Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping & Eating
Not many people spend the night in Umm Qais, especially since the ruins can easily be
accessed on a day trip from Jerash or Irbid. Staying here does give the option, though, of
making a full day's excursion along the Jordan Valley the following day.
Umm Qais Hotel$
( 7500080;
www.umqaishotel.com
;
s/d/tr incl breakfast from JD15/30/40)
With modest
rooms above a bakery (guess where bread for breakfast comes from), and a stone's throw
from the ruins, this family-run hotel makes up for the lack of attractions with hearty hos-
pitality. A rooftop cafe is due to reopen if tourism picks up. Alternatively, home-cooked
Jordanian food is available on request from the landlady. Half-day trips into the local
countryside can be organised from here for JD3 (for a minimum of four people).
HOTEL
Umm Qais Resthouse$$
( 7500555; meals JD5-10; 10am-7pm, to 10pm Jun-Sep; )
Without doubt, one of
the best parts of the Umm Qais site is pausing to have a mint and lemon, or a tabouli salad
at the Umm Qais Resthouse, perched atop a small hill in the heart of the ruins. With stun-
ning views over Galilee, the Golan and the snow-capped peaks of Lebanon, it's the perfect
venue for lunch or an early dinner. Located inside a converted Ottoman house, the restaur-
ant is part of a famed consortium of top-notch restaurants in Jordan and offers an impress-
ive seasonal menu highlighting fresh produce, local wines and locally raised meats. The
open-air terrace is surrounded by flowers in spring that look good enough to sprinkle on
the salad.
JORDANIAN
CAFE
Shine Cottage Grilling$
( 9am-9pm)
A small open-air cafe, that has great views from the terrace and is the only
other opportunity for casual refreshments near the ruins. It is opposite the parking lot.
Information
The easiest way to enter ancient
Gadara
(admission JD3; 24hr)
is from the western
end of the car park. There are minimal signs in the site so it's worth collecting the bro-
