The Duke’s Diwan is a time capsule of early 20th-century Amman, hidden in plain sight on the busy King Faisal Street. Built in 1924 as the city’s first post office, this Ottoman-era stone house later became the Haifa Hotel before heritage activist Mamdouh Bisharat ("The Duke of Mukheibeh") rescued it from demolition in 2001. Today, its creaking wooden floors lead through rooms frozen in Jordan’s past, complete with antique typewriters, sepia photos of camel caravans on dusty roads, and a balcony overlooking downtown’s metamorphosis. More than a museum, it’s a living diwan (gathering space): poets hold readings at the carved oak table, while artists riff under the Arabian archways. Admission is free, and the duke himself sometimes holds court, spinning tales of old Amman over cardamom coffee. Don’t miss the upstairs gallery, where rotating exhibits spotlight Jordan’s underground creatives.

King Faisal Street is one of the main thoroughfares of Amman. On this palm-fringed strip, gold dealers from the Gold Souq weigh bracelets under neon lights, while juice vendors press pomegranates nearby and old men play backgammon at pavement cafés. The street’s charm lies in its contrasts: the 1924 post office (now The Duke’s Diwan) overlooks a row of buzzing local businesses, and the call to prayer from Al Hussein Mosque competes with taxi horns. At night, the air thickens with the scent of sizzling lamb from decades-old shawarma stands, and crowds gather at Habibah Sweets for knafeh so fresh it crackles.

The City Zoo (the oldest zoo in the country, dating back over 150 years) is home to more than 1,100 different animal species including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. You will find it in its picturesque location next to the harbour.

The Medina’s traditional hammams offer an authentic glimpse into Tunisian daily rhythms. Look for the distinctive green-and-red striped doorways marking these bathhouses. Remember to bring swimwear and slippers. Entry costs just a few dinars, with massages and other spa treatments available for a small extra fee.