Downtown Amman (Al-Balad)

The basics

If you spend any time at all in Amman, you’ll almost certainly visit downtown, even though high-end hotels are generally located in the more modern areas west of the historic center. Al-Balad is home to the Grand Husseini Mosque, the Amman Citadel, Amman Roman Theater, Rainbow Street, and most of the city’s souks, not to mention eateries including the ever-popular Hashem.

You don’t need a guide to visit here, but tours come in handy for discovering the city’s street food and save time compared to rideshares and taxis. Many popular tours pair a morning taking in downtown Amman’s highlights with an afternoon at out-of-town sights, like Jerash, home of Jordan’s best-preserved Roman ruins, or Madaba, known for its 6th-century mosaic map.

Things to know before you go

• Downtown Amman (Al-Balad) is an essential stop for all travelers to Amman: People watchers, foodies, and history buffs alike will find lots to love.

• Amman is less conservative than many Middle Eastern cities, but it’s still important to dress modestly. All genders should cover shoulders, chest, midriff, and legs to the knee, while women should dress even more modestly when visiting mosques.

• Amman is a city of hills. High kerbs, cobbles, and steps are among the obstacles that make downtown a challenging destination for travelers who rely on wheelchairs.

How to get there

Amman’s bus network is set up for locals, not travelers, while most visitors prefer not to self drive in the city’s gridlock. The easiest way to reach downtown is by taxi, with a private driver, or using rideshares, or you can explore on a tour.

When to get there

Surprisingly cool, often rainy winters, and sometimes scorching summers make late spring and early fall (April-May, September-October) the optimal time to visit Amman—with prices to match. If you’re in town during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, you’ll find many eateries closed during the day.

The best souks and markets in Downtown Amman

From gaudy bottled sand art to shisha pipes and spices, Downtown Amman is a great spot to shop souvenirs. On Fridays during the summer season (May through October), the Souk Jara tourist market on Rainbow Street sells everything from jewelry and ceramics to honey and jam. The Gold Souk is a great choice for serious jewelry shoppers, although beware of fakes if prices seem too good to be true. Souk El Khodra, the fruit and vegetable market, is a popular stop on food tours.