AmmanCapital
Jordan · Country profile
Amman is the modern capital of Jordan, a city of the rolling hills that the ancient civilisations of the region have each left their layer on, from the Ammonites of the Bible to the Romans, the Umayyads and the Ottomans. The white stone of the city glows in the evening light, and the citadel hill at its heart holds the great temple of the Roman era and the palace of the early Islamic age, while the Roman theatre below it still anchors the old city. The modern Amman spreads the gleaming malls, the art galleries and the busy cafes of a capital that has grown explosively in recent decades, and its neighbourhoods, from the historic downtown with its markets to the chic districts of the west, hold the whole range of the Jordanian life. A warm, safe, quietly cosmopolitan city, Amman is the perfect base for the wonders of the country.
About Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. The city's documented population is around 4,000,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD) and Arabic is spoken; the dialling code is +962. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Queen Alia International Airport.
The Citadel, the Theatre and the Markets of the Downtown
Amman is a sprawling, hilly capital with an ancient heart and a very modern energy. The citadel, the Roman theatre and the markets of downtown preserve the old city, while the western districts hold the restaurants, galleries and cafes of the contemporary capital. It is a city of layers and contrasts, middle-class and conservative at the same time as it is international and increasingly creative. The traffic is heavy and the hills are steep, but the city is safe, friendly and easy to enjoy at its own pace.
The Mild Seasons, the Modest Dress and the Base for the Country
The best seasons are the spring and the autumn, when the city is mild; the summer is hot and the winter is cold and occasionally wet with snow. The citadel and the theatre are the essential downtown walk, and the old markets of the city centre are best visited in the morning. The capital is the natural base for the country, within easy reach of the great sites, and the long weekend is enough for the essential city loop. Dress is comfortably modest, cards work widely in the modern areas and the Jordanian dinar is the currency. Learn a few greetings in Arabic and the famously warm welcome will open every door.
The Sunset on the Citadel, the Sweets and the Rooftops of the West
The citadel hill gives the best views over the white city, especially at sunset when the light turns the stone pink and gold. The Roman theatre and the odeon sit across the street from the citadel and share the historic centre, and the old downtown with its markets, its mosques and its famous sweets shops is a great morning walk. The taxi apps work well and the buses and the light rail connect the main districts. The west-side districts, with their galleries, their bookshops and their rooftop restaurants, hold the modern social life of the city. Friday is the weekend anchor, so the lively neighbourhoods shift around the prayer times. Amman is safe, walkable in parts and generous with its welcome.
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- Country
- Jordan
- Population
- 4,000,000
- Coordinates
- 31.7225, 35.9932
- Capital
- Amman
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +962
- Country code
- JO
Entry requirements for Jordan
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Jordan for tourism.
Getting to Amman
Airports we list for Amman:
Frequently asked questions
Is Amman the capital of Jordan?
Yes — Amman is the capital of Jordan.
What currency do I need in Amman?
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Languages spoken in Jordan include Arabic.
What is the dialling code for Jordan?
The international dialling code for Jordan is +962.
Which airport should I fly into for Amman?
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is the airport we list for Amman.
Do I need a visa to visit Jordan?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Australia (visa on arrival), Canada (visa on arrival), India (visa on arrival), Japan (visa on arrival) and Morocco (visa on arrival). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Amman? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.