48 Hours in... Amman

Amman is often the starting point to explore Jordan, and many travelers just transit right through out. But Amman is worth exploring - spend a couple of days to walk its bustling downtown market streets, visit the ancient Citadel and Roman Amphitheatre, and enjoy Jordanian food.

Here are our recommendations on how to make the most of Amman in 48 hours.

The First 24 Hours

VISIT: Go up to the Citadel and walk through thousands of years of history and layers of civilizations. The historical overview you get here not only provides historical context for Amman, but for all of Jordan. Be sure to stop in the Citadel Archeological Museum to see some fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Citadel is on a hill in the city of Amman, and so it provides great views over the city on a clear day.

VISIT: Take a walk down Rainbow Street in downtown Amman and pop into the different shops and cafes that have opened up here in recent years.

EAT: For some of the best falafel in town, stop by Al-Quds for a regular or super-sized falafel sandwich. This may make you think of falafel in a completely different way.

VISIT: Wander the streets of downtown Amman below Rainbow Street where you’ll find the hustle and bustle of market streets in a busy city. We really enjoyed dipping into spice shops and just taking in the sensory overload of color and smell. There are also some fun fabric and antique shops in this area.

EAT: Start your meal with hummus and foul (a fava bean dish) at Hashem on Al-Amir Mohammed St. The food is quick, fresh, delicious and also cheap. It’s no wonder this place is teaming with people at all hours of the day.

Even if you are stuffed, we encourage you to go across the way to Habibah for a slice of knafeh, a sweet made from a white cheese base with semolina bits baked on top and covered in sweet syrup. Very, very decadent. You can’t miss this place because of the line outside.

VISIT: A famous corner bookstall in downtown Amman just near Habibah. The owner was once a poor kid who didn't have money for education, so he decided to educate himself with books and eventually set up this shop to sell books to others. Simple and moving.

The Next 24 Hours

VISIT: The King Hussein Mosque and the market streets in the area are the heart of downtown Amman. There is a fresh market with friendly vendors just behind the mosque that is worth strolling through, sampling dried fruits and nuts as you go.

Be sure to also take a cup of mint tea on the streets.

EAT: Have a leisurely lunch at Wild Jordan Café (Jabal Amman, 1st circle) overlooking downtown and the Citadel. Be sure to end your meal with some herbal tea made from herbs gathered in Jordan’s Nature Conservancies.

This is also the place to learn all about Jordan’s Nature Conservancies throughout the country. A good stop if you’re planning the rest of your trip.

VISIT: Get a taste of ancient Philadelphia – the city that stood where Amman is now over 2,000 years ago – at the Roman Theater close to downtown. The size (6,000 spectators) and strength of it is impressive considering all that it has withstood over the last two millennium. It sometimes still hosts cultural events, so ask at the tourist office if anything is playing during your visit.

EAT: Pay a visit to Kan Zaman on the outskirts of Amman on the way to the airport. It’s not just a restaurant, but more of a village complex with crafts and exhibitions. The evening buffet provides a good overview of Jordanian food as you can try all the main dishes in one place.

If you’re feeling brave you can get decked out in traditional Jordanian dress. You may feel silly, but you will delight of all the Jordanians walking by.

Getting there

G Adventures runs a number of departures to Jordan encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater for different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this enchanting country as you’ve never seen it — check out our small group trips to Jordan here.