About
The Dead Sea lies along the Dead Sea Highway in Jordan, a salt lake that sits at the lowest point on Earth, around 430 meters below sea level. It is also known as the Salt Sea or the Sea of the Plain, names that point to its most striking feature: the water is so heavy with salt that bathers find it almost impossible to sink.
What a visit is like
Most people come for the float. Lying back on the surface of the water is an unusual experience, and the lake's mineral-rich water is the reason for it. Visitors are often advised to keep their eyes and any cuts out of the water, since the salt stings.
The lake is also known for its therapeutic mud and minerals, which many visitors apply to their skin on the shore before rinsing off in the water. It makes for a relaxed, slightly playful outing rather than a sightseeing day.
Planning your trip
- Setting: The shore is open and low-lying, so the landscape feels very different from the rest of the country.
- Who it suits: Anyone curious about an unusual natural place, and those who enjoy floating, mud treatments, or simply sitting by water.
- Combining it: Its position along the Dead Sea Highway makes it a natural stop when travelling around the region.