Madaba, Mount Nebo, Baptism Site & Dead Sea Day Trip from Amman

Madaba and its Byzantine mosaic map

Madaba, about 30 kilometres south-west of Amman, is known as the City of Mosaics. The Greek Orthodox Church of St George shelters a sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, made of a great many small coloured stones, which shows Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and the Nile Delta as seen by Byzantine mapmakers. Other churches and the archaeological park nearby preserve more Byzantine and Umayyad floors.

A Madaba tour from Amman is usually a short, easy visit, and it sets the scene for the biblical sites that follow. Visitors often ask whether Madaba is worth visiting: for anyone interested in early Christian art and the history of maps, yes. Dress modestly for the church, covering shoulders and knees.

Mount Nebo and the view of the Promised Land

Mount Nebo rises more than 700 metres above sea level and, according to tradition, is the place from which Moses saw the Promised Land before his death. A church looked after by Franciscans shelters early Byzantine mosaics, and the Serpentine Cross sculpture stands on the viewing platform. On a clear day you can look across the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea and the area of Jericho.

Mount Nebo opening hours change by season, and the clearest views come in the morning or late afternoon, when haze is lighter. The entry ticket is included with the all-inclusive options; with the transport-only options you pay at the gate. Bring sun protection, since there is little shade on the terrace.

The Baptism Site, Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Al-Maghtas, known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, on the east bank of the Jordan River, is the traditional place where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015 and holds the remains of churches, baptism pools and a hill linked to the prophet Elijah. Christian and Muslim visitors alike come, because John, known as Yahya, and Jesus, known as Isa, are both revered prophets.

The visit is a walk in a quiet, low-lying valley that can be very hot in summer, so bring a hat and water, which is also provided in the vehicle. The site is guarded and visitors follow marked paths near the river. The Baptism Site opening hours are seasonal, and your driver plans the day around them.

Swimming in the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea shore is the lowest point on land, more than 400 metres below sea level, and its water is so salty that you float effortlessly. With the all-inclusive options, you swim and have lunch at a Dead Sea resort; with the transport-only full-day option, the vehicle waits about three hours at the shore. There is no public beach, so a resort has to be booked for swimming.

Bring a swimsuit, a towel and sandals. Do not shave before floating, keep the water out of your eyes and do not stay in for more than about 20 minutes. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, when the heat is gentler, and the water is pleasant all year.

How the options differ, and who is driving

The default option is a shared full-day tour: the driver collects you from your hotel in Amman at about 8:00, and the price covers entry tickets and the Dead Sea resort lunch. The transport-only options leave out the tickets and the resort, and the half-day option visits only Madaba and Mount Nebo, without the Baptism Site or the Dead Sea.

Your driver speaks English and knows the route well, but a local site guide is not included. Water and Wi-Fi are provided in the vehicle. The trip lasts from four hours for the half-day option to about ten hours for a full day, depending on the option you choose.