Amman - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Biera in Sweifiyah, meeting other expats from other countires, horseback riding at Alia AlAssaf, Wadi Rum, Petra. - Aug 2023
Explore the minor historical locations like Abila...you’ll feel like Indiana Jones and will be the only person there! Wet wadi hikes in the summer are refreshing. - Aug 2023
Cooking classes at Iraq al Amir - Jul 2022
Tons of natural wonders, a great local art scene, fairs, rug shops, incredible food, archeological ruins, the Red Sea and Dead Sea, exploring the wadis, camping with the Bedouins, the stars in the desert at night, hiking and biking, the local customs, cultural and historical mystique, and the hypnotising sound of the call to prayer. My little boy always said it sounded like the Imam was singing "I love you". I think that's an apt description of Jordan. - Oct 2021
I think all my gems are known. - Jan 2021
Plenty of in country things to do. See above. - Dec 2020
Roman ruins are everywhere. You can see many old Roman crypts along the roadways which are not labelled. Seeing pottery on hikes that is thousands of years old. We have found many fossils here on hikes. - Sep 2020
This would depend on your interest, but I didn’t find many gems. - Sep 2018
There are definitely some hidden gems. Think, "Old Testament." We have seen Lot's cave, one of Herod's castles, the River Jordan, Mount Nebo, etc. If Biblical archeology interests you, take advantage of this location. It's packed with history. - Sep 2018
We've loved finding some off-the-beaten-track hikes up wadis that have been a lot of fun. Fun indoor climbing gym Climbat just south of town. Organized hikes with rappels through Tropical Desert. Dead to Red Relay Race (182 miles of pain!) - Mar 2017
All the obvious ones: Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana Bioreserve, the crusader castles, Ajloun Forest, Jerash, etc. Also, this is a great stepping-off place for travels in Israel and Egypt. We did a trip to Sharm El Sheik for 10 days, and it was a steal! - Jul 2016
Lots of nice day trips. Madaba, the Citadel, Jerash, the Scandanavian forest, downtown Amman, Aqaba, the Dead Sea, Jesus' baptism site, and of course, Petra. Eat at Hashems, Reem, Gerard ice cream, Arabic coffee, local street food, go to Rainbow Street. Wadi Rum. - Mar 2016
Petra is only a 3-hour drive away, Dead Sea is only a 45-minute drive away, lots of good restaurants, jabal al weibdeh is a hidden 'hood with neat cafes and galleries. - Mar 2016
Hummus, Shwarma, Fatoosh salad, and Chocolate. There are a lot of Chocolate Specialty stores. - Nov 2015
Great Arab restaurants. The food here is fantastic! Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, Umm Qais, Madaba, Aqaba, Dead Sea. There are lots of fun hikes. Access to Israel. If you like history, this is a great place! - May 2015
Downtown Amman is worth a wander, and there are a growing number of independent cafes and restaurants, particularly in Jebal al-Webdieh, Rainbow Street, and Abdoun. Cooking at Beit Sitti is a fun evening. For the most part, though, the best thing to do on a weekend is to get out of the city - go up to Ajloun or Jerash, trail running in Wadi Shitteh, go for a hike, or zone out at the Dead Sea. - Mar 2015
Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana Nature Reserve, Umm Qais, Jerash. - Mar 2014
The Dead Sea, Jerash, the desert castles, Madaba, trips to Israel. - Aug 2013
Dead Sea, Petra, Aqaba, Wadi Rum. - Jul 2013
Visit historical places, find hillside areas (that are not covered in trash) for picnics. See the Children's Museum, eat wonderful Middle Eastern food. - May 2013
In Amman, there aren't a lot of things to do. The US Embassy and UK Embassy have pools. There is also the Orthodox Club that people can join. There are a few parks --- nothing great but we have kept busy. - Mar 2013
There are many great restaurants (they actually have two amazing sushi restaurants here!), major hotels have first rate lounges, lots of sightseeing, beach to the south, Israel to the West. But in the end, it is all what you make of it. Amman can get to you (especially the driving).But when it does, just go somewhere else. - Apr 2012
Plenty of outdoor activities, dead sea, red sea, Jerash, Ajloun, etc etc.see above. - Mar 2012
Roman ruins, ancient desert castles, the Dead Sea, Petra, Aqaba, Israel. There's a lot to see and do, and it's easily accessible. - Mar 2012
Archaeology - Oct 2011
There is so much to do here the list could go on and on. But for Americans, most of the activities tend to revolve around socializing in the houses of other Americans. - Aug 2011
Visit Petra, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, Wadi Rum desserts and israel. There is a vast amount of history. - Aug 2011
