Balqa and Madaba governorates, western Jordan · Jordan
The lowest point on the surface of the Earth, where the water is ten times saltier than the sea and you float without trying.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Dead Sea is a landlocked salt lake on the border between Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its shore lies about 430 metres below sea level, making it the lowest point on land, and its water is roughly nine or ten times as salty as the ocean. Almost nothing can live in it, hence the name, and swimmers float on the surface almost without effort.
The lake is shrinking. The rivers that feed it, especially the Jordan, have been diverted for farms and cities, and the level has been falling by roughly a metre a year for decades. It is worth seeing now, and the retreat of the shoreline is visible in the hotels that were once on the water and are now a walk or a shuttle from the beach.
The Jordanian shore is a strip of hotels, spas and public beaches along the Dead Sea Highway, about an hour from Amman. It also holds some of the country's most interesting sights nearby: the Wadi Mujib canyon, the hot springs at Zara Ma'in and the Baptism Site of Bethany beyond the Jordan, which Christian tradition identifies as the place where Jesus was baptised.
Why visit
It is a short day trip from the capital and an unusual experience in its own right.
The water's density means you bob on the surface like a cork. It is one of the strangest sensations a visitor can have, and it costs almost nothing.
About 430 m below sea level, and the air is denser, giving a slightly muted sunlight and easy breathing.
The black mud is rich in minerals and is smeared over the body and washed off in the sea. Whether it does any good is debated, but it is fun.
Bethany beyond the Jordan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination, with churches and excavated remains near the river.
The canyon is a spectacular water-walk, and the Zara Ma'in springs and waterfalls are a rare hot-water oasis in the desert.
Main attractions
The sea itself is the main event, and the other sites round out a day.
Wade in slowly and lie back. Stay away from open cuts, avoid swallowing the water, and keep it out of your eyes. Most people stay in for 15–20 minutes.
Tip Do not shave that morning, and rinse off in a fresh-water shower afterwards.
Dark mud is dug from the shore and smeared on the skin, left to dry and then rinsed off. Resorts sell it by the bucket.
Tip Avoid your face and eyes, and be sure to wash off thoroughly.
A site on the east bank of the Jordan River, inscribed by UNESCO in 2015, with the remains of Roman and Byzantine churches and pools. It is identified by Christian tradition as the place where John baptised Jesus, a tradition that is also claimed for the western bank.
Tip Visits are made by a guided shuttle, and the site is very hot in summer. Go in the morning.
A deep canyon that drains into the Dead Sea and is a nature reserve. The Siq trail is a wet, easy walk that ends at a waterfall, and longer guided routes exist for experienced walkers.
Tip Trails are closed in the wet season, usually from about November to March, and you must book in advance.
Hot springs and waterfalls in a green valley, a short drive from the shore. There is a resort and a public area, and it is a dramatic contrast to the surrounding desert.
Tip It is especially good on a cool winter evening.
Amman Beach and other public beaches offer access to the sea, showers and changing rooms for a modest fee, without having to stay at a resort.
Tip Bring your own towel and check what is included.
The plateau above the sea holds the Moses memorial on Mount Nebo and the mosaic map at Madaba, easy to combine with a swim.
Tip See the separate guide to Madaba and Mount Nebo.
Things to do
Most people combine a swim with a spa, a sunset and one other site.
The classic experience: wade in, float, come out, cover yourself in mud, dry in the sun, and rinse in the sea.
Tip Follow the advice of the lifeguards on the beach.
Several hotels sell day passes that include pools, private beaches, spas and food, and are a good option for a day trip from Amman.
Tip Compare the day-pass prices and what is included.
A guided visit to Bethany takes about 90 minutes and includes a walk to the river and the excavated churches.
Tip Take a hat and water, and go early.
A short, wet route through a narrow canyon, with pools and a waterfall at the end. It is one of the best half-day activities in the country.
Tip Wear shoes that can get wet, and check the trail is open.
The sun sets behind the hills of the West Bank and the sea turns pink and orange. It is a good evening ritual from a resort terrace.
Tip Stay an extra night so that you see it.
A warm bath in a desert canyon is a relaxing end to a day.
Tip Check the current opening hours and prices.
Local food
Most people eat at their hotel, and resort food is international, but there are good Jordanian restaurants along the road and in the towns nearby.
A spread of hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh and other small dishes, ideal for sharing and for a lazy lunch by the water.
Where to try it Hotel terraces and restaurants along the Dead Sea Highway.
Chicken, lamb and mixed grills with rice and salad. A staple at roadside restaurants.
Where to try it Restaurants at the public beaches and in Sweimeh.
Pomegranate, orange and carrot juice are refreshing in the heat.
Where to try it Stalls along the shore road.
The Jordan Valley grows some of the country's best dates, sold fresh or dried at roadside stalls.
Where to try it Markets in the valley and along the road from Amman.
Hot sweet tea and cardamom coffee, served in resorts and roadside stops.
Where to try it Everywhere, and often free with a meal.
Jordan produces a small amount of wine and olive oil in the valley and highlands, sold in shops and served in some hotels.
Where to try it Resort restaurants and shops in Madaba.
Accommodation
Most people stay at a resort on the shore, and a few stay in Amman or Madaba and visit for the day. The shore has a cluster of large hotels.
Transport
The Dead Sea Highway runs along the shore, and it is about an hour from Amman.
The resort strip is small, and most people use their hotel shuttle or a taxi.
When to go
The Dead Sea is at its most comfortable in the cooler months. Summers are extremely hot, often over 40°C, and winters are mild and pleasant.
Warm, sunny days of 25–33°C and pleasant water. The best combination of weather and swimming.
Very hot, with temperatures regularly above 40°C. You can swim, but the beach is brutal in the middle of the day.
Warm and comfortable, and the water is at its warmest. A good time for a Dead Sea stay.
Mild, often 18–22°C, and less crowded. A good time to visit when Amman is cold, though the water is cool and Wadi Mujib is closed.
Worth planning around: Midday in summer, and the winter rains, when the roads and canyons can be affected by flash floods.
Itinerary
A morning at the Baptism Site, a float and lunch at the shore, and a sunset by the water. Assumes a start from Amman or Madaba.
Pilgrimage in the morning, a swim in the afternoon.
Travel tips
The water is unlike any other, and a few rules make it more comfortable.
FAQ
Effectively, yes. The water is about nine or ten times saltier than the ocean, which makes it dense enough that you float on the surface. Stay on your back, and do not try to swim on your front.
For most visitors, yes, at least for a short stop. It is a unique experience, easy to reach from Amman, and it combines well with Madaba, Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site.
Yes. The level has been falling by around a metre a year, as the rivers that feed it are diverted and water is extracted for industry. The retreat is visible along the shoreline.
Swimwear, a towel, water shoes, sunscreen, a hat and a change of clothes. Avoid wearing jewellery, as the salt tarnishes it.
Yes, especially for anyone interested in Christian history. It is a pleasant and moving site with excavated remains. Note that the tradition is also claimed for the western bank of the river.
Yes. It takes an hour each way, and many people combine it with Madaba and Mount Nebo. A resort day pass gives access to the beach, pool and facilities.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Dead Sea, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Madaba Governorate, central Jordan, Jordan
A small Christian-majority town famous for Byzantine floor mosaics, and a nearby mountain that has drawn pilgrims for centuries.
Don't miss The Madaba Map, a Byzantine floor mosaic showing Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and the view from Mount Nebo across the Jordan Valley.
Explore Destination — Madaba & Mount NeboAmman Governorate, central Jordan, Jordan
Jordan's relaxed, layered capital, where Roman columns, Umayyad palaces and bustling souks sit beside cafés, galleries and a good museum.
Don't miss The Citadel at sunset, with the Temple of Hercules in the foreground and the white city spread across its hills below.
Explore Destination — AmmanKerak and Ma'an governorates, southern Jordan, Jordan
Two of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Middle East, built by the Crusaders in the 12th century and fought over by Saladin and the Mamluks.
Don't miss Kerak's underground galleries and corridors, a vaulted labyrinth that you can explore with a torch.
Explore Destination — Kerak & Shobak CastlesRead next
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