Madaba Jordan Holidays
Madaba
Holidays
The City of Mosaics — home to the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land, extraordinary Byzantine mosaics and the sacred summit of Mount Nebo
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Flight Time
5h from UK (direct to Amman), then 30 min drive
Best Time
March to May or September to November
Country
Jordan
Suppliers
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Madaba Holiday Guide
Madaba is the City of Mosaics — home to the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land, an extraordinary collection of Byzantine mosaics and the sacred summit of Mount Nebo. It is one of the most rewarding and underrated stops on any Jordan itinerary.
The Madaba Map in St George's Church is extraordinary. Mount Nebo is sacred and the views are spectacular. The Haret Jdoudna restaurant is one of the finest in Jordan.
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Average Temperatures
Jan
11°C
Feb
13°C
Mar
17°C
Apr
22°C
May
27°C
Jun
30°C
Jul
32°C
Aug
32°C
Sep
29°C
Oct
24°C
Nov
18°C
Dec
12°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Madaba
The Madaba Map, Mount Nebo and extraordinary Byzantine mosaics that make Madaba one of the most fascinating and rewarding stops on any Jordan itinerary.
The Madaba Map
The Madaba Map is the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land — a 6th-century Byzantine mosaic floor map in St George's Church showing the Middle East from Lebanon to Egypt, with Jerusalem at its centre. The map is extraordinarily detailed and accurate, showing cities, rivers, mountains and the Dead Sea. It is one of the most important historical documents in the world.
St George's Church
St George's Church is the most visited site in Madaba — a 19th-century Greek Orthodox church built over a 6th-century Byzantine church, preserving the famous Madaba Map in its floor. The church is a working place of worship and the mosaic floor is visible through a protective covering. The church is a short walk from the town centre and is included in the Jordan Pass.
Mount Nebo
Mount Nebo is one of the most sacred sites in the Middle East — the mountain from which Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land before his death, just 10km from Madaba. The summit has a Byzantine church with extraordinary mosaic floors and a modern memorial church. The panoramic views of the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and, on clear days, Jerusalem and Bethlehem are extraordinary.
Archaeological Park
The Madaba Archaeological Park is an open-air museum in the town centre with an extraordinary collection of Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics — the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Hippolytus Hall and the Burnt Palace all have exceptional mosaic floors. The park gives a comprehensive overview of the extraordinary mosaic tradition of Madaba.
Mosaic School
Madaba has a living mosaic tradition — the town has several mosaic workshops and schools where traditional Byzantine mosaic techniques are still practised. The Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration (MIMAR) trains local craftspeople in traditional techniques. Visitors can watch craftspeople at work and purchase mosaic artworks as souvenirs.
The Town
Madaba is a charming, unpretentious Jordanian town with a pleasant town centre, good restaurants and a welcoming atmosphere. The town has a significant Christian community (approximately 30% of the population) and several churches alongside mosques. The main street has souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. The town is a pleasant place to spend a few hours.
Restaurants
Madaba has several excellent restaurants serving traditional Jordanian food — the Haret Jdoudna restaurant (in a beautifully restored 19th-century stone building) is the finest in the town and one of the best in Jordan. The restaurant serves traditional Jordanian dishes in a beautiful courtyard setting. The quality is excellent and the atmosphere is wonderful.
Practical Tips
Madaba is best visited as a day trip from Amman (30 minutes) or combined with a visit to the Dead Sea (30 minutes from Madaba). Allow 2–3 hours for the town and 1 hour for Mount Nebo. The Jordan Pass covers entry to the Archaeological Park and Mount Nebo. The town is easily explored on foot.
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