Jordan
Discover Amman: A Vibrant 1 Day Journey Through Jordanian Heritage
With 2 days scheduled for Amman, we started with the nearby attractions, The Roman Theatre of Amman being across the street from our hotel. Of course almost all main things to visit were covered by the Jordan Pass which also provides a travel visa for entering the country.
Hashemite Plaza and The Roman Legacy
The Plaza is dominated by the well preserved Roman Theater, from where you can take some nice shots from the top of the stairs. In the compound you can visit the Jordanian Museum of Popular Traditions or The Folklore Museum and take a walk on the Roman Colonnaded Street.
Interesting Facts
The Roman Theater in Amman is like the ancient world’s version of a stadium, seating up to 6,000 spectators—no jumbotrons needed! Built in the 2nd century AD during Emperor Antoninus Pius’s reign, its design is so clever that even those in the nosebleed section could hear every dramatic gasp and heroic monologue. Now that’s what you call timeless surround sound!
| Visit Duration | Approximately 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 2 JOD (included in Jordan Pass) |
| Schedule | 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM (check season & Ramadan) |
Amman Citadel Ruins
Just a short distance from here, we pressed on towards the Amman Citadel, a mere 20-minute walk or 1.4 kilometers away. On our walk to the top, we explored the narrow streets and housing where locals live. Perched above, it provides a magnificent panoramic view of the city stretching from east to west. Here, you’ll mostly encounter ruins, with few standing buildings aside from the Hercules Temple or The Umayyad Mosque and of course the Jordan Archeological Museum where you’ll find items dating back to the Stone Ages 40k-10k yeast ago. here are some of the main points:
- The Roman Temple of Hercules,
- The Umayyad Palace, mosque, and water cistern
- The Byzantine church (ESE of the Umayyad mosque)
- The Ayyubid watchtower
Interesting Facts
The Hand of Hercules at the Amman Citadel is one of its most iconic and mysterious artifacts. This massive marble hand, believed to be part of a colossal statue of Hercules from the 2nd century AD, hints at the grandeur of Roman engineering. If the statue were complete, it would have stood over 12 meters tall, making it one of the largest statues of its time.
| Visit Duration | Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 3 JOD (included in Jordan Pass) |
| Schedule | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (check season & Ramadan) |
Exploring Culture and History at Jordan Museum
As the clock approached 1 PM, we decided it was time to wrap up and head to our next destination: The Jordan Museum, the largest museum in Jordan. Once again, we took to the streets, relishing the colorful and vibrant life of the city, wandering amidst local shops, bustling bazaars, and lively pedestrian areas.
An hour later, with storm clouds looming on the horizon, we sought refuge in the museum. The place was renovated in 2014, giving it a fresh look and putting a spotlight on the most important artifacts and items they had. During your visit, you’ll discover the profound value of water for people in this region and the inadvertent ways in which we waste it in our own lands. The exhibits feature a diverse array of artifacts, ranging from animal bones dating back 1.5 million years to the 9000-year-old ʿAin Ghazal lime plaster statues, as well as notable items such as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls including the Copper Scroll and a reproduction of the Mesha Stele.
Interesting Facts
The Jordan Museum houses one of the oldest known human-made artifacts: the ‘Ain Ghazal Statues. These are some of the earliest large-scale human figures ever discovered, dating back to around 7500 BCE, making them over 9,000 years old. These plaster statues provide incredible insights into prehistoric human society and culture.
Additionally, the museum features fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the oldest biblical texts in existence, dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
| Visit Duration | Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 5 for foreign visitors; 1 JOD for residents |
| Schedule | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (check season & Ramadan) |
Vibrant Streets of Amman
From here, we were once again on the streets, with a few more things to check before the sun set. One of the most beautiful mosques in Amman is Abu Darwish Mosque, known for its stunning architecture and serene ambiance, drawing visitors and worshippers alike. Unfortunately being quite late, we enjoyed it only from the outside.
During our exploration, we found ourselves surrounded solely by locals, as most tourists were clustered in the more well-known areas. Some avoided the climb to the top due to its difficulty, while others may have had concerns about safety. What I can confidently say is that it was an incredibly rewarding experience to immerse ourselves in the local culture, and we felt completely safe throughout our stay, whether it was day or night.
Cave Of The Seven Sleepers
Another place I had on my list was the Cave of the Seven Sleepers or Kahf ar-Raqīm, but with it being 7km away and closing time approaching quickly, we decided to grab a cab to reach it. Arriving at such a late hour, we had the entire place to ourselves, enabling us to uncover the rich history and captivating stories behind both the cave and the mosque. The legend is covered in both Christian sources, known as the ‘Sleepers of Ephesus,’ and in the Quran as the ‘Companions of the Cave. Here Diana wore the Assassin Creed outfit perfect for the place (I’m joking of course, since all women needed to be fully covered in all worship places).
Interesting Facts
The Cave of the Seven Sleepers is believed to be the legendary site mentioned in both the Quran and Christian texts, where a group of young men sought refuge and miraculously slept for hundreds of years. This tale symbolizes faith and resilience, making the cave a significant religious and historical landmark for both Muslims and Christians.
| Visit Duration | Approximately 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free admission |
| Schedule | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
From here, we decided it was time for a refresh, so we returned to our hotel for a quick shower before venturing out to explore the city after sunset. On our way back, Abdulahh, our taxi driver, kindly offered to take us to Jerash and other nearby attractions the next day. At that moment, I realized that since we had covered most things in Amman, it was time for us to explore the city’s surroundings. So, I made a late call to our car rental company and asked if we could pick up our car one day earlier. To our surprise, not only were we able to pick up the car earlier, but we also received a discount for the extra day and were offered a more convenient pickup point very close to our accommodation instead of at the airport.
King Abdullah I Mosque
Having Amir on speed dial, we gave him a call to ask about visiting King Abdullah I Mosque as we had discussed the day before. Here, we visited the main hall of the mosque, the museum, and the auditorium where certain events are held. Right after, we were invited to their souvenir shop where we were offered some traditional tea and shown some of their finest Traditional Shemagh Keffiyeh. Impressed by their hospitality, we decided to get one for my desert ride planned in the next few days.
From the courtyard, you could see the Amman Rotana, the tallest building in Amman and part of the famous Abdali Boulevard, so we decided to take a spin and check it out since the day was still young.
Abdali Boulevard and The Christmas Spirit
Before reaching it, we made a stop in Abdali Mall for some junk food, code name KFC. Once inside, we realized that Christmas was just around the corner, with numerous decorations and themed displays adorning the place. For the holidays, the pedestrian boulevard became a vibrant Christmas Market with colorful lights, stars, and a magnificent Christmas Tree. However, to enjoy the full experience, there was an entrance fee of 4 JD
It was 10 PM and the market was closing for the day. From here, we had a one-hour walk back to our hotel. Fully energized from the many wonderful things we had explored during the day, we delved into the nocturnal streets. Ended the day in style with a late-night coffee at the top of our hotel terrace, enjoying a nice view over the Theater.
Map Overview
We powered through all these spots in one day, moving at turbo speed! So, if you’d prefer a more leisurely pace (and fewer blisters), this tour can easily stretch over two days – perfect for soaking in the sights without breaking a sweat.
You might also like
