Updated in September 2026, this Amman Citadel guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, transport, accessibility and what to see.
The Amman Citadel is an ancient hilltop site in Amman, Jordan, with ruins spanning the Bronze Age to the Umayyad period. The standard entrance fee has risen to 3 JOD, a change not yet reflected in some older guides that still quote 2 JOD.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Winter (Nov–Mar) 8:00 am–4:00 pm; summer (Jun–Oct) 8:00 am–6:30 pm; shorter hours in Ramadan |
| Ticket prices | 3 JOD for foreign visitors; included free with the Jordan Pass |
| Address | Al-Malek Ali Bin Al-Hussein Street, Jabal al-Qal’a, Amman |
| Nearest transport | Taxi or rideshare from downtown Amman (around 1–1.5 JOD); a steep 15–20 minute walk |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 2 hours |
Amman Citadel opening hours
The Citadel opens at 8:00 am year-round; closing time changes by season. In winter (November to March), it closes at 4:00 pm; from April to May, at around 5:30 pm; and in summer (June to October), at about 6:30 pm.
During the holy month of Ramadan, hours shorten to roughly 8:00 am–3:30 pm. Ticket sales generally end shortly before closing, so arrive with time to spare.
Amman Citadel ticket prices
Entry costs 3 JOD for non-Jordanian visitors, which also covers the on-site Jordan Archaeological Museum. Jordanian citizens pay a much lower resident rate.
The Citadel is included free of charge with the Jordan Pass, the government tourism card that also covers Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, Ajloun Castle, Karak Castle and Madaba, among more than 40 sites. For visitors planning to see several other Jordanian sites, the pass is generally worth the upfront cost, and it also waives the standard entry visa fee for stays of three nights or more.
Payment at the gate is generally accepted in Jordanian dinars; carrying small notes and coins is useful, since change for larger notes is not always readily available.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked against current Jordan Ministry of Tourism and Jordan Pass listings in September 2026; the standard fee has increased from an older 2 JOD to the current 3 JOD, so double-check if using an older guide.
How to get to Amman Citadel
The only vehicle access is via Al-Malek Ali Bin Al-Hussein Street. Most visitors arrive by taxi or rideshare (Uber or Careem), which costs roughly 1 to 1.5 JOD from downtown Amman, since the final approach is a steep climb unsuited to walking in the heat.
Walking from downtown Amman or the Roman Theatre takes about 15 to 20 minutes uphill. Many visitors instead walk downhill afterwards, using the steps on the Citadel’s eastern edge that lead to Hashemi Street, opposite the Roman Theatre.
From Queen Alia International Airport, a taxi to the Citadel takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Car rental is also available at the airport for visitors planning to explore further afield.
Parking at Amman Citadel
A car park is located beside the entrance on Museum Street, near Al-Malek Ali Bin Al-Hussein Street, for visitors arriving by private car or taxi. Space is limited, so allow extra time on busy weekend mornings or when tour buses are visiting.
How long to spend at Amman Citadel
Most visitors need 1 to 2 hours, including the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace and the Jordan Archaeological Museum. A quick visit covering the main highlights can be done in 45 to 60 minutes.
Accessibility at Amman Citadel
The site has no shade and uneven, rocky ground throughout, and is not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers due to the rough terrain. Sturdy, closed footwear and sun protection are strongly recommended for all visitors.
There are few facilities on site, and no cafés or extensive rest areas, so visitors with mobility or health concerns should plan a shorter visit and bring water rather than relying on finding shade or seating along the way.
Inside Amman Citadel: what to see
The Temple of Hercules, built around the 2nd century CE, is the Citadel’s most prominent Roman structure; its remaining columns and a large fragment of a statue’s hand and elbow are among the site’s most photographed features.
The Umayyad Palace complex dates from the 8th century and includes a domed audience hall with an unusual cruciform floor plan, one of the finest examples of early Islamic architecture in Jordan.
A Byzantine church, built from re-used Roman columns, stands nearby, reflecting the site’s continuous use across successive civilisations.
The Jordan Archaeological Museum, included in the entrance fee, displays artefacts found across Jordan, from prehistoric objects to items connected to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
From the hilltop, the Citadel gives panoramic views over downtown Amman, including the Roman Theatre below and the Grand Husseini Mosque in the distance.
The hill itself, known locally as Jabal al-Qal’a, has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age, making the Citadel one of the world’s oldest continuously occupied sites. Successive Ammonite, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad layers mean much of the hill’s history still lies unexcavated beneath the visible ruins.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strongest midday sun. |
| Crowds | Spring and autumn afternoons are popular for photography; early morning is usually quietest. |
| Layout | The site has little shade, so plan a route that avoids backtracking in the heat. |
| Entry process | Buy tickets at the office near the entrance, or scan a Jordan Pass QR code. |
| On-site logistics | Bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes; there are few facilities on site. |
Frequently asked questions about Amman Citadel
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Amman Citadel suitable for children? | Yes, though the uneven ground and lack of shade call for supervision and sun protection. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Amman Citadel? | No. Tickets are bought on arrival, or included with a pre-purchased Jordan Pass. |
| Is Amman Citadel open every day? | Yes, with shorter hours during Ramadan and seasonal changes to closing time. |
| Is the Amman Citadel wheelchair accessible? | No. The rocky, uneven terrain makes it unsuitable for wheelchairs or strollers. |
| Is the Amman Citadel included in the Jordan Pass? | Yes, along with Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum and dozens of other sites. |
| Can I hire a guide at the Amman Citadel? | Yes. Licensed guides are usually available near the ticket office for around 15 JOD per hour. |
Things to do near Amman Citadel
- Roman Theatre: a large 2nd-century amphitheatre, about 15–20 minutes downhill on foot.
- Nymphaeum: the ruins of a Roman public fountain complex in downtown Amman.
- Rainbow Street: a lively street of cafés, galleries and shops near the Citadel.
- King Abdullah I Mosque: a large mosque with a blue dome, a short taxi ride away.
- Downtown Al-Balad: historic souqs and Hashemite Plaza, near the Roman Theatre.
Alternative attractions
- Jerash: extensive Roman ruins, about 45 minutes to 1 hour north of Amman.
- Ajloun Castle: a 12th-century Islamic fortress, about 1 to 1.5 hours northwest.
- Madaba: Byzantine mosaic churches and an archaeological park, about 30–45 minutes south.
- Mount Nebo: a biblical hilltop site with early mosaics, about 45 minutes to 1 hour southwest.
- Umm Qais: Roman ruins overlooking the Sea of Galilee, about 1.5 to 2 hours north.
