National park · Jordan
Um er-Rasasموقع أم الرصاص
Visit Um er-Rasas for a short UNESCO World Heritage stop: pay the entry fee (≈2 JOD, check), explore the mosaic church in 1–2 h, and go in the cooler months (Oct–Apr) to avoid heat and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2004
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6
- Jordan ↗Get the visa or the Jordan Pass only on official channels; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Jordan ↗Yellow taxis must use the meter; if the driver refuses, use a ride-hailing app instead.
- Jordan ↗In Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight is not accepted; hotels and tourist restaurants serve.
- Jordan ↗Do not pack a drone: import without a prior permit is refused and the drone is held at the border.
- King's Highway ↗No public bus runs the full route; you need a car, a taxi or a tour driver.
- King's Highway ↗The Jordan Pass covers Petra and most of the highway's ticketed sites if bought before arrival.
At a glance
- Country
- Jordan
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The site covers a small archaeological zone of roughly 0.5 km² (check).
- Established
- 2004
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Madaba
Um er‑Rasas is a UNESCO World Heritage site on Jordan’s King’s Highway, notable for its large Byzantine mosaic floor and layers of Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic remains.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2004Inscribed for its blend of Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim mosaics.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2004
The site covers a small archaeological zone of roughly 0.5 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Madaba.
Why go
- See the largest surviving Byzantine mosaic floor in Jordan at the Church of St Stephen.
- Explore layered history from Roman camp to early Islamic churches in a compact site.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool and dry.
- FebMild weather.
- MarPleasant, before spring heat.
- AprWarm, low rain.
- MayRising heat.
- JunHot, occasional showers.
- JulPeak summer heat.
- AugVery hot.
- SepCooling, occasional rain.
- OctComfortable, dry.
- NovCool and clear.
- DecMild winter.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert lizards and small mammalsMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Amman
Drive south on Highway 35 (King's Highway) ~1.5 h; turn east at Madaba and follow signs to Um er‑Rasas.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Madaba
Local road signs lead 10 km (6.2 mi) east to the site; parking available near the gate.Local road signs lead 6.2 mi (10 km) east to the site; parking available near the gate.
15 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main archaeological area | Entrance gate, visitor centre, and the Church of St Stephen with its mosaic floor. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Roman camp and surrounding ruins | Remains of a military camp and scattered foundations. | Open, no guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the archaeological zone.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket | JOD 2 | person | Official site does not list exact price; typical fee around 2 JOD (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Photography
- Allowed, but no flash inside the mosaic chambers.
- Guides
- Not required for short visits; optional for detailed tours.
- Camping
- Not permitted within the site; stay in nearby Madaba or Amman.
Where to stay
Near the park
Madaba hotels
Mid‑range hotels and guesthouses 10 km (6.2 mi) east of the site.Mid‑range hotels and guesthouses 6.2 mi (10 km) east of the site.
Near the park
Amman city
Wide range of accommodations; 1.5 h drive.
Safety
Sun exposure medium
Uneven stone surfaces low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance gate and visitor centre have paved paths suitable for wheelchairs.
- Mosaic chamber steps are steep; not fully wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile mosaics.
- Support local guides who follow site preservation rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Um er‑Rasas?
The entry fee is about 2 JOD per person (check the latest price at the gate).
What are the best hikes in Um er‑Rasas?
A short walk to St Stephen’s mosaic church (1–2 h) and a brief loop around the Roman camp (30 min) are the main trails.
When is the best time to visit Um er‑Rasas?
October to April offers comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists.
Can I visit without a guide?
Yes, the site is self‑guided; guides are optional for deeper historical context.
Is there parking at the site?
A small parking area is available near the entrance gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Um er-Rasas
Loading…
Was this useful?