The Royal Automobile Museum of Amman (in English, Royal Automobile of Amman) is an essential visit for car enthusiasts traveling to the capital of Jordan. If this is your case and you have time to dedicate a morning or afternoon, the information we present here will be of great use to you.
What is the Royal Automobile Museum of Amman and why was it created?
The Royal Automobile Museum of Amman is the best reflection of the passion for cars of the one who built the collection: King Hussein. This Hashemite monarch, who had access to the most luxurious and safest vehicles in the world, personally acquired various models until assembling a large collection, which not only includes classic cars but also motorcycles. Some were used directly by him, while others were acquisitions of earlier models that, due to their beauty and/or history, captivated the king.
Therefore, the models that are part of the museum range from the 1920s to the present, with models that seem like relics and others with a distinctly futuristic style. In this way, the collection also helps to understand the evolution of the sector, and more specifically the luxury car segment. Some of the models date back to the time of King Abdullah I, founder of the Hashemite kingdom, so it is also an interesting way to learn about the country’s history through its most exclusive cars. And it was King Abdullah II who decided to show such a valuable collection to the general public, inaugurating the museum in 2003, also adding his own vehicles and those used with Queen Rania.
In total, there are about 70 vehicles on display in a large pavilion, where all these models are lined up, which facilitates the tour between them. In addition, to give context to the vehicles, large background photographs are arranged, as well as videos and other audiovisual resources.
Which are the best cars in the museum
It is difficult to make a selection of vehicles from the museum, as their importance and uniqueness also depend on subjective factors. But surely the ones we list below will be among the most striking for any visitor, distributed between its two main halls (Main Hall and Classic and Sport Hall):
- Lincoln Capri: used by King Hussein during his stay in England (1952) and also during the coronation ceremony (1953)
- Mercedes Benz 300SL (1955), which the monarch used in sports races. Known as Gullwing, it is an unmistakable model for its two gull-wing doors
- The Rover model used expressly for the movie The Martian (in Spanish, Marte), which was mainly filmed in the Wadi Rum desert for its Martian landscapes
- Mercedes model used in the movie The Rise of Skywalker, also filmed in the Wadi Rum desert
- Among its dozens of motorcycles, the Rokon Ranger stands out, which draws attention for its robust wheels for desert driving
In addition, there are plenty of current sports models from iconic brands such as Ferrari, Porsche or Bugatti, which will connect with the tastes of many visitors. Other models, on the other hand, were used during presidential visits by the monarch or were loaned to representatives of other Middle Eastern monarchies or even Hollywood stars who visited the country.
Information about the museum
- Address: King Hussein Park (north of the 8th circle)
- Hours: Wednesday to Monday, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays)
- Price: 3 JOD for Jordanian citizens and 5 JOD for foreigners. Both rates include an audio guide
In any case, we recommend confirming this information before your visit, as both the price and opening hours may change over time.
