Location: Madaba
Top Things to do in Madaba
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do in Madaba, Madaba Governorate
Madaba (Arabic: مادبا; Biblical Hebrew: מֵידְבָא Meidvah) is the capital city of Madaba Governorate in central Jordan, with a population of about 60,000. It is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, especially a large Byzantine-era mosaic map of the Holy Land. Madaba is located 30 kilometres (19 miles) south-west of the capital Amman.
Restaurants in Madaba
1. Dead Sea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,098 reviews
Not only the lowest spot on earth, but also the saltiest and most mineral-laden body of water in the world, the Dead Sea, which joins Israel and Jordan, is legendary as a source of healing, and has become a popular center for health, rehabilitation and beauty treatments.
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland
The Dea Sea is amazing, just the most I credible place to see. Floating in it's waters us a unique experience. You are so unbelievably buoyant you are almost on the water not in it! I was lucky enough to visit both the Israeli and Jordanian sides. Just make sure you do not get the water in the eyes or mouth - the pain is unbelievable! It's the lowest point on Earth too I'm told which makes it a n even more unique experience!
2. Mukawir
3. St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
On December 7, 1967 the Vatican recognized the historic Catholic Church in Madaba, belonging to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as a Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and urged visitors and pilgrims to visit this sacred site.
Reviewed By 119rodf
A lovely church with its tunnels ( watch your head) and viewing tower. Well worth a visit and the nominal entrance fee.
4. Wadi al hidan
5. Madaba Mosaic Map
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,139 reviews
This fascinating map of the Holy Land, now housed in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, was made in the 6th century out of two million stone pieces.
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
Head to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church to see the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land. Over two million tesserae (little tiles) once comprised this 6th century masterpiece referenced by early Christian pilgrims. A little over half of the map has survived the passage of time, negligence and purposeful defacing. But, thanks to a 1965 restoration effort, enough remains to take your breath away. The largest and most detailed element is Jerusalem, at the center. The map has even been used in recent times to authenticate Biblical geographic accounts. All the notations are in Greek. The Church Visitor’s Center has a helpful interpretive map for orientation.
6. Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By abroadwithashley - Minneapolis, United States
A UNESCO site that we really loved visiting. Most of the site is still unexcavated, so you can live out your Indian Jones dream by digging out ancient mosaics in many of the ancient churches that are still semi-buried. One church IS fully unearthed and the mosaics that were buried there are some of the most immense and intricate we have ever seen. It’s impossible to miss them as they are housed under the only modern structure on site. Throughout our time at the site, we kept wishing that more of it was excavated, but money is short right now, and hopefully in the future they’ll be able to pull back time to see what other wonders Umm Ar-Rasas holds. We can’t wait.
7. Madaba Archaeological Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 360 reviews
Reviewed By abroadwithashley - Minneapolis, United States
If you start at the visitor’s center, this will be your first port of call on the walking tour of Madaba. It’s a lovely start and is filled with multiple excellent examples of Madaba’s mosaics. The ones depicting homes/cities from the surrounding area that hang on the walls towards the entrance of the park were some of our favorites, and the large floor mosaics in Mary’s church was another highlight. You’ve come to Madaba to see mosaics and this park won’t disappoint.
8. Mount Nebo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,926 reviews
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland
The Mount Nebo site is really beautiful and well worth a visit. It us where Mises first saw the promised land It consists of a church and museum with beautiful mosaics, a beautiful cross overlooking the holy lands and beautiful statuary including one that commemorates the visit of Pope JohnPaul II in 2000 and the Olive Tree he planted there. The views are stunning, Jerusalem and Jericho and the Dead Sea clearly visible on a good day. We had haze which must have been caused by dust as there was barely a cloud in the sky! Anyway, cameras at the ready. The mosaics in the church are stunning. You walk above them on a raised boardwalk. The whole site is a short walk from the car park and very easily navigable. A really beautiful place, and well worth a visit.
9. The Church of Saint George
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 552 reviews
Reviewed By MargaretBenefiel - Washington DC, United States
Amazing huge mosaic map of the Holy Land from the 6th century on the floor of the church. Plus many other mosaics, ancient and modern.
10. Machaerus
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By AJ095 - Ann Arbor, United States
This place is where John the Baptist was beheaded. Highly recommended. It takes some time getting there and back to the bus (in our case), wear good shoes and take some water.
