You are here: Home > Travel Information > Destination Guides Text size A A A See what people from around the world are saying about cities we fly to and from Dr_Buzz_: Good morning people #amman couple of minutes ago HealthyLiving20: Where are the best shopping centers in Amman Jordan? http://t.co/3cTFJI5d 2 minutes ago HindSabanekh: RT @KHF_NHF: #Amman Woodwind & Brass Quintets perform tonight @ Al Hussein Cultural Center 7:30pm Tix JD3 Tel:4767222 @nmcjo @saveASO #jo 3 minutes ago World / Asia / Jordan / Amman | Overview | Fast Facts | Arrive | See | Eat | Sleep | Connect | Business The Jordanian capital, Amman, dates back to Roman times (and beyond), but this is a thoroughly 21st-century metropolis with a thriving business centre, superb shops and restaurants and a sparkly nightlife scene. Address: Post Code: Tel No: Currency Jordanian Dinar (JD) Address: Post Code: Tel No: Visa Requirements EU nationals require a visa which costs JD10 on arrival Address: Post Code: Tel No: Language Arabic, with English widely understood Address: Post Code: Tel No: Timezone GMT+2 Address: Post Code: Tel No: Weather Very hot, dry summers, and cool, damp winters with occasional snow Address: Post Code: Tel No: Dialling Code 00 962 Address: Post Code: Tel No: Electricity 220V (most major hotels have UK-style 3-pin plugs; elsewhere, European-style round 2-pin plugs are more common) Address: Post Code: Tel No: Health and Safety No immunizations or vaccinations required. Medical facilities are excellent but comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover is strongly advised. Address: Post Code: Tel No: Flights to Amman arrive at Queen Alia International Airport, situated 35km south of the city. Taxis (20JD) are available outside the arrivals hall, and journey time to the city centre is 40 minutes. Amman is very hilly; taxis are the most convenient way to get around (metered fares are roughly 2–5JD), though expect traffic delays citywide. Address: Post Code: Tel No: Citadel Hill Citadel Hill (Jabal al-Qala in Arabic): Towering over the Downtown area, this dusty summit holds a series of fascinating ancient sites, from ruined Byzantine churches to the remains of an 8th-century Islamic palace. The views over the city are sensational from up here - come at sunset to hear the call to prayer echoing from the dozens of mosques in the streets below. Address: Jabal al-Qala'a, downtown Amman Post Code: Tel No: National Gallery National Gallery (Jabal al-Lweibdeh): One of Amman's great wild-cards is its status as one of the Arab world's leading centres for contemporary art. Drop into the National Gallery to take in stunning works by artists from around the Islamic world, then relax in their onsite café or stroll to other galleries in the area, including Darat al-Funun, Makan and Dar al-Anda. Address: Husni Fareez St, Amman Post Code:11191 Tel No:00 962 6463 0128 Royal Automobile Museum Royal Automobile Museum (Al-Hussein National Park): Housed in a sleek hill-top building, this fascinating museum exhibits the vast collection of vintage cars amassed by Jordan's King Hussein (who ruled 1953–99), including a 1916 Cadillac, a 1952 Triumph Thunderbird motorbike, several Rolls-Royces and even a Porsche 911. Address: Al-Hussein National Park Post Code: Tel No:00 962 6541 1392 Quick Lunch - Wild Jordan Perched on a steep hillside, Wild Jordan is a fresh, contemporary styled eatery attached to the local nature conservation society. Stop in for salads, wraps, lean steaks and smoothies, and sensational city views. Address: 1st Circle Post Code: Tel No:00 962 6 463 3542 Top Table - Fakhr El-Din Book ahead at Fakhr El-Din to sample Jordan's finest Arabic cuisine served in the elegant surrounds of a beautiful 1920s villa. Address: 2nd Circle Post Code: Tel No:00 962 6 465 2399 Cheap Eat - Hashem Venture into the Downtown alleys to find Hashem, a fast-paced locals' diner churning out bowls of hummus, crispy falafel balls, and flatbread 24 hours a day. Address: Prince Muhammad St Post Code: Tel No:00 962 6 463 6440 On Business - Kempinski Hotel Well located in the Shmeisani business district, the Kempinski Hotel features fresh, modern design and superb facilities, including 11 day-lit meeting rooms. Book now Address: Abdul Hameed Shouman Street Post Code:11194 Tel No: Lap Of Luxury - Four Seasons Hotel Amman's swankiest hotel is the Four Seasons Hotel. Located in the smart 5th Circle, it is acclaimed as one of the finest in the region, with spacious guest rooms and every comfort you could wish for. Book now Address: Al Kindi St 5th Circle Post Code:11181 Tel No: Cheap Sleep - Al-Qasr Metropole Positioned atop a hill overlooking Shmeisani and West Amman, the Al-Qasr Metropole bills itself as a boutique four-star hotel. Some rooms have balconies, and the hotel's top-floor Vinaigrette jazz bar, is an Amman landmark. Book now Address: Shmeisani Al Droub Street Post Code:11110 Tel No: Coffee And Chat - Blue Fig The sleek, chic Blue Fig (00 962 6 592 8800) in Abdoun is just about the coolest place in town for coffee, light bites or a beer. Address: Abdoun Post Code: Tel No:00 962 6 592 8800 Formal Presentation - Le Royal Although any of Amman's big hotels can oblige with meeting rooms, Le Royal (Zahran St, 00 962 6 460 3000)- whose circular tower dominates the 3rd Circle - has some of the classiest in town. Address: Zahran St Post Code: Tel No:00 962 6 460 3000 Evening Drinks - Books@Cafe Stop in at the open-air terrace of quirky Books@Cafe (off Rainbow St) for beer or cocktails amidst an eclectic clientele of designers, artists and wannabes. Address: off Rainbow St Post Code: Tel No: General Etiquette General behaviour in Jordan follows Arab norms (see sections on Syria and Saudi Arabia). Be prepared for great politeness and hospitality and be aware that by accepting gracefully you are showing honour to your host. Jordanians like to pay compliments so feel free to reciprocate. Treat the opposite gender with respect but not familiarity. A man meeting a woman for the first time should wait for her to extend her hand in greeting. Don't talk too loudly or use expansive gestures, which may be considered uncultured. You may politely refuse invitations twice before accepting the third time. In conversation, avoid touchy political subjects (especially local ones) and definitely derogatory humour or sarcasm. If invited for a meal, accept. Sit down with those of your own gender. Follow the lead of your host in eating with cutlery or hands, and always use the right hand. If passed food from someone else's hand, take it as this is an important gesture of acceptance. Leave a little food on your plate when you've finished eating. This is a sign that your host has provided adequately for you. Address: Post Code: Tel No: Business Etiquette It's best to dress formally and conservatively for business in Jordan, in suit and tie or equivalent. Women should aim to abide by normal Arab standards of modesty so avoid low necklines or dresses that come above the knees. Don't be led astray by locals who dress less formally. Conservative attire is still respected. You should always aim to be on time for meetings, while being prepared for the fact that your counterpart may well be late. It's not advisable to arrive early. Never take offence if meetings are cancelled, postponed, interrupted or include other people. This is normal. Offices in Jordan have open doors, literally and proverbially. Business cards with colour, graphics or photos will impress as will those with your details translated into Arabic. Titles are important in Jordan. Use yours if you have one and if your counterpart is Professor, Doctor or Engineer, use this title in correspondence. When you get to know him better, try an Arabic title such as Yasidi, Ya'amo (for a different generation) or Ya'bek (for a police or army officer). Personal relationships are central to doing business. Always make an effort to get to know your counterpart socially before getting down to the deal. Address: Post Code: Tel No: General business information The working week is Sunday through Thursday, generally 9am to 7pm, with a two hour lunch break from 1 to 3pm. Some business people may also be available on Saturdays. During the month of Ramadan, there is no lunch break and work will end around 2 or 3 pm; this is not a good time to do business nor are the other Muslim holidays: Islamic New Year, Birth of the Prophet, Prophet's Ascension, Eid al-Adha (variable dates, following the Islamic lunar calendar). Other public holidays in Jordan are 1 January, 30 January (King's birthday), 25 May (Independence), 10 June (Army), 14 November (King Hussein Remembrance). Easter and Christmas are observed by Christian business establishments. International dialling code: +962 Address: Post Code: Tel No: Print City guides Amman Flights Book flights to Amman now Lowest fares Departure airport -please select- Aberdeen (Dyce) Belfast City Dublin East Midlands Edinburgh Glasgow Leeds Bradford London Heathrow Manchester Norwich
