Amman Cooking Class & Market Experience
- Half Day · 3 hours
- Private or small-group tour
- Pickup offered
- 1–8 guests
- Mobile ticket
- English, Arabic
Overview
Easy to moderate — short walks on mostly even ground
2–4 km at the main site
See the itinerary for driving distances and times.
Highlights
- Shop a lively Amman market with a local cook
- Learn to prepare mansaf, maqluba and fresh mezze
- Hands-on instruction in a family kitchen
- Sit down to enjoy the meal you prepared
- Take home the recipes to recreate Jordanian dishes
What to expect
A walkable introduction to Jordan’s capital. You will explore the Amman Citadel and its Temple of Hercules overlooking the old downtown, then descend to the 6,000-seat Roman Theatre cut into the hillside. The downtown souks are busy, fragrant and full of life — falafel, hummus, fresh juice and Arabic coffee among them. Expect some hills and stairs, comfortable shoes and modest dress at cultural stops. The pace is relaxed and the route is flexible on a private tour.
What’s Included
Included
- Market visit with a local cook
- All cooking ingredients
- Hands-on cooking class
- The meal you prepare
- Recipe cards to take home
Not included
- Entrance fees not included — we recommend the Jordan Pass (jordanpass.jo)
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup (optional add-on)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Amman. Meet your driver at reception — your exact time is confirmed the day before.
Pickup time
Confirmed the day before — most day trips start between 07:00 and 09:00.
Drop-off
Return drop-off at your original pickup point (or another agreed location).
Special instructions
Tell us your hotel or accommodation name and address when booking. For airport or port pickup, share your arrival details.
Pickup areas
- Amman hotels & residences
- Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
- Madaba
- Dead Sea resorts
- Aqaba (on request)
Meals
Breakfast is included on multi-day tours. Lunches and dinners are not included unless stated in "What’s included".
Itinerary
The order is flexible, and you choose your preferred start time when booking.
10:00
Meet at the market
Browse a lively Amman market and pick fresh ingredients with your host.
11:00
Cooking class
Learn to prepare mansaf, maqluba and mezze hands-on in a family kitchen.
12:30
Share the meal
Sit down together to enjoy the dishes you prepared and take home the recipes.
Additional Info
Confirmation is received at the time of booking. A current passport or photo ID is required on the day of travel. Itineraries are flexible on private tours — tell us your interests and pace and we will adjust.
Confirmation
You will receive a booking confirmation by email immediately after payment. Final meeting-point details and pickup time are confirmed the day before your tour.
Mobile ticket
Mobile ticket accepted — show your confirmation on your phone.
Accessibility & physical requirements
Accessibility
Most day-trip sites involve some walking on uneven ground and gentle inclines. Tell us about any mobility considerations when you book and we will adjust the pace and route.
Physical requirements
Light to moderate — some walking on uneven ground at sites. Suitable for most travelers in reasonable health.
Seasonal considerations
Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions. Summer afternoons are hot across Jordan — start early. Winter is quiet and clear but cold in the desert and highlands.
Important notes
Jordan is a safe, welcoming destination. Dress modestly at religious and cultural sites (shoulders and knees covered). Carry cash (JOD) for small purchases and gratuities. Every tour group entering Jordan at the Arava / Wadi Araba (Eilat–Aqaba) border must be accompanied by a licensed Jordanian guide. If you are arriving at this border, we add a guiding fee of USD 175 per tour day for your whole group (not per person). Example: a 2-day tour adds USD 350.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Light layers for the season
- Cash (JOD) for small purchases & gratuities
- Passport or ID
Frequently asked questions
What will I cook?
You learn to prepare mansaf, maqluba and fresh mezze hands-on in a family kitchen, then sit down to enjoy the meal.
Is the food included?
Yes, all cooking ingredients and the meal you prepare are included, plus recipe cards to take home.
Where does the experience start?
You meet your host at a lively Amman market. Hotel pickup is available as an optional add-on.
How long is the class?
It is a half-day of about three hours, including the market visit and cooking.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, it is a hands-on experience for 1–8 guests and works well for families.
What is the Jordan Pass, and is it required?
The Jordan Pass is an official package from the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities that bundles a tourist-visa fee waiver with entrance tickets to around 40 of Jordan’s leading sites. It is entirely optional — you do not need it to travel with us, and you are welcome to pay each entrance fee individually at the gate instead. You buy it online before you arrive, show it at each site entrance, and it also waives the tourist visa fee when you stay at least three nights in Jordan.
When is the Jordan Pass worthwhile, and what entrance fees does it cover?
The Pass covers entrance to Petra (one, two or three days depending on the tier), Jerash, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea resorts, Mount Nebo, Madaba, Kerak, Ajloun, Bethany Beyond the Jordan and many more sites. For most travelers it pays for itself with a single Petra visit plus the visa waiver, so any additional site is effectively free — making it the best value if you are visiting Petra and at least one other major site, or staying two or more nights. If your tour already includes entrance fees (check “What’s included”), you may not need the Pass at all. We are happy to recommend the right tier for your itinerary — just ask.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before your tour start time. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the tour, or no-shows, are non-refundable. Exceptions apply only where agreed in writing by email from Jordan by Locals. Refunds (where applicable) are returned to your original payment method.
If you paid a 25% deposit, it is non-refundable within 48 hours of the tour. Exceptions apply only where agreed in writing by email from Jordan by Locals.
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