Discover why Amman is an unexpected yet enchanting romantic getaway for couples. This ancient Middle Eastern city mixes history and culture with trendy cafes, luxury hotels, and adventure activities for unique date ideas. Use this guide to plan your intimate Jordanian vacation filled with sights and experiences to bring you closer.
Overview of Amman as an Unexpected Yet Bewitching Romantic Destination
Nestled in the hills of northwest Jordan lies an ancient city that perhaps isn’t the first place you’d think of for a romantic escape. Yet with its alluring blend of old and new, Amman has emerged as an under-the-radar destination for couples looking to create magical memories together away from the typical hot spots.
Beyond the remnants of civilizations long past, Amman thrums with modern cafes, galleries, and an exciting food scene. Spend the day immersed in Jordan’s rich cultural attractions before retiring to a cozy boutique hotel. Adventure awaits in nearby wadis and canyons, while the shores of the Dead Sea promise rejuvenating spa treatments with your loved one.
So if you’re longing to get away from it all with your special someone, read on to discover why this Middle Eastern gem should top your list for a bewitching romantic vacation.
Top Attractions and Activities for Couples
- Roman Amphitheater – Take a romantic stroll back in time while exploring this magnificently preserved 2000-year-old stone amphitheater in the heart of downtown Amman.
- Citadel and Temple of Hercules – Enjoy breathtaking views of the city while wandering the ruins of this medieval Islamic fortress perched high above Amman. Don’t miss the towering columns of the Roman Temple of Hercules.
- King Abdullah Mosque – Marvel at the beautiful Islamic architecture and intricate tilework of Jordan’s largest mosque. As the sun sets, make a wish at the hilltop wishing well.
- Café Culture – Sip Arabic coffee and mint tea while people watch from trendy cafes and shisha lounges. The Paris-style sidewalk cafes of Rainbow Street are perfect for couples.
- Day Trip to Jerash – Roam the ruins of an ancient Roman city with colonnaded streets, archways, and public squares. The Middle East’s largest and most well-preserved Roman site makes for a romantic getaway.
- Dead Sea – Pamper yourselves with massages, and mineral-rich mud masks, and float effortlessly together in the salty sea at one of the beachside resorts and spas.
Get swept away by Amman’s striking landmarks, stimulating cultural experiences, and ample opportunities for adventure and relaxation for two. The city’s mixture of old and new creates the perfect backdrop for making magical memories with your significant other.
Romantic Landmarks and Views
Take in sweeping city vistas and sunsets with your sweetheart against the backdrop of Amman’s ancient ruins and architectural marvels that provide a romantic ambiance.
Citadel and Roman Theatre
Meander hand-in-hand through the Citadel, an imposing historic hilltop fortification situated on one of Amman’s seven hills. On clear days, climb to the highest point of the Citadel for panoramic 360-degree views over downtown Amman and gaze out at the magnificently preserved columns of the ancient Roman Theatre as the pink and purple hues of dusk fall upon the old amphitheater.
- Take memorable couple photos with the Roman Theatre in the background at sunset
- Wander the Citadel’s maze of stone walls and pathways while learning about Jordan’s ancient history
- Stop at one of the Citadel’s cafes or restaurants for a romantic meal while admiring the views
Downtown and Old City Sights
Lose yourselves for hours exploring the winding cobblestone streets and hidden gems of old Amman. Stop to people-watch from quaint cafes and sample street food favorites like falafel, hummus, and kunafa. Peruse the tiny stalls hawking aromatic spices, handmade souvenirs, and colorful textiles. And don’t miss bustling bazaars selling everything from gleaming gold jewelry and pottery to traditional clothing and antiques.
- Take a cooking class together to learn how to make famous Levantine dishes
- Shop for unique mementos and haggle with vendors in the local souqs
- Wander through the fruit and veggie markets and try fresh pomegranate juice
- See the intricate mosaic tilework and ornate carvings of Amman’s historical mosques and churches
Outdoor Activities for Couples
Immerse in the raw beauty of Jordan’s striking landscapes as you reconnect over heart-pumping adventures or quieter nature trail meanderings.
Day Trips to Nature Sights
Journey less than an hour outside Amman for desert oasis escapes and healing waters. Float effortlessly in the saline, mineral-rich Dead Sea, reputed for its therapeutic effects on skin. Nearby, channels of cascading water await at thermal and waterfall hot springs tucked amid lush gardens.
Or delve deeper into Jordan’s natural wonders with a day trip to Wadi Mujib, where you can embark on gentle creek-side hikes through the dramatic Siq Trail. More adventurous duos can canyon climb, rappel down waterfalls, and swim through rapids in this “Grand Canyon of Jordan.”
Adventure Experiences
Get your adrenaline pumping together with an array of outdoor adventures in Amman’s environs. Go camping under billions of stars in Wadi Rum’s otherworldly desert moonscape. Scramble over boulders and leap into crystalline pools while canyoning through narrow gorges near waterfalls. Or test your endurance ascending Jordan’s highest peak, Jebel Umm al Dami, for sweeping vistas.
Cultural Date Ideas
Immerse yourselves in Amman’s lively arts and food scene for intimate date nights experiencing Jordanian traditions.
Food Tasting Tour
Tantalize your taste buds on a progressive dinner sampling quintessential Jordanian bites. From falafel and smoky baba ghanoush to hummus awash in fruity olive oil, Jordan’s mezze culture makes for a movable feast. Then queue with locals for manakish, the Levantine breakfast flatbread topped with zesty za’atar herb mixture, tangy cheese, or spiced ground beef. Cap off your eating extravaganza with Turkish coffee or sweet mint tea as you lounge in Amman’s bustling cafe culture.
Local Cooking Class
Heat things up in the kitchen by mastering Middle Eastern fare side-by-side. Under the guidance of a skilled local chef, discover the secrets behind dishes like the national favorite, mansaf – tender lamb cooked in a yogurt sauce and served over rice with pine nuts. Other tasty regional specialties you may whip up include kubbeh, bulgur shell stuffed with spiced meat, and the iconic dip muhammara made of roasted red peppers, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses.
Unique Museums
Amman is a treasure trove of niche museums chronicling various dimensions of Jordanian culture and history. The Museum of Musical Heritage spotlights traditional regional instruments alongside live demonstrations playing the oud and rebab. At the Jordan Museum of Popular Traditions, gain insight into customs like weddings and traditional costumes against scenes of Amman life from 1840 to 1950 through life-sized wax figures and recreated dwellings.
Romantic Dining
After an activity-packed day, relax into nights glowing with intimacy as you immerse in relaxed dinners and Amman’s cafe culture.
Trendy Modern Restaurants
Savor European-inspired dishes with Jordanian accents amid chic, contemporary settings. Highlights include French-Argentinian fusion and mouthwatering kinds of pasta at an Italian eatery, Trattoria, studded with unique decor elements like retro singer portraits and brass instruments. Or soak up distant city views through massive windows as you dig into grills and steaks at Montana Grill, fusing Brazilian and Tex-Mex flavors.
Traditional Jordanian Food
For local flavor, Ali Baba boasts some of Amman’s most delectable platters of mansaf, Jordan’s beloved national dish of slow-cooked lamb steeped in fermented dried yogurt and served over rice and pine nuts. Or sample an array of hot and cold mezze dips like smoky baba ghanoush made from charred eggplants and muhammara, a walnut and red pepper spread, at authentic Shawerma Reem, an Amman institution.
Cafes and Tea Houses
Unwind over coffee, fruit juices, and sweet chess pies known as Sfouf at Amman’s eclectic cafes. Or sip tea and smoke fruit-flavored shisha water pipes as you lounge amid plush floor cushions, ornate backdrops, and traditional decor at old city tea houses like Jafra and Jabri, ideal for intimate tete-a-tetes.
Luxury Hotels and Accommodation
After action-packed days, retreat into the intimate embrace of Amman’s world-class hotels and hideaways.
Boutique Hotels
Experience Amman’s distinctive personality through artsy, designer digs reflecting Jordanian aesthetics and hospitality. Discover The House Boutique Suites’ unique take on Arabian architecture with intricately carved woodwork, stained glass, and mosaic tiling coupled with luxe amenities like a pool, Turkish baths, and views of the Citadel ruins. Or escape downtown’s hustle without sacrificing convenience at the suave Chaibed Boutique Hotel, whose sleek interiors infuse local touches with luxe soaking tubs and sublime skyline vistas.
Desert Glamping
Sleep serenely swathed under twinkling desert skies. At exclusive Wadi Rum Night Luxotel camping, spacious permanent tents promise a nomadic ambiance heightened with plush king beds, heating, and en-suite lavatories. Special packages provide the ultimate glamping finale – a candlelit last night terminating in fireworks.
Bed and Breakfasts
Immerse yourselves in authentic hospitality and Old Amman charm by lodging at one of the city’s numerous cozy B&Bs. Often situated in adapted traditional homes, guest houses like Seven Roses offer a handful of rooms embellished with Arabesque decor, private terraces, and courtyard dining exceeding hotel opulence at a fraction of the price. Or stay steeped in family atmosphere and home cooking at Dar Al-Yasmin in the heart of Amman’s old financial district.
Itineraries and Travel Tips
Maximize precious getaway moments together in Amman with ideas for 3-5 day couple itineraries.
3 Day Romantic Amman and Nature Highlights
- Day 1: Explore downtown sights. Visit the Citadel and Roman Theatre for sunset views over the city.
- Day 2: Float together in the Dead Sea then soak in hot springs. Evening food tasting tour sampling Jordanian bites and cafe culture.
- Day 3: Day trip hiking and waterfall swimming through Mujib Nature Reserve’s dramatic canyons. Celebratory glamping finale under the stars in the Wadi Rum desert.
5 Day Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum Couples Grand Tour
In addition to the above:
- Day 4: Take a day trip to the UNESCO site Petra to wander the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city carved dramatically into pink sandstone cliffs. Return to Amman by nightfall.
- Day 5: 4×4 Jeep excursion exploring the otherworldly scenery of Wadi Rum desert moonscape. Farewell dinner at Argentinian fusion restaurant tasting chimichurri lamb chops.
Getting Around: It’s easy to maneuver Amman via ride shares, taxis, or Uber. For day trips, hotels can arrange tours and drivers. Jordan is very safe; violent crime is extremely rare.
Packing Lists:
Dress modestly entering mosques; women should cover their shoulders and knees. Ask before snapping photos of people. Taste local Kanafeh cheese-based dessert and sip sage-spiced tea with fresh spearmint. Shopping favorites: handwoven carpets, argyle pottery, olive oil soap, artisan jewelry.
With its timeless history intermixing with modern attractions and hospitality, Amman makes for an atmospheric escape sure to bring you and your partner closer to its ancient wonders and contemporary delights. This bewitching Middle Eastern jewel enthralls you with enough sights, sounds, and experiences to fill your intimate Jordanian getaway with magical shared memories to last a lifetime.
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