Umm Qais
Site of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine,
Gadara was renowned in its time as a cultural centre. It was the home of several
classical poets and philosophers, including Theodorus, founder of a rhetorical
school in Rome, and was once called “a new Athens” by a poet. Perched on a
splendid hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, Gadara is
known today as Umm Qays, and boasts an impressive colonnaded street, a vaulted
terrace, and the ruins of two theatres. You can take in the sights and then dine
on the terrace of a fine restaurant with a breathtaking view.
Pro-tip: While some tourists drive directly from Amman to Umm Qais, most take
the opportunity to visit Jerash or Ajloun along the way