Mount Nebo

Mountain Biblical mountain viewpoint overlooking the Jordan Valley

On a limestone ridge west of Madaba, Mount Nebo marks a traditional lookout where Moses glimpsed the Promised Land; the modern memorial church preserves Byzantine mosaics and draws pilgrims and viewpoint seekers.

Main image
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Abu Badd (37074786275).jpg
Back view. The Abu Badd. A Rolling stone used as a fortified door of a Byzantine monastery in the old village of Faisaliyah (also called Kufeir Abu Badd). Mount Nebo, Jordan.jpg
Borne romaine sur la route du pèlerinage au sanctuaire de Moïse (Jordanie) (38454556074).jpg
Communion at Mount Nebo Easter Sunrise Mass.jpg
Detail, flood mosaics of the Basilica, Inside the Memorial Church of Moses, mid-6th century CE. Mount Nebo, Jorda.jpg

Mount Nebo is a hill in western Jordan traditionally associated with the biblical prophet Moses and offers panoramic views over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. It is a maintained pilgrimage and tourist site with archaeological remains and a modern memorial church.

Christian activity at Mount Nebo dates to the Byzantine period when churches and monastic buildings were established to mark the traditional memorial of Moses. Modern pilgrimage and conservation work in the 20th century resulted in a restored sanctuary built to protect the early mosaics and to serve visitors.

Located on a ridge in the highlands of western Jordan, roughly west of Madaba and within an hour’s drive from Amman depending on traffic. The site sits above the eastern edge of the Jordan Rift Valley.

  • Viewpoint: Clear days offer wide views across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea; sunset is a popular time for visitors.
  • Archaeological and modern churches: Contains remains of an early Byzantine church with mosaic floors alongside a modern memorial church maintained by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.
Mount Nebo
Mount Nebo (Moses Memorial), Madaba Governorate / near Madaba-Amman road, Jordan
31.7655, 35.7223

How to Get to Mount Nebo #

Mount Nebo lies above the town of Madaba, roughly 35-40 km southwest of Amman (about a 30-45 minute drive by car). You can reach Madaba by shared taxi/minibus from Amman and then take a short local taxi ride up to the Mount Nebo viewpoint (around 10-15 minutes).

There is a parking area at the site and viewpoints are a brief paved walk from the visitor centre.

Tips for Visiting Mount Nebo #

  • Aim for clear mornings when visibility is best - Mount Nebo's viewpoint overlooks the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, and haze often clears earlier in the day, improving the view.
  • Combine Mount Nebo with a stop in nearby Madaba (home of the famous 6th‑century mosaic map) on the same trip; the two sites are a short drive apart and commonly visited together.

Best Time to Visit Mount Nebo #

Best in spring or early autumn for clear views and comfortable temperatures at this elevated viewpoint.

Spring (best)
Mar-May · 10-20°C
Mild, clear days are ideal for the viewpoint over the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea; comfortable for walking.
Summer (warm)
Jun-Aug · 20-30°C
Warmer but generally tolerable; mornings are best for sightseeing to avoid the heat of the day.
Winter (cooler)
Dec-Feb · 5-12°C
Cooler conditions with a higher chance of clouds or rain and fewer visitors; visibility can be reduced on some days.

Weather & Climate near Mount Nebo #

Climate

Mount Nebo's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
48°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 69 mm of rain.

65 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.

89 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 23°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 27°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
47%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 31°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 31°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).

67 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.0h daylight

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