Amman is Jordan's dynamic capital city, a fascinating blend of ancient history and modern urban life set across a dramatic hillside landscape. The city is home to Roman ruins, vibrant souks, world-class restaurants, and a thriving arts scene, making it one of the Middle East's most compelling destinations.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Madaba-style Mosaics
Handcrafted ceramic tiles featuring Byzantine mosaic patterns inspired by Madaba's famous mosaic maps — authentic Jordanian decorative art
Price: JOD 5–50
Where: Downtown souk, Kan Zaman Village, Jordan Museum gift shop
Bedouin Silver Jewelry
Traditional Bedouin silver necklaces, bracelets, and rings with geometric patterns — both antique and contemporary pieces available
Price: JOD 10–150
Where: Downtown souk jewelry stalls, Kan Zaman Village, Cozmo Mall shops
Palestinian Embroidery (Tatreez)
Brightly colored traditional embroidery on cloth, cushion covers, bags, and garments — a living art form practiced across Jordan
Price: JOD 5–80
Where: Downtown market, Jordan River Foundation shops, Wild Jordan Center
Jordanian Olive Oil
Premium extra-virgin olive oil from Jordan's ancient olive groves — excellent quality and an authentic Levantine product
Price: JOD 5–20
Where: Carrefour Mall, Safeway, downtown produce market
Za'atar Spice Mix
Jordan's essential herb blend — dried thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt — indispensable in Levantine cooking and a great edible souvenir
Price: JOD 1–5
Where: Hashemi Spice Alley downtown, grocery stores throughout Amman
Dead Sea Minerals Skincare
Natural mud masks, sea salt scrubs, and mineral creams made from authentic Dead Sea minerals — one of Jordan's most popular souvenirs
Price: JOD 5–30
Where: Jordan River Foundation, Ahava at Queen Alia Airport, mall pharmacies
Wadi Rum Sand Bottles
Decorative glass bottles filled with layered, naturally colored Wadi Rum desert sand arranged in intricate patterns — a uniquely Jordanian craft
Price: JOD 3–15
Where: Downtown souk, airport duty-free, Kan Zaman Village
Hebron Glass
Vibrantly colored blown glass from the ancient Palestinian tradition — vases, bowls, and decorative pieces in jewel-toned colors
Price: JOD 5–40
Where: Downtown artisan shops, Jordan Museum gift shop
Olive Wood Carvings
Handcrafted items from Jordan's olive trees — bowls, crosses, Nativity sets, and decorative pieces with beautiful grain patterns
Price: JOD 5–50
Where: Christian Quarter shops near churches, Madaba road markets
Arabic Coffee and Cardamom
Whole green coffee beans for Arabic qahwa or pre-ground mixes with cardamom — the essential Jordanian hospitality beverage
Price: JOD 3–10
Where: Hashemi Spice Alley, downtown coffee vendors, specialty grocers
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Downtown Amman Souks (Balad)
The historic heart of Amman's commercial life — a labyrinth of specialist souks for everything from gold and spices to secondhand goods and live chickens. Authentically Jordanian and endlessly fascinating.
Where: King Faisal Street and surrounding alleys, Downtown Amman
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily; closed Friday mornings
Friday Flea Market (Souk Al-Jum'a)
Amman's beloved weekly flea market selling everything from antique Jordanian household items and vintage clothing to collectibles and curious oddities — treasure-hunting at its best
Where: Downtown Amman, near the Roman Theatre
Hours: Friday mornings only, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Rainbow Street Friday Market
A charming weekly market on Amman's most popular street featuring organic produce, artisan food products, handmade crafts, and vintage goods sold by local artisans and farmers
Where: Rainbow Street, 1st Circle, Jabal Amman
Hours: Friday mornings, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Kan Zaman Artisan Village Market
A beautifully restored 19th-century caravanserai housing permanent artisan workshops and market stalls selling high-quality traditional Jordanian crafts, Jordan River Foundation products, and regional specialties
Where: Naur, 12km south of downtown Amman
Hours: 10:00 AM – midnight daily
Hashemi Spice Alley
A narrow alley perfumed with the scent of dozens of spice varieties — za'atar, sumac, dried herbs, exotic spices, dried rose petals, and medicinal herbs sold by traditional merchants
Where: Near the Husseini Mosque, Downtown Amman
Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; closed Friday mornings
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Rainbow Street & 1st Circle
Amman's trendiest shopping strip — independent boutiques selling local fashion, jewelry, and design items alongside cafes and galleries
Best for: Local designers, one-of-a-kind pieces, artisan products
Sweifieh
West Amman's primary commercial district with international fashion brands, electronics, and the Baraka Mall and Lulu Mall complexes
Best for: International brands, electronics, modern shopping
Abdali Boulevard
Amman's sleek new downtown strip combining restaurants, cinemas, and international retail in a modern pedestrian-friendly environment
Best for: International chains, casual dining, entertainment
Downtown Souk (Balad)
The historic commercial heart of Amman with everything from gold souks and spice merchants to fabric sellers and hardware stores
Best for: Authentic Jordanian products, bargains, cultural experience
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Mecca Mall
Amman's largest shopping mall in the Tlaa Al-Ali area — over 300 stores including international and regional brands, a Carrefour hypermarket, food court, and multiplex cinema
Hours: 10:00 AM – midnight
City Mall
Popular family mall in Dabouq with a wide range of international brands, restaurants, Carrefour, and extensive entertainment options including a children's play area
Hours: 10:00 AM – midnight
Abdali Mall
Upscale mall integrated into the Abdali Boulevard development with premium brands, fine dining restaurants, and a multiplex cinema
Hours: 10:00 AM – midnight
Cozmo Mall (Mecca Street)
Mid-size mall popular with locals for its mix of everyday shopping, grocery options, cafes, and accessible price points
Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Taj Mall
Upscale mall in Tlaa Al-Ali featuring luxury brands, fine dining, and an exclusive premium shopping experience for Amman's affluent residents
Hours: 10:00 AM – midnight
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected in traditional souks and markets — the asking price is rarely the final price
Start by offering 40–50% of the original price and negotiate from there
Walk away if the price doesn't suit you — vendors often call you back with a better offer
Cash is king in markets — having the exact amount in JOD speeds transactions and shows you're serious
Never bargain aggressively or rudely — the social exchange should remain pleasant
Fixed-price shops (chain stores, mall retailers) do not bargain — only negotiate in markets and independent shops
The Friday Flea Market is the best place for serious bargain hunting
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques over 100 years old cannot be exported from Jordan without a permit from the Department of Antiquities. Be wary of sellers claiming items are 'genuine antiquities' — most are modern reproductions.
Tax Refund: VAT refund (generally 16%) available at Queen Alia Airport for purchases over JOD 50 from registered retailers — keep your tax invoices
Duty Free: Duty-free allowances on arrival: 1 liter alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars. Purchase alcohol at duty-free on arrival to avoid city shop prices.
Shipping: International shipping available at major post offices and through courier companies (FedEx, DHL, Aramex). Kan Zaman Village and the Jordan River Foundation shops can arrange shipping for larger craft purchases.