What to do in Madaba – The best tips for your visit to the historic city of Madaba – Jordan

The best tips for your visit to Madaba, a wonderful city to visit full of historical sites that matter! I was there twice during my month in Jordan. Previously I wrote a blog about the churches of Madaba and now I’m also sharing all my tips on what to do in Madaba with it 🙂 The city is really worthwhile to visit and as a starting point for your tour of Jordan really perfect. I also recommend the homestay that I experienced as home during my visit.

What should a city guide Madaba definitely include? Obviously the churches and the archaeological sites where you can find the most beautiful mosaics. But just walk around this city a lot, wander the streets and also walk a little further out of the centre. I loved seeing everyday life as well.

What to do in Madaba – Jordan
Everything for your visit to this historic city

The City of Madaba

The city of Madaba is known for its ancient and well-preserved mosaics. Madaba, like Amman, is half an hour’s drive from the international airport. This makes Madaba a perfect base for your trip through Jordan. The city has a lot of biblical history and attracts many religious visitors for this reason. In addition, Madaba has many nice and modern spots in the city centre where you can have a nice coffee or a delicious meal.

How many days to spend in Madaba?

In 1 or 2 days you can have seen and visited all the top spots for Madaba. They are all close to the centre and can mostly be reached on foot.

Amman or Madaba?

I started my trip in Amman but if I had thought it out better I think I would have preferred to start in Madaba. I remember the first day in Amman, I didn’t feel like leaving my hotel room. The street in front of the hotel was crowded and I didn’t feel like stepping into that chaos. You might not expect this from me but I too have that. No desire to go out of my comfort zone. Also, I know that once I hit the road I find it super. So I stepped out then and had a great day. But. To start your trip a bit more leisurely, Madaba would be nice. Then you can finish your tour of Jordan with a city trip to Amman.

• Read what you should definitely visit in Amman

Buying a Jordan Pass?

I definitely recommend buying the Jordan Pass. The visa is included in the cost and many entrances you have fulfilled by buying this pass. Including Petra entrance which alone is a considerable amount. So after that you then hardly have to pay for anything else which is also just fine.

Waklking Tour Madaba

A fun way to explore the city of Madaba is, of course, a city walk. I started with the mosaic and museum walk described the Lonely Planet I had with me while travelling through Jordan. Once again, I was travelling with a book without a set plan and without having booked much in advance. Delightful!

The city walk in Madaba described by Lonely Planet is 3 km and so wonderfully doable in an afternoon

The walk starts and ends at the Visitors Centre. Of course, always good to spend some time there. See what’s on offer and if you can get some information and or book trips there. I walked around there for a while and then started the walk. The first stop soon offered itself and was the Archaeological Park I and shortly afterwards Archaeological Park II.

Archeological Park I and II

I only went inside the second park. There I was given a short tour by a man who told me about the history and how everything had been rediscovered. I found the mosaics beautiful to see although unfortunately the colour was not really visible anymore.

To navigate to the parks I give you the location: GPS Archeological Park I/ GPS Archeological Park II

St. George’s Church

If you follow the walk further, it will take you to St George’s Church. A 19th-century Orthodox church where you can admire one of the most important mosaic floors. In fact, the mosaic floor features a map of the Middle East containing most of the important places from the Bible. Also, it is one of the oldest ‘maps’ of Palestine. The mosaic floor in St George’s Church was once 15 to 25 metres long and as much as 6 metres wide, and consisted of 2 million pebbles.

You pay an entrance fee here to take a look inside, it is not included in the Jordan Pass.

Navigate to the church – GPS St George Greek Orthodox Church

What to do in Madaba – Jordan

Haret Jdoudna

If you follow the LP’s walk you then walk down K. Talal Street shopping street. I have eaten there several times at Haret Jdoudna, they have a lovely indoor terrace there and in addition they have some nice shops (souvenirs & clothes) around this indoor terrace. So even if you’re not going to eat there, it’s worth popping in.

Walk straight to this beautiful terrace: GPS Haret Jdoudna

What to do in Madaba – Churches section

Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

I found this church really impressive. I spent a best time there. Initially, I walked into the church and quickly finished there…. I sat for a while on the sports ground which sits to the left of the church, inside the church fence. It was then pointed out to me that I could go upstairs and to do so I had to go back into the church and then go through the door at the front right of the church. Behind that door, I found a corridor and then I could go up by stairs. Very surprised at the many cords I walked right past…. If I hit a cord significantly a church bell would ring haha. Can you imagine?

After enjoying the view and getting back down, I still wondered where then is the place where John the Baptist was supposedly beheaded…. That’s the name of the church and yet I hadn’t seen anything about it. Coming outside, I spoke to one of the men sitting there in the shade. I was shown a door right in the corner. There I could go to the basement and yes, I was assured, I definitely had to go there.

What an interesting place say! A large basement with several rooms and corridors you can walk through. It’s not all accessible yet but that which has been excavated you are allowed in and so you almost feel like an explorer/archaeologist as you walk across the wooden scaffolding. Sometimes bent because the corridor is so low and it will be excavated even further.

Still, it always makes me so happy when I get to discover such places.

For a while I sat on a bench in the room where St John is supposed to have been beheaded. It is chilly, there is a silence … I reflect on a tragedy that took place hundreds of years ago …

Navigate to GPS Church of the Beheading of John the Baptist

Historic sites belong in City Guide Madaba

Madaba Museum

Coming out again, I walk further down the street. We have roughly reached the top of the mountain, so we walk slowly back down. In a small side street, at the direction of a man on a balcony, I find the Madaba Museum. I was shown there by a nice man sitting there.

That you are then waited for again afterwards by the man on the balcony, he really did think he had earned a tip by pointing me in the right direction. I did thank him warmly but boys who ask are passed over was the saying? Or is that only in Dutch?

GPS Madaba Museum

Church of the Apostles

The walk continues downhill and I had a bit of trouble with it but still found the Church of the Apostles with the help of maps.me. It is also more of an excavation of beautiful mosaics and the shell of the old church. Nice to take a look inside. After this, I continue walking along the King’s Highway.

GPS Church of the Apostles

King’s Highway

The King’s Highway is one of the most important roads in Jordan. Historically, too, this road is not to be missed on your tour of Jordan. The King’s Highway runs through all the ancient and important places of the country. If you want to go from Amman to Aqaba via the King’s Highway, you will be on the road all day. But then you will also have seen many villages and places. Of course, you can also choose the fast route, which is the Desert Highway. Then you can be on the other side of the country within half a day.

The King’s Highway runs right through Madaba and it is fun to stroll along the road for a while. All the little shops on this street are super to check out. Local life is in full swing here and if you are curious about the daily lives of the residents, you should spend some time here. I walked there for a while on both sides of the street. From men mending clothes on the street to the crowded fruit shops that bulge to the street with fresh oranges and other fine fruits.

Food – What to do in Madaba

Ayola

At Ayola, I had the delicious Fukharet. It is a wonderful one-pot dish that comes in a clay pot from the oven. Topped with bread and filled with various types of vegetables and delicious cheese, I ate way too much. It was so delicious! Truly a must-try!

They cut the bread open for you and mix the cheese with the vegetables, then bake it all for you. I made a video of it and posted it on Instagram. Just watching that would make you want to try this dish. The restaurant itself is a bit plain, and sitting outside isn’t possible, nor would it be pleasant. It’s located at a busy traffic square: Peace Square. It’s across from St. George’s Church, with its famous mosaic floor.

• I paid 7.50 JOD for the vegetarian Fukharet with a can of cola. That’s about 9.75 euros.

Jaw Zaman

Jaw Zaman has a lovely balcony where I could comfortably sit during my dinner. You can’t really sit with more than two people, as it’s quite a narrow balcony. I had a wonderful meal there, and I highly recommend this spot.

Fokar & Bhar

Because the day before I sat at the place across the street and saw many people sitting on the terrace, I also went to Fokar & Bhar. It’s a low-budget restaurant with really tasty and delightful dishes. I had a wonderful meal there. You can also sit comfortably along the road. In the evening, the road is closed off to cars, and only locals and tourists walk by. I really enjoyed the street.

Haret Jdoudna

I just shared this address because it’s a beautiful building with nice shops and a lovely courtyard. In the courtyard, where there’s even a beautiful tree, there’s a terrace where you can enjoy a great meal. I’ve had lunch there twice. It’s a peaceful spot, away from the busy shopping street, and perfect for sitting in the sun.

Looking for a good cup of cappuccino?

Monastery Coffee Bar

I had a delicious cup of Western Caramel Macchiato here. After a month in Wadi Rum I really needed that… I thoroughly enjoyed it and sat comfortably in their window, where they have cozy cushions.

Monastery Coffee Bar is on the other side of the street near St. John the Baptist Church.

Kawon Bookstore

Such a super lovely place where they serve delicious coffee and cake. It’s a bookstore where you can sit in the garden and relax with a fantastic cup of cappuccino. When I wrapped up a ten-day trip in 2023 with an amazing group of girlfriends, we enjoyed some time here, savoring the moment. Highly recommended!

Daytrips from Madaba

Madaba is a centrally located city in Jordan, making it a great starting point for various directions. As I mentioned earlier, Amman is quite close by. You can choose not to stay overnight in the city but rather take a day trip from Madaba to Amman. It’s only a half-hour drive, so it’s very manageable.

The following trips and spots are good to visit from Madaba.

• Visiting Mount Nebo from Madaba – 9 km

Mount Nebo is located along the road you take when heading to the Dead Sea. It’s only about a half-hour drive, and visiting Mount Nebo will take you around an hour. You can also take some time to look for Moses Spring either before or after your visit.

• Moses Spring fom Madaba – 10 km

The turnoff to Moses Spring is just before you arrive at Mount Nebo, on the right side. It’s not always clearly marked, so you’ll need to rely on your navigation. When I found it, I enjoyed discovering this hidden spot. I walked along a piece of land with some enormous trees and came across a rock that I could go underneath. There, I found flowing water. This was, as far as I understood, Moses Spring. It was a calming and special experience!

Want to visit Moses Spring? Navigate to GPS Moses Spring

• The Baptismal site of Jesus Christ – 40 km

This place is also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan or Al-Maghtas. At the visitor center of The Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ, you check in and buy a ticket. It is a fully organized trip of about 1.5 hours. You are not allowed to drive there yourself. There is a bus from the visitor center. During this visit you also see the church of Bethany and drive past the St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.

You then walk along the original site where the baptism of Jesus is believed to have taken place, and afterward, you have the option to go to the river to dip your feet in the water. On the other side of the river, you can see Israel, where people were also observing the site and entering the water. You are not allowed to cross the river, as that would mean entering Israel.

• Dead Sea – 29 km

When you are at the Baptismal site, you are also quite close to the Dead Sea. You can visit all these places in one day. If you want to float in the Dead Sea, there are several locations where you can pay to access the area. The first time I went, I visited O Beach (GPS: O Beach). This is a resort where you can go just to visit the Dead Sea. You pay an entrance fee and can then use their parking lot, swimming pool, and “beach” by the Dead Sea. The beach here is a rocky beach, so it’s not very comfortable to enter the Dead Sea.

I later returned to the Dead Sea and booked an overnight stay at the Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dead Sea. They also have a private beach along the Dead Sea, and this time I found it much more enjoyable. It was a lovely sandy beach, and they had a special area set up where you could find Dead Sea mud to apply to your skin before going into the sea to float. It made for a much more relaxing experience overall!

Also want a stay in the Ramada during your stay at the Dead Sea? Book your night at the Ramada

• Ma’in Hotsprings – 29 km

I also visited this place, as I never turn down the opportunity to enjoy a thermal bath. I spent time relaxing in the various pools, fully clothed. You can book an overnight stay here, which gives you access to private bathing areas. However, since I was just visiting for a short time, I used the public pools, which do require an entrance fee, and I enjoyed the experience alongside Jordanian tourists. It was a great way to soak and relax while experiencing the local atmosphere!

The location where I was is this one : GPS Ma’in Hotsprings

• Wadi Mujib – 60 km

In my opinion, you shouldn’t miss Wadi Mujib. If you visit too late in the year, after the month of October, it will be closed due to high water levels. But what an amazing wadi it is! The colors are absolutely stunning!

• Wadi Bin Hammad – 86 km

I also took a lovely hike in this wadi. It offers a completely different experience than Wadi Mujib. This one is known for its hanging gardens. You can already see a lot of greenery on the sides in the photo below, but that’s just the beginning, and you’ll see it for yourself when you hike there. Water drips from the hanging gardens, keeping the entire wadi well-moistened and allowing things to grow everywhere. The river itself ranges from ankle-deep to knee-deep.

At a certain point, you come to a descent with stairs, for which you have to pay. There’s a guy who will set up the stairs for you. After that, you can continue walking, and at one point, I encountered a descent that looked too steep for me, so I turned around and walked back.

I also made a small clip of my visit to Wadi Bin Hammad

What to do in Madaba – Jordan

Stay in Madaba

Tell Madaba

A wonderful place to stay. It’s a large family home, and the extra floors above have been transformed into a lovely hotel. Each floor has its own kitchen that you can use. I stayed on the upper floor and also spent some time on the ground floor. I spent a lot of time in the front garden, but the garden at the back is also a nice spot to enjoy a cup of tea in the shade after a long day of exploring Madaba.

Check your options for Tell Madaba

Coming & Going Travel Guide Madaba

• Madaba to Amman – 30/35 km

Madaba is about 30 to 35 km from Amman. If you’re heading from Amman Airport to Madaba, it’s a little over 20 km. So, if you prefer, you can head directly to Madaba after your flight and save Amman for your last stop. This way, you can enjoy the charm of Madaba before exploring the capital at the end of your trip.

• Madaba to Dead Sea – 35 km

I stayed at the Ramada Dead Sea Resort, which is about 35 km from Madaba. I absolutely loved floating in the salty water in the evenings and mornings. It’s definitely something you must experience if you’re traveling to Jordan or Israel. The unique sensation of floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea is truly unforgettable and offers a great way to relax after exploring the region!

• Madaba – As Salt 58 km

It takes about an hour to travel from Madaba to As-Salt. You could consider this as a day trip, but if you plan to travel further to Jerash, it’s a good idea to spend a night here. This way, you can plan a full day to explore the highlights. The city captured my heart and I wished I had spent more time there. Read about my walk in As-Salt.

• Madaba – Jerash 77 km

It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to the city of Jerash. Jerash is a place that you definitely shouldn’t miss during your trip to Jordan. I visited this site right after leaving Amman. I had a wonderful homestay and spent the entire day walking through the ruins of the once-prosperous Roman city of Jerash.

Madaba – Kerak Around 100 km

After my first visit, I drove to Kerak. I took the King’s Highway, which is shorter but takes longer because you pass through villages instead of the new Desert Highway. Trust me, you’ll want to stop several times along the way because you come across such beautiful spots. So, you won’t make it in just 2 hours on the King’s Highway. In, well actually above, Kerak, you’ll find a fantastic Crusader castle. It’s an impressive structure!

If you take the King’s Highway it’s 98 km and will take 2 hrs

Desert Highway is 114 km and will take you 1.40 hrs.

Madaba – Dana 181 km

Definitely a must-visit if you love hiking. The Dana Biosphere Reserve is a unique location! Nestled high in the mountains, it serves as a starting point for various hikes across different difficulty levels.

Madaba – Wadi Rum Village 300 km

Wadi Rum Village is where most trips to the Wadi Rum desert begin. Typically, you’ll meet here, and a staff member from the camp where you’re staying will pick you up. It takes about four hours to get here. This is certainly a place you shouldn’t miss on your journey!

Madaba – Aqaba 330 km

You can also drive all the way down after your visit to Madaba and then plan your visits to the aforementioned places on the way back. Now you have two options regarding which routes you choose.

You can either drive along the Dead Sea or take the Desert Highway. Both routes are about 330 km and will take you around 4 hours. It really depends on what you prefer, which route you choose. What kind of views are you looking for?

DId you visit all these places during your trip in Jordan?

As you can see, Madaba is the perfect starting point for your journey through Jordan. The only problem is that you often have too few days. I spent almost a month in Jordan, which allowed me to stay a few days in each place. I found Madaba to be a very pleasant city to stay in. The city is not too big, but it is historically significant.

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