A Dead Sea Trip – Complete Guide For Visiting For The First Time

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and a cool destination that attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its cobalt-blue, mineral waters with healing properties, rare animals and interesting sites!

If you’re planning a Dead Sea trip soon, this complete guide will tell you everything you need to know, from the best tours to important advice to keep in mind!

Quick facts: All about the Dead Sea

Melissa covered in the dead sea mud in jordan
Melissa looking at the camera with Dead Sea Mud in Jordan

Located in the Middle East, at 408 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. The vast salt lake is bordered by Jordan to the East and Israel and the Palestinian Territories to the West. And, needless to say, it is definitely an incredible place to visit!

Here are a few reasons to add it to your bucket list:

Wondering where exactly the Dead Sea is in Jordan? Here’s a map of the Dead Sea so you can clearly visualise its location:

Map of Jordan with the Dead Sea location marked

RELATED READ: Your Complete Wadi Rum Guide, Jordan – Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting

How to visit the Dead Sea

Now that you know some fun little facts about this unique place, let’s get to the technical things and some very useful information to know before your trip. First of all, know that you can access the Dead Sea from both Israel and Jordan.

FROM ISRAEL

On the Israeli side, there are a lot of day trips organised that take you to the Dead Sea and drop you back at your original destination.

FROM JORDAN

On the other hand, on the Jordanian side, there has recently been a development of hotels on the shorefront that offer luxury access to the Dead Sea. This is by far the easiest and most comfortable way of visiting but be aware that many of these beaches are solely for guest use only.

TIP: Some hotels in Jordan offer day passes to access the sea and there are also a number of public beaches you can visit. These will be cheaper, but will not include many of the amenities that the hotels have (freshwater showers, towels, parasols), which is a huge plus for washing the super salty water off your skin. Personally, I highly recommend booking a hotel for this trip.

Worry-not, as you can find my top recommended hotels down below!

Best Dead Sea tours

Beach at the Dead Sea

If you’re not down for a hotel stay but you also don’t want to stress about your Dead Sea visit, one of my most important pieces of advice is to book an organised tour that will take care of everything. As I mentioned above, you can take trips from both Israel and Jordan and, in order to make everything easier for you, I have hand-picked some amazing options departing from both destinations. I have listed them down below.

A quick note: you’ll see that most of these organised tours include some other destinations as well such as Madaba, Aqaba, Nebo or Petra (on the Jordanian side) or Bethlehem, Masada National Park or Ein Gedi Nature Reserve (on the Israeli side). Which is awesome – you’ll get to see more cool stuff and double the fun while you’re there!

FROM JORDAN:

FROM ISRAEL:

Best Dead Sea beaches

The pool at the Kempinski Hotel, overlooking the dead sea.

One thing to know right from the start: there are both private and public beaches at the Dead Sea.

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The public ones are mostly free to access, but they usually don’t have a lot of amenities and they can be pretty crowded too. The private ones (usually belonging to hotels/resorts) have an entrance fee for tourists (around, let’s say, 30-40 US$) but they spoil you with luxury amenities. If you ask me, I’d say it’s worth it to pay the fee – or, even better, give in to the luxury of it all and just book a room at the hotel or resort. They have the best facilities, including spa treatments as well.

BEACHES ON THE JORDAN SIDE:

BEACHES ON THE ISRAELI SIDE:

Where to stay near the Dead Sea

Melissa sitting on the stairs outside Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Melissa pretends to reads an Arabic newspaper as she stands in the shallows of the Dead Sea.

If you are looking to stay close to the Dead Sea, then stopping in one of the hotels on the shorefront itself would be the best idea. This will give you private, free and easy access to the Dead Sea and access to the spas as well!

Here are my best recommendations:

ON THE JORDAN SIDE:

ON THE ISRAELI SIDE:

In case you don’t want to book a hotel room just to enjoy a little bit of floating in the Dead Sea, here is a list of hotels that offer a day pass for beach access even if you’re not staying there:

TIP: If you’re on a budget, there is the option to stay at hotels that are located further away, but these would require private transport to the beaches at the Dead Sea as the distance would be too far to walk.

How to get to the Dead Sea

A sign points to the parking lot of a dead sea public beach, a camel stands in the parking lot.

Getting to the Dead Sea by public transport poses somewhat of a challenge to even the most battle-hardened travellers. Sadly, in Jordan, public transport in the area is sparse and doesn’t seem to operate other than on a Friday, which is mainly for locals attending their Sabbath.

This means that taxis and organised day trips (see my recommendations above) are your best bet in terms of getting to the Dead Sea or the hotels around it. Here are some taxi trip price references:

AMMAN TO THE DEAD SEA: 60 km, 1 hour, around 40 JOD (56.5 US$)

AQABA TO THE DEAD SEA: 273 km, 3 hours, around 100 JOD (141 US$)

WADI RUM TO THE DEAD SEA: 303 km, 4 hours, around 120 JOD (169 US$)

PETRA TO THE DEAD SEA: 198 km. 3 hours, 80 JOD (112.8 US$)

WADI MUSA TO THE DEAD SEA: 135 km, 2.5 hours, 70 JOD (98 US$)

TEL AVIV TO THE DEAD SEA: 170 km, 2 hours, 707 ILS (216 US$)

JERUSALEM TO THE DEAD SEA: 116 km, 1 hour, 350 ILS (107 US$)

Alternatively, if you’re in Israel, you can usually travel from Tel-Aviv (on the 421 bus that runs once a day) or from Jerusalem (bus route 486 that runs five times a day), but the journey will be around three hours one way.

RELATED READ: Are you planning to visit Petra after the Dead Sea? If you aren’t, you should! Check out this article for must know tips: Complete Guide to Petra, Jordan – Best Petra Tours, Sights, Hotels and Tips

BONUS: Curiosities and FAQs

Melissa stands in the infinity pool at the Kempinski Hotel, the dead sea spans the horizon behind her.

WHY IS THE DEAD SEA DEAD?

If you’re wondering why the Dead Sea is called the Dead Sea – the answer is simple! The water here has a salt concentration of 34.2% (10 times more than ocean water), so it’s basically impossible for any aquatic beings or plants to live in it.

HOW WAS THE DEAD SEA FORMED?

The Dead Sea was formed millions of years ago when it was only a simple saltwater lagoon, connected to the Mediterranean Sea. After the tectonic plates shifted, the water connection to the ocean was lost, so the Dead Sea transformed into a lake that became saltier and saltier as the water evaporated over time.

HOW BIG IS THE DEAD SEA?

Well, truth be told, it’s pretty small! It’s more the size of a lake, at only 60 km in length and 8-12 km in width.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE DEAD SEA?

The busiest time at the Dead Sea is during spring (March to May) because of the nice temperatures and lower chances of rain. June is also a very good month to visit, as the temperatures are not too hot yet.

ALL ABOUT THE DEAD SEA MUD BENEFITS

The Dead Sea mud is said to be a thing of legend. You’ll see people caking it onto their bodies and faces, letting it dry out in the sun until it cracks before washing it off in the sea. This mud is found all around the seabed and it is known to have a whole lot of health benefits, backed up by extensive research. These include: improving skin conditions such as Psoriasis, arthritic pain relief, soothing chronic back pain, helps treat acne, reducing skin impurities – and more. BUT! If you have hypersensitive skin, check that you don’t have any sensitivities to any of the minerals it contains or speak to your doctor or dermatologist if you are unsure.

BONUS #2: Useful tips to know before bathing in the Dead Sea

Melissa reads an newspaper upside down while bathing in the dead sea

This was my complete Dead Sea travel guide! I tried to collect the most important information that I’ve learned during my trip here – such as the best tours available on the market right now, suggestions for accommodation and the best beaches, transportation and more! I hope all this precious info will help you organise the best Dead Sea holidays!

If you’re curious to read more about other exciting destinations in Jordan, I recommend clicking here to discover all my adventures there.

xoxo,

Melissa

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Complete Guide to Petra, Jordan – Best Petra Tours, Sights, Hotels and Tips

The Ancient City of Petra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jordan and even all of the Middle East! In case you were looking for a complete guide to Petra that tells you everything you’ll need to know – from the best guided tours to practical info about how, what and when to visit Petra, you have arrived in the right place.

Scroll down to find everything you need to know before you visit the Lost City of Petra!

Why should you visit the Ancient City of Petra, Jordan?

where is petra located

It’s a well-known fact: no trip to Jordan is complete without a visit to the world-famous site of Petra. Otherwise known as the ‘Rose City’ due to the colour of its carved stone, Petra is one major archaeological and historical site that every adventurous traveller should have on their bucket list. 

Located in the south-west of Jordan, near the town of Wadi Musa, the landscape surrounding Petra is stunning, with red, rocky mountains at the East of the Arabah valley. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has been called “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”. So, needless to say, it is by far the most visited tourist attraction in Jordan, with over 1.1 million tourists per year. Well, that’s a lot!

If you ask me, Petra is one of the most incredible places I have ever been to. It was top of my bucket list for years and when I finally made the trip, it exceeded my expectations. There is no doubt as to why it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World! 

Now let’s jump right into it and find everything there is to know about visiting Petra:

What to see in Petra – Main sites

The Al-Khubtha Trail is basically a long trail that will get you from the entrance of Petra all the way to the Royal Tombs. This is an entire circuit that contains the most magnificent highlights of Petra – the Treasury, Monastery, High Palace of Sacrifice and more.

Here are all the sights you can see while visiting Petra:

1 – Al Siq

Melissa standing on the Al Siq in Petra Jordan with the Treasury in the background
Melissa standing on the Al Siq Canyon in Petra Jordan with the Petra Treasury in the background

Al Siq Canyon is the main pathway that visitors take from the entrance to the heart of the city of Petra. Approximately 1.2km long, the narrow canyon takes about 30 minutes to cross and opens up to reveal Al Khazneh, also known as The Treasury.

For me, this was the most breathtaking moment of my visit! During your walk through the canyon walls of the Siq, you can admire the huge stone walls, man-made terracotta pipes and stone panels that were once used to filter and transport water to Petra from Wadi Musa. You can choose to travel the gorge by walking or you can be transported by camel, horse, donkey, or even by cart.

2 – Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)

Melissa standing on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Treasury in Petra Jordan
Girl Around the World in front of the treasury in petra jordan

The Treasury is hands-down the most famous site in Petra – a big plaza full of superb, intricate carvings and facades. But, as impressive as it may be, you should know that this part of Petra is just the beginning – there are plenty more carved buildings to see!

Be careful, as there will be lots of bedouin guides in front of the Treasury trying to sell you trinkets or offering their services to show you trails off the beaten path so you can see it from above – and they can be quite persistent! If you choose to climb on your own, know that the road up is pretty steep and there will be moments of scrambling up rocks, but it only takes 10min and the view over the Treasury is 100% worth it!

TIP: If you want to take the best photos with the Treasury without (almost) any tourists, here’s a tip: come back close to the closing time! Most tourists will visit this sight at the beginning of their visit, then proceed to other points and won’t make the long journey to return, so you’ll find this place almost empty in the late afternoon.

3 – The Street of Facades and The Amphitheatre

The street of Facades and Amphitheater in Petra

As I mentioned before – many more facades await! The Street of Facades is a superb path scattered with MANY more buildings carved in the red rocks, as well as caves and a cute Roman amphitheatre.

4 – The High Place of Sacrifice

The High Place of Sacrifice in Petra Jordan

This wonderful place requires a bit of hiking, all for a superb view overlooking Petra. The hike is a bit challenging and it can take a while (around 45 minutes), so if you’re short on time, you can always skip this sight and proceed to the next ones (the Monastery is a must; the Royal Tombs too if you have the time), as there’s plenty more to see. Plus, there isn’t any signage to guide you up, so if you really want to visit the High Place of Sacrifice, it would be best to have a guide with you for this one.

5 – Colonnaded Street

The Colonnaded Street in Petra Jordan

Short and nice, this pathway with Roman columns will take you to the next exciting sight – The Monastery!

RELATED READ: Your Complete Wadi Rum Guide, Jordan – Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting

6 – Ad Deir (The Monastery)

Girl Around the World standing in front of the Monastery in Petra Jordan
Melissa sitting in a cave overlooking the Monastery Petra

One of the most iconic sites in Petra, together with The Treasury, The Monastery  dates back to 3 BC and it’s a monumental Nabataean tomb. It’s a long walk uphill to get there, with sparse patches of shade, so avoid the journey during the midday heat. Alternatively, if you’re too tired of walking, you can take a camel or donkey ride uphill.

7 – The Royal Tombs

The Royal Tombs in Pedra Jordan

If you know you don’t have much time to visit Petra, I strongly advise you to NOT miss the Royal Tombs – they’re incredible! The Royal Tombs include the Urn Tomb, the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb and Palace Tomb. Afterwards, you’ll reach Al-Khubtha High Place and Cistern, a place that offers an incredible view over Jordan’s Lost City!

Ticket price for Petra

Melissa standing in the Wadi Rum Desert close to Petra Jordan
Melissa sitting with a bedouin overlooking the treasury in Petra Jordan

Petra entrance fee: 50 JOD (70.5 US$) for a one day pass, 55 JOD (77.5 US$) for a 2-day pass or 60 JOD (84.5 US$) for a 3 day pass. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth at the Visitor Center, located at the entrance to Petra.

TIP #1:  I recommend investing in a Jordan Pass if you are planning on exploring more of Jordan. The price is 70 JOD (99 US$) and it includes access to Petra, along with 40 other sites such as Wadi Rum, Jesash and the Amman Citadel. You can buy the pass online on their official site.

TIP #2: There’s a catch in the price you should know about, though. If you are only visiting Jordan for one day, or you are going to visit Petra on your first day in the country, entry will cost 90 JOD. You will need to prove that you are staying overnight in Jordan for the price to drop to 50 JOD or return the next day for a 40 JOD refund. In short, if you aren’t spending the night in the country, the price will be almost double!

Petra by night

Petra at Night lit by candles

If you’re staying the night and want to explore Petra from another perspective, I would recommend joining Petra by night. Petra by Night is a walk that is offered three days a week – every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, beginning at 8.30 PM.

Petra by night is lit enough so you can take a few pics and marvel at the large Visitors’ complex that serves as the entrance ticket buying point and a hub of great restaurants to grab some dinner before starting your walk. The path to the treasury is beautifully lit all the way with candles, with the Treasury being the most amazing with thousands of candles lit around it! The entire journey to the treasury is about 2.4km.

The ticket fee for Petra by Night is 17 JOD (24 US$) per person. Sadly, this activity is not included in the Jordan Pass. I strongly recommend buying your ticket during the day to avoid the long queues that form around 8 PM, just before the walk starts. It’s also good to get in early to avoid large crowds and have a few moments inside by yourself.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Remember that it will be completely lit by candlelight, so if your camera doesn’t work well in low-light settings, taking photos may be a struggle. If you’re bringing your DSLR, keep in mind to also bring a good tripod to avoid blurry pictures. Personally, I use this one.

Best Petra tours

Melissa sitting on top of a camel in Petra Jordan

Wondering how to visit Petra, now that you found out about all these incredible places worth discovering? Although you can totally see the Lost City of Petra by yourself, especially after reading THIS complete guide for visiting Petra. If you’re up for some walking and hiking challenges, I recommend you hire a guide to make the best out of your experience. A tour can also be an excellent idea if you want to see Petra as a day trip or if you want to explore some other sights around Petra during your trip to Jordan such as Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea or Aqaba, for example. This way, you won’t have to bother finding transportation and you’ll also have a knowledgeable guide telling you all kinds of facts about the history!

Here’s my hand-picked list of tours to Petra I can recommend:

ONE DAY IN PETRA:

MULTI-DAY TOURS:

TOURS FROM ISRAEL:

Where to stay near Petra, Jordan

Hotel in Petra Jordan

If you want to spend the night closeby after a long day of exploring Petra, my recommendation is to stay in Wadi Musa, a town that has grown exponentially due to the tourism activities at Petra. This town is located a short walk away from Petra’s main entrance (some hotels are extremely close, a few minutes away up to 20 minutes). Alternatively, you can take a taxi for 5 JOD (7 US$).

You can find all types of hotel options in Wadi Musa, for all pockets and preferences!

Here are some I recommend:

LUXURY: Mövenpick Resort Petra if you want a resort-style hotel in Petra or Petra Bubble Luxotel if you want a luxurious bubble hotel

MID-RANGE: Petra Guest House Hotel

BUDGET: Happy Night House

HOSTEL: Petra Cabin Hostel

How to get to Petra, Jordan

Girl Around the World sitting on a rock at Petra Jordan

There are several ways to get there if you’re visiting Petra and it all depends on where you’re coming from. The easiest and most convenient way of getting there from other cities in Jordan is by taxi or private car – and totally recommended by me!

Here are the distances and times, as follows:

WADI MUSA TO PETRA

Just a short walk away (maximum 2 km/20-25 minutes), depending on where your hotel is located. By the way, some hotels even offer a free shuttle bus to the entrance, so it’s always best to ask beforehand! Or you can take a taxi for 5 JOD (7 US$).

AMMAN TO PETRA

236 km, 3 hours, 90 JOD (127 US$)

AMMAN AIRPORT TO PETRA

I have found this private transfer that can drop you off from the airport to the entrance gates and also does round trips.

AQABA TO PETRA

120 km, 2 hours, 75 JOD (106 US$)

WADI RUM TO PETRA

110 km, 1 hour 30’, 45 JOD (63.5 US$)

DEAD SEA TO PETRA

190 km, 3 hours, 90 JOD (127 US$)

There’s also the option to take a bus for your visit to Petra. You can take the JETT express bus from Amman to Petra or take one of the minibuses which are essentially almost everywhere in Jordan. The advantage here is that they’re cheaper, although it will take longer to arrive. For more info on bus prices and schedules, check the official site here.

RELATED READ: A Dead Sea Trip – Complete Guide for Visiting for the First Time

BONUS: FAQs & My top travel tips for visiting Petra, Jordan

Melissa sitting in front of a camel in Jordan

YES, visiting Petra is COMPLETELY worth visiting, at least once in your lifetime – but, before going, here are some tips and useful information to keep in mind:

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PETRA?

The best time to travel to Petra is during autumn (October-November) and spring (April-May) if you want the perfect weather and not too many tourists flocking around you. In the summer, the temperatures are pretty high.

WHAT ABOUT THE OPENING HOURS?

You can enter the site everyday from 6 AM to 6 PM in the warm seasons and from 6 AM to 4 PM in the winter.

DO I NEED A GUIDE?

You can either visit Petra on your own, by creating your own itinerary and taking care of transportation (and accommodation, if needed) by yourself, or you can leave all these tasks in the hands of a guide. A guide is my recommendation if you’re short on time, as you’ll have less to worry about during your trip – plus you’ll get lots of interesting information about this unique place!

HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY?

Let me tell you right from the start: Petra is one of the most unique spots on Earth, so I would say it’s worth exploring as much as you can. That being said, although it is do-able to visit in a single day, I strongly advise you to stay for longer if you can – I took 2 days, and could have easily returned for a third. So, I recommend two days or even three. Take your time to explore everything there is to see; you’ll regret it if not!

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR TRIP TO PETRA, JORDAN

Except for a water bottle which you have to carry around with you unless you want to get dehydrated and faint in front of a carved building in Petra, I advise you to have the following in your travel bag:

DO I HAVE TO WALK A LOT?

How do I say this… err, yes. I mean… the entire site is stretched over 60 km! But it’s all very enjoyable, as there will be plenty of unique sites and intricate carvings to stop and admire along the way, all the time! And, if you get tired, you can always take a donkey, camel or horse ride – there are Bedouins offering them everywhere. For example, a carriage ride from the entrance to the Treasury is 20 JOD (28 US$).

CAN I BUY FOOD AND DRINKS THERE?

Although you might expect a different answer, yes, there are some small restaurants and kiosks inside Petra, as well as restrooms. BUT! I recommend buying snacks and refreshments from the stalls right before entering, as the prices will be a bit cheaper than inside. Plus, if you ask nicely, I’m sure your hotel can prepare a packed lunch for you; just make sure to tell them the night before. By the way, make sure you get a map from the Visitor Center upon entering, so you don’t waste time trying to find those around.

TIP: If you want to cut down on plastic, I advise that you bring your own refillable water bottle. Win-win!

TIP #2: If you want to enjoy a fancy drink at the end of the day, you can stop by the Cave Bar at Petra Guest House – it’s an ancient tomb transformed into a bar  a few years ago and it looks pretty cool!

IS PETRA SAFE?

Yes, you can safely travel to Petra. In fact, Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East and they always welcome tourists with an open heart. Plus, the tourist spots (Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman etc) are surely the safest in the country.

This was my complete Petra guide for everyone that’s planning a trip there soon! As I mentioned many times in this post, Petra is an incredibly unique spot and one of those unmissable places to see in Jordan, so it’s well-worth a (longer) visit. This article is here to tell you literally everything you need to know before you travel – from the main sites to see, best tour recommendations and plenty of info on how to get there and where to stay.

But as much as I fell in love with Petra, I must admit that it’s not the only place worth seeing while you’re in Jordan. If you want to read more about other exciting tourist destinations for your Jordan holidays, I recommend clicking here and reading about all my adventures in this country.

xoxo,

Melissa

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