Things to see and do in Madaba

Madaba is a small city just 34 kilometres from Amman, but it has a collection of mosaics and monuments that attract many tourists. It’s undeniable that this city has blended different civilisations and religions over the centuries, making every corner of the city multicultural in its appeal to travellers. It has so many places of interest that it is sometimes difficult to choose what to see in Madaba.

Don’t miss our post explaining all the must-see sights in Madaba, plus top tips on what to eat and even where to stay. Read us carefully and all you’ll have to worry about is wearing comfortable shoes and enjoying the adventure. Walking the streets of Madaba will be an unforgettable experience, and you’ll be amazed by the magic that this Jordanian city exudes.

What are the best places to see in Madaba?

1. St. George’s Church

St George’s Church is one of the world’s most important monuments to see in Madaba. Specifically, this 19th-century Orthodox church houses a very famous ancient mosaic, created in the year 560, no less. More than two million tesserae were used to create this precious mosaic! Its historical significance lies in the fact that it is the oldest cartographic representation of Jerusalem, Palestine and the entire Holy Land. What are you waiting for?

It is also very well preserved, having only been discovered in 1884. It is worth noting that the entrance fee is only 1 Jordanian dinar and is not included in the Jordan Pass. Also note that on Fridays and Sundays masses are held at St George’s Church, and therefore you are not allowed to view the mosaic until they are over.

2. The Church of St. John the Beheaded

The Church of St. John the Decapitated was built in the 20th century but inside, under its foundations, is hidden a real artistic gem: the catacombs of an ancient city that is more than 3000 years old! These catacombs are one of the must-see stops in Madaba. The entire lower part of the Church of St. John the Decapitated is very well equipped for tourists, as it is a kind of museum where you can also see other ancient objects and religious elements. Both the façade and the interior are very beautiful, so take the opportunity to take a lot of photos outside the church.

When you’re inside, you can also access the bell tower via a rather narrow staircase. From there, the views of Madaba are breathtaking. The entrance fee is 1 Jordanian dinar.

3. The Archaeological Park of Madaba

This incredible museum is free with the Jordan Pass. It’s also an easily accessible visit when you’re visiting Madaba, as it’s very close to St George’s Church. At the Madaba Archaeological Park there are many mosaics on display on the walls of the entire complex. Most of them are in very good condition and are authentic works of art that have been discovered over the years in the area. In this museum you’ll find, for example, the mosaics from the Byzantine church of the Virgin Mary, which date back to the 8th century AD and are quite a sight to see.

4. The Church of the Apostles

The Church of the Apostles houses some of the most beautiful mosaics you will see in Madaba and indeed in the whole country of Jordan. They are very well preserved despite the fact that they were created in 578 AD as they were discovered only recently, in 1902. The central medallion is particularly noteworthy, although all the surrounding elements are beautiful – there is everything from geometric shapes to mythical figures. From geometric shapes to mythological figures, plants and animals, what are you waiting for to visit the Church of the Apostles?

5. King Hussein’s Mosque

The King Hussein Mosque is the most important mosque you will see in Madaba and also a very representative architectural landmark of the city. Entry to the interior is permitted, although we remind you that it is very important to be respectful at all times as it is a religious temple. If you intend to spend the night in Madaba, take the opportunity to see how beautiful the mosque and its minarets are lit up at night while strolling around.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to visit around Madaba?

1. Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo is located very close to Madaba, between Madaba and the Dead Sea. It’s a 7-minute drive away, so it’s very easy to get there by car. From a completely objective point of view, this mountain offers amazing views of the Jordan Valley from the top (which is about 700m above sea level). It is a place of great significance to believers because, according to the Bible, this is where Moses saw the Promised Land. In addition, it is said that Moses was buried in the same way on Mount Nebo, although there is no evidence for this.

As a key site to see in Madaba, a huge church was built here during the Byzantine period, of which only superb Byzantine mosaics remain. There is also a small museum where the history of this area is explained very well. We recommend you take the opportunity to visit it all. The entrance fee is two Jordanian dinars.

2. Bethany

Bethany is also a very relevant place for believers because Jesus is supposed to have been baptised here. Entrance to Bethany costs 8 dinars in addition to the Jordan Pass. There is usually a guided tour in a mini-bus that takes you to the famous site where Jesus was baptised. There are also the remains of ancient Byzantine Orthodox churches in Bethany, although they are very poorly preserved, in fact you’ll only see the foundations. Nearby is the Jordan Creek, which has changing rooms in case you fancy a dip in the river. It’s quite common to see people doing rituals and celebrations.

What to do in Madaba in a day?

If you only have one day to see Madaba, we recommend:

• The Church of St. John the Beheaded
• St George’s Church
• King Hussein’s Mosque
• Approaching Mount Nebo

Where and what to eat in Madaba?

When you go to see Madaba, you’ll find that one of the best things about Jordan is its cuisine. In general in all Middle Eastern countries, the first thing you’ll be served is the mezze, which consists of various cold appetizers. Among these we recommend you try chickpea hummus or falafel. Also, while in Jordan you should try the Baba Ghanous (aubergine hummus), the Tabbouleh, or the Kibbe. We recommend the following restaurants in Madaba:

• Carob House: This restaurant specialises in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food and offers original and superbly cooked dishes. In addition, most of them are made with local products. Carob House is in the heart of Madaba, try it! The average price per diner is from €9 to €46.
• Aswar Madaba Restaurant: The service and quality at Aswar Madaba Restaurant is top-notch. We recommend ordering hot hummus or masaf, although everything is delicious. The average price per diner is €14 to €18.
• Adonis Restaurant: Middle Eastern food at a great price, plus vegetarian and vegan options! This beautiful restaurant is mainly built of stone and all the wooden tables make the interior have a very warm atmosphere. The average price per diner is between €14 and €20.

Where to sleep in Madaba?

• Tell Madaba Hotel: This is a very nice and cosy place to stay, as it is actually a house where the owner and his family live. It has spacious, fully equipped rooms and a full bathroom The average price per night for a double room is 52 euros.
• Mosaic City Hotel: This hotel allows you to walk everywhere when you go to see Madaba. The rooms are spacious and very clean. The breakfast is delicious and the service is very friendly. The average price per night for a double room is 78 euros.
• Queen Ayola Hotel: This hotel is fairly inexpensive for its location. Guest rooms include air-conditioning, huge beds and mosquito nets. You’ll be very comfortable. The average price per night for a double room is 22 euros.

Tips for your trip to Madaba

• The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian dinar and the current exchange rate is 1 Jordanian dinar=1.26 euros. We recommend that you use your credit card to pay and withdraw cash from ATMs when you arrive in Jordan.
• The best time to see Madaba is in spring (between March and May) and autumn (September to November). These are the times of year with the most pleasant temperatures in Jordan and there will be virtually no risk of rain. So you can enjoy the best weather in Madaba.
• A visa is required to enter Jordan in addition to your passport. This visa is issued on arrival in Jordan and costs 40 Jordanian dinars. It is valid for 30 days with a single entry.
• We recommend that you get your Jordan Pass to get around Gerasa and the country in general.
• You could hire a car in Madaba to get around the country easily. The Spanish driving license is valid for driving in Jordan. Jordan is also a very safe country that you can easily visit on your own.
• Buy travel insurance because health care in Jordan is private and you’ll have a lot more peace of mind.
• Although there are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Jordan (Yellow Fever for passengers from endemic countries), we recommend that you visit the vaccination centre just in case.

How to organise what things to do on your trip to Madaba?

You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the options suggested by the Passporter website. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and what to do in Jordan. Thanks to Passporter you can sort your selection in order of preference and organise your routes around this beautiful country.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your trip before you leave home, don’t worry, Passporter can help. In our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter, we explain step by step how to create your ideal trip so that you don’t miss anything and get the most out of your stay.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Madaba