailing apps.
Typical journey times and fares from the airport and other cities.
| Route | By | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amman → Petra JETT runs one daily bus. It leaves Amman (Abdali or 7th Circle) early in the morning, about 06:30, and returns from Petra (Wadi Musa) at about 17:00. The trip takes about 3.5 hours, including one rest stop halfway. The fare is about JOD 10 at the JETT office (jett.com.jo). Resellers such as 12go charge about JOD 18.44. Book a day or more ahead in high season. I could not open the JETT site, so I used a 2025 guide and a reseller listing. | bus | 3 h 30 min | 10–18.44 JOD ↗ |
| Amman → Aqaba JETT runs several buses a day from Abdali station in Amman to its Aqaba station. The trip takes about 4 hours, including a 20–30 minute stop at a service station. I could not find a confirmed fare in JOD. Rome2rio lists the cheapest way from about USD 17. Check the price at jett.com.jo. | bus | 4 h | – ↗ |
| Amman → Aqaba Royal Jordanian flies from Queen Alia (AMM) to King Hussein International (AQJ). The flight takes about 55 minutes. The 150 minutes is my own door-to-door estimate, with time for check-in and airport transfers. Expedia lists one-way fares of about USD 45–140. Fares in JOD were not available. | flight | 2 h 30 min | 45–140 USD ↗ |
Places within 2½ hours by train, bus, ferry or car.
bus · 1–2 JOD
Public buses and minibuses leave Amman's North Bus Station (Tabarbour) when they are full. They go to Jerash bus station in 45–60 minutes. The fare is about JOD 1–2. Buses back from Jerash get fewer later in the day, so plan your return. JETT also sells day tours.
bus · 1–1.2 JOD
Minibuses leave from Tabarbour station (JOD 1.20, price from 2018). There are also frequent minibuses from 7th Circle (JOD 1). The trip takes 45–60 minutes. Buses also leave from Wahadat station. A taxi costs about JOD 20–25.
Jordan's national dish: lamb cooked in a fermented dried yogurt sauce called jameed, served over rice and flatbread. Locals eat it at family gatherings and celebrations across Amman.
Deep-fried balls of spiced chickpeas, usually tucked into bread with pickles and tahini sauce. It's a cheap, fast lunch sold at small shops throughout downtown Amman.
A dip of mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon and olive oil, eaten with warm flatbread. It's a breakfast or lunch staple found at simple eateries all over the city.
A sweet dessert of soft cheese topped with shredded pastry, soaked in sugar syrup and sprinkled with pistachios. Amman residents often pick it up from bakeries as an afternoon treat or after dinner.
A selection of small dishes like baba ghanoush, tabbouleh and stuffed vine leaves, shared at the start of a meal. Families and friends order mezze together at restaurants before the main course arrives.
Thin slices of marinated meat roasted on a vertical spit, wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles. It's a popular late-night or quick-lunch option at stalls across Amman.
August is rated ok, not the best time. Daytime highs reach 33.7°C with no rain at all, so it's dry but hot for walking around the Citadel or Downtown Souks. If you don't mind heat, sunny days are guaranteed, with 12.9 hours of sun.
April, October, November and March score highest, all rated best. April has highs of 23.7°C and lows of 11.7°C with little rain. October and November are similar, with highs around 26.9°C and 20.1°C, and comfortable evenings for sightseeing.
Two to three days cover the main sights. The Citadel and Roman Theatre each take 1–2 hours, the Jordan Museum needs 2–3 hours, and Downtown Souks another 2–3 hours. Add Rainbow Street and Jabal Al-Weibdeh's galleries for a third day.
Rain is light and seasonal. January has the most, with 43mm over 8 rain days, while June through August see almost no rain at all. Most rain falls between November and March, tapering off by April.
Winter is mild but cool, not cold. January highs average 12.3°C with lows of 4.4°C, and it's rated ok for travel. Sun hours drop to 8.7 in January, the lowest of the year, so days feel shorter and greyer.
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