Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a)

I come here early. Not just for the light, though that’s part of it-the ruins glow warm and golden just after sunrise. Mostly, I come early because I want the place to myself.

The Temple of Hercules stands against the sky, and from up here, the entire city spreads out below you. It’s quiet. You can hear your footsteps on ancient stones.

Rainbow Street

The name sells it short. Yes, there’s color-painted buildings, murals tucked into corners-but what I love is the energy.

• Students sipping coffee.
• Shop owners arranging displays.
• The way afternoon light cuts through the narrow streets.

Don’t just walk the main drag. The side alleys are where I find my best Instagram shots. A weathered blue door. Laundry hanging between buildings. Things that feel real. Wild Jordan Center has a terrace with city views, but honestly, I prefer shooting at street level where life happens.

King Abdullah I Mosque

That blue dome cuts through Amman’s beige skyline like nothing else. I’ve photographed it a dozen times and it still surprises me.

The courtyard fountain creates perfect reflections if you get low and patient. The mosaic work inside is intricate—worth the respectful dress code (cover shoulders and knees). Morning light is softer here. The place feels quieter, more contemplative.

The Roman Amphitheater

Massive. That’s the word that hits you when you see it carved into the hillside. I always climb to the top row—partly for the view, partly because that’s where you understand the scale.

From up there, downtown Amman unfolds in layers. The theater itself looks best with a wide lens, but I also love shooting details: the weathered stone, the way people look tiny against the ancient rows.

Al Balad (Downtown Amman)

This is my favorite. Not because it’s pretty in a postcard way—it’s not. It’s chaotic and loud and smells like spices and diesel. But it’s alive.

The souks are best mid-morning when vendors are setting up and the light filters through fabric awnings. I always ask before photographing people. Most smile and wave me on. Some of my favorite shots are of hands—arranging fruit, pouring tea, haggling over prices.

Come back at dusk. The whole place transforms under streetlights.

Darat al Funun

A complete tonal shift. This arts center sits in restored villas with gardens that overlook the city. It’s peaceful in a way that makes you slow down.

I check their exhibition schedule before visiting—sometimes there’s performance art or installations that add unexpected elements to photos. The gardens have hidden corners where old stone meets new plantings. The architecture itself is elegant without trying too hard.

Jordan Museum

Modern, clean lines. Good lighting. The Dead Sea Scrolls are here, but I’m equally drawn to the building itself—the way natural light plays through the space, the minimalist design that frames artifacts perfectly.

I shoot close-up here. Details. Textures. The museum’s lighting does half the work for you.

Jabal Amman

Old money meets art galleries. I get lost here on purpose—winding streets, Ottoman-era houses, cafes tucked into courtyards you’d never find if you were following a map.

The neighborhood has a quiet charm. I shoot architecture here, the way afternoon shadows fall across cream-colored stone, cats sleeping on sun-warmed steps. Let yourself wander. The best frames aren’t planned.

Wakalat Street

This is evening territory. The street wakes up after dark—shopfronts lit up, people out walking, energy in the air.

I like the contrasts here. Modern storefronts against old city backdrop. The blur of movement against static architecture. It’s very now, very urban Amman.

Royal Automobile Museum

For car people, this is heaven. King Hussein’s collection spans decades-gleaming chrome, vintage curves, rare models you won’t see anywhere else.

I focus on reflections. The polished surfaces create mirror images and abstract compositions. Headlights, hood ornaments, dashboard details-shoot close and creative.