Gadara – known today as Umm Qais was renowned in it’s time as a cultural centre. It was home to several poets and philosophers. One poets called the city ‘a new Athens’. Umm Qais was one of the cities of the Decapolis and has a distinctive Roman city layout with colonnade streets, vaulted terraces and two theatres. Umm Qais’s location high in the mountains is a major attraction in itself as you can dine on the terrace of a fine restaurant and view the Golan Heights, Mount Hermon, Lake Tiberias and the Palestinian plains.
Pella is a must visit for archaeologists and history fans, as it is so rich in antiquities and ruins. Amongst other things there is a Chalcolithic settlement from 4000 BC, remains of bronze and Iron age walled cities, Byzantine churches, a Greco-roman theater, early Islamic houses and a medieval mosque.
From a base in Amman you can visit both Umm Qais and Pella in a single day trip.
Where to Stay?
Best to do as a day trip from Amman