AMMAN ITINERARY – 1 OR 2 DAYS IN AMMAN

WHAT TO DO IN AMMAN – ITINERARY FOR 1 OR 2 DAYS IN AMMAN

Amman is crazy, hectic, and busy! Typical for an Arabian city, but Amman is still different. Jordan’s capital is a good starting or endpoint if you are doing a Jordan road trip and if you are wondering about a great Amman itinerary – whether you stay in Amman for one or two days, this post is for you.

It is a great historic city with a lot to offer – including lots of authentic places and ancient sights. It is also quite modern with nightlife and modern buildings outside the downtown area. Since it is in a hilly area, you have great views and can catch some beautiful sunsets. And let’s not forget the numerous restaurants that serve great (and affordable) food!

While many international visitors don’t spend much time in Amman or skip it altogether, you should spend at least one day in Amman. It probably is not the highlight of a Jordan itinerary but still worth a visit – Amman is such an interesting city!

If you plan your trip and are wondering about the best things to do in Amman in 1 or 2 days, then read on and find out about the top activities plus travel tips.

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TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR AMMAN ITINERARY

Before talking about what to do in Amman, here are a few travel tips.

Best time to visit Amman

March until May is the busiest time in Amman. The weather is quite moderate and warm (it can get quite hot in the summer months and chilly in the winter).
I visited in October, which is also a good time. The weather was pleasant most of the time, and there was little rain. Also, November is a good time to visit.
However, if you are looking for a less busy season, consider visiting in December (it gets colder then) or the hot summer months.

How to Arrive in Amman

Most likely, you will arrive in Amman at the airport.

From there, you can take an official airport taxi. Prices are fixed (about $30 to downtown Amman), and you get a receipt/voucher outside the terminal to take to the taxi.
Uber works in Amman, but apparently, they cannot pick you up from the airport.
There is also a bus running once or twice an hour that costs about $4 (buy tickets at the ticket office outside the terminal). You can get off the North Station and then either take a cab or an Uber. From there, it is about $2-4 to get to your hotel in/near downtown.

Getting Around Amman

In Amman, you can easily get around by buses, shared or regular taxis, Uber, or guided tours/personal drivers. Though I loved my road trip in Jordan, I was happy I did not drive in Amman myself (I got my car only after I left Amman). Driving in an Arabic capital can often feel crazy – and so it does in Amman.

Many sights are located Downtown (also those mentioned in this Amman itinerary). You might want to grab a taxi here or there – in this case, discuss the price beforehand ($2 gets you a few kilometers). Here are more travel tips for Jordan.

Where to Stay in Amman

I am normally not a big hostel fan. But I stayed at Nomad Hostel for one night and loved it. This is a good choice for solo travelers – a good location, a nice hostel, friendly staff, and clean rooms. Check out the hostel and its rates here.
For a mid-range hotel option, I suggest Albasem Hotel, which is well-rated and centrally located. Check out rates and availabilities Check out rates here.
For a luxury hotel, try The House Boutique Suites, which is also near Rainbow Street and offers lots of amenities. Find out more about the hotel here.

Jordan Pass

If you go to Jordan, you will likely have to pay for a visa. It is $56 for a tourist visa upon arrival. What does this have to do with Amman? Of course, it depends on which country you are from.
Well, I truly recommend getting a Jordan Pass if you are staying more than 4 days. It includes your visa plus is your entry ticket for many attractions.
The cheapest version is around $100. With it, you also gain entrance to Petra (which is quite expensive and is $70 for a day pass), entrance to Jerash, and access to attractions in Amman and other places.
So, if you visit Amman with a Jordan Pass, you don’t have to think about entrance fees for tourist attractions in Amman or about your visa.
You can buy the Jordan Pass in person or online.

PLACES TO VISIT IN AMMAN IN ONE DAY

Okay, here are the top places to visit and things to do on day 1 in Amman.

Grand Husseini Mosque

Start your day in Amman Downtown and head to this mosque: the Grand Husseini Mosque. Built in 1932 by the late King Abdullah I, it is one of the city’s oldest mosques.

I must admit, I almost passed it because it looks – compared to other mosques in the Middle East – quite humble from the outside.

As a foreigner, you can visit the inside if you dress appropriately. Since I didn’t have a scarf with me to cover my head, I skipped going inside. Make sure you bring one with you as a female traveler.

Roman Theater

Then head to the Roman Theater, which was probably built around 138 AD. It is another top Amman sight.

Back then, it could hold about 6,000 people and is still really impressive today. It was restored in 1970 and is now used for civic activities, concerts, and graduations. And is one of the main places to visit in Amman.

Jordan Pass holders have free entrance.

Falafel & Fresh Juice

You should definitely have a lot of food in Amman. It is quite affordable to eat here (compared to Western Europe and the US), especially takeaway food. So, falafel for the win.

Hashim is a popular place where I went for food, and it was very affordable. For 2€, I had falafel, a drink, bread, and a salad. So, make sure to eat your weight in falafel because it is just amazing and tastes different from other countries. The only downside: They use A LOT of plastic which led to a bad taste in my mouth (not figuratively).

- - - - However, you can also get small falafel sandwiches for less than 1€, and they are amazing at one of the takeaway shops.

And then have fresh juice afterward! you will see a couple of shops selling fresh juices. And as a fresh juice lover, I can say that they are amazing. I always have a refillable bottle with me and just asked them to pour my juice into that – no need for more plastic use in Amman.

The prices were about 2€ for around for almost half a liter of fresh juice.

Al Balad (Downtown Amman)

There are many restaurants, souvenir shops, and all kinds of stores and shops, and it is all kinds of crazy here. So, make sure to be prepared for that and enjoy. I am not a big shopper, but I got some souvenirs for my little nephews from here.

So, if you are looking for presents, souvenirs for yourself, or Arabian clothes, then Al Balad is the place to visit. And if you are not into shopping, then it is still a fun place to visit in Amman, and strolling the area is actually one of the best things to do in Amman.

I liked it more in the evening than during the daytime. As in Arabic countries common, shops are open until late so you can combine your evening stroll here with some shopping, eating, and more.

The Citadel

From Al Balad, head to the Citadel – visiting was one of my highlights in Amman.

You can also kill two birds with one stone when you visit it. First of all, you have amazing views because the Citadel is located on Citadel Hill, known as Jabal al-Qal’a, and this is amazing for watching the sunset and even staying after it has set. Also, the Citadel is one of the most ancient places to visit in Amman, and you can visit the museum and learn all about the history of the city.

Opening hours vary, so check them out before your visit.
Free with the Jordan Pass.

Rainbow Street

In the evening, check out Rainbow Street. It was a little less spectacular during the day, but at night, this is where you want to be.

Have dinner and drinks – there are so many bars. Also, check out the side streets for beautiful cafes, restaurants, and street art. I personally really enjoyed it in the evening, so come here to end your day. My favorite side street was Ahmad Bin Toloon Street with the prettiest street art, cafes, restaurants, and decorations.

Street Art

Talking about street art – there is quite a lot of street art in the downtown area. This is not an extra stop on your Amman itinerary, but I suggest keeping an eye out for the murals. I made the mistake of walking all the way from the Boulevard to Al Balad, thinking there would be a lot going on. Funnily, there wasn’t much going on.

However, there was a lot of street art that you should check out, and it is probably not what you would expect in a city like this – often with a political message. Above mentioned places/activities can be done in one day in Amman. If you have more time, you can do some of the following activities in/near Amman.

THINGS TO DO IN AMMAN IN 2 DAYS

So, if you have only 1 day in Amman, then the above-mentioned activities will cover some of the best places in Amman. However, there are a few more activities to add for day 2 in Amman. Especially the trip to Jerash is a must.

Go to Jerash

Jerash, which is about an hour’s drive from Amman, is a must-see place. So, don’t miss out on this half-day trip to visit one of the best-preserved and largest Roman towns in the world.

Hopefully, this post has helped you find the best places to visit and things to do while in Amman. It is a vibrant city with a lot to offer, so enjoy!

Hammam

You could end your two days in Amman with some time at a hammam. Normally, I always take time out to experience a Hamam, a Turkish bath. Quite a few of the hammams in Amman had bad reviews, and I then stopped looking.

However, there are a few that are supposedly very good. So, if you have some time off and want to relax, then go to a Hamam. Amman is so crazy – especially Downtown – that a few hours in a hammam seems to be a perfect way to relax in an Arabic way.

BEST AMMAN ACTIVITIES CONCLUSION

Yes, visiting Amman is one of the best things to do in Jordan. With two days in Amman, you can manage to see the main highlights.

Still, as always, you scratch the surface of an exciting city with much more to offer than just the things mentioned above, but even with one day in Amman, you will get a good glimpse of the city and what it has to offer.

Make sure to add this exciting city to your Jordan itinerary – it surely is worth it.

Traveling to Jordan as a solo female traveler? Then check out my solo female travel guide for Jordan.
Check out my Jordan itinerary