Introducing Madaba
This easy-going town is best known for its superb and historically significant Byzantine-era mosaics. The town has a strong sense of its unique history, making it a major stop on the tourist trail. Madaba is the most important Christian centre in Jordan, and has long been an example of religious tolerance, a place where the Friday call to prayer from the mosque coexists with Sunday church bells; Muslims make up two-thirds of the population, and Christians one-third.
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Madaba is compact and easily explored on foot, with some excellent hotels and restaurants, and is less than an hour by regular public transport from Amman, so it's worth considering as an alternative to Amman as a place to stay. It's even possible to come straight by taxi from Queen Alia International Airport, bypassing Amman altogether.
Madaba is also a good base for exploring the Dead Sea, Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan (Jesus' baptism site) and other local sites such as Mt Nebo, Mukawir (Machaerus) and Umm ar-Rasas.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Help in fine-tuning itinerary: around Madaba, Wadi Rum, Petra
by akguindy 08 September 2011
Dear szev, I think that travellingaunt knows Petra better than you do, and I also think that her pace and way of experiencing things are…
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RE: Help in fine-tuning itinerary: around Madaba, Wadi Rum, Petra
by szev 07 September 2011
5 days in Petra is waayyy too much! Your nephew will get bored. So will you, plus it is more expensive than the rest of Jordan. Get…
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RE: Help in fine-tuning itinerary: around Madaba, Wadi Rum, Petra
by akguindy 07 September 2011
You have got a very lucky nephew ! IMO many of your questions can only be answered by yourselves. If you enjoy to stay in a place or discov…
