Private Street Food and Walking Tour Amman Downtown

Walk the souqs and taste five dishes at the places locals eat

A private five-hour walking tour of Amman's Downtown and Rainbow Street with a local English-speaking guide, starting from your hotel. You visit the Citadel and Roman Theatre, walk through the souqs tasting falafel, hummus, ful, shawarma and kanafeh at named restaurants, sip cardamom coffee on a balcony overlooking the market, and end at Reem, Jordan's oldest shawarma vendor. Hotel pickup and all food and entrance fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Downtown Amman45m
2. Rainbow Street1h

Explore Amman Downtown and Taste Food

• Pickup from hotel in Amman
• Visit the Citadel and Archaeological Museum
• Walk or drive to the Roman Theatre
• Visit Folklore Museum (optional)
• Walk through Souqs and spice shops
• Eat at Hashem Restaurant
• Try Kanafeh at Habibah Sweets
• Drink cardamom coffee at traditional café
• Drive to Jabal Amman and explore Rainbow Street
• Short transfer to Reem for shawarma sandwich
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel at either 8:30 am or noon. Your driver takes you to Downtown Amman, locally called Al Balad, where a local guide meets you at the Citadel: a hilltop site layered with ruins from the Assyrians, Romans and Umayyads. You walk past the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church and the Umayyad Palace, then descend to the Roman Theatre, a 2nd-century amphitheatre with 6,000 seats. The Folklore Museum sits at ground level if you want to see costumes and jewellery, though it's optional.

From the theatre you enter the souqs: the narrow streets where the real eating happens. Your guide points out spice shops selling red sumak and za'atar as you pass street vendors and tiny shops selling traditional clothes, fabrics and gold. You stop for freshly squeezed cane juice and dates, then arrive at Hashem Restaurant, a legendary spot where you eat crispy falafel with hummus, ful and fatet hummus, followed by tea with fresh mint. Next is Habibah Sweets for kanafeh, a cheese and nut dessert you eat sitting in the patio like a local. A neighbouring traditional café comes after, where you drink cardamom coffee on a balcony watching the souq below.

The driver then takes you to Jabal Amman and Rainbow Street, a shift in pace: cobblestone streets, small shops and cafes in old villas instead of the market rush. You walk freely here and can peek inside the Soap House or the Jordan River Foundation if you want. A cold or hot local drink fits here depending on the season. The final stop is Reem at the second circle, where you eat a shawarma sandwich from Jordan's oldest shawarma vendor. The family's marinade recipe is what sets it apart. Your driver returns you to your hotel from there.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• a local English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees to the Citadel and Roman Theatre.
• falafel, hummus, ful, fatet hummus, shawarma and kanafeh.
• tea with fresh mint, cane juice, cardamom coffee and water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Friday6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Is this one for you?Five hours leaves room for another activity or meal elsewhere in your day, though the tour ends with a full stomach. The fixed schedule (departing at 8:30 am or noon) means you can plan the rest of your morning or afternoon around whichever slot you choose.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What exactly do I eat on this tour?

You taste falafel, hummus, ful and fatet hummus at Hashem Restaurant; kanafeh, a cheese and nut dessert, at Habibah Sweets; and a shawarma sandwich at Reem. Drinks include tea with fresh mint, freshly squeezed cane juice, cardamom coffee and water.

Can I choose the morning or afternoon departure?

The tour departs at either 8:30 am or noon, and you pick which one when you book. It runs every weekday except during Ramadan.

What is the Citadel in Amman?

The Citadel is a hilltop archaeological site in Downtown Amman with remains from multiple civilizations: the Assyrians, Romans and Umayyads. You see the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church and the Umayyad Palace during the visit.

Do I have to walk the whole time?

Most of the tour involves walking through Downtown and the souqs, but your driver can transfer you from the Roman Theatre to the souqs if you prefer not to walk downhill. The Rainbow Street section is a leisurely walk with stops at shops and cafes.

Is the Roman Theatre entrance included?

Yes, entrance fees for both the Citadel and Roman Theatre are included in the tour price.