Dead Sea

No one can sink in the waters of the Dead Sea, one of the world’s saltiest bodies, with a salinity level more than ten times higher than the Mediterranean. The unique characteristics of this body of water, which at 430m below sea level is the lowest dry point on Earth, have attracted visitors for centuries. Several deluxe hotels with on-site spas have been built at the northern end of the sea. These offer guests the opportunity to experience the unique sensation of floating like a cork in the Dead Sea’s saline and buoyant waters, indulging in spa treatments, and experiencing the region’s special dry climate, which benefits from weakened ultraviolet radiation and is characterised by a high oxygen content.

The Dead Sea Panoramic Complex sits on a dramatic cliff high above the Dead Sea and has some of the best views in the country. The site is an interpretive centre dedicated to describing the origins, geology and cultural history of the Dead Sea. An active visitor to the Dead Sea might relish the opportunity to hike through Wadi Mujib along the aquatic Siq Trail or take in the views on the Ibex Trail. At the same time, a gyrocopter flight over the Dead Sea and its spectacular cliffs is an activity that will appeal to thrill seekers.

Just to the north of the Dead Sea is the important biblical site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas), which tradition holds was the baptismal site of Jesus of Nazareth. There are Byzantine remains on the site, and it is possible to walk right down to the banks of the River Jordan.