Located in the heart of the Israeli desert, right on the Jordan Rift Valley, is the magnificent Dead Sea, a unique saltwater lake with natural phenomena you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Here, we have gathered everything you should know to plan your visit to one of the most wonderful destinations of the desert in Israel, including the best beaches and hikes, the most recommended dead sea hotels, and more.
Best beaches in The Dead Sea
Kalia Beach
The legendary Kalia Beach is one of the oldest and most popular beaches in the Dead Sea. When you get close to the entrance of the beach you will see the abandoned water park that closed in 2001 and stands there abandoned to this day, as if time has stood still. Kalia Beach is one of the most beautiful and tidy beaches in the north of the Dead Sea, but unfortunately, it also illustrates the disaster of the Dead Sea that is disappearing, therefore the distance of the sea from the seating area of the beach is enormous (and it gets farther every year) There are toilets, showers, a convenience store, a service Shuttles to the beach and rescue services.
Entrance fee: 18 ILS for adults, free for kids 13 and under.
Operating hours: 08:00-18:00 every day (except Yom Kippur).
Neve Midbar (oasis) beach
Neve Midbar Beach is an organized beach with a lifeguard, and here too you can enjoy a stunning coastline with natural mud. It has a glamping site, a swimming pool, grass lawns, a bar, a restaurant and above all a breathtaking view.
Entrance fee: adults: 85 ILS. Kids (2-12): 40 ILS. Fee includes the use of the beach’s facilities.
Operating hours: 9:00-18:00
Ein Bokek Beach
Ein Bokek Beach is the most famous beach in the southern Dead Sea, thanks to the high concentration of hotels located next to it. Along the beach, you can find equipment rental services such as chairs, tables, and sunbeds. In addition, it features lifeguard services, grills, water facilities, showers, toilets, fitness facilities, and playgrounds for children. Ein Bokek beach is accessible and suitable for people with disabilities – the beach has an easy descent into the water. Along the beach, there are quite a few restaurants, shopping malls, and food and drink stalls. Ein Bokek beach enables visitors to swim in the southern part of the Dead Sea, which is the area of the evaporation pools, therefore, unlike the northern part, you will not find mud here unless you buy it in the shops around the beach. We highly recommend a visit during the week and not the weekend since it is quite busy with visitors.
Entrance fee: free
Operating hours: winter: 7:00-16:00. Summer: 7:00-18:00.
The Dead Sea’s healing properties
The Dead Sea, often considered to be the world’s largest natural spa, had long ago made a name for itself in the field of beauty, with its healing and wellness sites, based solely on the rich natural treasures of this magical region.
When our kids have a runny nose or a common cold, this is our regular visit. The salinity of the Dead Sea helps dry the nose and open the lungs.
The Dead Sea is rich in the regenerative powers of nature, which derive exclusively from its mysterious and life-giving waters. The treasure of natural ingredients created in the ancient and mineral-rich basin is known for its miraculous healing powers.
The waters of the Dead Sea contain the highest concentration of minerals in the world – an amazing rate of 32 percent. The mineral mud layers yield extraordinary concentrations of natural elements – ten times more than those found in seawater – such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, strontium, boron, and iron, which are essential for maintaining healthy and soft skin. Its waters are also unique and saturated with effective proteins created by fossils and algae.
The black mineral mud, found in abundance on the shores of the Dead Sea, has healing properties that are ideal for treating a wide variety of joint and skin problems. Already in the first century AD, the writings of historians and doctors openly mention its almost mystical healing properties, which have even attracted Queen Cleopatra to come and visit it. Today, countless visitors from all over the world visit the resorts and spas located on the shores of the Dead Sea and apply generous amounts of mud on their bodies, in order to relieve joint pain, soothe chronic conditions of dry and irritated skin, and treat a variety of skin problems.
Here are some of the main conditions that can be improved thanks to the unique health properties of the Dead Sea:
Improvement of skin problems
According to several studies, the minerals of the Dead Sea can help with various skin problems, such as psoriasis and acne. All that is required is to wash the skin with water that contains salt from the Dead Sea. One study in particular shows that the high concentration of magnesium in Dead Sea salt helps reduce skin inflammation and improves hydration.
Allergy relief
According to a study published in the International Journal of Dermatology in 2005, the high concentrations of magnesium and bromine in Dead Sea salt can help calm various allergic reactions.
Relief in various rheumatological conditions
Studies show that immersion in the waters of the Dead Sea or waters containing salts from the Dead Sea can relieve rheumatological conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. That is caused by the fact that the absorption of minerals during the immersion stimulates blood circulation.
In the same study, it was also found that Dead Sea salts also help reduce the depth of wrinkles resulting from skin aging and improve anti-aging.
Best hikes around The Dead Sea
The marls of Masada
An easy hike, perfect on a full moon night, but also very enjoyable during the day (since the route is exposed to the sun, it is recommended not to hike here on hot summer days). The trail passes between ravines, cracks, hills, and unique formations in the white rock, carved by the water and the wind. The route starts at Masada Eastern Parking Lot. From there, you go down the black-marked path to a small stream channel, and later you go up and down the white marl hills with it. Continue with the path for about half a kilometer until you reach the intersection of black and green paths, and continue with the black path. As you progress, the channel expands into a kind of natural amphitheater, with more and more unique shapes that nature sculpted being exposed before your eyes. When you reach another trail intersection marked in green and black, return with the green trail back to the parking lot.
Ein Bokek hiking trail
A great route, easy to walk and with plenty of shade and water. From the parking lot in the Ein Bokek hotel complex, there is a path marked in black, which crosses Route 90 in an underground passage. We follow the path up the gorge, which is dotted with ash trees. Later, you will see more and more vegetation, and then begin to see the water, the flow of which increases as you keep going. After a short walk, you will reach a series of waterfalls, where you can deceit to continue and walk in the water or turn left on the black marked path that goes up the slope. Either way will take you to the same point – a beautiful waterfall that falls into a pool surrounded by vegetation. From here, you can return back to the parking lot the same way.
Most recommended Dead Sea hotels
Without a doubt, one of the best ways to fully experience the magnificent Dead Sea is to spend at least one night in the area. Here are some of the best accommodation options around the Dead Sea, which offers some of the best hotels in Israel.
Milos Dead Sea Hotel
One of the most popular hotels in the Dea Sea, Milos Dead Sea Hotel features a Greek-style accommodations, with stunning infinity pools overlooking the Dead Sea. Located right on Ein Bokek Beach, it offers very easy access to the water, as well as a popular spa, and great dining options.
Leonardo Plaza Dead Sea Hotel
The hotel’s 280 elegant rooms and suites overlook the southern part of the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. The hotel has three outdoor swimming pools, and tanning surfaces for both women and men. The hotel’s spa offers unique treatments and qualified therapists, with a variety of pools, a jacuzzi, a saltwater pool, a cold pool, saunas, therapeutic baths, and showers, with about 30 treatment rooms and a fitness center.
Kalia Guest House
Kalia Guest House is a green and well-kept guesthouse, overlooking the cliffs of the Desert Of Judea and the ancient landscapes of the Dead Sea. The guest house offers renovated double rooms and mini-suites for families, all air-conditioned, with a spectacular view and grassy areas. It also includes a free entrance to Kalia Beach, which is located five minutes away.
