Are you going to discover the Middle East? In addition to the wonders of Petra and the Dead Sea, do not miss visiting Mount Nebo, a must-see during a trip to Jordan.
Mount Nebo rises above the Jordan plain, west of Jordan. It is located 8 kilometers from Madaba, 30 kilometers from Amman and 50 kilometers from Jerusalem. It peaks at an altitude of 802 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the surrounding desert. During the days of good weather, it is possible to see the Dead Sea, the West Bank and even the Holy City of Jerusalem in the distance.
Beyond this exceptional panorama, the site is famous for its religious importance and its place in the Old Testament. High place of pilgrimage for centuries, it would shelter the remains of the prophet Moses. In this article you will discover all our tips to visit Mont Nébo in the best conditions.
History of Mount Nebo
View of Mount Nebo – Photo credit: Wikipedia – Berthold Werner
In the Old Testament and the book of the Deuteronomy, God commanded Moses to climb Mount Nebo: “Go up on this summit of the mountains of Abarim, on Mount Nebo in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan which I give to the Israelites. You will die on the mountain where you will go up and join yours."
According to the Bible, Mount Nebo would thus be the place where Moses would have contemplated and shown the land promised to his people before dying there. Everything, 120 years old. According to the Christian tradition, Moses had been buried at the top of the Nebo Mountain, which makes it a must-see place for centuries.
From the fourth century, a church and a sanctuary dedicated to Moses were built on Mount Nebo. In the sixth century, the monks enlarged the sanctuary to make it a basilica, destroyed today, but with magnificent Byzantine mosaics. The site was abandoned in the 16th century, and the Franciscans built a new monastery there from 1932, still active today.
Finally, in the year 2000, Pope John Paul II visited the site during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and planted an olive tree there.
Our tips to visit Mont Nébo
The orientation table of Mount Nebo and its panorama – Photo credit: Shutterstock – VLADJ55
You can visit Mount Nebo by yourself, but it is best to go on a guided tour to discover all the secrets of the site because there are very few explanatory panels.
The best moments to visit Mount Nebo are the sunrise and sunset . Take a trip that offers a stop at Mount Nebo in the early morning or in the late afternoon, to avoid heavy heat. The light will also be softer, which will allow you to take the most beautiful pictures of the surrounding landscapes. If you have the chance to attend a sunset, you can only marvel at the shades of red and orange that illuminate the sandy expanses of the desert.
Also, do not forget your bottle of water , since there is no shop on site! Also mix with a hat or cap . You will thus escape the insolation.
Finally and above all, when you arrive at Mount Nebo, you will first see a carved stone announcing that the place is managed by a Franciscan community. Remember that you are in a holy place, that the monastery is still active and that monks live there. It is therefore important maintain a respectful attitude throughout your visit.
What to see and what to do at Mount Nebo?
The Moses Memorial, Mount Nebo – Photo credit: Shutterstock – marcociannarel
The Franciscan monks ensure access to the archaeological, historical and religious heritage of the site and allow thousands of tourists to visit Mount Nebo every year.
The Memorial of Moses
Start your journey with the memorial of Moses that houses the new basilica and mosaics, on a surface of 700 m2. You can admire the primitive sanctuary, the chapel of the southern baptistery and the chapel of the Theotokos, or "Mother of God".
The highlight of the show is the old diakonikon-baptistère. Inside, a magnificent mosaic dated 530 represents hunting and pastoral scenes. In an exceptional state of conservation, it is 9 metres by 3, and would be the work of the Soel, Kaium and Elijah.
The sculpture of the Serpent d’airain and the Monument of the Jubilee of the Year 2000
Outside, walk on the site to the sculpture of the Serpent d’airain, a work by the Italian artist Gian Paolo Fantoni. This bronze statue forms a cross surrounded by a snake.
Continue to the Jubilee Monument of the Year 2000, erected in honor of the pope John Paul II during his pilgrimage. On the front face of this stone 6 meters high, we can read the inscription: “one God and Father of all, above all, by all and in all.” To the right are the prophets of the Old Testament, and behind and on the left side is written "God is Love", in Greek and Arabic.
The interpretation center of Mount Nebo, the orientation table and the source of Moses
Go to the interpretation center of Mount Nebo, created by the Franciscans. You can admire a collection of mosaics and archaeological objects. This museum area retraces the history of Mount Nebo and the various archaeological excavations carried out on site.
Finally, join the orientation table and contemplate the magnificent view that offers to you. With direction and distance indications, have fun distinguishing Bethlehem Jericho or the mountains of Jerusalem. In this desert, very few things have changed. Take a moment to imagine you in the time of Moses, contemplating the promised land.
On the way back, ask to stop at the source of Moses, a place where the prophet would have planted his stick to sprinkle the water in the wilderness. A good opportunity to cool down!
How much does a ticket cost to Mount Nebo
The stone located at the entrance of Mount Nebo – Photo credit: Shutterstock – marcociannarel
The entrance ticket to visit Mont Nébo costs 2 Jordanian dinars or €2.3 for non-residents, and 0.25 Jordanian dinars or 0,30€ for residents. This ticket serves as a contribution to cover expenses related to employee salaries and site maintenance.
Good to know: The rates of excursions vary according to the course and the activities offered.
How do I book a ticket for Mount Nebo online?
It is not possible to book online from the official website. On the other hand, you can book a trip from Madaba or Amman to tour operators, to visit Mount Nebo only or several sites in the day.
Schedules to Mount Nebo
You can visit Mount Nebo all year from 8am to 6pm .
For groups , it is also possible to book in advance a niche of mass or prayer between 8am and 3.30pm .
How to get to Mount Nebo?
The easiest way to visit Mount Nebo is to book a day trip or hiring a private driver . For a private taxi from the nearby town of Madaba, count about 10 Jordanian dinars (€11.5) with an hour waiting on site.
You can also get to Mount Nebo by taxi from Madaba. The go-simple costs 1 Jordanian dinar , either 1,15€ . The rendezvous point is the roundabout 200 meters north of the church of Saint-Georges.
Are there combined visits with other locations?
There is no ticket combined with other places, but most tours will take you to Mont Nébo during a day of visits.
At the start of Amman, the agencies usually offer discover Mont Nébo and the city of Madaba , swim in the Dead Sea and conclude the day with a short hike swimming in the gorges of Al-Mujib Siq . Some guides make a detour to El Karana Castle , a beautiful monument in the middle of the desert whose entrance is included in the Jordan Pass.
You can also combine the visit of Mount Nebo with the other wonders of Jordan during a multi-day circuit. Don’t miss the fabulous city of Petra and the Wadi-Rum Desert, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Where to stay near Mount Nebo?
The easiest way to visit Mount Nebo is to stay to Madaba only 8 kilometers away. This small town has several quality hotels in all price ranges. You will enjoy it to push the doors of the archaeological museum and churches.
Otherwise, you can stay at the edge of the Dead Sea in luxury establishments. Sowayma For example, it is only 30 minutes' drive from Mount Nebo. All hotels offer tours to visit Mont Nébo, in private or in a group.
With all this information, you are now ready to visit Mount Nebo!
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