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Amman

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Ancient History Meets Modern Charm

Amman, Jordan’s capital, has a population of about one million people. The city sits on seven hills with views of green mountains and valleys below. Ancient ruins sit beside modern neighborhoods where cafes line busy streets. Local markets sell spices, sweets and handmade crafts. Public transport includes buses that connect different districts. Walking through downtown shows Ottoman-era buildings next to new offices. The city has a mix of old traditions and daily life with schools, hospitals and homes. Amman feels lively but calm compared to bigger cities in the region.

City in Jordan
Climate zone: Hot steppe

Hot steppe: Semi-arid climates bordering hot deserts, with hot summers, limited rainfall and short grasses or shrubs dominating vegetation.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 6.8
General Safety:7
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:5
Tap water:7
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken in Amman, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Many signs are bilingual, making it relatively easy to navigate the city.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Amman Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Great for history and Middle Eastern culture. Explore Roman ruins, visit museums, walk lively markets and enjoy local food in bustling neighborhoods.
Place score
6.9
Best at:
Street food
8
Local cuisine
7
Historic sites
7
Guided tours
7
Markets
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 7
Families
🧓 6
Seniors
💻 8
Digital Nomads
🛡️ 7
Travel Beginners
Jordan – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type D
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type D:
Diagram of a Type D power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
£1 ≈ JOD 0.944
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payment options are available in Jordan, especially in urban areas like Amman. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Mobile payment options are also becoming popular.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping in Jordan is common and appreciated. In restaurants, a 10% tip is usually expected, and taxi drivers typically expect a small tip or rounding up of the fare.
Public drinking: Public drinking is allowed in Jordan but is generally restricted to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and hotels. Public consumption of alcohol is not widespread.
Public smoking: Smoking is allowed in public places but is restricted in certain indoor areas like restaurants and public transport. Smoking areas are available in many public buildings.
Jordan Independence Day
(25 May)
A national holiday celebrated with events and parades
Eid al-Fitr
(Varies)
A religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with feasts and gatherings
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Careem, Uber
Other: Jordan is known for its ancient historical sites, such as Petra and the Dead Sea. The country offers rich cultural experiences but requires caution due to the regional political situation.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Amman, Jordan
🌤️
Jan
🌤️
Feb
☀️
Mar
☀️
Apr
☀️
May
🔥
Jun
🔥
Jul
🔥
Aug
🔥
Sep
☀️
Oct
☀️
Nov
🌤️
Dec
High season: April - May, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season: March, June, Sep.
Crowdedness: 8 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset
Friday is the weekly day off: many shops and offices close, Friday morning is very quiet

Why travel to Amman?

Amman offers a perfect blend of history, culture and modernity. You can explore ancient Roman ruins, wander through bustling souks and enjoy delicious Jordanian street food. The city is a fantastic gateway to iconic sites like Petra, the Dead Sea and the desert of Wadi Rum. While the city is generally safe, keep in mind that traffic can be chaotic and public transport options are limited. It’s also worth noting that summers can get quite hot, so plan accordingly.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Darat al Funun
  • 2 The Jordan Museum
  • 3 King Abdullah I Mosque
  • 4 The Duke's Diwan
  • 5 The Children's Museum
  • 6 Downtown
  • 7 Rainbow Street
  • 8 The Citadel Café
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Amman Citadel
  • 2 Royal Automobile Museum
  • 3 Roman Theatre
  • 4 Al Balad
  • 5 Jordan Archaeological Museum
  • 6 Beit Sitti
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts Park
  • 2 Rum Hotels
  • 3 Jordan Valley
  • 4 King Hussein Business Park
  • 5 Prince Hashem Bird Garden
  • 6 Wadi Zarqa Ma'in
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 City Mall
  • 2 Abdali Boulevard
  • 3 Souk Jara
  • 4 Al-Wakalat Street
  • 5 Mecca Mall
  • 6 taj mall
🎈Events
  • Amman International Book Fair (September)
  • Souk Jara (May to September)
  • Amman Design Week (Biennial)
  • The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts (nearby, July)
  • The Dead Sea Ultra Marathon (April)
  • Amman Jazz Festival (April)
  • Jabal Amman Cultural Week (May)
  • Middle Eastern Film Festival (Various dates)
  • Ramadan and Eid celebrations
  • Jordan Independence Day (May 25)

Knowledge before you go

  • Dress modestly; cover shoulders and knees in public areas.
  • Use Uber or Careem apps for safe, metered rides around the city.
  • Get Jordan Pass online to save on entry fees for major sites like Citadel.
  • Rainbow Street offers vibrant cafes and street art; visit evenings for local vibe and mansaf tasting.

How to travel to Amman

Amman is served by Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), located 30 km south of the city. Direct flights connect Amman to major international destinations. Buses and taxis are available from the airport to the city center.

Access summary

  • From Queen Alia Airport (AMM): Taxi or airport bus, about 30–60 minutes.
  • From major Middle East hubs (Istanbul, Dubai): Direct flights usually 2–4 hours.
  • From Amman Civil Airport (domestic/regional): Short taxi ride into central Amman, 15–30 minutes.

Where to stay in Amman

Amman offers a range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. The neighborhoods of Jabal Amman and Abdali are popular for their convenience and vibrant atmosphere.

How to get around Amman

Getting around Amman is easiest by taxi or ridesharing apps like Uber and Careem. Public buses exist but can be confusing for newcomers. Walking is pleasant in areas like Rainbow Street and Jabal Amman.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-25 %
Daily expenses in Amman are around 25% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to JOD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£41
£101
£294
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£19
£45
£105
🍝 Food per day
£19
£52
£171
🚕 Transportation per day
£3
£5
£17
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£21
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo
£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£6.50
☕ Cappuccino
£3.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£4.90
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£11
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.05
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£25
🤧 Cold medication
£4.60
💇 Basic haircut
£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety
7
Amman is generally safe for tourists. Petty crime is rare, but it’s wise to remain cautious with personal belongings. Avoid political demonstrations and respect local customs.
Health & Medical
7
Medical facilities in Amman are of good quality, with several hospitals and clinics offering services in English. Tap water is generally safe but many prefer bottled water.
Accessi­bility
5
Amman’s hilly terrain can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Many newer areas are accessible, but historic sites may lack proper facilities.
Tap water
7
Tap water is generally safe, but many locals prefer bottled water. Public drinking fountains are rare, so bring a refillable bottle when exploring.

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