Beyond the Citadel and Roman Theater, Amman hides neighborhoods and culture most tourists never discover.
Amman's Secret Side: Beyond the Ancient Sites
Amman's Roman ruins draw visitors, but Jordan's capital hides contemporary culture, diverse neighborhoods, and experiences that the Petra-focused tourism overlooks. These five spots reveal the Amman that locals love.
1. Rainbow Street and Surroundings
While tourists visit downtown's antiquities, this hillside strip offers Amman's most interesting cafés, galleries, and restaurants. The old houses converted to venues, the bookshops, and the evening atmosphere create contemporary Amman experiences.
Perfect for: Café culture and nightlife seekers. Art and design enthusiasts. Those wanting modern Amman.
Skip if: You only want ancient sites. The area can feel touristy now. Some venues are expensive by local standards.
2. Jabal Amman First Circle Area
The oldest of Amman's circles preserves the city's early 20th-century development. The embassies, the heritage houses, and the walk down to the Wild Jordan Center create understanding of how Amman grew from village to capital.
Perfect for: Architecture and history enthusiasts. Walkers exploring Amman's hills. Those seeking Jordan's conservation efforts at Wild Jordan.
Skip if: You need famous attractions. The area is residential. The hills require comfortable walking shoes.
3. Downtown (Balad) Beyond the Theater
Everyone visits the Roman Theater. But downtown's surrounding streets—the gold souk, the spice merchants, the shops selling everything—reveal commercial Amman. The breakfast at Hashem or Afrah create experiences the ancient sites can't provide.
Perfect for: Market enthusiasts. Budget travelers seeking local food. Those wanting to see how Amman feeds itself.
Skip if: The Roman sites satisfy you. Downtown can feel chaotic. Some visitors find the commercial density overwhelming.
4. Fuheis and Surrounding Christian Villages
The Christian villages near Amman preserve different Jordanian culture. The churches, the wineries, and the village atmosphere create experiences that Amman's Muslim majority neighborhoods don't offer. The contrast reveals Jordan's diversity.
Perfect for: Those interested in Middle Eastern Christian communities. Wine enthusiasts—Jordan has wineries. Visitors seeking village atmosphere.
Skip if: Religious diversity doesn't interest you. The villages require transportation. Some find them too quiet.
5. The Abdali Boulevard and New Amman
While tourists focus on old Amman, this modern development shows the capital's contemporary ambitions. The contrast between downtown's Ottoman and Roman layers and Abdali's glass towers tells Amman's story of transformation.
Perfect for: Those interested in contemporary Middle East development. Architecture enthusiasts. Visitors wanting to understand modern Jordan.
Skip if: Modern malls and towers don't interest you. The area feels generic compared to old Amman. Some find the development soulless.
Discover Amman with Local Insight
Amman rewards exploration beyond the ancient sites. A travel advisor who knows Jordan can help you navigate to experiences like these—and arrange the Petra, Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum adventures that make the capital a gateway to wonders.