Madaba
Discover Madaba
Madaba is a small town in central Jordan located south of the capital Amman on the King's Highway, some 10 km from Hesban. A town with a long history, Madaba is best known as the location of the "Madaba Map", a 6th-century mosaic depiction of Jerusalem and many parts of the Holy Land.
What to Experience in Madaba
Taste of Madaba...
There are many little falafel and kebab places, some better than others. Alcohol is widely available and there are a lot of liquor shops in town. If you are travelling to Wadi Rum and prefer wine during evening in the Bedouin camp, buy alcohol here as it is only available in the luxury hotels and camps in Wadi Rum, which most likely will be very far off - not many camps are close to each other. Most local buses going north or south should stop at the bus station in the east of town.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe city is 25 km from Queen Alia International Airport and 35-40 km from the Dead Sea, potentially making it the ideal place to start or end your trip to Jordan. Madaba is about 1 hr from Amman. Buses from Amman's Tabarbour Station cost 1.20 JD (Oct 2018). Also, there are frequent minibuses from the 7th circle in Amman (1 JD)—they come from the center direction and take a turn south onto the airport road, directly after which you will find the bus stop. You can also get buses from the Mahatta bus station, and minibuses from the Muhajireen bus station near the Jordan Museum (0.65 JD) which enter Madaba from the west rather than from Airport Rd. A taxi is a good option, especially if you're in a group. The cost depends on your bargaining abilities but it can go from 8-12 JD. Or you go by meter, which is about 12 JD. from northern Amman. Service taxis leave from Airport Rd near 7th Circle and cost 2 JD per person....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Madaba is a very small city, so one can easily get around by on foot, although a taxi from downtown to the bus station is a good idea (1-2 JD). Taxis traveling within the city do not use the taxi meter but operate at a standard fare of 1 JD per trip. Make sure you agree on this price with the driver before hopping on. Uber is also available inside the city. Very good option for a ride to Mt. Nebo (around 5 JD from Madaba center) (Feb 2019). Not much except for visiting the places mentioned before and climbing the bell tower of Saint John Shrine. Very good quality and cheap rugs. There are places where you can have them made on order if you have the time to wait for them. Excellent mosaics and great Dead Sea products. There are many little falafel and kebab places, some better than others. Alcohol is widely available and there are a lot of liquor shops in town.
Where to Stay
Most local buses going north or south should stop at the bus station in the east of town.
Money & Budget
Very good quality and cheap rugs. There are places where you can have them made on order if you have the time to wait for them. Excellent mosaics and great Dead Sea products. There are many little falafel and kebab places, some better than others. Alcohol is widely available and there are a lot of liquor shops in town. If you are travelling to Wadi Rum and prefer wine during evening in the Bedouin camp, buy alcohol here as it is only available in the luxury hotels and camps in Wadi Rum, which most likely will be very far off - not many camps are close to each other. Most local buses going north or south should stop at the bus station in the east of town.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Madaba
Sculpture at entrance of Mt. Nebo
Mount Nebo Memorial of Moses
Madaba, Jordan
Sculpture at entrance of Mt. Nebo
Funeral ceremony in Madaba, Jordan
In the shadow of the cross. Procession in Madaba, Jordan.
the ceiling of a building with a circular painting on it
Madaba, Jordan
Road to Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan
Church of John the Baptist, Baptism site of Jesus Christ
Sculpture at entrance of Mt. Nebo
Mount Nebo Memorial of Moses
Madaba, Jordan