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The White City

Amman architecture

Amman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with settlements dating back over 8,500 years. The ancient Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) overlooks the city and contains ruins from the Bronze Age, Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods. Jordan is home to Petra — the rose-red Nabataean city carved into rock cliffs, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — making Amman a natural gateway to one of the planet's most extraordinary archaeological sites.

  • 5Landmarks
  • 1500 BCOldest · Amman Citadel
  • 35 mTallest · King Abdullah I Mosque
  • 6Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoQueen Alia International Airport (AMM)

    Queen Alia International Airport, named after the late Queen of Jordan who died in a helicopter crash in 1977, serves as the country's main gateway. A major expansion completed in 2012 — featuring a striking new terminal designed by Foster + Partners — tripled the airport's capacity and transformed it into one of the most architecturally impressive airports in the Middle East. The airport is located 35km south of Amman city center.

  • CurrencyJordanian Dinar (JD)
  • LanguageArabic

    Jordanian Arabic (Levantine dialect) is the everyday spoken language and is considered one of the most clearly pronounced and accessible Arabic dialects for learners. Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal writing and media. English is widely spoken in business, hotels, and by the young educated population. Jordan has a long tradition of welcoming refugees and hosting diaspora communities, making Amman a uniquely cosmopolitan city by regional standards.

  • Getting aroundJETT Buses & Taxis

    Amman does not have a metro or light rail system — the city is built across seven hills (originally, now more) and has historically resisted underground transit development. The Jordan Express Tourist Transport (JETT) runs intercity buses to major destinations including Petra and Aqaba. Within the city, yellow taxis are metered and widely available. A Bus Rapid Transit line was approved and is planned for the city's busiest corridor.

5 landmarks in Amman

  1. Amman Citadel

    Citadel Hill, Amman, Jordan

    A hilltop archaeological site containing ruins from the Bronze Age, Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods — including the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace.

    Built
    1500 BC
    Architect
    Various ancient civilisations
    Style
    Roman / Umayyad / Byzantine
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Archaeological site / museum
  2. Roman Theatre (Amman)
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Roman Theatre (Amman)

    Hashimi St, Downtown Amman, Jordan

    A remarkably well-preserved 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre carved into the northern slope of a hill, seating 6,000 spectators and still used for performances today.

    Built
    169
    Architect
    Roman architects
    Style
    Roman
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Active performance venue / museum

  3. Jordan Museum

    Al-Hashemi St, Ras Al-Ain, Amman 11183, Jordan

    Jordan's flagship national museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls and priceless artefacts from Jordan's 10,000 years of human history.

    Built
    2014
    Architect
    Dar Al-Omran
    Style
    Contemporary
    Height
    12 m (39 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    National museum
  4. Rainbow Street, Amman
    Photo: miiika, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Rainbow Street, Amman

    Rainbow St, Jabal Amman, Amman, Jordan

    Amman's most beloved neighbourhood street in Jabal Amman, lined with 1920s-era stone buildings housing independent cafés, bookshops, and galleries.

    Built
    1920
    Architect
    N/A (historic street)
    Style
    Jordanian traditional stone
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Café / arts district
  5. King Abdullah I Mosque
    Photo: Makeandtoss, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    King Abdullah I Mosque

    Between 3rd and 4th Circles, Amman, Jordan

    Amman's most prominent mosque, topped by a striking blue dome 35 metres in diameter, one of the few mosques in Jordan open to non-Muslim visitors.

    Built
    1989
    Architect
    Rasem Badran
    Style
    Islamic / contemporary
    Height
    35 m (115 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Mosque (active)

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