The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a landlocked salt lake on the border of Jordan and Israel, and its shore, more than 400 metres below sea level, is the lowest land on earth. The water is so salty that no fish or plants live in it, only microbes, and it is dense enough that swimmers float on the surface; visitors bathe, coat themselves in the black mud from the shore and stay at the resorts beneath the desert hills.

What you'll find

• Floating in the sea - the effortless buoyancy of the dense salt water.
• The black mud - the mineral mud people coat themselves in.
• The desert setting - the lake beneath the barren hills.
• The spa resorts - the shoreline resorts and their treatments.

When to go

Year-round, thanks to the warm, low-altitude climate; spring and autumn are the most comfortable, while summer is extremely hot. It makes an easy trip from Amman or a relaxing break after the exertions of Petra.

What to expect

The salt stings any cut or sensitive area intensely, so shave or wax well beforehand, avoid getting the water in your eyes, and never dive or swim face-down. It is best accessed via a resort or public beach with fresh-water showers, as there is nowhere to rinse otherwise. The sea is shrinking dramatically, a real environmental concern.

Nearby

Amman, the baptism site of Bethany and Mount Nebo are within reach.

Key facts