Amman

City Information

Explore city history, fast facts, climate and practical visitor information for Amman.

Showing 1–8 of 8 articles

City Information

Fast Facts

City Information

Public Holidays

2009: 1 Jan New Year's Day. 9 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 10 Apr Good Friday. 13 Apr Easter Monday. 1 May Labour Day. 25 May Independence Day. 10 Jun Army Day. 20 Jul Prophet's Ascension. 22 Aug Ramadan begins. 20 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 27 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). 18 Dec Islamic New Year. 25 Dec Christmas.; 2010: 1 Jan New Year's Day. 26 Feb Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 2 Apr Good Friday. 5 Apr Easter Monday. 1 May Labour Day. 25 May Independence Day. 10 Jun Army Day. 9 Jul Prophet's Ascension. 11 Aug Ramadan begins. 10 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 16 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). 7 Dec Islamic New Year. 25 Dec Christmas. Note: Christmas and Easter holidays are only observed by Christian business establishments

Read full article

City Information

When to go

Winters in Amman can be quite unpleasant, with chilly temperatures and frequent rain (and even snow). When it rains, the roads are hazardous. Poor drainage turns sidewalks and roads into rivers. High temperatures generally range from 15C to 20C, but it feels colder.

Read full article

City Information

Amman Residents

Amman is very diverse as it is home to many Palestinian, Iraqi, Circassian, Armenian and many other ethnic groups. In less than a century, the population increased from 20,000 to more than 2 million people. Part of this increase is due to the massive amount of Palestinian and Iraqi refugees.

Read full article

City Information

Visa Information

The cost of one entry visa for all nationalities is JD 10 (around $14) for all nationalities and for multiple entries it is JD 20 (around $28). Groups of five persons or more arriving through a designated Jordanian tour operator are exempted from all visa charges. Departure taxes for non Jordanians are 5JD, around $7, from any border. Certain nationalities require an entry visa to be obtained prior to travel. The below list shows which nationalities require visa clearance. The below list is meant solely as a useful tool and that data within it is subject to change without prior notice. It is recommended that you check with the Jordanian diplomatic mission in your country prior to travel to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork for travel. Arrivals at Aqaba, either through the port, the airport or at the crossing from Israel or Saudi Arabia, are granted a free visa to Jordan. There is no obligation associated with this visa, provided that they leave the country within 1 month of arrival, and that they do not need to 'renew' their visa. Those holding an ASEZ visa, and wishing to stay longer than 1 month must extend it at the ASEZA office in Aqaba and not with their local police station as holders of a normal visa would do. Visitors arriving to Jordan at any entry point other than Aqaba, are entitled to a free visa (i.e. arrival tax is exempt). However, they must report this to the authorities and must register with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) visa office in Aqaba within 48 hours of their arrival in Jordan. Those failing to register are liable to payment of the visa when they leave the Kingdom. All visitors, without a specific exemption, must pay the exit tax whether holding an ASEZ visa or not, and whenever leaving the country.

Read full article

City Information

Amman History

Amman has been settled for millenia. From the Chalcolithic Period (c. 4000 – 3000 BCE), Amman became the capital of the Ammonites as Rabbath-Ammon, which later fell to the Assyrians. During the Greek and Roman period, the city was renamed Philadelphia (the City of Brotherly Love) and became an important trading center.

Read full article

City Information

Amman Today

Modern Amman is an eclectic mix of the present and the past. It is one of the most modern and liberal cities in the Middle East, but you wouldn't know looking at the historic architecture. New skyscrapers are being built in Abdali in stark contrast to the low-rise sandstone apartment buildings that sprout from the hills.

Read full article

City Information

Amman in a Day

Start your day downtown at the Citadel. Walk amongst the ruins, specifically the Temple of Heracles and the Umayyad Palace. Check out the small but informative National Archaeology Museum to get some context. The views from the Citadel are spectacular. On a clear day, you can see the surrounding hills for miles, each covered in Amman's signature white-cube apartment blocks.

Read full article