The Fascination of the Dead Sea: Your Guide to Visiting the Dead Sea

“The Dead Sea is definitely one of Jordan’s most famous waters. However, the name is a little misleading, as this is not a true sea, but is classed as a closed lake. It is situated in the Jordan Rift Valley and borders not only Jordan, but also Israel and the West Bank. The Sea of Lot, as the lake is also known, is renowned both for its particularly high content of various mineral salts as well as its unique location.

The Dead Sea is considered the lowest point in the world that is accessible to travellers. Due to its high salt concentration – over 30 per cent – the lake is very inhospitable to flora and fauna, but it does offer an unforgettable bathing experience. Instead of having to use your own body strength to stop yourself sinking while bathing, the high salt concentration gives you constant buoyancy, so bathers have a floating sensation in the water.

The following list provides you with all the facts you need, useful travel information and tips for leisure activities and other sights in your Jordanian surroundings.

### 1. Facts about the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, called “Al Bahr al Mayyit” in Arabic, lies in the centre and deepest part of the Jordan Rift Valley, divided into a much larger lake in the northern part and a smaller lagoon in the south. The lake is divided by a promontory called Lisan, in the south-east of the sea area. In total, the Dead Sea covers an area of about 900 square kilometres; it is about 90 kilometres long and about 17 kilometres wide. The main tributary is the Jordan, but there are other tributaries. The Dead Sea is about 420 metres below sea level and since the northern part reaches a depth of up to 400 metres, the water here is more than 800 metres below sea level. In the south, the lake is only 5 to 10 metres in depth.

### 2. Things to know about travel planning

If Dead Sea bathing has always been on your to-do list, plan your trip carefully to get the most out of your experience. The climate in the Kingdom of Jordan is partly distinctly desert, partly typical Mediterranean. It can get extremely hot in summer at the Dead Sea – the lake stores heat extremely well due to its particularly deep location. Even if you are not especially sensitive to heat, March to May and September to October are considered the best travel times.

### 3. Your journey

The journey usually involves a flight to Amman. As well as Amman itself, the cities of Aqaba and Madaba are also suitable starting points for a day trip. Guided day trips to the Dead Sea are offered from all major cities and hotels. If you prefer to plan your journey yourself and be flexible about when you get there, the best idea is to rent a car and take the coastal road 65, which takes you to the eastern side of the lake.

### 4. Local transport

Public transport in Jordan isnrelatively limited and not really recommended. If younneed to be mobile when you get there, it is best to book a rental car in Jordan. You can also use this to visit other tourist highlights aroundnthe lake, such as the Cave of Lot.

### 5. Bathing tips in the Dead Sea:nwhere is the best spot to just float around?

One of the main reasons why thenDead Sea is one of Jordan’s most popular tourist attractions is certainly to benable to experience that completely weightless feeling and say that you havenbathed at the deepest point on earth. If you would like to be one of those tonbe able to lay claim to this experience, there is one important point to note:nbe sure to choose a public swimming spot. The rights to sea access almostneverywhere belongs to the various Dead Sea Hotels, but are alsonopen to non-residents for a fee. You can even book your loungers and towelsnhere, so you do not need to take much with you.

### 6. Safety advice for your bathingnfun – how to play it safe

Wild swimming is so tempting -nbut do your health a favour and resist the urge: there are no showers to washnoff the extremely salty water at the wild swimming locations and they arenunsupervised. You will only get help if you get water in your eyes or getntrapped in one of the underground holes on a supervised beach. Take care not tonswallow any water and avoid letting the water come into contact with your eyes.nStay in the water for no more than 10 minutes so you do not overtax yourncirculation. If you follow these words of advice, you can look forward to anunique experience and let yourself simply float away!

### 7. The largest spa in the world -nwell-being at the Dead Sea

For centuries, the high mineralncontent of the water and the mud at the bottom has attracted visitors wantingnto take advantage of its beneficial properties to treat various ailments.nPatients with rheumatic diseases, skin diseases and respiratory diseases arenparticularly recommended to bathe in the Dead Sea. The water, which isnconsidered the largest natural spa in the world, also attracts many relaxationnseekers and health and well-being tourists, who can be pampered with variousntreatments from head to toe in the many spa resorts.

### 8. Action all the way at the WadinMujib climbing paradise

At the Dead Sea, not only can younswim or relax in the spa, but there is also plenty of action on offer!nPassionate climbers are drawn to the romantic rocky gorge of Wadi Mujib. Thisnleads down into the Dead Sea, so after a breath-taking climb you can rewardnyourself with a relaxing floating bathe in the salt water. You can also enjoynan enchanting view of the myriad play of colours in the gorge: the sandstone ofnWadi Mujib shines in bright ochre, rich red or delicate pink at different timesnof the day. It is best to start your exploration tour in the visitor centre andnbook one of the guided climbing tours. But what if you’re not a climber, but atnthe same time don’t want to miss out on the gorge? No problem! Trekking toursnare also available.

### 9. Even more Dead Sea action andnoutdoor activities

You will find more excitingndestinations around the Dead Sea which you should certainly take in during anholiday at the Dead Sea. The point that divides the water into its two parts isncalled the Lisan Peninsula. Instead of desert and a barren landscape, a greennsplendour awaits you here. The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve is a very specialnnatural habitat where many animals such as caracals, leopards, ibexes andnwolves have settled. You can enjoy a great spa experience by bathing in the hotnsprings of Ma’in, which you can then combine with a visit to the nearbynwaterfalls.

### 10. Cultural experiences near thenlowest point on earth

If culture is your thing, go tonSafi. From here you can enjoy a great view of the Dead Sea and explore archaeologicalnfinds such as Byzantine monastery ruins. The Bab edh-Dhra cemetery dating fromnthe Bronze Age is also worth seeing, but is located on a hilly plateau that cannonly be reached on foot.

### The Dead Sea – the perfectnexperience

The Dead Sea is not only an extranspecial location with its high salt content offering a truly amazing bathingnexperience, it is also good for your health and offers a unique mix ofnadventure and relaxation. Cultural historical sights, breath-taking nature withnplunging waterfalls, hot springs and salt-covered shores form a unique backdropnfor an unforgettable trip to Jordan’s west.”