Things To Do in Amman

The City on Foot

Amman is a city of hills, and the walking tours are the way into it. The downtown walking tour covers the Roman theater, the souks of Al Balad, the Rainbow Street viewpoints and the best falafel, knafeh and hummus along the way, and it is the highest-rated activity in the city. The neighborhood tour goes further out to Jabal Al Weibdeh and Jabal Amman for the galleries, the views and dinner with locals.

Jerash and the North

Jerash, 45 minutes north, is the best-preserved Roman city outside Italy: the oval forum, the colonnaded cardo, two theaters and Hadrian's Arch. The half-day tour covers the site with pickup from Amman; the full-day version continues to Ajloun's Islamic castle and the hilltop ruins of Umm Qais, looking over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan.

The Dead Sea and Mount Nebo

The Dead Sea is an hour west of Amman. The day tour gives you a resort beach for the float and the mud, with optional stops at Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, the mosaic map in Madaba's St. George's Church and the baptism site on the Jordan River.

Petra in a Day

Petra is a three-hour drive each way, and the full-day private or group tour from Amman leaves early to give around five hours inside the site. The private version adds pickup from the airport, which suits travelers arriving and heading straight south. For a slower pace, the two and three-day circuits add Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.

Practical Notes

Spring and autumn are the pleasant seasons; summer afternoons in Jerash and the Dead Sea are hot, so tours start early. Friday mornings are quiet downtown, with souks opening after midday prayers. Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.