Amman – A city where modern and traditional go hand in hand
Perched on the East Bank Plateau, Amman is the capital city of Jordan and is characterized by its hilly terrain. The city takes pride in offering a fascinating blend of both new and old. This mountainous city is nestled between the Jordan Valley and the desert. State-of-the-art buildings, plush hotels, fine restaurants, art galleries, and ritzy boutiques sit in the heart of Amman in tandem with quaint artisan workshops and conventional coffee shops. The neighbourhoods of Amman are diverse and offer something to everyone flying to Amman. For a taste of the historical and cultural experience of the city, the bustling downtown markets, the art galleries, and the contemporary shopping district are the best spots to gallivant around.
The enticing city of Amman knows how to keep its guests happy. From meandering through the ruins of Petra to glamping in the scenic beauty of Wadi Rum, the city makes it certain that globetrotters and locals alike have a whale of a time. Dotted with scores of places and attractions that truly catch the fancy of tourists, the Jordanian city does its best to acquaint visitors with the local culture and have them looking forward to what else the whole country has in store for them. This underrated holidaymaking destination surely deserves to be on your travel bucket list.
The Roman Theatre and the Amman Citadel serve as the epitome of the best archaeology one can behold in Amman. Exploring them may make you feel like you’re travelling back in time. Those who are keen on immersing themselves in Jordanian culture must make their way to museums and art galleries galore. Doing full justice to its name, the lively and colourful Rainbow Street of the city is a perfect spot to indulge in people-watching beside other activities.
Why people must visit Amman?
Amman is a go-to holiday destination for a lot many who prefer peace to crowd and off-beat to popular. This is why, myriads of travellers book their flight tickets to Amman to get lost in its jaw-dropping beauty. Its rich cultural heritage, vibrant cityscape, warm hospitality, culinary delicacies, year-round pleasant climate, and shopping avenues make the city a sought-after draw for holidaymakers from all over the world.
This cosmopolitan city features modern infrastructure, sumptuous restaurants, colossal shopping malls, and happening nightlife scenes. Tourists and locals alike have so many pursuits to take delight in that they are more often than not spoilt for choice. The urban experience and traditional expedition go hand in hand in Amman. Furthermore, the natives of Jordan are known for their warm welcome and sincere hospitality. Their friendliness toward tourists is nothing short of the cherry on the cake.
The city is a heaven for food junkies. From traditional Jordanian dishes to international cuisines, it offers a vast array of culinary experiences. Some of the must-try Jordanian specialties include falafel, kunafa, mezze, and mansaf; your taste buds won’t stop thanking you for the best treat they’d have ever gotten. Owing to the diverse culinary scenes of Amman, they cater to everyone’s preferences and tastes.
Best places to visit in Amman
The Citadel
If digging through the history of a city is how you get your jollies, then the Citadel is your best bet. Sitting pretty on the top of a hill, the Citadel gives insight to visitors into the evolution of the city apart from giving them the opportunity to behold the striking vistas of its downtown. There are several sites at the Citadel that call for a visit but the ones that are absolutely unmissable are the Temple of Hercules, the Byzantine Church, and the Umayyad Palace Complex.
Souq Jara
Souq Jara is a buzzing summer street market that is situated in Jabal Amman and opens only on Fridays. You can explore many of the stalls dealing in local wares, grab a quick bite at one of the pop-up cafes, savour some scrumptious street food, and enjoy live performances from musicians and local bands. All in all, it’s a family-friendly place where you can rest assured to have a whale of a time.
The Jordan Museum
Nestled in the Ras al-‘Ayn, the novel and dynamic downtown of the city, the Jordan Museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Amman. Aesthetically designed galleries adorn the museum and give a glimpse into the intriguing history of Jordan as well as its rich cultural heritage. It’s a great place to learn a thing or two about Jordan’s past. The museum keeps visitors engrossed with educational yet engaging exhibits and simultaneously sheds light on the ever-going story of the country’s past, present, and future.
Hashem Restaurant
Taking pride in being one of the oldest restaurants in the entire Jordan, Hashem Restaurant is a favourite choice for everyone who’s looking to relish Falafel and Hummus of the best quality and taste ever. The credit goes to the restaurant only for maintaining the same standard for the last forty years. The downtown branch is mostly occupied by diners at any given point of the day. The restaurant is frequented by both foreigners and indigenous people.
Amman’s Leading International Airports
Situated in Zizya, about 30 kilometres south of Amman, Alia International Airport is the leading airport that serves the whole of Amman. It is also the largest airport in Jordan and serves as the hub for Royal Jordanian Airlines, the flag carrier of Jordan.