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 Qais, 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
Umm Qais, has been named among the ‘Best Tourism Villages 2022’ by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), as a recognition of its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Baraka Destinations was created to partner with local communities in secondary tourism sites to design and build tourism experiences that showcase their hometowns to curious travelers. You’ll find them working in areas often forgotten by tourists, or visited for an hour or two just to tick a list. With them you’ll have the opportunity to get to know the hidden gems that most tourists would miss, get to connect with the people that call it home, and enjoy a memorable and high quality travel experience.