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.

Madaba Halal Explorer

MadabaChurchFloor - Church floor with Jerusalem & the Holy Land

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.

In biblical times the city was part of the Moab Kingdom. After having been conquered by the Persians and after a devastating earthquake in 746 A.D. and the city was left alone and remained mostly abandoned until 1890, when the reconstruction of a Greek Orthodox church revealed the famous mosaic.

Madaba with about 80,000 inhabitants is roughly 10% Christian (Catholics & Greek Orthodox). Much of the traveller and pilgrim infrastructure is run by the Franciscans. For the Bedouins living around the area, Madaba is an important market place.

Travel to Madaba

31.71825|35.79523|height=400|lang=en|layer=W}} The city is 25 km from Queen Alia International airport and 35-40 km from the Dead Sea (Jordan) | Dead Sea, potentially making it the ideal place to start or end your trip to Jordan.

Travel on a Bus in Madaba

• Madaba Bus Station 31.715101,35.798824 in the east of town, next to the highway

Madaba is about 1 hours from Amman. Buses from Amman's Tabarbour Station cost 1.20 Jordan#Money|JD (Oct 2022). Also and there are frequent shuttle vanes 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.

Furthermore, shuttle vanes from southern bus station (same one you can use for Petra), cost 0.5 JD. If you have lot of luggage it will be charged as one more passenger (January 2022). You can also get buses from the Mahatta bus station, and shuttle vanes from the Muhajireen bus station near the Jordan museum (0.65 JD) which enter Madaba from the west rather than from Airport Rd.

Best way to travel in Madaba by a Taxi

A taxi is an excellent 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 Road near 7th Circle and cost 2 JD per person.

Because Madaba is close to Amman, Uber is available throughout town, including at Mount Nebo. The Uber price from the airport to Madaba downtown was around 6 JD as of January 2022.

By car

The very centre of town has narrow, crowded streets, but just a few hundred metres away, you can find wide roads with plenty of parking.

How to get around in Madaba

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) (January 2022).

What to see in Madaba

• Madaba Visitor Centre Abu Bakr As-Siddiq 31.716587, 35.796101 Opening Hours: 07:00-00:00 Local information and free, clean toilets.

In the city

MadabaDog - Animal mosaic

• Basilica of St. George (Church of the Map) 31.71766, 35.79411 Opening Hours: Not accessible during services 1 JD, free with Jordan#Jordan Pass|Jordan Pass

The famous map of the Middle East, plus a bunch of mosaic portraits. Buy ticket from the interpretive centre to the side, although why waste time on a lecture when you can just go and look at the map.

MadabaArcheologicParkFloor - A floor in the archaeological park

• Madaba Archaeological Park - 31.715928, 35.795428 Opening Hours: W-M 08:00-17:00 5 JD which includes entry to Archaeological Park, Madaba Museum and Apostles Church, free with Jordan#Jordan Pass|Jordan Pass

The highlight of Madaba, this is where to see many of the ancient mosaics discovered.

• Madaba Museum 31.716160, 35.795552 - A few more rooms of mosaics, pottery and jewellery. Also includes an outside courtyard area with ancient statues.

• Church of the Apostles 31.711833, 35.795136 Not inside the Archaeological Park but further off. - Small church with nice, large mosaics on the floor. Not inside the Archaeological Park but further off.

• Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist 31.714836, 35.793419 Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-19:00 1 JD (Jordan#Jordan Pass|Jordan Pass not valid) Interesting 19th-century church which has underground rooms hosting a museum, and a church bell tower to climb to see a full view of Madaba. Regarding the beheading see also #Around the city|Machaerus below.

• Iron Age Fortification Wall on West Acropolis 31.714830, 35.792374
• Madaba Art Gallery - 2 rooms filled with oil paintings and watercolours from Madaba artists.

Around the city

• Dolmens at Al Fayha - eHalal Travel Guide.php?sid=10780 31.730095, 35.719999 Wadi Jadid is 10 km to the southwest of Madaba city at Al Fayha village. - This Wadi is a field of dolmens (Burial Chambers or large stone memorials), where you could see more than 40 dolmens (12 of them standing in a very good condition) and the rest are damaged probably by earthquakes. Also there are several menhirs, cupholes and stone alignments as well. These dolmens dating to around 3000 BC, from the Early Bronze Age I. The local residents there believed that dolmens are the houses of ghosts and they called it in Arabic Bit Al Ghula.

• Mount Nebo 31.767865, 35.725520 9 km northwest of Madaba, on the road leading to the Dead Sea - 2 JD This historic site provides a panorama of the Holy Land, and to the north, a more limited one of the Jordan River valley. The excavated remains of a church and a monument commemorating the biblical story of Musa and the bronze serpent stand atop the mountain. This is the spot where the Hebrew Bible says that Musa stood and witnessed the "promised land". Visit before sunset to take in the Franciscan Monastery and Church located here. Visitors can plan to spent less than half an hour at the site.

• Umm ar-Rasas 31.50055, 35.92037 from the highway south take the road east at Dhiban, 30 km southeast of Madaba - A UNESCO World Heritage Site which contains ruins from the Roman, Byzantine, and early Muslim civilizations. The majority of the site has not been excavated. The most important discovery on the site was the mosaic floor of the Church of Street Stephen. It was made in 785 (discovered after 1986). The perfectly preserved mosaic floor is the largest one in Jordan. On the central panel hunting and fishing scenes are depicted while another panel illustrates the most important cities of the region (including Kastron Mefaa, Philadelphia, Madaba, Esbounta, Belemounta, Areopolis, Charac Moaba, Occupied Jerusalem, Nablus, Caesarea and Gaza).

• Fortress of Machaerus - Mukawer - 31.566929, 35.623715 30 km southwest of Madaba, bypassing Hammamat Ma'in Springs - 1 JD This is the biblical Machaerus and the fortress of Herod the Great, where his son Antipas imprisoned and later executed John the Baptist, for whom a shrine was built in Madaba.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Madaba

Not much except for visiting the places mentioned before and climbing the bell tower of Saint John Shrine.

• Hammamat Ma'in - 31.609596, 35.610450 ☎ +962 5 3245500 A remarkable series of natural thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) and waterfalls, some of which have been channeled into pools and baths. A spa resort is in the vicinity of the waterfalls.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Madaba

Very good quality and affordable rugs. There are places where you can obtain them made on order if you have the time to wait for them. Excellent mosaics and great Dead Sea products.

Halal Food & Restaurants

There are many little falafel and Halal Kebab places, some better than others.

• Darna Take Away - مطعم دارنا - K. Talal St. 31.717086, 35.793641 A schwarma and pizza place that's above average and fairly priced. Tourists can expect to pay the price in the register receipt.

• Haret Jdoudna - 31.716598, 35.793465 ☎ +962 5 3248650 Opening Hours: 11:00-00:00 One of Madaba's finest eateries and is in the centre of the city along the main street. Within a restored Late Ottoman house, this restaurant features the best of Jordanian fare along with a cozy atmosphere that is welcoming at all times of year. Offers excellent Lebanese-style mezze, Arabic-style barbecue "Mashawi", and Italian Pizzas. The restaurant also offers shishas. Sit on the rooftop patio at sunset for an enchanting experience watching the sun go down as you listen to the call to prayer from the numerous minarets nearby.

• Mariam Hotel - Hay Bayt Al-Maqdis 31.724243, 35.795114 ☎ +962 5 3251529 A very nice new rooftop restaurant is on the top floor of this hotel. They do open buffet dinner for 8 JD and the view to the city is very nice. Also they have a swimming pool-side bar they serve sandwiches, and soft-drinks. You don’t have to be resident of the hotel to use the restaurant or the café.

• Ayola's – A great coffee shop that welcomes tourists. They have very good sandwiches and excellent fruit shakes. It is the place to ask for a sheesha and people watch.
• Chili Ways – Newly opened. Offers decent hamburgers and fast-food at very reasonable prices.
• King Mesha restaurant – Offers lovely ambiance, friendly service and delicious food for very reasonable prices. It is very near the Madaba Archaeological Park and the museum.

Alcohol is widely available and there are a lot of drink shops in town. If you are travelling to Wadi Rum and prefer 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.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Madaba

Madaba - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Madaba, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Madaba. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Madaba and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Madaba. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Madaba. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMadaba: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Madaba.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Madaba: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Madaba, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Madaba.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Madaba, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Madaba, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Madaba and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Madaba, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Madaba, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Madaba without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Madaba is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Madaba.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Madaba is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Madaba, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Madaba Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Moab Land Hotel King Talat Street 31.717609, 35.793618 Opposite of St. George Church Dorm bed from 5 JD; double rooms 18 JD Highly rated on hotel website.

• Queen Ayola Hotel King Talat Street 31.716666, 35.793712 70 meters south from St. George Church Dorm bed from 5 JD Another decent option, but not as highly rated as Moab Land Hotel.

Mid range

• Mariam Hotel - Aisha Um Al Mu'mineen Street 31.724218, 35.795120 2 blocks to the right of Al Muhafada Circle ☎ +962 5 3251529 +962 5 3251530 Check-in: 08:00 / Check-out: 12:00 20 JD Nice and fair place but with signs of use and missing maintenance of the rooms and the building itself. The breakfast is straight but nothing special. A classic two-star hotel but with very friendly staff, 57 rooms and a large outdoor swimming pool. Does arrange airport pickups for a fixed price of 12 JD - call ahead or send an email.

• Salome Hotel - Aisha Um Al Mu'mineen Street 31.723807, 35.794841 2 blocks to the right of Al Muhafada Circle ☎ +962 5 3248606 +962 5 3248607 30 JD
• Mosaic City Hotel - Al yarmouk Street 31.721177, 35.792493 1 block after Al Muhafada Circle ☎ +962 5 3251313 +962 5 3250013 Twin 55 JD including breakfast Clean and well-maintained.

• Saint John Hotel - King talal Street ☎ +962 05 324 6060 22 JD In a fringe area of the tourist street, mostly quiet but the owner struggles with certain members of his staff against the street. Excellent rooms, new aircon and TV, near museums, close to the market where local people buy things they need. Avoid the typical tourism hazards while getting a true experience of the street.

• Black Iris Hotel - 31.721552, 35.791612 ☎ +962 53250171 25-35 JD Check-in: 13:00 / Check-out: 11:00 The Black Iris Hotel has clean non-smoking rooms. Offers / tours to nearby areas including Mt. Nebo and the Dead Sea.

Travel Next

Most local buses going north or south should stop at the bus station in the east of town.

• Amman — if you stayed in Madaba over night coming from the airport.
• Dead Sea (Jordan) | Dead Sea — besides Petra the most famous tourist attraction in Jordan.
• Kerak — site of a once-mighty Crusader castle.
• Wadi Mujib GPS 31.466624,35.573677 — great nature reserve famous for its impressive canyons. Read more Dead_Sea_(Jordan)#See|here. Limited access in winter.
• Dana Nature Reserve — stay in a local village within the Nature Reserve, and enjoy unforgettable hiking in an offshoot of the Great Rift.
• Petra — The most famous sight in Jordan. A touristic (=pricey) bus leaves every day from outside the Mariam Hotel for the trip to Wadi Musa (near Petra) via the scenic King's Highway, with stops at Wadi Mujib and Kerak.
• Wadi Rum — a stunning desert valley in southern Jordan, lies about an hour south of Petra.

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