If you’re keen on contrasts between the traditional and modern, then Amman is the place for you with its ancient Neolithic settlements sitting alongside modern nightclubs. Nestled between the verdant Jordan valley and a desert, the city provides welcoming warmth with its artisan workshops and old coffee shops. The Old World souks are dripping with gold, while the modern shopping malls carry the latest designer wares.
Enjoy the sounds, smells and sights of one of the oldest cities in the world. There’s plenty of history and culture just waiting to be absorbed in Amman and the city makes an excellent base from which to explore the rest of Jordan. A major draw card here is the Neolithic settlements – one of the biggest ever discovered in the Middle East. The shopping is superb, with the tiny trails through the Gold Souq filled with glittering treasures and the boutiques like Sweifieh and Jabal al-Hussein lined with designer clothing and handbags among other goodies.
The giant water park is a great place to cool off and relax. Or, if you prefer, a hot-air balloon ride will take you closer to the sun with a great view of the city below. There are plenty of traditional entertainment venues where you can take in Arabic music and dancing while sampling local cuisine. New, glitzy nightclubs are filled with the younger, trendy set.
Highlights
Old Town: you can weave and wander your way through the streets and alleys of the Old Town and watch the daily bustle of the market stalls with their exotic wares and spices. Stop at a café to chat with the locals or try the traditional appetizers and desserts.
Roman Amphitheater: resting just to the east of the city center, this old amphitheater was built in the 2nd century and used to seat 6,000 spectators. Check out the adjacent tiny Folklore Museum and the nearby Jordanian Museum of Popular Tradition.
Roman Citadel: excavations here continue to discover remnants of earlier settlements.
King Hussein Mosque: as with other mosques, this one is not open to non-Muslim visitors but you can stand outside and see the plaque noting the original mosque which sat at this location, built from 634 to 644 AD.
Jordanian Archaeological Museum: houses Dead Sea Scrolls and a range of other ancient artifacts. Also in the area of the museum are the Omayyad Palace and the Temple of Hercules.
Alexander the Great Gallery: located at the Four Seasons Hotel shopping arcade, the gallery sells antique and modern handmade jewelry, Islamic art, bronze items, Persian carpets and more.