What are the best things to do in Madaba?
Top picks in Madaba include Basilica of St. George (Church of the Map), Madaba Archaeological Park, Madaba Museum, Church of the Apostles. See the full list and itinerary on this Madaba travel guide.
Photo: Freedom's Falcon · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why visit Madaba
Travel guide for Madaba, Jordan — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Madaba is a stop in Jordan, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Basilica of St. George (Church of the Map), Madaba Archaeological Park, Madaba Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 55–140 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Madaba
1
Basilica of St. George (Church of the Map)
2
Madaba Archaeological Park
3
Madaba Museum
4
Church of the Apostles
5
Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
6
Iron Age Fortification Wall on West Acropolis
7
Madaba Art Gallery
Budget travel
Free things to do in Madaba
Basilica of St. George (Church of the Map)
Madaba Archaeological Park
Church of the Apostles
Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Madaba itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Basilica of St. George (Church of the Map)
- Visit Madaba Archaeological Park
- Visit Madaba Museum
- Eat at Darna Take Away
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Church of the Apostles
- Visit Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
- Visit Iron Age Fortification Wall on West Acropolis
- Eat at Haret Jdoudna
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Madaba Art Gallery
- Eat at Mariam Hotel
Budget
Madaba trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 55–140
per person / day
Luxury
USD 160–265+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Madaba, Jordan. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Madaba
Estimated total (USD)
$2,180
≈ $1,090 per person · $311 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $95/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Madaba mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 55–140 · luxury 160–265+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Darna Take Away
Haret Jdoudna
Mariam Hotel
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Moab Land Hotel
Queen Ayola Hotel
Mariam Hotel
Salome Hotel
Mosaic City Hotel
Museums & culture
- Basilica of St. George (Church of the Map)
- Madaba Museum
- Church of the Apostles
- Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
- Madaba Art Gallery
In pictures
Madaba gallery
Photos: Freedom's Falcon, Jean Housen, Ldud at English Wikipedia, Bernard Gagnon, Jerzy Strzelecki — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Madaba travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Madaba?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Madaba?
Plan at least 3 days in Madaba for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Madaba?
Popular stays in Madaba include Moab Land Hotel, Queen Ayola Hotel, Mariam Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Madaba cost?
On the ground in Madaba (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 55–140, and luxury about 160–265+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Madaba, Jordan. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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