What to See
5 highlights📍 Tap the pin for directions
Floating in the Dead Sea
At 430 meters below sea level — the lowest point on earth — the Dead Sea's extraordinary salinity (10 times saltier than the ocean) makes it impossible to sink. Floating effortlessly while reading a newspaper is the classic image, and it's genuinely surreal in person. The mineral-rich black mud found on the shores is traditionally used as a skin treatment — cover yourself in it, let it dry, and rinse off in the sea. The experience is unlike any other body of water on earth. See Stay Safe for more info.
What to Know Before You Float
The Dead Sea water is intensely salty and will sting immediately and badly if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or any cuts or scrapes. Don't shave before swimming. Don't put your face in the water. Don't wear contact lenses. Have a fresh water shower immediately after getting out — the salt concentration can irritate skin if left on. Limit time in the water to 20–30 minutes on your first visit. Hydrate well before going in — the heat and mineral draw can dehydrate you quickly.
Masada
A 1st-century BC fortress perched atop an isolated mesa rising 400 meters above the Dead Sea plain — the site of a legendary Jewish revolt against Rome. The story of Masada and its defenders is one of the most dramatic in ancient history. Cable car access to the summit or the Snake Path hiking trail (very steep, best before sunrise). The view from the summit over the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert is extraordinary.
The Judean Desert
The landscape surrounding the Dead Sea — canyons, dry riverbeds (wadis), and ancient desert terrain — is starkly beautiful. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, directly adjacent to the Dead Sea, has freshwater pools and waterfalls deep in the desert canyons. A remarkable contrast to the salty lake below.
Qumran National Park
The site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the 1940s, set against dramatic cliffs and caves overlooking the sea. Walk the ruins of the ancient settlement and short trails with views of the surrounding caves, then see actual scroll fragments at the visitor center. Go early morning or the last couple hours before closing — the site has little shade and the desert heat builds fast by midday. Note: the scroll caves themselves are only viewable from a distance and are not accessible to the public.