When one says the word “Jordan” what often comes to mind is Petra and though the Rose City is everything and much more than the stories told, the country’s capital city – Amman – is a world of its own that must be explored during your trip to this Middle Eastern nation.

Amman is a city that still exists within a lost world of Roman stones and Arabian influence that later creeped in. The places to visit in Amman takes you across citadels, roman amphitheaters, ancient cities Arabian markets. reveal a capital that has never stopped evolving, even as it carries the weight of thousands of years of history.

While google search might show you certain locations, we list out the why these places must be visited and how to make the best of those experiences. Here are things to do in Amman that should be on your list and shouldn’t be missed. All you need is a day or two at best. If you want to DIY the city and explore on your own, our detailed Amman itinerary (where to go, when to get there, how to get there and what to eat) makes it easy for first time visitors.

Best Amman Airport to Hotel transfers

Knowing where each site sits in relation to the others helps you move efficiently between ancient ruins, downtown streets, and food stops without wasting time. This guide lays out a practical route through Amman’s key highlights, allowing you to experience the city’s past and present in a single, well-paced day.

For those who would rather be guided and experience the city deeply in all its glory, food and sites, then you can book this private Amman city tour to take you to all the locations in a day.

Roman Amphitheatre

An icon of the city and one that should be visited if nothing else is the Roman Amphitheatre. Carved into the side of Jabal al-Jofeh hill in downtown Amman and standing as one of the city’s most imposing ancient structures, this gigantic piece of work once held 6000 spectators back when the city was known as Philadelphia under the Roman rule, which you would learn more about with a guided tour.

Roman authorities built the theatre in the 2nd century CE, during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius. Roman engineers designed the structure to face north, reducing sun exposure and improving acoustics. The theatre served everything from entertainment, public events, gladiator fights, royal functions amongst many others.

Visitors today can explore the stone seating, climb to the upper tiers for views over downtown Amman, and step into the stage area where performers once stood. At the base on either side of the amphitheater, is two cultural museums, one talking about Jordan’s folklore and the other about the Bedouin history.

Adjacent to the amphitheater stands the Odeon Theatre, a smaller performance space dating to the same Roman period. Builders likely covered it with a wooden roof, using it for musical events and elite gatherings.

We highly recommend getting a tour guide to the Roman Amphitheatre as it hides amazing stories and jaw-drop worthy facts behind its structure which only a historian can provide. This tour guide takes you to the Roman amphitheater including a local lunch at a 1950s old traditional Jordanian restaurant.

Amman Citadel

The Amman Citadel might not look much in the pictures or at the entrance, but it holds a world of itself behind its ruined facade. A world that spans multiple centuries and eras from Neolithic to Byzantine which is best experienced with an all-knowledgeable guide to take you around.

This citadel ranks among the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, with archaeological evidence showing settlement from the Neolithic period onward. Successive civilizations controlled the Citadel, including the Ammonites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Umayyads. Each left architectural and cultural traces, turning the Citadel into a layered record of history.

One of the most known structures on the site is the Temple of Hercules, constructed in the 2nd century CE under Roman rule. Towering stone columns touch the sky with fragment of a colossal statue hand— believed to represent Hercules — still lie scattered across the grounds.

Next to it is the Umayyad Palace complex, built in the early 8th century, marks the Citadel’s Islamic era. The complex includes a large audience hall, residential areas, and a domed structure believed to have served ceremonial or administrative functions. The Umayyads used this space to govern and host official gatherings.

At the back of the citadel is a Byzantine church, identifiable by its floor plan, mosaic fragments and interior structures.

The Jordan Archaeological Museum, located within the Citadel, displays artifacts spanning thousands of years. Highlights include pottery, coins, statues, and objects recovered from sites across Jordan, providing crucial context for understanding the civilizations that shaped Amman.

From the Citadel’s edge, which you will encounter after the entrance, gives a panoramic view of Amman showcasing both the Roman Amphitheatre and the modern landscape of Jordan.

Jerash

A day trip from Amman, Jerash remains as one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy and is known as the Pompeii of Middle East. Known in antiquity as Gerasa, the city flourished after Roman general Pompey incorporated it into the Roman Empire in 64 BCE.

As part of the Decapolis, a group of ten semi-autonomous Roman cities, Jerash developed into a major provincial center. Trade routes, fertile land, and Roman investment helped the city grow, with its population reaching an estimated 20,000 inhabitants at its peak.

Visitors enter Jerash through the Arch of Hadrian, built in 129–130 CE to commemorate Emperor Hadrian’s visit. The city’s layout follows classic Roman urban planning. The Cardo Maximus, a long colonnaded street paved with original stones, runs through the city’s center. Stone grooves carved by ancient chariot wheels remain visible today.

The Oval Plaza, surrounded by Ionic columns, served as a public gathering space connecting major streets and temples. Nearby stand the Temple of Artemis, dedicated to the city’s patron goddess, and the South Theatre, which once hosted thousands of spectators.

Earthquakes in the 8th century led to Jerash’s decline, but centuries of burial under sand helped preserve much of the city. Walking through Jerash allows visitors to experience Roman urban life at street level, making it one of Jordan’s most significant archaeological sites.

Since Jerash is outside of Amman, getting there can be a bit of hassle by hopping off and on buses and taxi. The best way to get to Jerash is to arrange a tour guide to take you there so you can travel back and worth easier than doing it yourself.

Al Balad (Downtown Market)

For a day of shopping souvenirs and seeing what items you can take back to your land as a part of Amman, then Al Balad market is the place to go. Full souks selling spices, textiles, gold jewelry, household goods, and fresh produce, you can bargain openly, and operate businesses passed down through generations. The district reflects daily Jordanian life more directly than any curated tourist area.

Al Balad is a walking distance from the Roman Amphitheatre and makes a good spot to pause, eat, drink and be enroute again. Roman roads, staircases, and theatre structures integrate seamlessly into modern streets, showing how ancient infrastructure continues to shape the city’s layout. Download our DIY Amman Itinerary to explore Al Balad, where we break down the best way to navigate the area and experience it fully.

Jordan’s Must try Food

Jordanian cuisine has tons of delicious food that is a mix of its own culture while borrowing inspirations from neighboring nations. A food tour in this city is a must. Join this walking food tour to experience the best of Jordan’s gastronomy. But no matter what you choose, whether its a guided food tour or exploring on your own, make sure to try out the following dishes below:

Falafel and Hummus

Falafel and hummus form the backbone of everyday Jordanian cuisine. Street vendors and small eateries prepare falafel from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices, frying them fresh throughout the day. Cooks serve hummus smooth or textured, topped with olive oil and chickpeas, and eaten with warm Arabic bread.

Mansaf

Mansaf stands as Jordan’s national dish. Cooks prepare it using lamb cooked in jameed, a fermented dried yogurt, then serve it over rice or bulgur bread. Mansaf reflects Bedouin traditions of hospitality and communal dining and often appears during celebrations and family gatherings.

Shawarma

Amman’s shawarma stalls serve marinated chicken or lamb shaved from vertical spits and wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles, and fries. Locals consider shawarma a reliable, affordable meal available at almost any hour.

Kunafeh

Kunafeh, a dessert made from shredded pastry layered with soft cheese and soaked in sugar syrup is a must try while in Jordan. Bakers prepare it continuously, serving it hot and fresh to long queues of customers. Kunafeh remains one of the city’s most iconic desserts.

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