Sun, good company, and Roman ruins? Sounds like the makings of a perfect summer afternoon in Amman, Jordan.
In a country that counts epic tourist sites like Petra and Wadi Rum amongst its treasures, Amman, the capital city of Jordan, often gets lost in the shuffle. The problem lies in the fact that Amman is Jordan’s largest transport hub, with nearly all travellers visiting the city at either the beginning or the end of their trip. (To wit: come here first and you’ll probably only have your impending trip to Petra and Wadi Rum on the brain, come here last and you’ll probably be so exhausted from your Petra and Wadi Rum exploration that all you’ll want to do is veg in your hotel room until it’s time to head to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport and fly home.)
We fell into the latter group. After two weeks of sensory overload travelling Israel and Jordan (think floating in the Dead Sea, walking where Jesus walked in Jerusalem, discovering our inner Indiana Jones in the ancient city as old as time, and riding camels in the Jordanian desert), we attacked Amman unambitiously, preferring to mostly hang out in our suite at the Four Seasons Amman and sip colourful drinks in lounge chairs at the pool.
But for one afternoon, at least, we managed to tear ourselves away from our hotel and experience the city. We were glad we did. Amman is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world but also has one of the Middle East’s most rapidly growing economies. This results in a discordant mish-mash of old and new architecture, busy souks, heavy traffic, gleaming highways, and a buzzing, purposeful population clad in both traditional and western attire. Our senses were stimulated once more.
Jordanians are the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and apart from one of our taxi drivers halting variety, everyone we encountered spoke very good English. Outside of the Roman amphitheatre, a tour guide asked us if we wanted a paid tour and backed off immediately, good-naturedly when we told him we weren’t interested. Likewise at the souk when vendors tried to solicit our business. Our refusals were met with “thank you“s and “enjoy your stay in Jordan“s and “welcome“s, never any haranguing or harrassing or pouting because our wallets stayed firmly planted in our back pockets. I think that Jordanians are probably the most hospitable people I’ve ever met in my travels.
Tourist-wise, there’s not a whole lot to see in Amman, but I get the impression that it’s the kind of place that you would grow to love if you lived there a while. Musts are the massive Roman Amphitheatre (which held up to 5,000 spectators) and the Citadel, which gives an impressive view over the old part of Amman.
Any chance of Jordan ever figuring on your travel list?
38 Comments
Thanks for the write up and photos. I’m adding Amman to my list! BTW You’re skin is glowing! Lovely!
Thank you! I got soooo dark on that trip; I loved it because it made my skin look so evenly toned!
Wow! Every time you post about the middle east it really makes me want to visit! The neutral and earth tone colors of almost everything I find to be alluring. It’s ageless, and your pictures tell it all.
I really enjoyed myself! Now I want to go to Qatar and Oman!
Definitely on my dream destination list! What a beautiful place!!! Love the last photo of you.
Thanks Andi!
Would love to go. It would be so refreshing to go to a country where people don’t hassle you constantly.
It was so nice to be able to do your own thing!!
I’m off to Israel and Jordan next month and this sets the scene brilliantly, can’t wait! Particularly great to hear the people are as nice as they are.
Hey Oneika, Thanks for writing such an informational article.
I love to travel & I am always on some flight or exploring some new place. I have been to Jordan a few years back. I loved Castles, caves, museums, a shrine, and several natural retreats in Jordan. Beaches, Dead Sea, is also superb. Do check out https://www.wideworldtrips.com/category/destination/jordan/ to know about Well Known Tourist Attractions and Top Things to Do in Jordan.
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