One of the top things to do in Jordan for anyone visiting Amman is to visit Jebel al-Qala and the Amman Citadel. With its archaeological history and its panoramic views of Amman, there is no wonder why it is popular. It also offers a view down to the Amman Roman Theatre, which you can easily visit as well.
Amman Citadel Things to See
- Hercules Temple
- Amman Citadel Hand of Hercules
- Amman Citadel Museum
- Ummayad Palace
- Byzantine Church
- Jordan Archaeological Museum
Amman Citadel Accessibility
Those with mobility issues can explore some of the Amman Citadel, although the path on the site is uphill most of the way. On arrival, there is a nice view of the site and a gravel path all the way to the top. For visitors who have mobility issues, there is a coffee shop and benches beside the entrance. In order to get into the Ummayad palace, there are steps, the Byzantine church has flat access to the cistern. The Museum has over a dozen steps up to get into it.
Amman Citadel Tour
If you are on a guided tour, your guide will accompany you inside the site. Otherwise, there are certified local guides inside the site. For 30 JD per group (USD42), they will give you an overview of the site and a tour of the grounds. The tour is about one hour. I would suggest you tip up to USD10 (for your group) if you are happy with the service of this guide.
Amman Citadel Hours
The Amman Citadel is open from 8am to 6:30pm in the summer months to early fall (June to October), 8am to 4pm in the winter months (November to March), 8am to 5:30pm in the Spring (April and May) and 7am to 4pm during the Holy month of Ramadan
How to Visit the Amman Citadel
The Amman Citadel is located in downtown Amman atop Jebel Al-Qala. You can walk up the hill or there are steps across the street from the Roman Theatre that will take you to the top, drive your rental car and park in the Amman Citadel parking lot, or take a taxi. If you do take a taxi, ask them to take you to Jebel Al-Qala as that is what the site is known to locals as. They do not call it the Citadel.
The cost to visit is JD2 (USD3) per person and is included in the Jordan Pass.
Expect to spend an hour at the site, longer if you like to take your time or are planning on taking a lot of photos. Depending on where you want to take photos, the morning is good for certain angles and late afternoon is better for others. The photo below was around 9am in October.
Amman Citadel Photoshoot
The Amman Citadel is the perfect place to book a photoshoot! Read how to book a local Amman photographer to capture your memories in Jordan! If you are already convinced, click here to search for availability!
More Jordan Travel Resources
In order to help make your visit to Jordan as memorable as possible, I have created a number of resources from planning guides to local eats. For your time in Amman, check out top things to do in Amman and where to eat.
If you have just begun the planning on your Jordan visit, check out 101 Things to do in Jordan to give you some inspiration on the places you want to make sure you have time to see. The Amman Citadel and the sites on Jebel Al-Qala all made this list!
Rental Cars are very popular in Jordan, get a quote on renting a car before you arrive.
If you are thinking of booking a tour, or wondering how much hassle a self-drive itinerary can be, check out this post I have on the best Jordan tours to book.
