Million Steps City – Why Amman is the City of Stairs

Amman is a city made of hills, valleys, and stairs, so walking around is basically a free workout. The secret to getting around faster? Stairways. Today, there are many stairways in the city, with almost a million steps—yes, a million!

The first modern stairway popped up in 1870, when the Circassians arrived. Back then, it was just mud, but it got a proper makeover in the 1920s. It has 250 steps, so don’t skip leg day before trying it! Most of the other stairways were built in the 1930s, connecting streets at different heights, making climbing around the city way easier.

Here are some stairways you have to see:

1. Cairo Amman Bank Stairway, Arar Street – right in the heart of the city.

2. The Rainbow Stairs, Al Ashrafyeh – colorful and perfect for selfies.

3. The Umbrella Stairs (Prince Muhammad Stairway), Downtown – umbrellas overhead make the climb magical.

4. Restaurant Stairway, Downtown – climb up and reward yourself with coffee or lunch.

5. Arar Stairway, Al-Weibdeh – historic vibes, great for exploring neighborhoods.

6. Umar ibn al-Khattab Stairway, Jabal Amman – steep and thrilling

7. Al-Kalha Stairway, Al-Weibdeh to Downtown – murals, shops, and local charm everywhere.

8. Mango Market, Downtown – Leading to a market of Fabrics and Clothing

Some people use them as shortcuts, some as running tracks, and some just to get a killer view of Amman. Whatever your reason, climbing these stairs is like seeing the city from every angle.

So next time you’re going on a walk in Amman, put on comfy shoes, pick a stairway, and start exploring.

Image Credits: Amman Guide – Amman Journal

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