Amman

in

Amman is Jordan’s capital, spreading over a series of hills in the country’s north-west. Pale limestone buildings give much of the city a consistent colour, while Roman remains, an ancient hilltop citadel and older commercial streets provide historical anchors within a rapidly expanding metropolis. Modern cafés, galleries, shopping districts and residential neighbourhoods extend far beyond the compact downtown area.

Older streets, markets and inexpensive restaurants create a dense everyday life downtown, while newer hilltop neighbourhoods contain much of the contemporary dining and cultural scene. Steep roads and heavy traffic make distances feel longer than they appear. The contrast between Roman remains, twentieth-century growth and modern urban life gives useful context before journeys elsewhere in Jordan.