History · Amman · Jordan
6 historic sites to see in Amman
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rami Tarawneh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Amman Citadel, Roman Theatre and Odeon and Jordan Museum. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 7–8 hours across 4 areas; 2 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 2
- Time to see them all
- 7–8 hours
- Areas
- Jabal al-Qal'a, Downtown (Al-Balad) and Ras al-Ain
Historic sites in Amman
Historic site · Jabal al-Qal'a
1.Amman Citadel
The small Jordan Archaeological Museum on site and the views down to the Roman Theatre make it the best first stop in the city.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Historic site · Downtown (Al-Balad)
2.Roman Theatre and Odeon
Small folklore and traditional-costume museums occupy rooms in its wings, and the smaller Odeon stands beside the Hashemite Plaza in front.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Museum · Ras al-Ain
3.Jordan Museum
It is air-conditioned and a good introduction before travelling around the country.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Art
Market · Downtown (Al-Balad)
4.Downtown souqs and Grand Husseini Mosque
It is busiest on Saturdays and in the late afternoon.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- History
Museum · King Hussein Park
5.Royal Automobile Museum
Children and car enthusiasts tend to enjoy it most.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Historic site · Downtown (Al-Balad)
6.Nymphaeum
The remains of a 2nd-century Roman public fountain stand near Quraysh Street in downtown, a reminder that the Roman city of Philadelphia lay under today's market streets.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jabal al-Qal'a | Amman Citadel | 1.5–2 hours |
| Downtown (Al-Balad) | Roman Theatre and Odeon, Downtown souqs and Grand Husseini Mosque and Nymphaeum | 1 hour + 1–2 hours + 15 minutes |
| Ras al-Ain | Jordan Museum | 2 hours |
| King Hussein Park | Royal Automobile Museum | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 2 free, 4 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Amman Citadel; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Jabal al-Qal'a and Downtown (Al-Balad)): Amman Citadel → Roman Theatre and Odeon → Downtown souqs and Grand Husseini Mosque → Nymphaeum, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Ras al-Ain and King Hussein Park): Jordan Museum → Royal Automobile Museum, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- December: highs of 14°C (57°F), about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool and wet, with Christmas decorations in Christian areas and quiet sights.
- February: highs of 14°C (57°F), about 10 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool and changeable with sunny breaks; quiet at the sights.
- January: highs of 12°C (54°F), about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds. The coldest month, with rain, wind and occasional snow; buildings can feel cold, so check that your hotel is heated.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Downtown (Al-Balad) — Souqs, Roman ruins and budget hotels in the valley at the city's core
More of Amman
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Amman?
Amman Citadel. The Citadel hill has been occupied for thousands of years and holds the columns of the Roman Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church and the Umayyad Palace with its restored domed audience hall and cistern.
+Which of these are free in Amman?
Downtown souqs and Grand Husseini Mosque and Nymphaeum.