At 430+ metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, and its water is roughly ten times saltier than the ocean — about 34% salinity. That's why you float without trying: it's not a trick, it's chemistry. It's also close: about 45 minutes to an hour's drive from Amman, which is why it works as a day trip or as the last stop before flying home.

What you actually do there. Walk in, float (you genuinely can't sink, though it stings if the water gets in your eyes), and coat yourself in the black mineral mud along the shoreline — it's rich in magnesium, potassium, and bromine, and people have used it for skin and joint complaints since antiquity. Most visitors alternate a few rounds of float-and-mud with the freshwater pools most Dead Sea hotels have on site to rinse off in between.

The wellness side. If you want more than a swim, the resorts along the Dead Sea run proper spa programmes — mineral mud wraps, salt scrubs, massage using Dead Sea salts, and some offer sunrise yoga or guided meditation on the shore before the day gets hot. We book this as a one- or two-night add-on for guests who want the trip to include real downtime, not just sightseeing.

A place with history attached. Cleopatra is said to have had Dead Sea products brought to her, and the area has been tied to the region's history for millennia — Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the traditional baptism site of Jesus, sits nearby, along with Mount Nebo (where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land) and Madaba, known for its Byzantine mosaic maps. It's easy to combine a Dead Sea stop with any of these on the same day.

Worth knowing before you go. The Dead Sea's water level has been dropping for decades due to reduced inflow, and the shoreline has moved and changed as a result — some older hotels now have a longer walk to the water than they did years ago. It's part of why we check current conditions with our local partners before booking a specific resort.

Getting the most from a short visit. If you only have a half-day, go in the late afternoon — the light is better for photos and it's cooler for the walk to the water. If you're staying overnight, mornings before the day-trip crowds arrive are the quietest time to float.

Want a Dead Sea stop built into your Jordan trip? Tell us your dates and where you're starting from, or see our tours that include the Dead Sea.