Amman · Sports & events

Jordan's two biggest clubs both play in Amman and their meeting is the fixture of the season, staged at the largest available ground. It carries real social weight and is heavily policed; buy through official channels, go early, and expect bag searches and segregated approaches to the stadium.

Basketball is the country's clear second sport and the league is run from Amman, with games at the city's indoor halls through the autumn and winter. Tickets are cheap and rarely sold out, and the federation's site carries the fixture list and venues.

Run Jordan's April race, run at the lowest point on earth about an hour from the city, with a full marathon, a relay, a half, a 10km and children's races from age six. Entry is online through Run Jordan; most participants base themselves in Amman and travel down for the morning.

Amman's main sports campus in the north of the city — stadium, athletics track, pools and courts — used for national fixtures and open for ordinary training and swimming. It is the practical answer if you want to run or swim in Amman rather than watch, because the road hills make street running punishing.

Jordan's long-distance walking route runs the length of the country from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba on the Red Sea, and does not pass through the capital — but Amman is where most walkers arrange guides, transport and resupply before heading out. The route is unmarked and the organisation recommends a local guide.