How to enjoy Rainbow Street in Amman, Jordan in 2024.
I finished ‘the World’s best Shawarma’ and headed out onto the colourful Rainbow Street in Amman and witnessed lively coffee shops and restaurants with many locals smoking sheesha.
My first taste of the Middle East!
Rainbow Street was a bright introduction into an otherwise dull City in Amman.
This blog will show you my experience of Rainbow Street and recommend the best things to do during your time in the most ‘touristy’ street in Amman.
After reading this Rainbow Street tourist guide you will be all set to enjoy the vibrant side of Amman in the fullest sense.
The famous shot in Rainbow Street.
What is Rainbow Street?
When I booked my 4 day Jordan trip, the main attraction was to visit Petra and Wadi Rum, so more of a historical landmark/natural beauty sort of trip.
The ancient past of Petra and other famous landmarks across Jordan was the biggest lure to the great nation.
I did not expect to be around a vibrant nightlife scene, but then I walked down Rainbow Street!
Offering a complete contrast from the rest of the city, Rainbow Street, which is also known as Abu Bakr Al Siddiq Street has helped transform the tourism levels through a modern twist.
My first experience of Rainbow Street was when our taxi driver drove us through it at evening time on our way to our hotel. The flashing lights and really loud Arabic style dance music attacked my senses.
Not the Middle East vibe I had heard about from friends.
The famous ‘tourist’ street is a hub of activity amongst the hills of the city.
You will find quirky art galleries, endearing boutiques, along with some restaurants and coffee shops with an authentic charm.
Which I found to be delightful in my first time in the region.
The famous Al Quds - One of the many Arabic choices for food in Rainbow Street.
How to get to Rainbow Street?
Rainbow Street is located in the Jebel district which is very close to downtown, and some of Amman’s top sites, such as the historical Roman Theatre & ancient Citadel.
The street runs east from the First Circle to Mango Street.
Local taxi drivers all know where Rainbow Street is, so this is a good option if you get lost.
Remember to always agree on a price before you enter a taxi.
We nearly got stung by a taxi driver in Amman!
Rainbow Street signpost in Amman.
Rainbow Street map.
The famous street decor in Rainbow Street.
Things to do in Rainbow Street.
Although Amman didn’t have the abundance of entertainment options that some other countries have that I have visited, Rainbow Street did keep me entertained for a day or two.
Here are the main things I did during my trip:
Enjoy an Arabian coffee in an authentic cafe.
Sample some sheesha while watching the world go by.
Grab some quirky souvenirs.
Try a Falafel from the world famous Al Quds.
Enjoy the local delicacies.
Have a wander along the vibrant street.
Chilling in a traditional Jordanian coffee shop.
My personal experience.
Enjoying an Arabian style coffee.
One of my favourite things to do when I first arrive in a new country is to sample the local tea and coffee. There is an abundance of options in Rainbow Street, with local waiters battling for your custom outside of the different establishments day and night.
We opted to try Samra Cafe as our first option as its Arabic style decorations looked authentic and there was a cool space upstairs with great views of the street. The Middle Eastern style patterned walls were unique and offered a great visual which matched the cafe’s relaxed ambiance.
You can grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Samra Cafe, however, we just enjoyed a cappuccino while we got our bearings together in the street.
My first impressions of Jordanian coffee were that it was really strong - much stronger than the UK!
It definitely set us up for a long day enjoying Amman’s sites though.
Traditional Arabic decor inside the Samra Cafe coffee shop.
People watching with a Nutella milkshake.
Most of the coffee shops and restaurants offer outdoor seating which is nice in the evening when the heat has reduced a bit. We found a cool spot just opposite Al Quds which offered a large variety of frappes and milkshakes. This was perfect to cool us down as we observed the way of the local people in the street.
I recommend the Nutella frappe with coffee.
It was a really nice option for a dessert after you have sampled some of the beautiful cuisine.
A Nutella Milkshake in Rainbow Street.
Buying a personalised souvenir from an art shop.
We found there to be a large variety of art themed shops and souvenir stalls throughout Amman.
Rainbow Street is home to some pretty cool shops, and we found the perfect souvenir.
We purchased a card with an arty design on and our names wrot ein Arabic. This was a nice touch and a keepsake for our time in Rainbow Street.
It was also very cheap!
You will come across many quirky finds if you explore the art scene in the city.
I had my name written in Arabic as a keepsake.
A morning walk exploring the vibes of the street.
One thing is for sure, I did not get bored wandering around Rainbow Street and its colourful vicinity - I got some great Insta shots!
The bright vibe in the area modernises the city in a quirky way.
It is weird seeing old beige buildings towering up on each other on the hills of Amman, as a backdrop for the wall of colour which strikes you as soon as you step onto the famous street.
An early morning walk was my way of getting some exercise and sunshine in before the midday temperatures arrived.
Colourful steps leading up to Rainbow Street.
Enjoying the local delicacies.
One cultural aspect of Jordan which has stuck in my memory is the nation’s love of sweet delicacies and nuts. I noticed an array of 'such shops throughout Rainbow Street and other parts of the country.
I tried some sweet nuts which were different to anything I had tried in the United Kingdom. They were the perfect snack while we travelled between Amman and Wadi Musa along the Kings Highway.
Jordan is full of ‘nuts’ shops.
Rainbow Street Art.
Rainbow Street is home to an abundance of the city’s colourful murals and street art. I saw some quirky art painted onto steps, the walkway and even some fences. Many buildings along Rainbow Street have some form of graffiti or colourful twist to them.
The modern art culture is also growing beyond Rainbow Street as I noticed little pockets of the city displaying similar decorations, but on a smaller scale.
Some interesting street art in Rainbow Street.
When is the best time to visit Rainbow Street.
Make no mistake, Rainbow Street is busy most of the time!
If you want the full experience then heading down to the entertainment street at evening time on a weekend (Islamic weekend is Friday & Saturday) is the bets option.
You will find many tourists and locals hanging out and smoking sheesha, and listening to loud music during these times.
For a quieter experience, a lunchtime mooch is recommended.
You will still feel the vibe of the street, but it won’t be as intense.
We found a June visit to Amman meant less crowds then we expected.
An ice cream off the bus was so refreshing in the heat.
The Embassy at the end of Rainbow Street.
Rainbow Street Amman restaurants.
Here are my personal recommendations for high quality Rainbow Street restaurants:
Falafel is a very popular dish in the Middle Eastern Region and Al Quds has satisfied customers since 1966. This makes the hole-in-the-wall option a great place to grab a fresh snack for as little as 1 JOD. This was our first taste of Jordan and we walked with our falafel sandwiches while we enjoyed the evening atmosphere of the street.
It is also a nice experience to watch the street food be prepared in front of you!
It only takes a couple of minutes.
Another fast option, and another local dish.
I fell in love with the shawarmas from this fast food restaurant. They offered a meal deal with fries and a drink for a very reasonable cost.
It is more of a snack than a full meal though, however, I would pop in and try the beef option if you are passing by.
It is to die for!
The delightful shewerma Saj restaurant.
We chose Mijana restaurant as an option for one of our main evening meals as it offered a nice garden area to sit and dine in. It was also full of locals, which is always a great sign for a restaurant.
I tried the national dish of Jordan - a lamb mansaf, which consists of lamb, rice, bread and some local yoghurt.
I found the portion sizes to be incredible, however, the dish wasn’t my favourite from my Jordan trip. It needed some more sauce in my opinion.
The vibes of the facility were nice though, and we tried a blueberry sheesha for dessert. When in Rome!
This is a more expensive dining option but the ambiance and service match the cost, so it is well worth it.
There are many local dishes to choose from also. The waiters were also very helpful explaining the different dishes to us.
You will find Mijana down the road with the famous umbrellas street decorations on.
Trying Lamb Mansaf in Mijana Restaurant.
Crispy Chicken is a nice option if you don’t enjoy the local cuisine, or just a lover of American style fast food. We didn’t try the food here, but the menu looked reasonable and it was an immaculately clean restaurant.
Definitely a good option for visitors spending a longer duration in the area.
You will fin Crispy Chicken just down the road from the main spots of Rainbow Street - towards the elaborately decorated blue Embassy building.
A Crispy Chicken in Rainbow Street
Another option which offers fast food.
You will find chicken, shawarma’s and other local dishes on the Al Siran restaurant menu.
Another local restaurant.
The best hotels near Rainbow Street.
As Rainbow Street is very central in the Jordanian capital, it is close to some excellent accommodation options.
Here are some hoteles near Rainbow Street in Amman which you should consider:
Nomads Hotel is an option which ticks every box for budget travellers who want to be close to some nightlife and entertainment. The hotel is less than five minutes from Rainbow Street by foot. We found the comfortable hotel to have a high vibe, from the smiles on the faces of the staff every time we entered the place, to the relaxation area, and rooftop chill out zone. There are reasonably priced private rooms, or for even cheaper, you can grab a bed in a shared dorm.
I would personally recommend this option as it made our short time in Amman easier to navigate due to its central location. This is ideal in the baking heat which we experienced during our time in Amman.
Booking in advance is recommended as it is a popular choice for international visitors.
Nomads Hotel was an awesome place to stay.
City views from Nomads rooftop terrace.
Luxurious Option.
The House Boutique Suites is located 500m from Rainbow Street and offers awesome city views. The experience of staying in the very spacious hotel is enhanced by the impressive facilities, including a swimming pool and fitness centre. You can also book an airport shuttle in advance to make your trip run smoother.
Mid-Range Option.
Hotel Philosophy is a clean modern space throughout, adding some comfort to your time in the Jordanian capital. Air conditioning in all areas of the hotel offers an escape from the Amman heat in the summer. This option is walking distance from Rainbow Street, the Citadel, and the Roman Theatre.
Budget Option.
Cliff Hostel is a reasonably rate option for budget travellers, very close to Rainbow Street. The friendly hosts are very welcoming and can be very helpful when it comes to organising day trips to the famous spots in Jordan.
This is very good value for money in a city which can quickly become expensive, especially if you spend a lot of time around Rainbow Street.
More colourful Decor Rainbow Street.
Can’t decide between Jordan and Egypt for your next adventure?
If like I did, you are struggling to decide which one of Egypt and Jordan to visit first, then have a browse of my comparison blog which discusses the many historical highlights in both countries, along with cost, vibe and each destination as an authentic travel experience.
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