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How to Visit the Dead Sea

Complete Guide to Visiting the Dead Sea

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The Dead Sea, a non-coastal salt lake in southwestern Asia, sandwiched between Israel and Jordan with portions in the West Bank, goes by many monikers: Sea of Death, Salt Sea, and Sea of Lot. What makes this hyper-saline natural marvel so special is that it’s the absolute lowest body of water on the surface of the Earth, with the bottommost elevation on land. The Dead Sea, where the water is about 10 times saltier than ocean water, is unlike any other destination in the world. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before visiting.

How the Dead Sea Was Formed

Millions of years ago, a saltwater lagoon was linked to the Mediterranean Sea. The faults of the African and Arabian tectonic plates shifted, the earth between the Dead Sea and Mediterranean rose, and the ocean’s water supply was cut off leaving the Dead Sea isolated. Freshwater springs and aquifers feed the sea (which, is actually a lake because it’s landlocked), but since there is no outflow, the water simply accumulates in the Dead Sea and then evaporates in the sunken hot desert, leaving salt behind.

What You Will See at the Sea

Let’s start with what you won’t see. No birds, fish, or plants can survive in the inhospitable cobalt-blue waters of the Dead Sea, which exists 1,412 feet below sea level.

At the water’s edge, crystalized sodium chloride makes the rocks and sand shimmer. It’s here, between the hills of Judea and the Jordan mountains, that people come to float and enjoy the mineral properties of the water. You’ll see bodies extended out on the surface of the water as if lounging on a pool floatation device. It’s nearly impossible to dive and, in fact, keeping your head out of the water is a good idea because the salt will most definitely irritate your eyes. If you have even the slightest of cuts, like a paper cut, you’ll feel the sting in the Dead Sea.

When floating, you’ll see reddish-brown sandstone mesas and the mountains of Jordan as they stretch in the distance across the glassy water.

You’ll notice a lack of water sports—there are no motorized vehicles, boats, or rolling waves. This adds to the moon-like ethereal landscape and, ultimately, makes for a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

Consider the Weather

Since the weather is generally warm and sunny year round, any time is a great time to visit, but keep in mind that summer temperatures can soar to more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit and winter temperatures can drop to the high 60s F. The area enjoys an average of 330 sun-filled days per year. A lack of precipitation—less than 4 inches per year—and a dry desert environment create the ideal outdoor soaking environment. You'll dry off quickly when exiting the water.

If you visit during the summer, when temperatures are at their hottest, you’re likely to have the place more to yourself. Conversely, visiting in the winter will mean that you’ll be enjoying the Dead Sea along with others.

Experience a Spa Escape

A popular destination for locals and tourists, the Dead Sea is well known as a natural spa escape. It’s a common practice to cover your body in silky dark brown mineral-rich mud, lay out in the sun, and then wash the mud off in the oil-like dense water. Many of the hotels offer spa treatments utilizing the surrounding mud and salt and resort swimming pools are often filled with the salt water from the sea.

People with persistent skin ailments, like psoriasis and eczema, routinely visit the Dead Sea to heal. The bone-dry climate mixed with the oxygen-rich atmosphere and mineral-heavy water are said to have extraordinary restorative properties. The salt is harvested and shipped all over the world to be used in beauty treatments and products.

Know Before You Go

Much of the Jordan River has been diverted for human use, shrinking the sea’s borders at an alarming rate and increasing the salt deposits. The surface level is dropping at an average of 3 feet per year. Each year, the Dead Sea changes in measurable ways, including the presence of sink holes. If this is a destination you hope to experience, visit sooner rather than later.

Tips for Visiting

• Take photographs before entering the water as the saline can damage your camera and create a film over the lens.
• Be sure to wear a swimsuit that you don’t care about too much. The high salt content, as well as the mud, is likely to degrade your suit and create discoloration.
• Bring a towel along to dry your hands before touching your face—if salt gets into your eyes, it will burn.
• Any cuts or sensitive areas on your skin will sting in the water. If you do have a cut, be sure to wrap it with a waterproof bandage before entering. Along the same lines, do not shave right before entering as you’ll experience a burning sensation.
• Bring along water shoes because the salt deposits along the shore may be sharp.
• Do not jump or splash—this might be a difficult concept if you’re traveling with children—as you could cut your skin on salt shards and get water in your eyes.
• Be sure stay hydrated with fresh water since you'll be out in the hot sun.
• And, of course, the longer you float in the water the more your skin will dry out, so plan accordingly.

Other Things To Do

If on the Israel side, there are other things to do in the Dead Sea area that you should consider. Masada , a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site, perched on a plateau overlooking the Dead Sea in the Judaean Desert, is a top natural attraction. Built by King Herod the Great to be used as a palace and then later occupied by Jewish patriots as a last stand against the Roman army, Masada is quite a site to study.

Visit the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve for hiking, wildlife viewing, botanic garden exploration, and a view of David Waterfall.

See Mount Sodom where pillars of limestone and clay-capped salt stand tall. One of these rugged columns is known as “Lot’s Wife,” a biblical figure who was turned into salt when she looked back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. You can explore this mountain made of salt via jeep tour or by hiking.

In 1947, the first of seven ancient Hebrew scrolls, called The Dead Sea Scrolls, was found in the Judaean Desert’s Qumran Caves by a local Bedouin boy. These religious documents, now held at the Israel Museum ’s The Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem, hold historical and linguistic importance, so be sure to stop by the museum to see them if you plan to be in Jerusalem.

How to Get There 

Flights from the United States to Israel land in Tel Aviv, a city worth exploring for its markets, beaches, dining, nightlife, and urban feel. From Tel Aviv, you can drive two hours and reach the Dead Sea. You can either rent a car and go on your own, book a tour with a reputable agency, or take a taxi. 

You may also want to go from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and then on to the Dead Sea. Buses are also available from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea.

In Israel, visitors usually choose to stay in either Ein Bokek or Ein Gedi, where the major hotels and resorts are located. You can also opt to fly to Amman, Jordan’s capital city, and stay on the eastern shore, especially if you’re planning to visit Petra and Wadi Rum.

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TAKE RELAXATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The Dead Sea, officially The Lowest Place On Earth (428m Below Sea Level) And A Shortlist Candidate For The World’s 7 Natural Wonders, Is An Enthralling And Evocative Combination Of Natural Splendor, Compelling Ancient History And Modern Luxuries.

From the healing powers of the Dead Sea’s cobalt blue waters, through the awesome beauty of the surrounding landscape to the myriad of fascinating sights this area has to offer, the Dead Sea is a place of tranquility, health and inspiration for body and soul alike.

Float on the waters, take a mud bath or go exploring - with 330 sunny days a year, the Dead Sea area is filled with superb attractions including natural healing spas, magnificent hiking trails, gourmet and fast food restaurants and adrenaline-charged attractions. Along the main part of the 75 kilometer stretch dotted with beautiful beaches, you will also find world class hotels and spa facilities to guarantee a truly indulgent experience.

The Magical Beaches of the Dead Sea

The beaches of the Dead Sea are like nothing else the world has to offer. There are many kilometers of beautifully developed and well-maintained spots where you can soak up the sun while on your dream vacation. Choose your spot on the rocky sand and take in the breathtaking scenery with the incredible mountain ranges surrounding the sea. The warm waters of the Dead Sea are always calm and offer superior relaxation from the minute you get in.

On the southern shores at the lowest point on earth, you will find an array of hotels where you can enjoy a magical sunrise over the lake, leaving an array of colors on the small ponds with the salt formations scattered throughout. To complete the experience of being at the Dead Sea, take some of the silky dark mud and lather it on allowing your skin to absorb the helpful minerals. Dead Sea mud has been proven beneficial to the skin and body. You will feel refreshed with skin that looks and feels younger. Give yourself the pampering that you deserve and get dirty with the Dead Sea mud – it’s healthy!

Discover the desert area around the Dead Sea

There is more to do than just relaxing in the spas and floating in the Dead Sea. If you are travelling south from Jerusalem, complement your desert experience by stopping at kibbutz Ein Gedi, a natural oasis on the slopes of the Judean desert, and take a hike through a nature reserve where you will see wildlife like the ibex (a kind of mountain goat) and enjoy the waterfalls and pools cascading on the rock formation. Ein Gedi also offers hotel accommodations and spas which houses hot sulphur pools and have different types of healing and therapeutic massages too. Continue south from here to Masada, a national landmark with a strong historical connection, located at the top of a massive mountain that the adventure seeker can hike, or it can be reached comfortably by cable car.

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The lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea (431m below sea level) brings together breathtaking natural beauty, compelling ancient history and modern mineral spas that soothe and pamper every fibre of your body. The jagged bluffs of the Judean Desert, cleft by dry canyons that turn into raging tan-coloured torrents after a cloudburst, rise from the cobalt blue waters of the Dead Sea, heavy with salt and oily with minerals.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Masada National Park

The plateau atop Masada, which measures about 550m by 270m, is some 60m above sea level – that is, about 490m above the surface of the Dead Sea. The…

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

This reserve consists of two roughly parallel canyons, Wadi David and Wadi Arugot, each of which has its own entrance complex and ticket office. It is…

Masada Museum

An outstanding and remarkably vivid introduction to Masada’s archaeology and history, this museum combines 500 evocative artefacts unearthed by…

Ein Bokek Beach

Running the length of Ein Bokek's hotel zone, this broad, clean beach – refurbished as a free, fully public amenity – is gloriously sandy. Arguably, the…

Qumran National Park

World-famous for having hidden the Dead Sea Scrolls for almost 2000 years, Qumran was the site of a small Essene settlement around the time of Jesus –…

Wadi Arugot

Generally less crowded but no less lovely than Wadi David, Wadi Arugot has a couple of streamside trails, rich in vegetation, that afford hikers an…

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve’s most accessible – and popular – pools and waterfalls are situated along Lower Wadi David (Nahal David Tachton), ie the area…

Ein Feshkha

Fed by crystal-clear springs, this lush oasis stretches for 6.5km along the base of the escarpment that forms the western edge of the Dead Sea valley…

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Dead Sea and beyond

• Attractions
• The Dead Sea

A spectacular natural wonder the Dead Sea that is located 427 meters below sea level is perfect for wellness and religious tourism, fun in the sun with the family. With its mix of beach living and religious history you can soak up the sun while Biblical scholars can get their daily dose of religious history. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty water itself – some ten times saltier than sea water, and rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others. The unusually warm, incredibly buoyant and mineral-rich waters have attracted visitors since ancient times, including King Herod the Great and the beautiful Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. All of whom have luxuriated in the Dead Sea's rich, black, stimulating mud and floated effortlessly on their backs while soaking up the water's healthy minerals along with the gently diffused rays of the Jordanian sun.

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• The Jordan Trail

The Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas)

Al-Maghtas, the Baptism Site of Jesus of Nazareth, signifies a landmark moment of the origin of Christianity. Religious and non-religious tourists alike will walk through a peaceful path of gorgeous Dead Sea vegetation to the location where Jesus was Baptised by John The Baptist. Located nine kilometers to the north of the Dead Sea visitors will have the pleasure of viewing sites built during the Roman and Byzantine empires. Al Maghtas is listed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. 

Entrance Fees:

Jordanians 3 JDs

Nationals of Arab League Countries 5 JDs

Other Nationalities 12 JDs

Price includes shuttle bus to side + local guide 

Safi Crafts

In association with the Ghor Al Safi Women’s Association for Social Development, the Safi Crafts center boasts a mixture of art, heritage, and community designed to advertise the colorfully made handicrafts of 15 local women. With operating hours from 8am to 2pm visitors can purchase soulfully made handicrafts while contributing to the economic development of local Jordanian communities; what’s better than that? 

The Lowest Point on Earth Museum & Lot’s Cave

This small museum near the Dead Sea is a wonder in and of itself with its unique location and interesting collection of artifacts. Located at the lowest point on Earth the museum hosts a collection of materials from Lot’s cave (located just up the hill from the museum) and amazingly preserved Graeco-Roman clothing in addition to hundreds of Greek inscriptions.  While visiting the museum, the walk up to Lot’s cave is highly recommended. This cave is believed to be where the Prophet Lot escaped to following the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. The cave is believed to have been transformed into a church and the intricate mosaic floor can still be seen today. 

Hot Springs

Visitors to the Dead Sea should also take advantage of another nearby wonder, Hammamat Ma’in (Ma’in Hot Springs). Popular with both locals and tourists alike, the springs are located 264m below sea level in one of the most breathtaking desert oases in the world. Thousands of visiting bathers come each year to enjoy the mineral-rich waters of these hyper-thermal waterfalls. These falls originate from winter rainfalls in the highland plains of Jordan and eventually feed the 109 hot and cold springs in the valley. This water is heated to temperatures of up to 63° Celsius by underground lava fissures as it makes its way through the valley before emptying into the Zarqa River.

Contact information/ how to book:  Ma’in Hot Springs Hotel is currently the only hotel near the springs Telephone:  00962 5 3245500 Location

Experiences From Travellers

11 Top-Rated Attractions in the Dead Sea Region, Jordan

Written by Jess Lee Updated Sep 16, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The Dead Sea is one of Jordan's top tourist attractions , but it's not just about floating in the water itself.

This area is packed full of things to do, from the gentle pursuits of soaking in thermal hot springs to action-packed hike-swims within the waters of the vast canyon of Wadi Mujib.

History-minded travelers aren't left out either. The Dead Sea region is one of Jordan's best places to visit for important sites from both Old Testament and New Testament history, and Kerak Castle is easily included in a Dead Sea day trip even though it's technically not in the Dead Sea region.

Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan sits at the sea's northern end, and the site were Salome danced to convince Herod Antipas to bring her the head of John the Baptist is set in the sea's border of hills. In the southern section of the Dead Sea, there are archaeological sites related to the story of Lot.

It's a fascinating area to explore and within easy reach as a day trip from either Amman or the town of Madaba.

You could make a good loop, choosing three sites (including a stop to float in the sea itself) to visit along the way on a day tour with a driver. Most taxi drivers in both Madaba and Amman are happy to quote prices to do this, and most hotels have recommended drivers and can fully arrange Dead Sea trips for you.

Find out what there is to see and do in the area with our list of the top attractions in the Dead Sea region.

1. Dead Sea Resort Area

2. dead sea panoramic complex, 3. bethany-beyond-the-jordan, 4. thermal springs of hammamat ma'in, 6. wadi mujib, 7. sodom & gomorrah, 8. lisan peninsula, 9. lot's cave monastery, 10. feynan nature reserve, 11. kerak castle, map of attractions in the dead sea region, jordan.

The beach area of Jordan's Dead Sea coastline, with five-star spa resorts and day-access beach complexes, sits on the northern section of the sea.

Just 60 kilometers southwest from Amman, it's within easy reach from the capital or from Madaba, which lies 40 kilometers to the east.

There are three private beach complexes strung along the shore, which offer day access to the sea and their facilities for an entrance fee. Running north to south, the complexes are Al-Wadi Resort, Amman Beach, and O Beach.

If you are road-tripping the Dead Sea region on a day trip from Amman or Madaba these are the best places to stop off for your Dead Sea float .

All three offer clean strips of stone- and grey-sand beach with sun loungers, picnic tables, sun-shades, and freshwater showers on the beach.

The complexes behind the beach area at all of them have restaurants and snack shops, freshwater swimming pools, shops selling the Dead Sea's mineral-rich skincare products, and clean bathrooms and changing areas.

The restaurants at the Dead Sea beach complexes offer a vast lunch buffet, and most visitors opt to buy the good-value beach access plus buffet entrance ticket.

If you only want to stop for a quick dip, though, there's a slightly cheaper beach access ticket that still grants you access to all the other facilities.

Note that these beaches are at their busiest on Fridays and Saturdays (the Jordanian weekend), so if you're looking for a quieter beach experience, try to time your visit for another day.

Alternatively, if you want to base yourself in the Dead Sea region rather than visit on a day trip, there are also several large spa resorts clustered on this stretch of shoreline. Most visitors who choose to stay overnight are here to indulge in some luxurious spa treatments with a distinct Dead Sea quality.

The Dead Sea's mineral-rich mud is well known to have therapeutic properties, and the resorts here all offer room and spa ritual packages for a pampering time-out from traveling.

Sitting on a ridge, looking over the Dead Sea below, this complex with an observation platform and a museum devoted to the Dead Sea is a great stop on your way to or from the Dead Sea shore itself.

The museum here documents the geology of the Dead Sea and this area's importance through human history.

For the best views, stretching across the sea to the dusky-hued hills of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, try to come here early in the morning. Later in the day, the western bank of the Dead Sea is often covered in haze.

The 30-kilometer journey here from Madaba is also one of the most dramatic access roads to the Dead Sea , with the descent winding down through jagged hills, cut through with swaths of wadis (valleys). This is also the access road to the hot springs of Hammamat Ma'in.

Sitting 19 kilometers north of the Dead Sea's northern tip, this archaeological and religious site is one of the most important and meaningful pilgrimage sites for Christian visitors to Jordan .

Most scholars believe that this is the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. During Pope John Paul II's Holy Land tour in 2000, the site's claim was officially sanctified by him.

Rubbing right up against the border with Israel and the Palestinian Territories, archaeological work to uncover the ruins here only began in the mid-1990s after Jordan's peace deal was signed with Israel, and the area's landmines could be cleared.

The ruins unearthed here reveal a Byzantine-era pilgrimage complex, with the foundations of churches and baptism ponds, affirming that early Christians believed this to be the Bethany where Jesus was baptized .

The earliest foundations of a church discovered here dates back to the 3rd century, making it one of the oldest in the world.

Right beside the Jordan River (which is little more than a narrow stream these days) is the modern Greek Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist. A platform on the river bank here is used for pilgrims who want to be baptized in the Jordan.

For non-religious visitors, the platform here is where you can snap photos right on the border , as the opposite river bank (a couple of meters away) is Israel.

The thermal springs of Hammamat Ma'in are secreted between barren high hills, within the lush valley of Wadi Zarqa Ma'in.

Here, steaming waterfalls gush down the cliffs into pools where people soak in the hot, mineral-rich water.

There are a variety of gender-separated public pools for bathing . The indoor pools are basic and a bit institutional, so best avoided if you're here to soak up the ambience as well as bathe.

The best option is the outdoor family pool (men-only groups cannot enter), with its little waterfall plunging into the steaming water.

For a luxurious Hammamat Ma'in experience, though, head to the resort. As well as providing one of Jordan's best hideaway-style spa stays, the Ma'in Hot Spring Resort & Spa offers day passes for casual visitors, which give you access to their spa facilities and private, waterfall-fed hot pools.

The remains of Mukawir (Machaerus) lie scattered atop a 700-meter-high summit overlooking the Dead Sea.

Known mostly as the location where Salome danced for Herod Antipas, and where he then had St. John the Baptist beheaded , Mukawir was once a fortified castle built by Herod the Great.

The ruins are actually quite sparse, and mostly foundations only. Most people come here for the astonishing views across the rippling hills, down to the Dead Sea , from the site.

The easiest ruins to decipher while here are the defensive walls and the outline of a bathhouse, while the platform area on-site with re-raised columns is said to be the spot of Salome's dance.

From Mukawir, it is a 17-kilometer drive on the most direct road down to the Dead Sea shore. The site is easily included in a Dead Sea day trip loop.

Feted as the lowest national park in the world and officially known as Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve , Wadi Mujib is a towering canyon area that slices through Jordan's desert mountains, opening out at the Dead Sea.

The main activity area of Wadi Mujib is the Dead Sea area where the towering, rose-toned gorge walls are at their narrowest.

From the entrance here, adventurous travelers can take part in a number of wet-hikes that explore the canyon .

Activities here mostly take place during the summer months when the water is at its lowest (the Wadi is closed to visitors during certain seasons and after heavy rainfall due to dangerous conditions).

When open, hikes here always involve getting soaking wet as you swim-scramble through the inner canyon and, at the end of the main trail, dive over a small waterfall into a pool below. They're great fun for hardy, adrenaline-seekers but not suitable for anyone not confident in water.

The upper reaches of the canyon can be viewed from near the small town of Dhiban along the King's Highway.

Following the Dead Sea Highway south from the entrance to Wadi Mujib, you'll come to the Lot's Wife pillar rock formation .

There are good views of shorefront salt deposits from the parking area here, so it's a popular place to visit for photographs.

To see the archaeology site identified as Sodom and Gomorrah by some biblical scholars, keep driving south and take the main turnoff east, which leads to Kerak Castle.

A few kilometers up this switchback road is the sparse Bab Ad-Dhraa site, once a fortified Bronze Age town and then suddenly abandoned.

Archaeologists who worked on the excavations here date the site's settlement from approximately 3200 BC to 1900 BC.

The southern section of Jordan's Dead Sea is where the potash industry is based. As you drive through, you can see the evaporation pools where potassium chloride, calcium, and bromine are extracted from the Dead Sea water.

There are various places along the shoreline here where you can get good views of the salt deposits.

On the eastern side of the road, the small settlements are surrounded by fertile farmland where tomatoes and bananas are grown.

If you keep driving south along the Dead Sea Highway, right to the southern end of the sea, you'll get to the turnoff to Tafilah, which connects up onto the southern section of the King's Highway, and ends at Petra .

Sitting just off the Dead Sea Highway, 48 kilometers south from Wadi Mujib, is the small archaeological site known as Lot's Cave.

This is where some biblical scholars believe Lot and his daughters lived after God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

A stepped walkway winds up the hill to the site, with good views of the surrounding countryside along the way.

Before (or after) you climb up to the site, pop in to the Lowest Point on Earth Museum , where artifacts, including mosaic fragments and ceramics, unearthed from the site and from other nearby archaeological sites such as Bab Ad-Dhraa are on display.

Once up the hill at the site itself, the main ruins here, built in front of the cave, are of a much younger Byzantine-era church-monastery complex. According to the inscriptions found here, the church was dedicated to Lot, showing that in the Byzantine era, people believed that this cave was the place where Lot and his family stayed.

There are some well-preserved fragments of mosaic flooring in the church ruins, as well as the remains of a reservoir.

The Dead Sea Highway, once you've passed the southern end of the Dead Sea, is bordered by the desolate desert landscapes of the Wadi Arabah .

Heading this way, about 60 kilometers south from Lot's Cave, you reach the turnoff into Feynan, which can only be accessed by 4WD.

This desert area encompasses the lower elevation of Wadi Dana Biosphere Reserve , which at its top height sits at around 1,700 meters, with Dana Village accessed from the King's Highway, and here, amid the desert, sits below sea level.

Feynan Eco-lodge here arranges a number of activities within the desert area, including hikes to copper mines used in the Iron Age and Roman era, and canyoning. It's also the only place to stay in the area. A night at Feynan is an experience in itself, as the eco-lodge doesn't use electricity.

From Feynan, there is a popular, and incredibly beautiful, one-day hiking trail up the Wadi Dana to Dana Village.

Although Kerak Castle technically isn't in the Dead Sea Region (it sits along the King's Highway, high above the Dead Sea), it is easily included in a Dead Sea loop itinerary, as it's only 52 kilometers southeast of Wadi Mujib.

Kerak is Jordan's most famous crusader-built castle , with dramatically well-preserved fortifications and a warren of barren-vaulted halls and chambers, and dungeon cells to explore.

It was built in the 12th century as part of the crusaders' line of defense, and retains an astounding amount of its original character, though various additions were made to the castle during the Mamluk era.

On a Dead Sea sightseeing drive trip starting from Amman or Madaba, you can easily fit in a visit to Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, a dip in the Dead Sea, and a tour of Kerak Castle on the same day.

A Little Adventure… An Epically Muddy Day at the Dead Sea

Last updated on January 21, 2024 by Shannon

After arriving at the Dead Sea in Jordan , I wasn’t prepared for the sheer starkness of the landscape. My previously conjured images of the Dead Sea were of two varieties:

• An exotic, remote, and barren desert landscape with an inhospitable lake of water stretching for miles.
• A smiling and slightly accented vendor in any one of America’s super-sized malls rubbing dark brown Dead Sea mud onto the back of my hand, extolling its many virtues.

Neither version prepared me for the actuality of the Dead Sea—the region’s bare landscape was the very element lending beauty. And remote? Not hardly. It’s a mere 45 minute drive from Amman , Jordan’s capital, and surrounded by a handful of significant religious biblical and Islamic pilgrimage sites . We easily added an overnight here between our exploring the myths and history of Petra and a sunrise camel ride in Wadi Rum .

If you’re as clueless as I was going into this region, let’s see what a traveler can get up to with a day or two to spare on Jordan’s side of the Dead Sea! (warning: classically cheesy Dead Sea shots ahead ;)

Table of Contents

Why is the Dead Sea So Important?

The Dead Sea is a salt lake located in the Jordan Rift Valley and is bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and Palestine to the west. It’s a popular tourist spot because of its unique ecosystem and the many health benefits that are believed to be associated with its high salt and mineral content. The Dead Sea is also an important source of natural minerals and is home to a number of industries that rely on its resources.

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Things to Do Near the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is well positioned in Jordan to see a number of incredible sites of religious and historic significance. The Dead Sea forms part of the border with Israel, and this area is one of the key Cradles of Civilization on the planet, giving birth to an enormous amount of the human races’ shared history. In addition to actually floating and frolicking in the Dead Sea, you can visit most of the nearby sites in a single day if you have your own car, or spread it among two days if you’re using public transport.

Dead Sea Mud and Salty, Mineral-y Goodness!

The Dead Sea is known for its mud . . .  which seems like a strange claim to fame until you consider just what actually makes Dead Sea mud different from what you can dig up in your backyard.

Your random bit of history for the day: The Dead Sea is the lowest spot on earth’s surface—the shores of the Dead Sea sit 1,388 feet (423 meters) below sea level.

This level makes it possible for a number of other Dead Sea wonders—the sea’s waters maintain nearly 34% salinity and the River Jordan dead-ends into Dead Sea, with river water evaporating and leaving behind vast beds of salt and minerals.

Then consider the UVB rays;  the barometric pressure and high oxygen levels on the sea’s shores dilute the sun’s harmful rays more than any other place on earth . . . for the fair-skinned (me!), that means we don’t burn as quickly when sunning on the shores of the Dead Sea!

Now put all of that information into a blender and this is what you get:

Travelers come from all over the world to slather themselves in the thick, clay-like Dead Sea mud, bake the mud into their skin in the warm sunlight, and then soak it off in the mineral-rich salt waters.

I couldn’t really opt out of this experience, right?!

After reading up on the Dead Sea I gave myself a challenge—try to sink, try to force my body below the surface of the water.

I couldn’t!

The high salt content means I was forced to instead content myself with a gentle bob on the water’s surface while the setting sun lowered behind the mountains near Israel, turning the glossy surface of the water into a near perfect mirror of the sky’s riot of saffron and rose-tinted clouds.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan

The sun was still rising high in the sky the morning we ventured a short 15 minute ride from the Dead Sea to Bethany Beyond the Jordan , the site where John the Baptist baptized Christ.

This site is a fairly recent archeological discovery and is still in excavation—archeologists are actively digging up more historical ruins nearby.

One of the neatest parts of the experience is standing on the banks of the Jordan River and peering at the pilgrims standing just across the river in Israel, a mere four or five arm lengths away.

Jordan and Israel share this pilgrimage site and we were close enough to sit in the Jordanian shade and watch pilgrims in Israel bless themselves with the river’s water.

Madaba, Mount Nebo

From Bethany Beyond the Jordan, it’s a fairly short drive to Madaba and the top of Mount Nebo—another religious site and also a spot providing panoramic views of the Holy Land.

From the lookout spot, a map offers pinpoints of major historic sites in the surrounding region: the Dead Sea, Israel, Jericho, and Jerusalem (on a clear day).

Several of the world’s major religions played out their beginnings on the land visible from Mount Nebo, both biblical-based religions and Islam trace roots to this area. This is a highly recommended thing to do when you’re near the Dead Sea.

I geeked out on spending my morning hours learning the history and biblical stories that make this region globally significant. I’m not a religious pilgrim by any means, but history is fascinating and I believe all knowledge is worth having!

Travel Planning: Visiting Jordan’s Dead Sea

Where to Stay

Although many day trip to the region (it costs about $100 for an organized tour ), the Dead Sea is worthy of a night or two to really soak it all in. There are many gorgeous five-star high-end resorts and spas in the area perfect for a weekend of relaxation ( the Mövenpick is a gorgeous option  and they comped my stay to try it out. It was plush, offering private beaches and many amenities to enjoy the sea).

Budget travelers, however, fear not! Local resorts offer day passes to use the amenities, or, about two kilometers from the resort area is the Amman Touristic Beach—it’s decked out with pools, Dead Sea mud, and dressing rooms. The religious sites mentioned are all within a 20 minute drive of the Dead Sea, so you can stay anywhere nearby and still access the beauty and history.

Top hotels for your budget:

• Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea : For those on a cushy budget, this is one of the nicest resorts in the area and has top-notch amenities and gorgeous access to the Dead Sea. I also think that Kempinski hotels have some of the tastiest breakfast buffets in the world!
• Mövenpick Resort and Spa : This is where I stayed and works on a mid-range budget. Everything was sparkling clean and so lovely and this is a good option for those looking for a day-pass, too.
• Ramada Resort : This is the most affordable of the resorts in the area that still offers private access to the Dead Sea, and it’s definitely lovely and worth visiting for those who need a bit of a more budget place, but still want nice amenities.

If you have your own rental car, consider staying at a vacation rental— VRBO has some truly beautiful ones right on the water.

Book a city transfers to maximize your time.

Get Your Guide has a range of tours in Jordan, but the car and shuttle transfer services are perhaps the most handy for travelers who haven’t rented a car.

How to Get to the Dead Sea from Amman

Located a roughly 45 minute drive from Amman, the Dead Sea is certainly day-tripable from Amman. And since Jordan is small, you should consider renting a car to better explore! I reliably find the best deals at RentalCars.com when I am outside of the U.S.

The easiest way to get to the Dead Sea is via a private transfer that runs just $50 to or from Amman (it’s $160 to/from Aqaba ).

You can also opt for a taxi that will cost between 20-35 JD (booking through your hotel will cost on the upper end, the lower end is if you find and negotiate one yourself), or a JETT tourist service bus leaves from 7 th Circle bus station directly to the beach (~7 JD).

The public bus leaving from Mujahidin will only save you a couple JD all told because you will have to cab from where it drops you to the beach, so it’s best to take the tourist one.

Otherwise there are organized day trips you can join for right about $100 —these include transfers on both sides and make it super easy to get to Amman and back in one day.

Best Time to Visit the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is ideal really most of the year, though Jordan’s best weather in general (and tourist high season) is during late fall and late spring. Weekends are quite hectic in the public areas especially!

And given the low sun’s rays are filtered by the time they reach you on the shoreline, you can even go out in full midday sun and splash around a bit (though, of course, still use sunscreen!).

Don’t forget to  book travel insurance for your trip —a great policy provides coverage in case of medical emergencies, lost or stolen gear, adventure sports riders, and more. I’ve used  IMG Global  for more than a decade  highly recommend it !

How to Find the Salt and Mineral Formations Along Jordan’s Dead Sea

The main resorts and public beaches do not have the iconic views of the salty shoreline—rather, you’ll need a car to find the best spots.

Note that the Dead Sea shore is receding rapidly, so the best spots to view the salt rocks and salt-crystal buildup can change year-to-year, but the general area of shoreline offering these views is roughly the same. It lies south of the resort beaches, toward and near Wadi al-Mujib National Park.

A Little Adrift readers have done some heavy legwork and found great spots that have the best views of Dead Sea salt right now.

• For views of the white, chunky salt rock crystal formations, Instagrammer ShesGotWings777 sent me a pin drop and noted that you can access a gorgeous area near these Google Map coordinates (31°26’55.4″N 35°33’56.7″E) . Her photos are much like mine, with the thick rocks covered in salt formations.
• Another reader, Maria, visited and found a place nearby with beautiful variegated shoreline and put together a great guide to the Dead Sea with advice on finding shores with salt and mineral deposits .

In many cases, the area will not look like it has the great views from the main road, but you can park the car and find a trail leading to the shoreline, which is where you’ll find the pretty panoramas.

These recommendations may include scrambling down and over rocks—conduct your own research and use good judgement; A Little Adrift does not accept any responsibility for any potential consequences arising from the use of this information.

Visiting the Public Beaches on Jordan’s Dead Sea

It costs ~20 JD to enter the Amman Public Beach , or consider a day pass to one of the nearby resorts—you’ll pay double to triple the cost range depending on if it’s a weekday or weekend, but it can be much less hectic.

The Public Beach is really a public resort though, so it’s nice and you shouldn’t hesitate to visit it. There are other less well-maintained beaches walkable from the Public Beach if you are really on a shoestring budget.

If you’re buying a day pass to a resort beach as a way to bypass the Public Beach, I recommend Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea and Mövenpick Resort and Spa.

Cost Breakdown of Things to Do

Costs for visiting the most common things to do include: Mount Nebo (1 JD) and Bethany Beyond the Jordan (12 JD). If you’ve rented a car, then you can visit the salty shorelines for free!

Getting Around Jordan

Jordan on the whole is fairly easy to navigate by public transport, although many travelers rent a private car and explore that way since there are a few key sights you really need a car or a day tour to visit.

Use the Lonely Planet Jordan to find the most updated transport options around the country as it’s your best bet at understanding how to navigate between places, as well as knowing which neat smaller sights you can visit along the way if you’re road tripping.

I explored a huge swath of the country, including wandering markets in Amman , learning from Bedouin in Wadi Rum , sipping tea with locals , and taking epic jumping shots at every major historic site . :)

Safety Tips

Jordan has significantly different vibes than other places in the region and you can absolutely travel here safely. At the Dead Sea, the main safety concern is that you leave the public beaches by dark. This is good advice for most anywhere in the world, but particularly true here if you’re not at a resort beach.

And remember to respect local customs and laws. Jordan is a Muslim country, so it is important to respect local customs and laws, particularly regarding dress and behavior. Yes, you can wear a bathing suit in the water, but dress appropriately once you leave the waterside.

I worked with the  Jordan Tourism Board  on this trip—the experiences, photos, and stories are my own. :)

32 thoughts on “A Little Adventure… An Epically Muddy Day at the Dead Sea”

Dear Shannon,

I hope this comment finds you well. I wanted to reach out and personally thank you for the incredible content you shared on your blog about the Dead Sea in Jordan. My partner and I recently had the opportunity to visit this remarkable destination, and your blog played a significant role in enhancing our experience.

Before embarking on our trip, we diligently researched the Dead Sea, and your blog stood out as a valuable resource. The information you provided was not only insightful but also beautifully presented. We particularly appreciated the attention to detail and the passion with which you described the unique aspects of the region.

One aspect that captured our attention was your mention of the evaporation ponds. Intrigued by this phenomenon, we set out on an adventure to explore these ponds ourselves. Armed with the knowledge we gained from your blog, we spent half a day eagerly driving up and down, searching for the best location to witness the captivating sight of the evaporation process up close.

Thanks to your guidance, we eventually found the perfect spot that allowed us to marvel at the mesmerizing beauty of the evaporation ponds. The experience was nothing short of breathtaking, and we felt a profound connection to the natural wonders that the Dead Sea has to offer.

Hiya .. we’re heading to Jordan in late April starting with Jerash then walking from Wadi Rum to Petra. Which is better for 3 days at the end … Aqaba or the one of the Dead Sea resorts!? Many thanks

I think a Dead Sea resort is going to be more relaxing, if that’s what you’re after. You’d have quiet private beaches and a couple of nice day trips nearby. Aqaba is a city—a busy one. If you’re keen to snorkel or do water adventures on the Red Sea, then you have to go there, but I found it way less relaxing than a Dead Sea resort, and the city lacked charm (but the Red Sea is great, of course ).

Hi Shannon I’m thinking of visiting Dead Sea on end of December 2022. I will be travelling with my 16 years old son. Will it be safe? For safety reasons will it be safe to stay in Amaan or Dead Sea. Thank you shipa

Hi Shipa—Jordan is so much safer than other countries in the area, in general. The Dead Sea is very resort based, so I would recommend staying at one of those for a full experience—one night is probably enough. And while Amman is generally safe, it’s a big city so there are going to be parts that are more sketchy than others. I’m usually a fan of smaller cities for that very reason. Either way, either as a day trip from Amman or overnight, you and your son should feel pretty safe about the experience.

Hi Shannon! Your post is being very iseful for my partner and me to plan our next trip to JOrdan in 3 weeks :) I would like to ask you how we proceed with the “Mud Baths”. We’re going to hire a car at the Amman aiport when we land, and we’ll tour along Jordan with it. Could we stop freely in whatver beach off the Dead Sea Coast, or all beaches are private meaning that we have to book our hotel night at one of those hotels that offer the service? We’ve just booked one night at the Ma´in Hot Springs but if we have to pay other hotel to be able to do the mud baths, we’ll change the reservations. Thank you very much for your help!

Thank you for this article. Very helpful!

Hey Shannon! We recently visited the Dead Sea in Jordan and I have to say we read your blog before visiting. We spent half a day driving up and down to find the best location for getting up and close to the evaporation ponds and I just wanted to mention for anyone else visiting that we have listed where we think that is! (link in blog post above)

Would it be fairly safe for a single woman (mid 60’s) to travel to the Dead Sea and Petra on my own

I think you can absolutely do that trip safely. You may not want to be completely independent for all of it—you can perhaps hire a transport company or driver for the trip from Amman to the Dead Sea, and the resorts and places along the shore felt quite safe on every level.

Congrats! The post and the shots are amazing! Did you remember the location where you took that photo standing up on the salt structures? Thanks :)

Hmm, I don’t know for sure. We left the resort area and had the Dead Sea on our right, and it was about 25 minutes along the way. Sorry, wish that I could be more helpful!

 Truly beautiful sunset image. The very first image is really beautiful as well. The salt structures are just amazing.

We actually had to really look around hard to find a spot where we could climb down to see the salt structures, and when we got down there it was amazing to see them up close! :-)

 The photos of the salt crystals look amazing. I always find it amusing trying to sink in a highly salted water. I used to do it in Greece as well. No where near as saline as the dead sea though. 

Did you manage to sink at least a bit in Greece then?! It was futile feat in Jordan…the salt crystals were one of the neatest parts…I have some closeups of them I may post later, but I thought I was just a dork for liking them so much! ;-)

I’m in love the picture with you with mud on your face! Super cute! 

Thanks Erica! One of my favs from the trip too :)

You too even look cute covered in mud! So happy that we got to meet you two at the Dead Sea the day you left Jordan and the day we arrived. We were very happy that we started our 10 day tour of Jordan and ended it at the Movenpick at the Dead Sea. .We even added Dead Sea mud to our very limited RTW carry on luggage when we headed to Europe for the summer when we left. LOL

Thanks Jeanne! Our breakfast was oh-too-brief but we were grateful our paths crossed! :) Bookending your Jordan trip with the Dead Sea sounds like an amazing part of the trip – it’s so relaxing and I can *completely* understand packing the mud…secret confession, Jodi and I both have some as well! :) Enjoy Europe this summer!

Looks like you and Jodi had your share of fun! I’m usually not one for chilling at a spa for days, but the Dead Sea was one area where I could definitely see myself doing that. The combination of the extra oxygen below sea level and the lovely feeling after the mud and sea really is quite wonderful – felt a bit like superwoman :) 

We had a blast! I agree about the spa days, but somehow coating myself in mud and floating on the Dead Sea was oddly pleasing :) And please tell me you have a shot doing the superwoman pose coated in mud?!

 Looks like such a great day! Awesome photos–the Dead Sea is even higher on my must-see list now! 

 It’s really a lot of fun – and relaxing too. The area is decked out with spas and opportunities to really pamper yourself if you can splurge when you go :)

 This is so high up on my list of places to experience already, and you may have just bumped it higher.

 It deserves to be pretty high up there! Just wait until you see Petra and Wadi Rum….it was so spectacular it hurts to even think about it. :)

 Ah! I’m headed to Jordan in late October and your experience obviously makes me that much more pumped to also try to sink! I suppose I’ll be perfectly content floating along in the Dead Sea though…

 It’s definitely not a hardship to have to sit on top of the water – I really recommend spending sunset on the water – it was stunning! Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help plan your travels! :)

I love the picture with the salt and mineral deposits. I didn’t realize that happened. I think I would skip the mud though. I’ve always HATED being dirty, even as a small child.

 Thanks for stopping in Robert! There are huge beds of the salt deposits – really wherever the uber salty water hits rocks instead of sand…by far one of the prettiest features of the Dead Sea is where the white salt rocks meet the turquoise water!

 You know I have never seen a picture of the dead sea coast with the salt formations like that. And ohh what fun the mud looks like as well :) 

The mud was good fun! You should add this to your bucket list James, when are you heading to the Middle East again?   ;-) 

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Home » Articles & Tips » Travel Tips » 10 Most Important Facts about the Dead Sea

10 Most Important Facts about the Dead Sea

It is regarded as one of the leading tourist attractions in Israel and indeed the whole world, but it’s not just tourists who flock to the Dead Sea . In the summer, it’s difficult to find an available room in the local hotels , yet the recommended season to slather your body in Dead Sea mud is actually the winter…So, what do you need to know before you begin floating?

1. The lowest point on earth

For millions of tourists across the globe, the Dead Sea is home to one of the most extraordinary experiences of nature. It is situated at the lowest point on earth , 423 meters below sea level. Here, sea and desert meet, and together they form a breathtaking vista at the Syrian-African rift, spreading across the border of Israel and Jordan. Two countries, on either side of the sea, have each developed their own vibrant tourist industry around the wonder of the Dead Sea.

2. Sea or lake?

In Israel and throughout the world, this unique body of water is called a ‘sea’, however, the Dead Sea is actually a huge lake covering 50 km in length, with no outlet to the ocean. It has been coined a ‘sea’ due to the composition of its waters, with a high concentration of salt at about 34% – 10 times that of the Mediterranean Sea. What’s more, it is the fourth saltiest lake in the world, after Lake Assal in Djibouti, and the Don Juan Pond in the state of Victoria on Antarctica.

3. The ‘Dead Sea’ is actually teeming with vitality.

The name for the sea is unique in its reference to death. Due to the high salinity in its waters, the Dead Sea is not conducive to any form of life. It contains no fish or animal life, but the salt and mineral-rich waters are regarded as a source of vitality for the body and soul. In fact, even in ancient times, the Dead Sea was a sought-after destination for royalty, such as King Herod and Queen Cleopatra, who visited the Dead Sea to enrich their bodies with the essential minerals of the water and mud pools.

4. A destination for medical tourism.

The Dead Sea is a popular international destination for the medical tourism industry. The rich concentration of minerals in its water and mud, zinc, and oxygen-rich air has been clinically proven in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin diseases, asthma, rheumatism, high blood pressure, and more. Most local hotels have established health clinics and spas that provide a range of services for the growing demands of medical tourism. Indeed, throughout the year, the beaches, hotels, and health centers are full of people who have come to the Dead Sea for various health treatments and benefits.

5. You really do float.

The waters of the Dead Sea are extremely dense, which allows you to float on the surface of the sea . The floating experience is an attraction in its own right and it draws tourists from all over the world. So, if you are already here, don’t miss the extraordinary sensation. Take the relaxing opportunity to hover on the water surface, while your skin enjoys all the benefits of the salt and minerals – and most importantly, make sure you capture it on your smartphone!

6. Almost a Wonder of the World.

In 2011, the Israeli Tourism Ministry nominated the Dead Sea in the “Seven Wonders of Nature” competition, in order to boost the image of the Dead Sea in the global tourism industry. Among 439 contenders, the Dead Sea climbed to number 14 on the list of finalists. Even so, the Dead Sea is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, competing with a prestigious list of sites that include the Komodo National Park in Indonesia, the Jeju Island of South Korea, and the Iguazu waterfalls in Argentina and Brazil.

7. The most visited stretch of beach at the Dead Sea is actually a pool.

The Dead Sea hotels on the southern shores are close neighbors with the artificial pools established by the Dead Sea Works company. Yes, that’s right – pools! The pools are filled via water pumps that bring water from the north part of the sea to the south part. Drought and water shortages in Israel and surrounding countries in recent years caused an extreme reduction in the amount of water flowing from rivers into the Dead Sea. This caused the southern part of the Dead Sea to dry up . The development of artificial pools maintains a steady flow of water to the south Dead Sea, allowing the continued flourishing of the sea and the exciting tourism opportunities it brings.

8. Smile for the camera.

In 2011, photographer Spencer Tunick produced a mass-nude photo of approximately 1000 Israelis who volunteered to strip off and float naked on the Dead Sea. The photograph won worldwide accolades and was designed to advance the nomination of the Dead Sea in the “Seven Wonders of Nature” competition.

9. You can’t get sunburned? Think again.

The Dead Sea is located in a desert region, so even in the winter months, there is not much rainfall. The low location of the Dead Sea and the increased distance from the sun’s rays have given rise to the myth that you can spend hours on end in the sun at the Dead Sea without getting sunburn. Even so, it is important to be careful as the UV sun rays at the Dead Sea can still be dangerous to the skin. So make sure to avoid exposure for long periods of time without sun protection.

10. The world’s most ancient scrolls.

In the 1950s, a Bedouin shepherd was searching among the Qumran caves for a lost sheep, and he stumbled upon a world-famous discovery: ancient scrolls with critical importance to the history of the Jewish people. An in-depth examination of the scrolls revealed that they were handwritten in the most ancient version of Hebrew ever found in Israel. They were named “The Dead Sea Scrolls”. Fortunately, the scrolls were found in excellent, almost complete condition, due to the dry weather that is characteristic of the Dead Sea valley region.

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