Amman

Best Things To Do

Discover places to visit in Amman. Open each guide entry to read more and plan your visit.

Showing 1–22 of 22 places

City guide section

Top picks in Amman

Showing 1–22 of 22 places

Browse the highlights below, then open any place for maps, area notes, and practical details.

Wasat Al Balad

It may look dirty, sketchy, and chaotic, and indeed it is dirty, sketchy, and chaotic, but downtown Amman, also known as Wasat Al Balad (center of the nation), is the beating heart of the city.

The water park has lots of thrilling rides to keep the children entertained. It is the perfect place to relax and have fun especially for children who are bored of shopping and visiting tourist sites.

Madaba

It has been settled for thousands of years, and was mentioned in the 9th century BC Mesha Stele, which helped archaeologists corroborate several episodes from the bible.

Salt

It was the region's capital under the Ottomans and was slated to be the capital of British Transjordan before a disagreement precipitated the move to Amman.

Umm Al Jimal

The town of Umm Al Jimal was likely founded by the Nabateans in the first century BC. It was incorporated into the Roman Empire in the second century AD, but soon after was destroyed in a revolt.

Jerash

The area has been settled since prehistoric times, but it did not become significant until General Pompey conquered the region in 63BC.

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a unique environment. 5% salt. The Dead Sea is also the lowest point in the world -- its surface 423m below sea level.

Kerak Castle

Kerak Castle is a magnificent crusader's castle just outside the town of Kerak. Construction began in the 1140s, at a strategic location on top of a hill. It was part of the Crusader's Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Umm Qais

During Roman times, Umm Qais was known as Gadara. It was a city of the Decapolis, a loose confederation of cities in the Roman province of Syria.

Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo is a ridge that rises 817m above sea level about 35km southwest of Amman. In the Old Testament, Mount Nebo is where Moses first glimpsed the Holy land (and where he was later buried).

Wadi Abdoun Bridge

There aren't many bridges in Amman -- not surprising since it's in the middle of the desert -- but when they do need to build one, they do it right. The Wadi Abdoun Bridge connects North Amman and West Amman.

King Hussein Park

King Hussein Park, or Al Hussein National Park, covers 170 acres of West Amman. It is a recent creation, and one of the city's few green spaces. The park can get pretty crowded on weekends.

What to do with Children in Tow

1. Waves Waterpark

Petra

Immortalized in film in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (and Transformers 2 among others), the ruins at Petra are Jordan's most recognizable landmarks and one of the world's great archaeological remains.

Cave of the Seven Sleepers

In the year 250AD, Christians throughout the Roman empire were being persecuted. According to legend, seven men were accused of accepting Christianity.

Amman Citadel

It's easy to forget that Amman is an ancient city, settled for thousands of years. When it was capital of the Ammonite civilization it was known as Rabbath Ammon.

Roman Amphitheater

The amphitheater in downtown Amman is the most magnificent remnant of Amman's Roman past. It was built around 170AD at the height of the Roman empire, when Amman was known as Philadelphia.

Royal Automobile Museum

As you may have noticed, Jordan is a car culture. It's no secret that Jordan's King Abdullah II is a car lover. So was his father. The Royal Automobile Museum displays the car collection of the royal family.

Eastern Desert Castles

The desert between Amman and Azraq is littered with the remains of old castles. Most were retreats for kings and nobles, others were defensive fortifications.

Azraq Wetlands Reserve

The Azraq Wetlands Reserve is part of what little remains of Azraq's wetlands. The wetlands originally covered more than 12,000 square km, larger than the entire country of Lebanon.