🇯🇴 Jordan · Travel Guide
Amman Travel Guide
Jordan’s easygoing capital — Roman ruins, hill-top cafés and the gateway to Petra.
Amman is one of the Middle East’s most relaxed, welcoming capitals — a city of pale limestone hills, Roman ruins and a lively downtown, and the launchpad for Jordan’s headline sights. From here it’s an easy run to Petra, the desert of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the Roman city of Jerash. The city itself rewards a slow day or two: the hilltop Citadel, a huge Roman theatre, and the café-and-gallery buzz of Rainbow Street.
Plan my free Amman itinerary📅 Best time
March–May and September–November are ideal — warm days, cool evenings and comfortable weather for Petra and Wadi Rum. Summers are hot and dry; winters are cool and can be wet, with occasional snow in Amman’s hills.
💷 Daily budget
$70–130 a day mid-range — Jordan is pricier than you might expect; the Jordan Pass (bundling the visa and Petra) saves money if you’re seeing the big sights.
🗓️ Ideal length
2–3 days for the city and nearby day trips (Jerash, the Dead Sea), as the springboard for Petra and Wadi Rum.
💱 Currency
Jordanian dinar (JOD) — Jordan is not a cheap destination; cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for taxis and the souks.
🗣️ Language
Arabic; English is widely spoken across tourism, hotels and with younger Jordanians.
Is Amman safe?
General safety
Jordan is one of the safest, most stable countries in the region for travellers, and Amman is calm and welcoming. Petty theft is uncommon; the main things to manage are chaotic traffic, agreeing taxi fares (or using the Careem app), and normal big-city awareness.
Solo female travellers
Jordan is widely considered one of the easier Arab countries for solo women, and many travel here comfortably — but it is conservative, so dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), expect some staring or attention, and use Careem or hotel taxis rather than walking quiet areas late at night.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relations are legal in Jordan (unusually for the region), but there is no legal recognition and society is conservative, so LGBTQ+ life is very discreet. Same-sex travellers visit without issue by keeping a low profile and avoiding public displays of affection.
Safety guidance is general and can change — always check your government’s latest travel advice before you go.
Top things to do in Amman
- The Amman Citadel and the Temple of Hercules, high over the city
- The vast Roman Theatre downtown
- Café-hopping and galleries on Rainbow Street
- A day trip to the Roman ruins of Jerash
- Floating in the Dead Sea, and the road south to Petra and Wadi Rum
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Getting around & essentials
Amman is hilly and spread out — use the Careem ride-hailing app or agree a taxi fare up front. From Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), the Airport Express bus or a pre-booked transfer is cheapest. Amman is the base for day trips and the road south to Petra and Wadi Rum (rent a car or join a tour).
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Plan my trip — freeAmman FAQs
Is Amman safe for solo female travellers?
Jordan is one of the easier and safer Arab countries for solo women, and many travel here comfortably. It’s conservative, though, so dress modestly, expect some attention or staring, and use the Careem app or hotel taxis at night rather than walking quiet areas alone.
How do you get from Amman to Petra?
Petra is about a 3-hour drive south of Amman. You can rent a car, take the daily JETT tourist bus, or join a guided tour; many travellers combine Petra with Wadi Rum over two or three days from Amman.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
For most visitors, yes — the Jordan Pass bundles the tourist visa fee with entry to Petra and dozens of other sites, and usually pays for itself if you’re visiting Petra and staying a few nights. Buy it online before you arrive.
How many days do you need in Amman?
Two to three days covers the city (the Citadel, Roman Theatre, Rainbow Street) plus day trips to Jerash and the Dead Sea, and sets you up as a base for Petra and Wadi Rum further south.
Beyond Amman: top places in Jordan
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