Jordanian Tourism Website

Amman is an ancient city in which ruins dating to 7000BCE have recently been found. It is a city that his lived through the rise and fall of many empires and is referred to a number of times in the Bible. Modern day Amman is a bustling city with a good infrastructure. In many parts it also retains some of the charm and character of its former days. The sight of a sheperd boy herding sheep under an international hotel, the traditional alleys of downtown and in particular the various souks, and the view from the citadel over the mosques and the Roman theatre all make one realise the beauty of this city.

For a tourist it is difficult to know where to begin in any major city and this hopefully will give some guidance to you. However often it is easiest and most enjoyable when one just explores and finds out for themselves where to go. The Citadel is a must see sight. It's fantastic location overlooks the city and gives an amasing eye-opening contrast of the prosperity of parts of the city and the claustrophobic houses of the older parts. The Citadel has ruins from Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic times (Ummayd empire). The Jordan Archaeological museum houses a number of mosaics as well as Dead Sea scrolls.

Downtown one can wander through the streets looking at the various shops letting the hustle and bustle the Arab markets capture your imagination. A visit to the famous gold soul is recommended where they skill sell it by weight, and you can enjoy bartering down the outrageously high starting prices. Alternatively, visit the  amphitheatre, that held 6000 people and is still occasionally used for concerts. The sound of the muezzin's call to prayer echoing in the early evening as the sun sets, gives Amman an amasingly surreal feel. Its diverse and powerful beauty are easy to fall in love with.

From a practical point of view, the easiest way to get around the city is by taxi. This should be relatively cheap, far less than European rates, so don't get taken for a naive tourist and agree on a price before hand. The hotels should be able to offer advice on this. It is sensible to remain in the busier and more touristy areas of Amman and do be aware of local news. Try to avoid being around mosques and downtown on Fridays as these are the most likely times for violence. If in doubt seek advice from the embassy or your hotel.