Amman (Jordan) > Reviews > What a city

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Family Friendly

Advantages:	clean , modern
Disadvantages:	dusty

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Amman was known as Philadelphia by the romans who have left their mark here with many ruins to explore and cretainly one of the best preserved amphitheatres I have seen.This is in the downtown area of Amman and can easily be got to by Taxi, do get a Taxi from your Hotel asd they will ensure a good taxis that will treat you well, nevere ever pay more than £3 for a trip within the city!!. Make sure the meter is running too.
Shopping in this city is a real delight. There are many areas such as Swafieh,Shmeissani and downtown, each have their specialist shops such as Patchi a great chocohlics shop, Mexx for great clothes and each of the individual shops that are selling everything imaginable,but do not haggle in these shops they are priced Items ,Also look for a Cermaics shop called Silsal who produce authentic Jordanian ceramicware it may seem a bit pricey but each piece in individually a piece of art. In downtown at the markets you can haggle a little.
Food places are clean and the foods on offer are superb. If you want a terrace Cafe with Internet access and great Coffe try Books@Cafe on the Seventh Circle. For an American style breakfast that wont break the bank go to the American Bakehouse.Arabic and Lebanese restaurants abound and have wonderful delights such as Hummous, Felafels,Tabouleh,Kebabs to die for and sweets that are too sweet for me but great for indulgence.
As Taxis are usually about a £1 a trip dont bother waiting for public transport which is confusing at the best of times.
Jordanian people are very friendly and welcoming, they are also mostly apologetic for what otheres say they are doing in the name of Islam so dont worry here this is a very free country with no great dress codes but do cover up in sensative places such as churches etc.
If you want sights to see get out of the city, do visit Madaba which is 40km away and has the most ancient Mosaic Map of the holy lands in a Greek Orthodox Church. It is amazing , Also Mount Nebo where Moses saw the promised land here is a shrine with ancient mosaics and the best views of the Jordan Valley accross to Israel that can be seen. Visit the Dead Sea as well grat mud baths and relaxing too , all these within easy reach of Amman.
Most importantly go to Jordan the people and the friendliness is worth it alone