How to make the most out of your layover in Amman

Amman is one of the top travel destinations in the Middle East, especially for Americans. It’s a modern city surrounded by history (archaeological treasures like Petra) and amazing natural landmarks like the Dead Sea. It’s an easy city to travel through, especially by Middle Eastern standards. 

Royal Jordanian Airlines provides a surprising number of connections and flight options to cities in Europe, Asia, and North America, including connecting flights. If you find yourself on a layover in Jordan, it makes sense to pop into Amman for a few hours to explore. But, to keep your hands free, it's best to leave your heavy bags at a Bounce luggage storage location in Amman before you start the tour.

Things to keep in mind before leaving Amman Airport

Visa requirements in Jordan

For American travelers, you'll need to apply for a visa upon arrival. This is generally done rather quickly as the passport control at the customs office is quick. The same visa is required for countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia. The application does cost about $60, but you should be through with enough time to enjoy Amman for a few hours. 

Minimum layover time in Amman

Queen Alia International Airport is situated outside of Amman’s city center but is generally easy to reach via taxi cabs or airport shuttles. You'll still need a minimum of six hours to get through customs on your way out and security on your way back into the airport. 

What to do in Amman during a layover

It takes less than half an hour to get into the city center from the airport, so unless you want to plan a full day exploring Petra (you'll need a very long layover for that), you should head into central Amman to grab a bite and do some sightseeing. You'll want to find secure luggage storage during your layover, and Bounce luckily has convenient locations near Amman’s top travel hotspots. 

Morning layover in Amman

Unless you have a short layover, there is no reason not to head to Amman for a morning of sightseeing. It's actually the most comfortable time of day to walk around as the afternoon will have scorching temperatures. 

• Perched atop the highest hill in the city, the Citadel is one of the most historic places in the city. It's where you'll find the ancient Rabbath-Ammon archaeological site that dates back to the Bronze Age. Its most notable features are the enormous standing pillars that are the remains of the Roman Temple of Hercules. 
• If you want a quick breakfast, Shams El Balad provides trendy vibes along with incredible veggie dishes like labneh (thick yogurt flavored with garlic and sometimes with mint), and za'atar-spiced eggs. The halloumi is one of the most popular dishes in the city, which explains the weekend crowds.  
• Sufra is a charming restaurant with a lovely garden patio for outdoor dining. You'll find traditional Jordanian breakfast along with familiar dishes like eggs and pancakes. If you miss brunch, try the mansaf (lamb and rice in a thick broth). 

Afternoon layover in Amman

The post-lunch rush is when Amman really perks up, especially the bustling markets throughout the city. Noon is when you want to find an indoor museum or restaurant to beat the heat for a little while. 

• Unless you're not already familiar with Jordan, your preconceptions will likely include a crowded bazaar filled with spice merchants, and silk traders. While the reality is a more subtle scene, visiting a traditional souk offers a quintessential Amman experience. Souk El Sagha, (known as the gold souk) and Souk el-Joumea (on Saturdays) are two popular options. 
• The Jordan Museum is a world-class institution presenting artifacts and exhibits detailing the entirety of Jordan's culture. This is where you'll find a portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls, in case you need any further convincing. 
• Hashem Restaurant is one of the city’s top falafel spots and is perfect for a high-protein snack or lunch. You’ll have to wait for a table on weekends, but it's worth it if you have enough time. This spot is also great for traditional Jordanian tea service. 
• Rainbow Street is a lively stretch to explore and shop around, and its top cafe is Al Quds, which is perfect for an affordable lunch and sandwiches. 

Evening layover in Amman

As the sun sets and the at-times oppressive heat subsides, you'll feel a little more comfortable walking around the city and even enjoying some of Amman’s underrated nightlife. 

• Jabal Amman is the top neighborhood to head for nightclubs and bars. You'll find plenty of youthful travelers hanging out on the street or in rooftop bars. 
• At sunset, you'll enjoy the best views from the Roman Theatre.   
• Jasmine House is perfect for a swanky dinner as the setting resembles a historic Italian villa and the menu of Calabrian cuisine fits the scene. Unexpectedly this spot is actually BYOB, so finding a nice bottle of wine at a duty-free shop is advisable. 

Overnight layover in Amman

If you have a long layover and need to stay in Amman, you'll be able to walk around the city quite a bit as the streets are generally quite safe at night, and the weather will be more comfortable after the sun sets. 

• You’ll either want to stay in a hotel room near the airport (The Amman Airport Hotel and the Caprios Motel are solid options) or the city center (Panorama, Crowne Plaza, and the Lemon Tree all offer great value). 
• You can spend time at the Abdoun Bridge for incredible views of the skyline at sunset or under the stars. 
• For dinner, Zuwwadeh Restaurant’s outdoor terrace and menu of authentic Jordanian flatbreads is a great way to cap off an evening.  

Tips to make the most out of your time in Amman

• The Jordanian dinar is Jordan’s national currency and has smaller denominations. These can be purchased at currency exchanges and obtained at ATMs. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and modern restaurants, but you'll want to take out cash for markets or street vendors.
• The country’s official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken in cities like Amman. Learning a few basic Jordanian Arabic phrases can certainly help, but it’s not a must.
• Jordan’s weekend is Friday to Saturday, so you can expect shorter waits at restaurants during the week and on Sunday. 
• Amman has a low crime rate, but you can still encounter some pickpockets in crowded spaces.  
• Drink only bottled or purified water if you can help it as tap water can be contaminated. It’s also important to be wary of street food vendors without licenses. Eating only food that’s been cooked is a useful approach. 

While layovers can be stressful, there's no need to panic. If you find out you'll be stopping in Amman for a few hours on your way to a different city, you might have enough time to explore this incredible city. Just remember to download the Bounce mobile app so you can find secure luggage storage in Amman and your next destination!