Amman is a good start to get to know Jordan.
In 2018 we spend one whole week in Amman and I really felt at home here. Mostly because the people here are very nice and welcoming. You will hear ´Welcome to Jordan´ everywhere. Actually, this is not just in Amman, but all over Jordan.
Amman is a bubbly city with over 4 million citizens and there is a good combination between old and new.
We went to Jordan in August and we did not notice at all that there are so many people living here. We also noticed it wasn´t packed with tourists, at all! This could of course also be, because Jordan is located between not the safest countries (Syria and Iraq), which might scare people of. But I never felt unsafe in Jordan at all, especially in Amman I felt pretty safe.
I can not say if I would feel the same way if I had been to Jordan independently, as a girl. But traveling with my dad felt safe.
What to expect in this article:
Don't forget the Jordan Pass!
This pass gives you free entrance to over 40 attractions in Jordan which is really worth it. The entrance to Petra and even our visa were included! You can choose how many days you want to visit Petra.
‘The Jordan pass is the ultimate sightseeing package that has been especially tailor-made for visitors to the country. It gives pass holders the ability to make the most out of their trip visiting top sights and attractions whilst saving time, money and efforts’
See this website for more information. You won’t regret it.
You can also read this article:
1001 Arabian nights; Jordan
What a different world I entered when I went to Jordan! Jordan is an amazing country with diverse nature. Mountains in the north, the dessert in the south, the salty
How to work in Cape Verde as an expat
Hi! I am Samantha, a 28-years old Dutch lady from ChiMotion Lifestyle. Nice to meet you! I spend over 5 years of my life as an expat on the beautiful
What to do first?
There a few great things you can’t miss when you visit Amman. With the Jordan pass it is even free to visit!
First thing you can do is to go to the most famous place, the Citadel. This is a really impressive place with old Roman ruins. How is it possible it is so silent and not crowded with tourists at all?
We had the whole place for ourselves and the view over Amman is absolutely stunning! Besides that, it was free for us to visit, because we bought the Jordan pass.
After that the Roman Theatre is nice to visit. When seeing this, it really feels like you are somewhere in Italy or Greece. So crazy if you think its pretty far from both places!
The museum of Popular Traditions that is located at the Theatre (which is also free with the Jordan Pass) is really interesting if you want to know how people used to live in the past in Jordan. You will get to know more about their traditional costumes. I think it was pretty interesting and of course free to visit!
All 3 of these things are about the history of Jordan and a good way to see how beautiful Amman is.
Downtown
Next, go Downtown. The inhabitants here are still dressed traditional, like I did expect in a Middle Eastern country. People are selling their stuff and there is a big market close to one of the mosques. It´s fun to walk around here and see everyone coming to life. You can’t return without having bought something.
There are also colored streets Downtown, a bit touristy, but a good photo spot! One of the things you have to try here is sugarcane juice. It has a unique, nice taste and I have not had that before.
I think the view over Downtown from other parts in the city is incredible to see. Definitely one of the most beautiful things of Amman!
The Boulevard & Fooooood
If you want to go to a place a bit more modern, The Boulevard is a great place to go. The usual shops, like H&M and Zara, are here and also some Western food companies like McDonald´s.
Mansaf & Kabsa
We spend over a week in Amman and visiting The Boulevard, was just because we were out of options on where to go more. We were looking for more Western food for once, although we love, love, love the food from Jordan. Mansaf with lamb is one of the dishes I am always looking for whenever I go to a Middle Eastern restaurant. Or Kabsa. Kabsa is also bloody good.
Mansaf is a dish made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice or bulgur. Kabsa is a mixed rice dish, served on a communal platter. I think Mansaf is a dish that originated from Jordan, while Kabsa isn´t.
Mosque
If you have never visited a mosque I advise you to go to the blue mosque (King Abdullah) around 8 PM to see the people pray. It’s a very unique experience. Especially when you have not seen this before.
I have been to temples and churches, but not to such a big a mosque before.
Be aware that women have to wear a long black dress (burka), but they will give this to you in the souvenir shop below the mosque.
Best - restaurant - ever!
Then a restaurant I advise everyone to go to is Tawaheen–al-Hawa. The food is incredible and not expensive at all.
One plate can be shared with two persons. The restaurant is awesomely decorated with a small fountain, a huge camel in the middle and you can also sit outside. The staff is kind and speaks English.
But the best thing is: as a dessert you get free Baklava and fruits. If you can not eat that anymore, you can even take it home. We went here twice during our two-week trip! Not just because of the free delicious baklava and fruits, but also because the biryanis are so good!
The story about how we found this restaurant is pretty funny. We were just walking outside and looking for a good restaurant. Then we asked a random girl. She immediately invited us to her car to take us to this restaurant and gave her number if we have any other questions. This is just one example of how sweet the people in Jordan are! I still have her number, so if I ever go again to Jordan… I hope she doesn’t mind I will bombard her with questions 😉
Information:
Address: Wasfi al-Tal Rd, Jubilee Gardens, Amman
Website
Which spot are you most excited about visiting and did you already buy the Jordan pass? 😉
You might be interested in this as well:
Novigrad – Hidden Croatian gem in Zadar County
Have you ever heard of Novigrad in Zadar County? It is truly a hidden gem in Croatia, as it is beautiful! In this article I will tell you why!
Joey’s Hostel: Best accommodation to stay in Agra
Are you looking for a good place to stay in Agra? Then definitely check out Joey’s Hostel. We had a great stay here and in this article, I will tell you why!
ALL my tips and tricks for your visit to the Taj Mahal (India)
Yes! I finally visited the Taj Mahal, something that has been on my bucket list since forever! It is also my third world wonder to visit. I loved being here and would love to share all my knowledge.
Ghost Walking Tour in Stockholm! – Our experience
Did you see the Ghost Walking Tour in Stockholm (Sweden), but you are still doubting to go? Don’t! In this article, I will tell you all about my experience!
Off-the-grid accommodation: Winterwoods in Drenthe
Would you like to sleep in a yurt and do awesome activities, like yoga, cold water dipping and making your own fire? Then this is your type of accommodation!
Is the King Power Mahanakhon (Bangkok) worth my money?!
Hey there, fellow travel enthusiast! 👋 If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok and wondering whether the King Power Mahanakhon
Wat Rong Khun: Chiang Rai’s white wonderland
Have you ever heard of the Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) in Chiang Rai? If you haven’t please read
Blue Field Tea Factory in Ramboda, Sri Lanka – my experience
What to expect in this article: My trip in Sri Lanka About the Blue Field Tea Factory The tour at
6 Reasons why you should visit the Sky Views Observatory in Dubai, UAE
6 reasons why you should visit Sky Views Observatory, and not the Burj Khalifa (if you have to choose 1
Iceland For Dummies: A Mini Guide
Hi! I am Chayenne, 27 years old and I live in the Netherlands. I have always been a big fan
My Travel Plans for 2024
With 2024 coming closer and closer (only 1 month away!), I am starting to wonder about what that year will
Urban Elegance: Stockholm’s Most Beautiful Metro Stations (Sweden)
Are you planning to visit Stockholm and want to do something different than always? Go hunt for the most beautiful
Is Climbing Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka a Challenging Adventure?
In June I visited the birth place of my father, Sri Lanka. We did a whole tour around the island
Discover Berlin’s Vegan Paradise: Lidian’s 8 Favorite Restaurants
A vegan Walhalla, that is what my friend Lidian calls Berlin. She and her fiance, love to visit Berlin. Not
Chinese Tea Ceremony at Moychay: Amsterdam’s Authentic Experience
Have you ever done a Chinese tea ceremony or would you like to participate at Moychay in Amsterdam? If you
My top 10 places on my travel bucket list – 2023
Since I visited many places that were written on my old travel bucket list, I have to make a new
Budget-friendly Barcelona: 15 Fun free things to do!
Are you not sure if you should put Barcelona on your list, because it might be too expensive? You should!
Spotting elephants in Udawalawe National Park (Sri Lanka)
If you want to go on a safari in Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park is a good choice. We saw
Pondicherry Guide
Do you want to have the best tips about Pondicherry? Are you planning to visit Pondicherry soon and do you
6 Reasons why you have to add Nuwara Eliya to your Sri Lanka itinerary!
Nuwara Eliya is one of my favorite places in Sri Lanka! It has incredible nature, friendly people and an amazing
Discover Lisbon’s 9 Best Spots!
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture. Lately I have had a