ancient ruins
Jerash
One of the best-preserved and most complete Roman provincial cities in the world, featuring colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and an unusual oval plaza.
36 km · about 40 min drive
AsiaJordanAmman
Amman
Amman, Jordan · Asia
About Amman
Amman sits on the route: 5 minutes from Al ‘Abdallī, 44km from Dead Sea.
Amman is in Jordan, with about 1.3 million people. The nearest town is Al ‘Abdallī, about 4 km away.
Amman is the capital and the largest city of Jordan, and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. With a population of five million as of 2026, Amman is Jordan's primate city and is the largest city in the Levant region, the seventh-largest city in the Arab world, and the eighth-largest metropolitanRead more
area in the Middle East.
Settlement in Amman dates to the 8th millennium BC at 'Ain Ghazal, home to the world's oldest human statues. During the Iron Age, Rabat Aman was the capital of the Ammonite Kingdom. In the 3rd century BC, the city was conquered by the Greeks and renamed Philadelphia, later part of the Nabataean, and the Roman realms. In the 7th century, Philadelphia was conquered by the Rashidun Caliphate, who restored its original name. Throughout most of the Islamic era, Amman alternated between periods of relative prosperity and devastation. The city was largely abandoned during the Ottoman period from the 15th century until 1878, when Circassians were resettled there. Amman grew after it was connected to the Hejaz Railway, and the subsequent formation of its first municipal council in 1909.
Amman witnessed rapid growth after its designation as Transjordan's capital in 1921, receiving migrations from different Jordanian and Levantine cities, and later several successive waves of refugees: Palestinians in 1948 and 1967; Iraqis in 1990 and 2003; and Syrians since 2011. It was initially built on seven hills, but now spans over 19 hills combining 22 areas, which are administered by the Greater Amman Municipality. Areas of Amman have gained their names from either the hills (jabal) or the valleys (wadi) they occupy, such as Jabal al-Luweibdeh and Wadi Abdoun. East Amman is predominantly filled with historic sites that frequently host cultural activities, while West Amman is more modern and serves as the economic center of the city.
Approximately one million visitors arrived in Amman in 2018, which made it the 89th most-visited city in the world and the 12th most-visited Arab city. Amman has a relatively fast growing economy and it is ranked as a Beta− global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. Moreover, it was named one of the Middle East and North Africa's best cities according to economic, labor, environmental, and socio-cultural factors. The city is among the most popular locations in the Arab world for multinational corporations to set up their regional offices, alongside Doha and only behind Dubai. Amman has a bus network, including a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that serves the city and connects it to neighboring Zarqa. Amman is served by two airports.
Where to Stay in Amman
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Amman?
Within an hour or so of Amman: Jerash (36 km), Dead Sea (44 km), Ajloun Castle (46 km), Umm ar-Rasas (51 km).
Are there any good drives near Amman?
The nearest famous roads are King's Highway and Scorpions Ascent (Ma'ale Akrabim).
Where is Amman?
Amman is in Amman, Jordan, about 4 km from Al ‘Abdallī.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,275,857
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Jordan
- Region
- Amman
- Timezone
- Asia/Amman
- Coordinates
- 31.9552, 35.9450
Tags
Worth the detour from Amman
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Dead Sea
Earth's lowest point on land at 430 meters below sea level, with water so salty that swimmers float effortlessly on the surface.
44 km · about 50 min drive
castle
Ajloun Castle
A 12th-century Ayyubid castle built by Saladin's general on a hilltop to control the Jordan Valley iron mines and counter Crusader expansion.
46 km · about 55 min drive
ancient ruins
Umm ar-Rasas
A Roman garrison turned Byzantine church town on the Madaba plateau, where the mosaic floor of St Stephen's, laid in 785 CE, maps fifteen cities from Jerusalem to Alexandria. A 15m stylite tower stands alone to the north.
51 km · about 60 min drive
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