Things to do — Dead Sea

The Dead Sea offers an experience combining unique geological wellness, major biblical sites and quality 5-star resorts.

The main experience: bathing and buoyancy in the Dead Sea. Several accesses. 1) Private resorts (Mövenpick, Kempinski, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza): direct access to the resort's private beach, deck chairs, parasols, freshwater showers nearby, towels provided, free pots of black mud available, changing rooms. This is the recommended formula for experience quality and safety (prepared grounds, known depth, supervision). 2) Public beaches: Amman Beach (15 JOD = €19 entry, 5 km north of the resorts, simpler) and O Beach (35 JOD = €45, higher quality public beach with pools, restaurants and direct sea access). Day stay possible if you don't sleep on site.

Typical procedure: enter the water slowly (often muddy or rocky bottom — water sandals useful), advance to thigh height, sit slowly backwards as in an armchair, lie on your back. Reading a newspaper or magazine possible — the iconic photo of the traveller reading flat in the sea. Avoid putting your head underwater (eyes, ears, mouth). Limit to 15-20 minutes per bathe, shower completely in fresh water after each session.

Black mud baths: exit the water, sit on the edge and apply black mud (provided free in resorts, or extracted directly from the beach in certain zones) on the whole body — face, neck, arms, legs, back. Let dry in the sun for 15-30 minutes (pleasant tugging sensation). Plunge back into the Dead Sea to rinse (mineralised salt water reinforces the effect). Gentle shower and hydration. Immediate effect: smooth, soft skin, rid of dead cells. Therapeutic effect on eczema and psoriasis after 5-7 days.

Spa treatments in resorts: all 5-star hotels offer premium thalasso treatments — Dead Sea mud wraps (45 min, €60-90), Dead Sea salt scrubs (30 min, €45-65), basalt hot stone massages (60 min, €80-120), facials based on algae and minerals (45 min, €70-100). The Anantara spa of Kempinski Ishtar is one of the most renowned, with Ottoman hammam, Finnish sauna, infinity jacuzzi facing the sea and exhaustive treatment menu.

Excursion to Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas): 10 km north of the resorts, the UNESCO 2015 biblical site of Christ's baptism by John the Baptist. Mandatorily guided visit (1h30-2h), access only by official shuttle (military zone bordering Israel visible 10 m away, police presence). Discovery of Byzantine and Umayyad archaeological remains (5th-8th centuries): Church of Saint John the Baptist (5th-century basilica of which foundations and mosaic fragments remain), Christian monasteries with preserved mosaics, pilgrim baths cut into the rock, Byzantine cisterns. Highlight of the visit: the presumed baptism site (Bethania trans Iordanem in Latin) on the east arm of the Jordan — modern basilica built by the Greek Orthodox Church, water staircase for pilgrims, possibility of filling a bottle of Jordan water (sold 1 JOD = €1.30). On the other side, 10 m away, the Israeli site of Qasr el Yahud (administered by Israel) — pilgrims bathe simultaneously on both sides, separated by the thin ribbon of the Jordan and a military post. Strong emotion for Christians. Entry 12 JOD (€16), not covered by the Jordan Pass.

Excursion to the Wadi Mujib Reserve: 30 km south of the resorts, 'Jordan's Grand Canyon'. Siq Trail: moderate aquatic adventure course (2-3h round trip, 21 JOD = €27, open April-October only). Walking up the river bed between vertical walls of 100 m, cool waters (welcome natural shower), metal ladders and ropes to cross difficult passages, final waterfall into a natural pool. Sensations guaranteed, magnificent geological spectacle. Swimsuit and water shoes mandatory (rental possible on site 5-10 JOD). Hammamat Ma'in: 30 km east, thermal hot waterfalls (water at 63 °C) flowing into natural pools. Six Senses Ma'in Hot Springs resort or simple day visit (15 JOD = €19).