Amman: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Amman Travel Guide

Introduction

Jordan's capital climbs across a series of steep hills, its pale limestone houses stacked above valleys that once held the Roman city of Philadelphia. Amman is rarely the main reason people visit Jordan, but it is a friendly, safe and surprisingly lively base: a Roman theatre sits in the middle of downtown traffic, hip cafés fill the slopes of Jabal Al Weibdeh, and Petra, the Dead Sea and Jerash are all within reach.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March–May) is ideal: mild temperatures, wildflowers in the countryside and comfortable hiking weather at Petra and Wadi Rum. Autumn (September–November) is similarly pleasant. Summer is hot and dry, though Amman's altitude keeps evenings cooler than the Dead Sea or Aqaba. Winter can be cold and wet, and the city occasionally sees snow, but it is a good time for the Dead Sea and Aqaba, which stay mild.

Top Things to Do in Amman

1. Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) – The city's highest hill, with the Temple of Hercules, an Umayyad palace and the best views over downtown.
2. Roman Theatre – A large, steeply raked theatre carved into a hillside, with small folklore and popular-traditions museums beside it.
3. Downtown (Al-Balad) – Souks for spices, gold and fabric, plus some of the city's most famous falafel and sweet shops.
4. Rainbow Street and Jabal Amman – Old villas, cafés, rooftop terraces and the Souk Jara market on summer weekends.
5. Jordan Museum – A modern museum holding fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the 'Ain Ghazal statues, among the oldest human figures ever found.
6. King Abdullah I Mosque – The blue-domed mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.

Day Trips

• Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities anywhere, with colonnaded streets and theatres, is under an hour north.
• The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth's land surface, is a short drive away for a float in its salty water.
• Madaba and Mount Nebo combine Byzantine mosaics, including the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land, with views towards the Jordan Valley.
• Petra and Wadi Rum are further south and are best done as overnight trips rather than long day tours.

Food

Jordanian food is generous and shared. The national dish mansaf is lamb cooked in fermented dried yoghurt (jameed) and served over rice. Breakfast often means hummus, falafel and ful with fresh bread. Try maqluba, an upside-down rice and vegetable dish, and finish with warm knafeh, a cheese pastry soaked in syrup, ideally from one of the downtown institutions. Sage or mint tea and cardamom coffee are offered everywhere. Vegetarians eat well thanks to mezze.

Getting There and Around

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), south of the city, is served by Royal Jordanian and many international and low-cost airlines. Airport buses and taxis run to the city. Some travellers also arrive overland from neighbouring countries; check current border rules before planning.

In the city, taxis (yellow cabs) and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem are the main way to get around; insist the meter is used in yellow taxis. Downtown is walkable but hilly, with stairways linking the neighbourhoods. JETT buses link Amman with Petra, Aqaba and the Dead Sea, while renting a car gives the most freedom for the King's Highway.

Where to Stay

• Downtown: Budget hotels and hostels, close to the Citadel and the Roman Theatre; noisy but atmospheric.
• Jabal Amman and Rainbow Street: Boutique guesthouses and cafés within walking distance of downtown.
• Jabal Al Weibdeh: Artistic, residential and calm.
• Abdali and Shmeisani: Modern hotels and business chains.

Budget Tips

• The Jordan Pass, bought online before arrival, can cover the tourist visa fee for eligible travellers and entry to Petra, Jerash and dozens of other sites, provided you meet its minimum-stay condition. Check the official Jordan Pass website for current rules.
• Street food downtown is cheap and filling.
• Use shared minibuses or JETT coaches for intercity trips.
• Bargain politely in souks, but not in fixed-price shops.
• Book flights early for spring and autumn: voyagiro.com compares 27+ booking sites for free, so you can spot the best fare into Amman quickly.

Practical Information

• Visa: Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an eVisa, and the Jordan Pass may waive the fee. Rules vary, so check the official Jordanian government sources.
• Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD). Carry some cash for taxis and small shops.
• Language: Arabic; English is widely understood in tourism.
• Dress: Modest clothing is appreciated, especially downtown and at religious sites.
• Plugs: Mostly Types C, D, F, G and J; a universal adaptor helps.