Jordan Tourist Areas Explained: What You’ll Find in Each Location
Jordan tourist areas explained: cities, attractions, shops, SIM card locations and essential services with Google Maps for easy travel planning.
TRAVEL GUIDESJORDAN
Jordan Tourist Areas Guide: Cities, Attractions & Useful Places
Choosing the right area to stay in Jordan can make your trip much easier — especially in Amman, a city spread across many hills and districts.
Based on the most common questions we receive from travelers, this guide explains the main areas where tourists usually stay, what you’ll find in each area, and the pros and cons of each location.
Before arriving to Jordan, make sure to check our essentials to pack for Jordan list, especially if you plan to visit the desert, beaches, and hiking areas.
Location:
West Amman — the first major area after the airport road and main southern highway.
7th Circle & Sweifieh Area:
What you’ll find here:
SIM card shops (Orange, Zain, Umniah).
Currency exchange offices.
ATMs and banks.
Big supermarkets.
Shopping malls.
A lot of Cafés and restaurants.
Car rental offices.
JETT Bus Station.
Nearby attractions (by car):
Rainbow Street (10–15 minutes).
Abdali Boulevard (10 minutes).
Downtown Amman and Citadel (15–20 minutes).
Jordan Museum (15 minutes).
AlHussein Public Parks (10 minutes).
Pros:
Easy taxi access. (Uber and Careem).
Good and easy parking compared to Downtown.
One of the widest food selections in Amman.
Walkable within 7th Circle and Sweifieh area.
Fast and easy connection to airport road and southern highway (25 minutes to the airport).
Cons:
Heavy traffic during rush hours (Not as heavy as Downtown).
If you’re planning to explore northern Jordan, don’t miss our Ajloun travel guide, covering the castle, forests, and hiking areas.
Our Recommendations:
Sim card shops: (inside the supermarket)
Zain, Umniah, Orange.
Currency exchange shop:
Alawneh Exchange Swaifyeh.
Supermarket and atms: (24/7)
Safeway.
Shopping mall:
Galleria mall.
Tours bus company:
Jett Bus.
Downtown Amman (Al-Balad):
Location:
East Amman — the historic city center.
What you’ll find here:
SIM card shops.
Currency exchange offices.
ATMs.
Cheap local restaurants.
Local markets and shops.
Souvenir shops.
Tourist attractions.
Museums.
Nearby attractions (walking distance):
Downtown souks (markets).
Jordan museum (5 minutes by car).
Pros:
All major attractions within walking distance.
Traditional and historic restaurants.
Authentic local atmosphere.
Art and cultural center of the city.
The real old-city vibe of Jordan.
Cons:
Very busy area.
Noisy until late at night (past midnight).
Very difficult to find parking and most of hotels has no available parking.
Far from highway that leads south (45 - 60 minutes to catch the highway).
Our Recommendations:
Currency exchange shop:
Abu Sheikha Exchange.
Tours bus company:
Jett Bus.
Paid car parking (2 jod/open time):
Car parking.
Madaba:
Location:
Approximately 45 minutes south of Amman.
20 minutes from Queen Alia airport (best for tourists skipping Amman).
What you’ll find here:
Tourist attractions.
Hotels and guesthouses.
Restaurants and cafés.
Supermarkets.
ATMs.
Currency exchange offices.
Souvenir shops.
Nearby attractions (walking distance):
Mount Nebo (10 minutes by car).
Pros:
Much quieter than Amman.
Relaxed small-city atmosphere.
Closest tourist city to the airport.
Very close to the Dead Sea.
Direct access to the southern highway.
Cons:
Far from Amman city center.
Limited shopping options.
Fewer restaurants compared to Amman.
Quiet city with small population (less vibrant city life).
Aqaba:
Location:
Southern Jordan — on the Red Sea, around 4 hours south of Amman.
What you’ll find here:
Tourist attractions.
Public and private beaches.
Boat trips and water activities.
Restaurants and cafés.
SIM card shops.
ATMs and banks.
Currency exchange offices.
Souvenir shops.
Duty-free shops.
Nearby attractions:
Japanese Garden (snorkeling spot).
Glass-bottom boat tours.
Red Sea coral reefs.
Pros:
Only coastal city in Jordan.
International airport.
Warm weather all year.
Excellent snorkeling and diving.
Relaxed atmosphere.
Walking distance to most attractions.
1 hour drive to Wadi Rum.
2 hours drive only to Petra.
Duty-free zone (lower prices on many items).
No visa fee when landing in Aqaba airport.
Cons:
Very hot in summer months (can reach 47 degrees in summer).
Can be crowded during weekends and holidays.
Aqaba airport has less connections than Amman airport.
Aqaba is also the main gateway to Jordan’s desert landscapes.
If you’re heading inland, our Wadi Rum travel guide explains everything you need to know before visiting the desert.
Our Recommendations:
Currency exchange shop:
Abu Sheikha exchange.
Restaurants:
Fokhara Restaurant By Lacosta.
Khubza & Seneya.
Nafeeseh sweets.
7 Spices Indian Restaurant.
Al Mohandes Cafeteria.
Many travelers continue their journey from Aqaba toward Petra — check our detailed Petra travel guide before going.
Expected prices for services and shops:
Sim cards: (Last updated January 2026)
Zain: 14 jod (22 Gb).
Umniah: 10 jod (35 Gb).
Orange: 10 jod (30 Gb, best coverage).
Currency exchange shops:
1 USD = 0.7080 JOD.
1 EUR = 0.8280 JOD.
Food:
Falafel sandwich: 0.50 - 1 jod.
Hummus and falafel breakfast: 3 - 6 jod.
Shawerma sandwich: 0.75 - 1 jod.
Shawerma meal: 2.5 - 3.5 jod.
Mansaf: 7 - 10 jod.
BBQ mix plate (250 g): 4 - 7 jod.
Local plates (rice with vegetables and meat or chicken): 3 -6 jod.
Beef burger (with fries and drink): 3 - 8 jod.
Vegetarian dishes: 2 - 4 jod.
Salad Bowl: 1 - 3 jod.
Drinks:
Coffee house tea: 1 - 2 jod
Coffee house coffee: 2 - 4 jod.
Fresh sugar cane juice: 0.50 jod.
Fresh fruit juice: 1 - 3 jod.
Sweets:
Kunafah (125 g): 0.90 jod.
Baklawa: 0.75 jod.
Ma'mool (dates cookie): 1 - 2 jod
Asaabe' zam: 8 jod/kg.
Pistachio sweets: 5 - 10 jod/kg.
Dates (Medjool): 2.5 - 5 jod/kg.
Bakery:
Flat bread: 0.25 jod/kg
Bun bread: 0.40 jod/kg
Manageesh: 0.50 - 1 jod/piece.
Mo'ajanat (pastries): 0.25 - 0.50 jod/piece.
Street snacks and drinks (Seasonal):
Street tea: 0.50 jod.
Street coffee: 0.75 jod.
corn (by piece): 0.50 - 1 jod
Chestnuts: 1 jod/ around 8 pieces.
Broad beans: 0.50 - 1 jod/small bag.
Green chickpeas: 0.50 - 1 jod/small bag.
Traveling in Jordan can be very affordable with proper planning — our Jordan budget tips guide breaks down daily costs, food prices, and transport expenses.
Feel free to contact us to help you organize your trip to Jordan and have unforgettable memories!
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