Jordan captivates travelers with its blend of ancient history, dramatic desert landscapes, and warm hospitality. From the rose-red city of Petra to the otherworldly wadis and the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, this Middle Eastern kingdom offers unforgettable experiences. Whether floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea, camping under stars in Wadi Rum, or exploring Roman ruins at Jerash, Jordan rewards visitors with authentic culture and timeless beauty.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Petra Mosaics
Hand-crafted stone mosaics depicting Petra's Treasury and desert landscapes, made by artisans using the same techniques as ancient Nabataeans. Each piece is unique and signed by the artist.
Price: $20-150
Where: Petra souks, Jordan Craft Center in Amman
Madaba Mosaic Tiles
Decorative ceramic tiles featuring traditional Byzantine mosaic patterns inspired by the famous 6th-century map in Madaba. Available as coasters, wall art, and table pieces.
Price: $10-60
Where: Madaba Old Town, souvenir shops on the King's Highway
Dead Sea Mineral Skincare
Salt scrubs, mud masks, and mineral creams harvested from the Dead Sea's hypersaline waters. Internationally recognized for therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.
Price: $15-80
Where: Dead Sea resort shops, Carrefour Amman, Lush Jordan
Jordanian Embroidered Cushion Covers
Traditional Palestinian and Jordanian cross-stitch embroidery on cotton fabric, featuring geometric patterns in red, black, and gold. Each design represents a specific village or region.
Price: $15-45
Where: Souq Jara (Friday market, Rainbow Street), Jordan River Foundation shops
Bedouin Silver Jewelry
Hand-crafted silver rings, bracelets, and necklaces with traditional Bedouin geometric engravings and semi-precious stones. Authentic pieces sold by Bedouin artisans in Wadi Rum and Petra.
Price: $20-200
Where: Wadi Rum village, Petra souks, Gold Souq downtown Amman
Jordanian Za'atar and Spice Mixes
Aromatic blends of dried thyme, sesame, sumac, and olive oil used in traditional Jordanian cooking. Available vacuum-packed for international travel.
Price: $5-15
Where: Friday Souq Jara, Sweifieh Village Mall, local spice markets in downtown Amman
Wadi Rum Sand Bottles
Decorative glass bottles filled with layered colored sand from Wadi Rum's desert, formed into miniature desert landscapes and Bedouin scenes by skilled craftsmen.
Price: $5-25
Where: Wadi Rum visitor center, tourist shops in Aqaba and Amman
Keffiyeh (Arab Headdress)
Traditional black-and-white checkered cotton headdress worn across the Arab world, available in authentic Jordanian style with red-and-white patterns used by Bedouin tribes.
Price: $8-25
Where: Downtown Amman markets, Petra souvenir stalls, Aqaba bazaar
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Souq Jara
Amman's beloved summer street market transforms Rainbow Street into a vibrant bazaar of local crafts, artisanal foods, handmade jewelry, and live music. The social heart of Amman's cultural scene and the best place for authentic Jordanian souvenirs.
Where: Paris Circle, Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman
Hours: Fri 10AM-10PM (June-September only)
Gold Souq Downtown Amman
Traditional gold market with dozens of jewelers selling 18-21 karat gold jewelry at prices based on weight. A fascinating glimpse into Amman's trading heritage with Bedouin silver pieces alongside modern designs.
Where: Al-Hashimi Street, Downtown Amman
Hours: 9AM-9PM Sat-Thu, 2PM-9PM Fri
Souq Al-Bukharia
Colorful downtown market selling spices, dried fruits, nuts, and traditional Jordanian pantry staples. The aromas of za'atar, sumac, and dried herbs fill the narrow alleys. An authentic market experience away from tourist crowds.
Where: Al-Malek Al-Hussein Street, Downtown Amman
Hours: 8AM-6PM Sat-Thu
Petra Visitor Center Souk
Collection of souvenir stalls surrounding the Petra entrance offering a wide variety of local crafts, Nabataean-style jewelry, and Dead Sea products. Convenient location but prices negotiable compared to Amman.
Where: Petra Visitor Center, Wadi Musa
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Aqaba Old Market
Compact waterfront bazaar in Aqaba's historic core selling dive gear, beach accessories, Bedouin jewelry, and local crafts. A relaxed atmosphere with traders from across the Red Sea region contributing a cosmopolitan flavor.
Where: Al-Reem Street, Aqaba Old Town
Hours: 9AM-10PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Rainbow Street & Jabal Amman
Amman's most charming shopping district lined with independent boutiques, vintage shops, and artisan studios in beautiful early 20th-century buildings. The weekend Souq Jara makes this the definitive place for authentic Jordanian souvenirs and contemporary local design.
Best for: Local crafts, art, independent fashion, unique gifts
Sweifieh Village Mall Area
Amman's most popular upscale retail district combines the pedestrianized Sweifieh Village outdoor mall with adjacent international brand stores. Popular with local families for fashion, cosmetics, and dining in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Best for: International fashion, cosmetics, dining, electronics
Downtown Amman Souqs
The labyrinthine streets of central Amman contain specialized markets for gold, spices, textiles, electronics, and everyday goods. Raw, authentic, and sometimes overwhelming but the best place for local prices and cultural immersion.
Best for: Gold, spices, textiles, local produce, bargaining experience
Mecca Street (Al-Madina)
Long commercial strip stretching through West Amman packed with electronics retailers, furniture showrooms, and hardware stores. Less interesting for tourists but useful for tech purchases and observing everyday Amman commercial life.
Best for: Electronics, home goods, car accessories
Aqaba Special Economic Zone
Jordan's Red Sea resort city offers duty-free shopping with significantly reduced prices on imported goods including electronics, cosmetics, alcohol, and luxury items. Take advantage of lower prices before returning to Amman.
Best for: Duty-free electronics, alcohol, cosmetics, imported goods
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
City Mall
Amman's largest and most popular mall with 350+ stores including all major international brands, a large food court, IMAX cinema, and indoor entertainment. Located in Shafa Badran, the mall attracts families from across the capital.
Hours: 10AM-11PM daily (Fri open until midnight)
Mecca Mall
Well-established mall in West Amman's Dahiyat Al-Rasheed district featuring over 250 stores, a supermarket, food court, and regular cultural events. Considered one of Jordan's premier retail destinations with a good mix of international and regional brands.
Hours: 10AM-11PM daily
Abdoun Mall
Upscale mall in the exclusive Abdoun district catering to Amman's wealthy residents with premium brands, a Waitrose supermarket, and fine dining restaurants. Smaller and more refined than City Mall with a discerning customer base.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Taj Mall
Modern mall in Amman's 4th Circle area with a good selection of mid-range and premium fashion brands, electronics stores, and a supermarket. Convenient central location makes it a popular choice for shoppers in the western suburbs.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected in souqs and smaller shops but not in malls or fixed-price stores
Start by offering 60-70% of the asking price, then work toward a middle ground
Walking away often results in the vendor calling you back with a lower price
Be respectful and friendly — aggressive bargaining is culturally inappropriate in Jordan
Bundle multiple items together to negotiate a better overall price
Cash is king for negotiations — offering to pay in cash often unlocks discounts
Learn basic Arabic numbers and 'bikam?' (how much?) to show cultural respect
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques and archaeological items cannot be exported — all ancient artifacts require official export permits. Items appearing genuinely old should be purchased only with proper documentation.
Tax Refund: Jordan has a tax-free shopping scheme for tourists with VAT refund available on purchases over 50 JOD at participating stores. Look for 'Tax Free' signs and request a refund form at purchase.
Duty Free: Travelers may bring in 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, and personal gifts up to reasonable value. Aqaba is a duty-free zone with lower prices on many goods.
Shipping: International shipping available through Jordan Post and private couriers like DHL and Aramex. Major hotels and craft shops can arrange shipping for larger purchases. Petra and Wadi Rum souvenirs can be safely shipped home.