From the Lost City of Petra to its moon-like landscapes in the Wadi Rum desert, Jordan is no stranger to unique destinations – and the Dead Sea is without a doubt one of them. Renowned for its high salt content and the properties of its mud, the Dead Sea attracts almost a million tourists each year.
In this article, we’ll explain to you the methods for visiting the Dead Sea, Jordan, on a day trip and overnight. To help you plan the best possible stay, we will also recommend three different Dead Sea resorts at three different price points and recommend the best things to do around the Dead Sea.
Key Takeaways
- The Dead Sea in Jordan is a popular destination known for its salty water, floating experience, and health benefits from mineral-rich mud. It’s easy to reach from Amman by bus, taxi, private driver, or rental car.
- Visitors can choose between free public beaches, day passes at luxury resorts with amenities like private access and fresh water showers, or staying overnight at resorts for spa treatments and relaxation.
- Essential items to bring include a bathing suit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and bottled water, especially if visiting free public beaches without facilities.
- Besides floating and mud baths, tourists can explore nearby historical sites and museums, making the Dead Sea a great stop on a Jordan trip or a relaxing getaway.
- Key Takeaways
- A Brief Introduction to Jordan’s Dead Sea
- How to Get to the Dead Sea
- How to Visit the Dead Sea
- Where to Stay on the Dead Sea
- What to Do on the Dead Sea
- 4 Things You Need to Pack When Visiting the Dead Sea
- The Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
A Brief Introduction to Jordan’s Dead Sea
The Dead Sea, split between Jordan, Israel and Palestine, is a unique salt lake known for being the lowest point on Earth’s surface, sitting approximately 423 meters below sea level. This natural wonder is famous for its extremely high salt content, nearly ten times saltier than regular ocean water, which is caused by a combination of evaporation and lack of freshwater supply.
The mineral-rich mud and water have attracted tourists for centuries, who come to experience its reputed health benefits and the unusual sensation of floating in salty water. Tourism at Jordan’s Dead Sea is significant, drawing nearly a million visitors annually. The area offers a range of experiences from relaxing at public beaches to staying in luxury resorts along the shore.
Its proximity to Amman, just about a one-hour drive, makes it an accessible destination for day trips and longer stays. Besides its natural appeal, the Dead Sea region is also close to important historical and religious sites. For those planning a Jordan road trip, the Dead Sea is the perfect stop between Amman and Petra.
How to Get to the Dead Sea
Whether you are backpacking, travelling by taxi or renting a car, these are the best ways to get to the Dead Sea from Amman:
- By Public Transport: Thanks to its proximity to the nation’s capital city, the Eastern banks of the Dead Sea can easily be visited by public bus on a day trip. To get to the Dead Sea by public bus, head to Amman’s South Bus Station and catch a bus to Al-Rama (Rame) from there for 1-2 JOD. Once you have arrived to Al-Rama, you can hitchhike the rest of the way or grab a local taxi.
- By Tourist Bus: If you prefer to go all the way by bus, you can opt for the tourist bus company JETT Bus. With JETT Bus you can travel from Downtown Amman to the Dead Sea for 10 JOD. The journey starts from either the Abdali Office or the 7th Circle Office and takes about one hour. Upon arrival, you are expected to notify the driver of the hotel or beach or you are planning to stop at.
- By Private Driver: For a more private journey to the Dead Sea, you can hire a private driver in Amman. If you don’t mind negotiating, you can directly approach one of the local taxis. For a more hassle-free and transparent method, we recommend using one of the ridesharing apps such as Uber. Ridesharing apps covers routes up until the Dead Sea at approximately 25 JOD, depending on your exact pick-up and drop-off location.
- By Rental Car: Renting a car in Jordan is surprisingly cheap, with smaller models going for as little as 20€ from Queen Alia International Airport. By car, it will take you about one hour from either the airport or Downtown Amman to get to the Dead Sea. Simply put your intended destination in the GPS and get going. For a smooth ride, try to avoid driving in Amman during rush hours.
How to Visit the Dead Sea
From a day trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of Amman to a stop on a Jordan road trip or even a bougie weekend getaway, there is many ways to visit the Jordan’s Dead Sea.
These are the three best methods for visiting the Dead Sea from the most budget-friendly pick to the most luxurious experience:
Visiting a Free Public Beach
You would like to float on the Dead Sea without breaking the bank? Grab a bus to the Dead Sea from Amman and simply spend your day on one of the Dead Sea’s public beaches. Along the Dead Sea in Jordan there are several public beaches, the most famous of them being Amman Touristic Beach.
While Amman Touristic Beach charges an entry fee of 20 JOD, you can also find a number of public beaches along the Dead Sea that are completely free. Simply scroll along the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea on Google Maps and pick one of the many spots marked on there as free public beaches.
One of the beaches, marked as “Free Beach on Dead Sea” is one of the most popular free beaches along the Dead Sea, but by far not the only one. If you are renting a car, we highly recommend driving along the Dead Sea and picking a quiet spot of your own.
Do note, however, that the free public beaches along the Dead Sea do not have any installations. Therefore, it is highly recommended to bring along a couple of large bottles of water with you to rinse off the salt crystals after swimming. Otherwise, the salt crystals can get quite uncomfortable on your skin after drying.
Buying a Day Pass to a Dead Sea Resort
If you prefer installations over saving money, we highly recommend making your way to one of the high-end resorts along the Dead Sea. Many of the offer day passes that allow you to enjoy their private access to the Dead Sea along with all amenities without having to splurge on an overnight stay.
Simply grab a JETT bus from Amman, tell the driver the name of the hotel you are planning to spend the day at and enjoy your beach day before heading back on your return bus at 5 p.m. Alternatively, swing by in your rental car and head onto your next destination after relaxing all day on of the Dead Sea resorts’ luxurious properties.
According to our research the best hotels along the Dead Sea offering a day pass are the Dead Sea Spa Resort and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. A day pass at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel comes in at just 20 JOD per adult and 10 JOD per child. For an additional cost of 15 JOD per person you can also enjoy a buffet lunch in the hotel. This makes the Dead Sea Spa Hotel day pass a great value-pick compared to other more upscale offers.
For the best possible day pass experience, we recommend heading over to the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. At the Mövenpick Resort & Spa, the day pass comes in at 55 JOD per person on weekdays and 65 JOD per person on the weekend. Besides private access to the Dead Sea, the hotel’s pools and its freshwater showers, the day pass at the Mövenpick also includes a credit for food and beverages that you can use at one of the hotel’s restaurants.
Staying the Night at a Dead Sea Resort
For the most luxurious experience on the shores of the Dead Sea, you have to stay overnight. While the Dead Sea might be a great destination for a day trip or a stop on a road trip, its wellness offers are what really set it apart from any other beach destination.
Besides floating on the salt water, the Dead Sea is known worldwide for its Dead Sea mud. The Dead Sea mud is supposed to have many health benefits, having successfully made it into the branding of countless hygiene products. For the real deal, however, you need to book a treatment at a spa of one of the Dead Sea’s resorts.
Some of the Dead Sea hotels on the Jordan side that offer spa treatments are: the Dead Sea Spa Hotel, the Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa, the Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Resort & Spa and the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. While the first resort is the best pick for a mid-range budget, the latter ones offer a more high-end experience, more amenities and generally receive better reviews from visitors.
When visiting the Dead Sea overnight, expect to pay between 100€ ($115) and 150€ ($174) per night. When booking your resort hotel, also make sure to check which meals and treatments are already included in the price. For those services not included in the price, confirm prices with the hotel before confirming your reservation to avoid bad surprises.
Where to Stay on the Dead Sea
When visiting the Dead Sea, one might think that there is spa hotels to stay at. And granted, the price tag up to 150€ ($174) per night might be a bit steep for travelers on a budget. But you don’t have to stay at a spa hotel to visit the Dead Sea.
These are three hotel picks around the Dead Sea at three drastically different price points allowing you to visit the world’s deepest hyper-saline lake on any budget:
Classy Hostel (The Budget Pick)
If you are travelling low-budget, staying right on the shore of the Dead Sea might be out of reach. But that doesn’t mean that you have to come all the way from Amman to visit the Dead Sea. Instead, we recommend staying at Classy Hostel in Madaba, located just 40 minutes by car from the Dead Sea.
Classy Hostel is a relatively new hostel in the calm city of Madaba that offers private rooms starting from just 35€ ($40) a night. Its modern rooms, cleanliness and great location have earned the hotel a stunning 9.6/10 on Booking.com. From Madaba, you can get to the Dead Sea either by rental car or by ridesharing starting from 15 JOD depending on your exact pick-up and drop-off location.
O Beach Hotel & Resort (The Value Pick)
If you’d rather stay right on the shore of Dead Sea, but still don’t want to break the bank, the O Beach Hotel & Resort might just be what you are looking for. Our Value Pick comes in at just 86€ ($100) per night offering not only a free buffet breakfast but also direct and private access to the Dead Sea.
There is a catch, however. Being the cheapest option along the Dead Sea, it does seem like the O Beach Hotel & Resort is cutting corners wherever it can. While praising the fair pricing, previous guests of the resort hotel did point out that the property is in need of renovations and that cleanliness in the room was lacklustre at times. Fittingly, the hotel sits at a humble 7.6/10 on Booking.com. Still though, this is by far your cheapest resort pick on the Dead Sea.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea (The Luxury Pick)
When it comes to the high-end spa resort picks, the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea takes the crown. With rates starting from 121€ ($140) per night, the hotel is on the lower end of the Dead Sea’s high-end hotels without cutting any corners in terms of rooms, food and amenities.
The Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea consists of a beautifully designed hotel complex that emulates the traditional look of Middle East architecture, four pools, a private Dead Sea beach and a spa center offering a number of treatments including Dead Sea mud as well as a sauna and a jacuzzi. Do note that all treatments and meals consumed in the hotel come at an additional cost. Unsurprisingly, the hotel sites at a very solid 8.5/10 on Booking.com.
What to Do on the Dead Sea
Besides marvelling at the salt formations of the lowest place on Planet Earth, what is there to do on and around the Dead Sea?
These are the best activities on and around the Dead Sea that you shouldn’t miss during your stay:
Floating on the Salty Water
First and foremost, do not miss your chance of floating on the highly saline water of the Dead Sea. The high salt content means that one can easily float on the surface without any efforts. This is not just a funny sensation, but also a great opportunity for an unforgettable travel snapshot.
To have the best possible experience floating in the Dead Sea, make sure to bring your bathing suit, a pair of sunglasses and water shoes. Avoid splashing water when entering the Dead Sea and try to stay on your back to keep the salt water from entering your eyes. After floating on the water, make sure to shower or rinse with fresh water to get the sal crystals off your skin.
Enjoying the Health Benefits of a Mud Bath
Dead Sea mud is said to have detoxifying and cleansing properties. According to Healthline, this can help with psoriasis, skin impurities, arthritis and back pain among other health conditions. While we would take this health advice – quite literally – with a grain of salt, it can hurt to test the Dead Sea mud for its many health benefits.
To take advantage of the Dead Sea mud, you can either simply apply it on your skin at one of the public beaches or book a professional treatment at one of the Dead Sea resorts. On of the Dead Sea’s leading spas, Zara Spa, is located in the Mövenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa. Along with its signature black mud treatment, the spa also offers a range of massages, a Dead Sea pool and even a traditional Hammam.
Taking a Day Off During Your Jordan Trip
For a relaxing day off on your road trip along the Dead Sea Highway, make sure to stop at one of the Dead Sea resorts for a half-day of relaxation before heading down South to visit Petra and Wadi Rum. Most hotels along the Dead Sea Highway offer day passes that allow you to use their facilities and private beaches, with some even offering discounts or credit for their restaurants.
For the best day pass experience on the Dead Sea, we recommend visiting the Mövenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa. This high-end resort hotel offers day passes starting from just 55 JOD even including credit for its restaurants and bars. At the hotel you will also find a free parking lot for guests, making it the perfect pick for a perfect stopover.
Visiting the Lowest Point on Earth Museum
The Dead Sea is not all salt crystals and floating. The region also bares historical, cultural and religious significance. To learn more about the Dead Sea, we recommend paying a visit to the Lowest Point on Earth Museum just south of the Dead Sea in Jordan.
The Museum at the Lowest Point of the Earth is an archaeological museum that only opened in 2012 to shed more light on the Dead Sea’s and the surrounding region’s history. In the museum you can learn all about the history of the Jordan River Valley from the Paleolithic Age until the Late Islamic Age. And the best part? For Jordan Pass holders, the entry to the Lowest Point on Earth Museum is completely free.
Is the Jordan Pass really worth it? Find out everything about the Jordan Pass and if it’s really worth its price tag in our Jordan Pass price breakdown.
4 Things You Need to Pack When Visiting the Dead Sea
When visiting the Dead Sea, there’s a few things you shouldn’t forget packing that can make or break your experience, depending if you bring them along or not. So, before heading to the Dead Sea, make sure to pack these four essential items:
- A Bathing Suit: This one is self-explanatory. Bring along a bathing suit to avoid having to purchase an overpriced one at one of the hotels on the Dead Sea.
- Sun Protection: The sun in Jordan can be relentless, especially in summer. So, make sure to bring along sunscreen (50+ SPF recommended) to protect your skin while floating in the Dead Sea.
- Sun Glasses: Bringing along a pair of sun glasses will not only shield you from the sun, but also help you stop splashing water from entering your eyes when swimming in the Dead Sea.
- Bottled Water: Bringing a couple of large bottles of water is an absolute must when visiting one of the free public beaches on the Dead Sea. This water will be crucial for rinsing your skin after swimming as there are no shower facilities on public beaches.
Where are you headed next? Find out how to get from the Dead Sea to Wadi Rum by bus, taxi and car with our extensive transfer guide.
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s the next cross on your bucket list or a much-needed break on your Jordan trip, the Dead Sea is a much of a must on your Jordan itinerary as Petra and Wadi Rum. Follow our advise to make the best of your time on the Dead Sea on a budget, a road trip or a romantic weekend escapade. Either way, we hope we could help you plan your next trip and wish you a happy stay on the Dead Sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan?
Yes, it is absolutely worth visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan. The Dead Sea is located just one hour away from Amman and offers great resort hotels at fair price points where you can not only enjoy the salty water of the Dead Sea, but also high-end spa treatments.
Can you go to the Dead Sea in Jordan?
Yes, it is fairly easy to get to the Dead Sea in Jordan from Amman. Simply take a public bus, a JETT bus or hire a driver from a ridesharing app to take you there. Alternatively, we recommend renting a car to visit the Dead Sea on a Jordan road trip.
Is it safe to visit the Dead Sea in 2025?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to visit the Jordan side of the Dead Sea. According to the World Population Review, the country of Jordan is considered the safest country of the Middle East and the Dead Sea is no exception to that.
Wadi Tribe 