Amman is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, perched atop rolling hills where Bronze Age settlements evolved into a lively, modern capital. You’ll wander from the hilltop Citadel with its Temple of Hercules to the Roman Theater, then down into downtown’s fragrant souks for cardamom coffee and sizzling falafel.

Use Amman as your springboard to Jordan’s icons: rose-red Petra, the otherworldly dunes of Wadi Rum, mosaic-studded Madaba and Mount Nebo, and the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. In the north, Jerash rivals Rome for sheer grandeur—colonnaded avenues, archways, and amphitheaters etched in golden stone.

Practical notes: Spring and fall offer ideal weather. Fridays and Saturdays are the weekend; some sights or shops may open later on Fridays. The Jordan Pass can be a smart buy if you’ll visit Petra and multiple sites (and often covers your visa with a 3+ night stay). Dress modestly, carry small cash in Jordanian dinars, and expect 5–10% tips in restaurants.

Amman

Amman is equal parts ancient citadel and café culture. Start where the city began—Jabal al-Qal’a—for sweeping views over a jumble of whitestone homes. Then slide into the present: galleries in Jabal Al Lweibdeh, Rainbow Street’s eateries, and Abdali Boulevard’s sleek promenades.

• Top sights: Amman Citadel, Roman Theater, Jordan Museum, King Abdullah I (Blue) Mosque, Rainbow Street, Jabal Al Lweibdeh galleries (e.g., Darat al Funun).
• Essential flavors: Mansaf (lamb with fermented yogurt), falafel, hummus, musakhan, maqluba; finish with syrupy, stretchy kunafeh.
• Neighborhood vibe check: Downtown for tradition, Jabal Amman for dining and nightlife, Al Lweibdeh for artsy cafés, Abdali for modern malls and rooftops.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The St. Regis Amman (5-star service, serene spa; Abdoun): Check availability
• Amman Marriott Hotel (reliable comfort, great breakfast; Shmeisani): Check availability
• Nomads Hotel (stylish budget, social vibe; near Rainbow Street): Check availability
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Amman | VRBO – Amman

Getting there and around: Fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). Compare global fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com (typical nonstop times: 2–3h from Gulf hubs, 4–5h from major European gateways, 12–15h with one stop from North America). From the airport, the express bus runs every 30–60 minutes (~45–60 min; about JOD 3–4), or take a regulated taxi/ride-hail (~35–60 min; about JOD 20–25 to central Amman). Within the city, taxis and ride-hailing are affordable; traffic is busy at rush hour.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Flavors, and Sunset Over the Hills

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll along Rainbow Street. Duck into Rumi Café for a cardamom latte or iced V60, and browse small boutiques for Dead Sea soaps and embroidered crafts.

Evening: Dinner at Hashem—a beloved open-air institution plating pillowy pita, silky hummus, and herb-packed falafel. Follow with hot, stretchy kunafeh at Habibah Sweets (downtown); the queue moves fast and the payoff is molten cheese under orange semolina.

Day 2: Citadel to Souks + Amman Food Tour

Morning: Start at the Amman Citadel for panoramic views and the Umayyad Palace ruins, then descend to the Roman Theater. Coffee stop at Dimitri’s Coffee (local roaster) for a cold brew and a pistachio croissant.

Afternoon: Explore the Jordan Museum to see the Ain Ghazal statues and learn the story of Jordan from prehistory to the Hashemite era. Lunch at Jameeda Khanum (downtown) for Palestinian-Jordanian comfort—try musakhan rolls and mutabal.

Evening: Join a guided tasting walk to learn the city by flavor.

Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman

Expect juicy shawarma, freshly pressed juices, and stories from a local guide. Later, sip mint tea at Jafra Café with live oud music if it’s on.

Day 3: North Jordan Wonders — Jerash, Ajloun, Umm Qais

Make this a grand circuit north. Typical driving times: Amman → Jerash (~1 hour), Jerash → Ajloun (~40 minutes), Ajloun → Umm Qais (~1 hour), then back to Amman (~2 hours). A private driver or tour simplifies the route (expect about 8–10 hours total).

Jerash, Ajloun, Umm Qais Day Trip

Morning: Walk Jerash’s Oval Plaza, stride down the cardo with its perfectly aligned columns, and test the remarkable acoustics in the South Theater.

Afternoon: Continue to Ajloun Castle (Saladin-era fortress) for forested views. Pause for a countryside lunch—simple mezze, grilled chicken, and tabbouleh—before carrying on to Umm Qais for basalt-black ruins and vistas over the Golan and the Sea of Galilee.

Evening: Back in Amman, dine at Fakhreldin (Romero Group) for refined Levantine: kibbeh nayyeh, char-grilled lamb chops, and fresh fattoush in an elegant villa setting.

Day 4: Madaba Mosaics, Mount Nebo, Baptism Site, and the Dead Sea

Today traces a sacred route southwest of Amman. Amman → Madaba (~40 min), Madaba → Mount Nebo (~15 min), Mount Nebo → Baptism Site (~45 min), then to a Dead Sea resort (~20–30 min) before returning (~1 hour). A full-day driver or tour is ideal.

Private or Group tour to Dead Sea, baptism site, Nebo and Madaba

Morning: In Madaba, see the famed 6th-century mosaic map at St. George’s Church and shop for hand-cut mosaics. Drive up to Mount Nebo for an expansive view toward the Jordan Valley.

Afternoon: Visit the Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas) on the Jordan River, then continue to the Dead Sea to float in dense, mineral-rich waters. Use resort day access for showers and pools; avoid shaving before swimming and keep the water out of your eyes.

Evening: Return to Amman for dinner at Shams El Balad, a breezy, ingredient-driven café celebrating local farmers—don’t miss seasonal fattoush and roasted cauliflower with tahini.

Day 5: Petra and Wadi Rum — The Epic South

This is a big adventure day (often 14–16 hours). Amman → Petra (~3 hours), Petra → Wadi Rum (~1.5–2 hours), Wadi Rum → Amman (~4 hours). Bring a hat, sunscreen, and layers for desert temperature swings.

From Amman: Petra and Wadi rum Private/Group Full day Tour

Morning: Enter Petra through the Siq, the narrow sandstone gorge that builds drama until the Treasury reveals itself. If time permits, continue to the Theater and Royal Tombs.

Afternoon: Drive to Wadi Rum for a 4x4 tour: crimson dunes, towering rock bridges, and Bedouin tea in a goat-hair tent. Optional camel ride adds a timeless touch.

Evening: Return to Amman. If you have energy, grab a late bite at Reem Shawarma near 2nd Circle—juicy beef sandwiches carved to order.

Day 6: Art, Coffee, and Neighborhood Hopping

Morning: Slow down in Jabal Al Lweibdeh, where shaded streets hide galleries and indie shops. Coffee at Rumi (again—it’s that good) or a classic Arabic coffee at a local kiosk. Browse contemporary art at community spaces and stroll Paris Circle.

Afternoon: Head to Abdali Boulevard for modern shopping and people-watching. Lunch at Fairouz Garden for grilled kebabs and mezze or at Tawaheen Al-Hawa (a family favorite for mixed grills and fresh-baked bread).

Evening: Unwind in a traditional hammam (try an old-world Turkish bath experience) or sip Jordanian wines at a local tasting room. Dinner at Sufra on Rainbow Street—arguably the city’s signature Jordanian table. Order mansaf to share and end with tea infused with sage.

Day 7: Blue Mosque, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Visit the King Abdullah I (Blue) Mosque when open to visitors; dress modestly (robes/scarves are typically available on-site). Swing by a spice shop downtown for za’atar and sumac to take home.

Afternoon: Brunch at Wild Jordan Center for valley views and a fresh menu featuring local produce. Pack up and transfer to the airport (45–60 minutes). If you need flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; if you’re flying within or from Europe, you can also compare on Omio.

Evening: Departure day—ma’a salama! If your flight’s late, sneak in one last kunafeh at Habibah or pistachio gelato downtown.

Local transport and cost notes: Private full-day drivers for nearby excursions commonly run about JOD 70–120 (Jerash/Ajloun) and JOD 150–220 (Petra/Wadi Rum), depending on vehicle and season. Dead Sea day access at resort facilities adds a fee; bring sandals and don’t shave the day you float. Always carry water; summers are dry and hot.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Overnight under the stars in a Bedouin-style camp in Wadi Rum; Carakale Brewery visit in Fuheis; Dana Biosphere Reserve hike; or a longer Petra day with the Monastery (allow 700–800 steps).

In one week, you’ll taste Amman’s café culture, wander Roman boulevards, float at the lowest point on earth, and stand before Petra’s carved grandeur. Jordan’s hospitality lingers—mint tea, warm bread, and stories shared at sunset—long after you fly home.