Stay…
Budget
Jordan Guest House: For a more personal stay, head to this small spot run by Belgian couple Jean Jacques and Brigitte, who can’t seem to do enough for their guests. Expect home cooking and plenty of insider travel advice.
www.jordanguesthouse.com
Luxury
Four Seasons Hotel: Many of Amman’s hotels have fallen into disrepair, and though structurally sound, look thoroughly unloved. Here, everything from the gleaming carpets to comfortable beds are cared for by the discreet staff, and the spa is perfect for resting your bones after sightseeing.
www.fourseasons.com/amman
Eat…
Budget
Hashem: One of the city’s most famous budget eateries, this restaurant serves up a short menu of typical Jordanian fare for just a few dinars.
Al-Amir Mohammed Street, Downtown Amman.
Expensive
Al Mukhtar: Serving traditional Arabic and Lebanese fare, this relatively upmarket licensed restaurant in Le Meridien Amman boasts a mean, authentic mixed grill and is great for groups.
Le Meridien Amman, Queen Noor Street, Shmeisani.
Must see…
The Citadel (Jabal al-Qal’a). Bearing testimony to the diversity of the city’s many settlers over the last 4,000 years, this area houses ruins from both early Roman and Islamic periods, though fragments of pottery from as far back as the Neolithic period have also been found here.
Must do…
Take a trip out to the Dead Sea. There’s plenty of fun to be had in testing out your buoyancy in this salt-water lake, almost nine times saltier than the sea, it contains minerals many believe can improve health. O-Beach resort offers a day package for 25 Jordanian dinars which includes a three course lunch.
www.obeach.net
Flight time
Two hours, 15 minutes.
Getting there
Etihad flies for around Dhs 1,105 return.
www.etihadairways.com
Exchange rate*
Dhs 1 = 0.19 JOD
* Approx exchange rate
Time Out recommends
A trip to Wadi Rum. Head off the beaten track and book yourself onto a trek to this wadi, a surreally tranquil area with some incredible views. By doing the trip on foot, you’ll explore places most 4×4 tourist wagons hurtle past. If you decide to camp overnight, be sure to take some entertainment as there’s little to amuse you once the walk is over.
www.wadirumadventures.com
