How to Spend a Weekend in Amman, Jordan

Amman, Jordan
Amman, Jordan. Photo by Danil Ahmetşah on Unsplash

Jordan is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to travel destinations, especially in the Middle East. The country is full of interesting historical sites, otherworldly natural features, and even top-tier restaurants. While it’s not possible to explore all that Jordan has to offer in just a few days, much of its capital city Amman can be experienced in a weekend.

Whether you’ve got plans to travel to a country nearby or another part of Jordan, it may be worth considering a quick excursion to Amman to see what this ancient city is all about. Here’s how we recommend spending a weekend.

Take a Walk Down Rainbow Street

This street in downtown Amman named after a local movie theater is known for having some of the best shops and restaurants in the city. Rooftop dining is quite popular in Jordan, and Rainbow Street has no shortage of bars and cafes to do just that.

Explore the Roman Ruins

Amman is known as the City of Seven Hills, and atop one of those hills is the Amman Citadel, an archaeological site and one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited places. Within the site are ancient ruins including the Roman Temple of Hercules and a museum displaying other historical artifacts.

Check Out the Markets

At the end of Rainbow Street is Souk Jara, one of the largest and most popular markets in Amman. It’s held every Friday between May and September and is the perfect place to shop for everything from food to art to local antiques.