Under $100: Amman

Amman, Jordan, is a great home base for exploring the wider Middle East. Amman itself is a growing city, slowly transforming into a bustling metropolis. That means you’ll have plenty to do, but it’s a hassle to get around due to a narrow and confusing city grid. You’ll need to get taxis or rent a car, which often come with a free driver that makes it easier in a city where driving laws are more or less up to local custom.

Start your day in Old Amman’s downtown area called Balad, where you can visit the souks and pick up some souvenirs like olive wood carvings, Dead Sea cosmetics and traditional scarves called keffiyehs. Coffee is also a nationwide specialty, so stop by one of the many cafes on Rainbow Street for a mid-day pick-me-up.

Ruins from the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad empires sit at the top of Jebel al-Qala, Amman’s tallest hill where you can find a group of structures called the Citadel. The area contains the Temple of Hercules, the Byzantine Church, the Ummayad Palace and the National Archeological Museum. If you’re a history buff who wants to stay inside, check out the Jordan Folklore Museum and the Museum of Popular Traditions.

For dinner, stick with the local favorite, shwarma. There will be places all over the city for this, but one stand in particular is called the best, Shawermat Reem at the 2^nd Circle. Before heading out for the night, stop at a hookah café for a drink and a smoke. Al-Mawardi is a local favorite, known for having coffee and backgammon.