Amman

Is Amman safe to visit?

For most visitors, yes. Street crime is low, violent crime against foreigners is rare, and Jordan recorded 0.99 homicides per 100,000Homicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary people in 2023. In Gallup's 2025 survey, 77% of Jordanians said they feel safe walking alone at night, more than in Israel (71%).

The catch is the neighbourhood. Since the US-Iran war began in late February 2026, Iranian missiles and drones have crossed Jordan or been aimed at it, and interception debris has fallen in Amman. Terrorism is a long-standing risk, and the US State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel to Jordan. We score Amman 74, a little above Jordan as a whole and well above Cairo (60), with medium confidence while the war continues.

Missiles and debris over Amman

Jordan says it is not a party to the war, but Iranian missiles fired at Israel cross its skies, and some have targeted Jordan itself. In the first week alone, the army said it intercepted 108 of 119 Iranian missiles and drones aimed at the country, and police counted 207 incidents of falling objects with 14 people injured, all of them, police said, because people went near the debris. By late March the count had reached 414 incidents and 24 injured, all of whom recovered, The Media Line reported. On 20 March a missile fragment fell in the Wadi Saqra area of central Amman.

What to do:

• If sirens sound, stay indoors and away from windows until the all-clear.
• Never approach or touch fragments; call 911 to report them.
• Keep away from military and security sites, which the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says may be targets or see falling debris.
• Expect airspace closures and leave slack in your flight plans.

Terrorism and unrest

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says Iran-aligned militia groups have claimed attacks in Jordan and that terrorists are likely to try to attack hotels, malls, restaurants, tourist sites and border crossings. The deadliest recent attack came on 23 October 2026, when gunmen opened fire at St George's Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hammoud, in Karak governorate south of Amman. At least nine people were killed and 34 injured, ABC News reported, and King Abdullah called it a terrorist act.

The US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary, reissued on 23 October 2026 at Level 3, tells Americans not to travel to Rusayfah city or the Baqa'a neighbourhood of Ayn Basha, both just outside Amman, and warns of heightened risk in Zarqa City. None of these is on a visitor's usual route. Protests happen in Amman, and crowds can be dangerous: one person died and eight were injured at a World Cup screening downtown on 23 June 2026, according to the FCDO.

Crime, taxis and harassment

Theft is the crime visitors meet, and it is not common. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns of pickpocketing, bag-snatching and theft from cars, and of aggressive begging in places popular with foreigners, so keep your phone and wallet out of sight downtown and at the main sights.

Taxis are where most problems start. The FCDO's advice to women is specific: do not ride in the front seat, ask your hotel for a reliable driver, and use Uber or Careem, which it calls safer than yellow taxis. Never accept a lift from a stranger. Dress modestly away from hotels, out of respect for local customs.

Traffic and air

Amman's roads are the risk most likely to hurt you. Police counted 510 road deaths in Jordan in 2025, down 6.1% on 2024, but WHO's estimate of 13.7 per 100,000 for 2023 is about three times the official rate, which suggests many deaths are not recorded. Amman had 40.7% of all the country's crashes in 2025, and accidents involving pedestrians made up 37.5% of the total. In 2024 a pedestrian was hit somewhere in Jordan every two hours, the police report found. Cross at lights where you can.

The air is poor. The WHO database gives an annual fine-particle (PM2.5PM2.5Tiny airborne particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. They reach deep into the lungs and are the air pollutant most linked to early death.More in the glossary) average of about 29 µg/m³ for 2021, from monitors that ran for only a small part of the year, which is more than five times the WHO guideline. Healthcare in Amman is good, and the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says serious cases from elsewhere in Jordan are best treated in Amman or Aqaba.

Day trips to Petra and the Dead Sea

Petra lies west of the Desert Highway, outside the US warning zone for Ma'an governorate, and is open. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary notes fatal crashes on the Desert Highway, so travel by day with a reputable driver or tour. Inside the park, leave before closing time: the FCDO says visitors found there out of hours risk arrest, and some have been locked in overnight. Ask at the tourist office before agreeing to extra charges.

From November to March, flash floods can tear through wadis after rain far away, and heavy snow can block the roads around Petra. Check the forecast and skip wadi walks for a day after heavy rain.

How we scored it

Violent crime (83) and theft and scams (78) are Amman's strongest factors; on crime alone violent crime would be in the 90s, but we deduct for missile debris and terrorism. Traffic safety (60) is the weakest: we score it between the police count, which alone would put Amman in the 70s, and WHO's estimate, which would put it below 50. Health and environment (63) reflects polluted air despite good hospitals, and walking at night (76) follows our method outside Europe: Canada's advice to women sets the band and Jordan's Gallup share of 77% sets the place in it.