Useful information for tourists about the Dead Sea in Israel - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.
The Dead Sea is a salt lake located in Israel and Jordan. The Dead Sea coast is the lowest landmass on Earth: it is 417 meters below sea level. The level of the Dead Sea continues to decline. This amazing body of water is called “dead” because due to the high salt content, neither fish nor other organisms can live in it.
There is 10% more oxygen in the atmosphere over the Dead Sea than over any other sea. This place has the highest ozone layer on earth, which excludes hard short ultraviolet rays from the spectrum of sunlight, leading to cancer and a number of other diseases.
The Dead Sea is the saltiest lake in the world. The composition of the salts is unique, not typical for other seas, and practically cannot be reproduced artificially. They are brought to the Dead Sea by 55 hot mineral springs from a depth of 1500 m. Due to a certain combination and high content of a number of elements (magnesium sulfate, bromides, lithium salts, etc.), the water and mud of this lake have a pronounced anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect , trigger a number of biochemical processes in the skin, leading to a rejuvenating effect on the entire body.
100% natural Dead Sea black mud for face and body - a mixture of sea minerals and organic substances - has been formed over thousands of years. Minerals allow you to enrich cells with oxygen, improving their metabolism, which results in better removal of toxins from the body and moisture is better retained in the skin. Thanks to this, the quality of the skin, its elasticity significantly improves, the number of wrinkles decreases, and also makes it possible to successfully treat many diseases.
Resort specialization:
- skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema, acne, neurodermatitis);
- muscular and general (polyarthritis, myastinia, myositis, collagenosis);
- respiratory (bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis);
- neurological (asthenia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, insomnia, physical rehabilitation);
- andrological and gynecological (male and female infertility, prostatitis, impotence).
Dead Sea Hotels have over 4,000 rooms in more than 15 hotels. All are located near the sea. All Dead Sea hotels are equipped with modern wellness centers, offering mud and sulfur baths, massages, inhalations, beauty treatments, indoor and outdoor pools with Dead Sea water and modern gyms.
Each Dead Sea hotel has several restaurants offering its guests cuisines from different nations of the world, discos and entertainment programs are held.
Above the shore of the Dead Sea, on a 440-meter cliff, rises the legendary fortress - Masada - a symbol of the revival of statehood. It was in this fortress that 960 Jews (including women and small children) resisted the 15 thousand army of Roman invaders for three years, and when it became clear that the enemy could not be defeated, they decided to commit suicide.
The Dead Sea is one of the four seas that wash the shores of Israel. Thousands of tourists come here year after year to be cured of many diseases. The coastal air is saturated with bromine, which calms the nervous system. The concentration of salt in the Dead Sea is incredibly high - it is impossible to drown here. The healing mud of the Dead Sea is widely used in cosmetology.
Holidays at the Dead Sea resorts are especially popular with older people, many of whom report an incredible surge of energy after swimming and relaxing on the salty beaches.
Climate and weather at the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea region is influenced by a desert climate. This means that the difference between day and night temperatures is significant - the difference can be up to 15 °C. This is a very sunny year-round resort, where a record amount of rain falls during the year. The number of sunny days per year exceeds 330.
From November to April, the average air temperature in the Dead Sea resorts is 22-29 °C. In summer, the air warms up from 32 to 37 °C, and in July the thermometer reaches 40 °C. The water temperature in the Dead Sea does not fall below 25 °C, and in August it warms up to 34 °C.
Dead Sea beaches
The beaches of the Dead Sea can be divided into private and public. The first ones belong to hotels and are well equipped - there are sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets, and convenient descents into the water. Since the Dead Sea becomes shallow every year and the distance to it from the hotel increases, special transport takes guests to the water. Excellent beaches are located in the resort of Ein Bokek.
Free beaches are less well equipped, but they always have a shower to wash off the salt. Also sometimes there are sun umbrellas and toilets. On all beaches you need special shoes for swimming to avoid cutting yourself on the rocks. Swimming time in the Dead Sea should not exceed 20 minutes.
The Dead Sea region is located in an amazing zone - solar radiation is practically safe here. You can sunbathe for 8 hours straight and not get sunburned. Wraps with healing mud and black clay often take place right on the shores of the Dead Sea. Zohar hot springs are rich in sulfur, their water helps with diseases of the joints and muscles.
Treatment at the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a completely unique place that has no analogues in the world. Millions of years ago, in its place was the Lashon Sea, which dried up and left behind a layer of salt up to 2 kilometers thick. It lies directly under the Dead Sea, providing it with incredible salinity: 270 ppm! Sea waters contain magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium chloride, as well as bromides. The air itself at Dead Sea resorts is saturated with bromine - it has a relaxing and calming effect on the human nervous system. In addition, the oxygen content in the air above the Dead Sea is much higher than anywhere else on the planet - in fact, it is a natural pressure chamber.
In health resorts located on the seashore, skin diseases are successfully treated, especially psoriasis (more than 93% of those cured!), as well as diseases of the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs. The climate and procedures have a beneficial effect on those who suffer from high blood pressure.
Wraps with healing peloid mud and black clay rejuvenate the skin, smooth out wrinkles, and tone it. Mud and clay relieve rheumatic pain and cleanse the skin. Sulfur baths with water from Zohar springs strengthen the circulatory system.
Dead Sea Resorts
The main resorts of the Dead Sea are Ein Bokek and Neve Zohar. This is where most luxury hotels and health resorts, boarding houses and balneological centers are located. The infrastructure is better developed in Ein Bokek, where there are many entertainment venues, restaurants, and shops. In Neve Zohar, life is in full swing inside the hotels, which are ready to offer their guests almost everything their heart desires.
Ein Bokek is the most famous resort of the Dead Sea. This is a single health resort with many luxury hotels and beautiful beaches. There are large balneological centers where you can take a health course based on the waters and mud of the Dead Sea. Bokek stream contains selenium, which helps improve the body's immunity.
Ein Gedi is an oasis in the Judean Desert. Mineral water is produced here from a legendary spring. In addition, in Kibbutz Ein Gedi there is the famous Ahava factory, which makes cosmetics based on minerals and salts from the Dead Sea. There is a store on the factory premises. In Ein Gedi there is a medical complex where you can take a hydrogen sulfide bath and sunbathe on the public beach. The entrance to the water is rocky and difficult; special shoes are required.
Dead Sea Attractions
The most famous local attraction is the ancient fortress of Massada. It was built during the time of King Herod the Great. The fortress resisted the Roman army: its defenders preferred death to defeat. You can learn more about the history of the fortress at the light and sound show that takes place here in the summer season. It starts at sunset and lasts about an hour. Simultaneous translation into Russian is available. You can climb the mountain where the fortress stands on foot or by cable car.
Another popular place among tourists is the mountain range, which was called “Lot’s Wife”. According to the biblical story, the wife of the righteous Lot turned into a pillar of salt after looking back at her hometown of Sodom being destroyed by angels. At certain angles, the pillar looks like a frozen female figure.
In Qumran National Park, which is located on the coast of the Dead Sea, you can see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. The scrolls themselves are kept in the Temple of the Book of the Israel Museum. Ein Gedi is one of the Dead Sea oases that is definitely worth a visit. This is where the magnificent Shulamit Falls, ice lakes and rock baths are located, as well as a luxurious botanical garden with more than 900 species of bushes, trees and flowers.
- Address: Israel;
- Surface height above sea level:-430 m;
- Square: 605 km²;
- Length: 50 km;
- Catchment area: 41,650 km²;
- Width: 15 km.
There are no azure sandy beaches, picturesque corals, tropical fish or beautiful rocky bays here, and a long stay in the water can even be harmful to health. However, the coast of this sea is dotted with popular resorts with hotels of any class and health centers with a wide range of services. It is not difficult to guess that we are talking about a completely unique body of water on earth - the Dead Sea. Someone comes here to improve their health, someone really wants to experience the amazing power of salt water, which prevents drowning, someone wants to see the famous sights associated with this sea and its surroundings.
Where is the Dead Sea in Israel?
Most people, when asked: “Where is the Dead Sea?” answer: “In Israel.” This is not true. In fact, this body of water lies on the border of two states: Jordan and. These countries have almost the same length of coastline. It’s just that on the western Israeli coast the tourist infrastructure is more developed, so it is more popular here than in Jordan. In addition, many tourists are attracted by the opportunity to combine a trip to three seas at once: the Red, Mediterranean and Dead Sea, which are marked on the map of Israel.
Resorts of Israel on the Dead Sea
Going to the shores of the most mysterious and unusual sea on earth, be prepared for the fact that what awaits you here is not the same atmosphere of carefree relaxation and fun that reigns on the beaches and. Surrounded by the sacred, several hundred meters below sea level, among crystal clear space, saturated with useful minerals. The concept of “rest” takes on a completely different meaning here. I want silence, solitude and harmony with nature. Therefore, there are not many resorts as such here.
The main city of Israel, where the Dead Sea is located - Ein Bokek. It contains the bulk of hotels, equipped beaches and health clinics. There are many cafes, restaurants, shopping centers. And although there are always a lot of people in Ein Bokek and it is perceived as an ordinary coastal town, there is no local population here. All personnel serving tourists come from nearby villages. Therefore, it would be more correct to call Ein Bokek simply an Israeli resort on the Dead Sea.
Among the usual settlements on the coast, where tourism infrastructure is also developed, we can highlight:
There is another city on the Dead Sea in Israel, where tourists often come, despite the fact that it is 25 km away from the coast. This . Its peculiarity is that the location of the city contributed to the creation of completely unique natural and climatic conditions here. Arad is recognized by UNESCO as the cleanest city in the world in terms of environmental aspects. The composition of air and its physical properties are unique. That is why tourists from different countries who want to improve or strengthen their health tend to come here. There are many specialized clinics, spa centers and health centers in the city.
Dead Sea beaches in Israel
Fans of holidays with “savages” will have to be disappointed. You will not be able to retire to any place you like on the coast. Swimming in the Dead Sea is fraught with many dangers (accidental ingestion of too salty water, which has an aggressive effect on mucous membranes, quicksand, pitfalls). Therefore, swimming is allowed only in specially designated and appropriately equipped places.
Holidays in Israel at the Dead Sea are possible on the following beaches:
The beaches of the Dead Sea in Israel can be reached by rented car or bus from Tel Aviv (No. 421, about 2.5 hours), Jerusalem (No. 486, 444, 487, the journey takes from 40 minutes to 2 hours) or Eilat (No. 444, the journey takes about 2.5-4 hours, depending on the beach where you are going).
What to see at the Dead Sea in Israel?
A wellness holiday on the shore of an unusual body of water can be diversified with exciting excursions to local attractions. In the surrounding area there are many outstanding historical and pilgrimage sites, as well as amazing natural parks and reserves. Paradoxical as it may seem, you will take some of the most vibrant and intense photos in Israel at the Dead Sea.
So, the main attractions:
- Parsa Canyon;
- Tmarim Canyon;
- Herodium National Park;
- ancient city of Jericho;
- Byzantine monasteries in the desert;
- Ein Gedi National Park;
- Tor Canyon;
- Ein Prat Nature Reserve;
- Mount Sodom with the famous statue - Lot's wife;
- Museum "Inn of the Good Samaritan";
- reserve "Einot Tsukim".
You can go to interesting places on your own by renting a car, or join a tour group.
What does the Dead Sea cure in Israel?
It is no secret that many people go to the Dead Sea not so much to relax on the beach, but to get a boost of health and vigor for many months to come. Even if you are not under the close attention of workers at a medical clinic or health center, you will still leave here with noticeably improved health and improved well-being.
Minerals and salts of the Dead Sea have a beneficial effect, first of all, on the skin:
- soften and moisturize the upper layers of the dermis;
- eliminate deep pollution;
- accelerate regeneration processes;
- remove toxins;
- improve blood circulation and metabolic processes at the cellular level;
- promote rapid healing of wounds, scars, microcracks;
- stimulate the immune system, reduce the risk of infectious and bacterial skin diseases.
A holiday at the Dead Sea is very useful for those who have problems with the musculoskeletal system. Athletes come here to recover from injuries, patients with arthritis, arthrosis, polyarthritis, osteochondrosis, scoliosis and rheumatism.
There is also a huge list of diseases for which a holiday at the Dead Sea will be an excellent way to improve health and prevent the progression of the disease. These include: eczema, psoriasis, chronic bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, prostatitis, dermatitis, prostate hypertrophy, asthma, ENT diseases (sinusitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, tinnitus, tonsillitis, laryngitis), all kinds of allergies.
And, of course, the nervous system will receive special “satisfaction” from a holiday near the Dead Sea. Here you will not only get rid of depression, chronic fatigue and relieve stress, but you will also be able to treat more serious dysfunctions of the nervous system (astheno-neurotic conditions, neuroses, cerebral palsy).
Dead Sea hotels in Israel
The Dead Sea coast offers a full range of recreation options for tourists. There are hotels, lodges, guest houses, apartments, hostels, chalets and campsites.
The largest selection in Ein Bokek. Here is a list of the best places to stay based on guest reviews and ratings:
There are also many hotels on the Dead Sea in the small Israeli village of Neve Zohar. The best ones:
About 9 mini-hotels and guest houses are located in Moshev Neot Hakikar ( Libi Bamidbar, Dead Sea Tamar's Cabin, Etzlenu Bahazer). There are also accommodation options in Ein Tamar (), Ein Gedi ( Kibbutz Hotel), Almoge ( mini-hotel Almog) and Metsoke Dragote ( Hostel Metsoke Dragot).
Weather
Perhaps the weather at the Dead Sea is one of the most favorable in the world. It is sunny and warm all year round, there is almost no rain. Moreover, it is almost impossible to get sunburned here, since harmful ultraviolet rays simply do not reach so low, to a level of -400 meters below sea level.
The average temperature in summer is +35°C, in winter +21°C. Water also rarely cools down to a temperature below +20°C. Therefore, the swimming season here is continuous. You don’t have to take an umbrella to the Dead Sea resorts. In total, about 50 mm of precipitation falls in this region per year. There is a chance of getting caught in light intermittent rain only from November to March.
Whatever time of year you travel, take warm clothes with you. They can be useful even in hot summers, since during the day the temperature can change in the range of 15-20°C.
How to get there?
Getting to the Dead Sea in Israel is easy, no matter in which city you plan to relax. You can get there by bus from . There are several routes that will take you to Ein Bokek, Hamei Zohar, Ein Gedi, Neve Zohar or Kalia. You can also use a rented car or taxi. The closest airport to the Dead Sea in Israel is. There are no direct buses from it, but almost any resort can be reached with transfers.
The Dead Sea is a salt lake located in Jordan and Israel. Its coast is 417 m below sea level, this is the lowest landmass on our planet. There is a constant decline in the level of the Dead Sea. Due to the very high concentration of salt, there are no living organisms of any kind in it (hence the name of the lake).
It is also noteworthy that there is more oxygen in the atmosphere above the Dead Sea (10%) than above other bodies of water. The ozone layer here is the highest in the world, so sunlight does not contain harmful ultraviolet rays, and is therefore safe!
Another characteristic feature of the Dead Sea is that it is the saltiest on Earth, and the composition of the salts is unique and not typical for other seas, and is also not subject to artificial reproduction. At the depth of the lake, which is 1500 m, there are 55 hot mineral springs, thanks to which the Dead Sea has such a unique composition of water. The presence of chemical elements: lithium salts, magnesium sulfate, bromides, etc., their high content and a certain combination give the water and mud of this lake anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, and they also have a rejuvenating effect on the entire body.
For many thousands of years, the formation of black Dead Sea mud, which is a mixture of organic substances and sea minerals. For the skin of the face and body, the composition of the mud is excellent: minerals enrich cells with oxygen, their metabolism improves (as a result - better removal of toxins from the body), moisture is retained in the skin longer. Thanks to this, the number of wrinkles is reduced, the skin becomes firmer and more elastic, that is, its condition significantly improves. Mud can also be used to successfully get rid of many ailments.
The resort specializes in the treatment of the following diseases:
1. Respiratory: bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
2. Skin: acne, eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis.
3. Andrological and gynecological: prostatitis, impotence, female and male infertility.
4. Neurological: insomnia, asthenia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, as well as physical rehabilitation.
5. Muscular and general: myastinia, polyarthritis, collagenosis, myositis.
More than fifteen hotels are located near the sea, with over four thousand rooms. All Dead Sea hotels have modern health centers that offer: sulfur and mud baths, inhalations, massages, and cosmetic treatments. The centers are also equipped with gyms and swimming pools (there are both indoor and outdoor) with Dead Sea water.
Stories from tourists about the Dead Sea.
My husband and I decided to celebrate our tenth anniversary of marriage in an unusual way. Despite the fact that together we visited many seas and even two oceans, it was the Dead Sea that was remembered for its originality. Many tourists visit these places to improve their health, but we came for the unique landscapes that we had seen enough of in the photos of our friends.
We rested at the height of summer - in mid-July 2017. To say that it was sultry weather would be an understatement. The air was so hot that it was hard to breathe. During the five days of our stay, not only rain, not even a small white cloud was noticed in the sky. The air temperature was stable all the time at a terrifying level of + 38°C during the day. At night it dropped by only four to five degrees, which did not help the hot earth and air at all. The water in the Dead itself cannot be called refreshing either + 30°C. That is, wherever we went, crazy heat accompanied us everywhere. We always took a few with us... read more
In February 2015 I had the opportunity to visit the Dead Sea. The vacation turned out to be not only useful, but also educational. There are simply gorgeous spa areas, incredible hotels and good sightseeing tours. 
I didn’t think that I would have such a wonderful time here in February. In Moscow there is a harsh winter, but here it is warm and sunny. The water temperature is stable all year round from 21 to 24 degrees. 
There are many hotels on the coast. I stayed at the Lot-spa hotel. Wonderful hotel. I liked the fact that it has its own access to the sea and its own well-groomed beach. Food at the hotel is a buffet. This is convenient for those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle. The hotel has a spa area where they offer a variety of body treatments. In addition, there is a gym, and it is well equipped.
There are several beaches on the Dead Sea. There are paid and free ones, but everywhere is the same... read more
Kalia Beach
Kalia beach is one of the closest beaches to Jerusalem on the Israeli side of the Dead Sea. It is located in the northern part of the Dead Sea, next to two more beaches - Bianchini and Neve Midbar.
In this part of the Dead Sea there are waves, and sometimes they are quite strong. This practically never happens on the beaches in the hotel resort area (Ein Bokek and Neve Zohar)...
Entrance to the beach is paid: for adults - 55 shekels, for children from 3 to 12 years old - a little cheaper - 44 shekels.
In March 2010, we wanted to warm up after a long winter, and we found ourselves in Israel. Ben Gurion Airport greeted us rather inhospitably. The border control room was packed. True, the line moved at a good pace; after half an hour, the passports had stamps giving them a pass to the promised land. Our suitcase was already waiting for its owners, as was the minibus that met us. We loaded up and went to the Dead Sea.
| Tales of the Dead Sea |
Popular hotels.
Israel \ Dead Sea| Photo | Name | Location | Information |
| Spa Club Dead Sea 4* | |||
| Hod Hamidbar 4* | Israel, Dead Sea, Ein Bokek | ||
| Leonardo Club 4* | Israel, Dead Sea, Neve Zohar | ||
| Oasis Dead Sea 3* | Israel, Dead Sea | ||
| Crowne Plaza Dead Sea 5* | Israel, Dead Sea, Ein Bokek |
Latest reviews of Dead Sea hotels.
Somehow, unexpectedly, I decided to go on vacation to Israel in March. I arrived at the hotel just on March 21st. They charged me as much as 88 thousand rubles for the trip along with the flight. And on the day of arrival, surprises began and I can’t say they were pleasant. For the fact that they put me in a room with a balcony, they demanded an additional payment of 30 dollars per day! Apparently their single guests are not worthy of staying in rooms with balconies. Well, what can you do, I had to agree.
Then I was very confused by the distance from the hotel to the sea. The travel agency told me very beautifully and said that it was only about 120 meters. But as it turned out, we actually had to walk for at least 15 minutes, and even in such terrible heat! I still think that for such a huge amount of money this is clearly too much.
In principle, in the hotel concept there is such a thing as transport delivery of vacationing hotel guests to the beach. But here it all comes down to one problem - drivers absolutely do not want to drive here and there in the heat. You can stand in the baking sun for half an hour and wait for him to deign to drive up, and at the same time he sits in the shade and chats on the phone, since the Wi-Fi in the hotel is free. To be honest, it was terribly annoying, it is there with air conditioning and you stand here and sweat yourself in the heat. I honestly wanted to go up to him and hit him on the head with something.
In general, the hotel certainly looks very cool, but the monotony of the food was terribly annoying. The choice is very limited, you walk around for ten minutes and in the end you don’t choose anything because there is nothing at all. The lobby bar has very attentive and pleasant staff. Many thanks to them for such an attitude. But that was the problem - I didn’t pay them every time for what I ate or drank, they themselves suggested that I do it on record, indicating the room number.
And just before leaving, they gave me a bill and I paid it. But the most unpleasant thing, again, was when I was given another bill, but for something I didn’t drink or eat. And there were also products that I did not order at all. Moreover, all my attempts to prove anything were pointless, pay and that’s it! I had to pay, it’s good that the amount was small. That's why people are kind! If you don’t want to get on your nerves on vacation, then you shouldn’t go to this hotel!
My husband and I stayed in this hotel for only two nights, it was in April of this year when the season was in full swing and the hotel was completely full. I had to take a superior room for an additional 55 dinars per night because everything else was occupied. Check-in took place instantly, for which many thanks to the guys at the reception who very quickly resolve all issues. The receptionist quickly loaded our luggage onto his car and took us to our room. Just in case, I remind you that tips are welcome here.
Our room, which was listed as O-14, was on the second floor and overlooked the main pool. I should note that these Oasis rooms are incredibly good for everyone - the views here are gorgeous, and they are located closer to the sea, but there is one unpleasant moment - on Fridays and Thursdays it is too noisy here. And this is all because there is a restaurant nearby that plays loud Arabic music until 11 pm these days. If you close the balcony and curtain the windows, it will be more or less tolerable, but you can still hear it a little.
The room is super, very large with two rooms and two bathrooms, everything is very new and the interior is stylish. In both rooms there was a large new TV, our room had already been redecorated, but in the other rooms it was slowly going on. But it was completely unnoticeable, there was no noise, no dust, not even the smell of paint.
The bed is very large with brand new bedding, everything is nice and clean. The minibar is non-alcoholic and free, refreshed every day. The room had built-in chargers for mobile phones and an alarm clock. As a compliment, a set for tea and coffee. Every day they brought one large bottle of water for free. There were safes in both rooms and there was a hairdryer.
There were towels for both hands and body, as well as robes and slippers. If suddenly something was missing, you could call the reception and they would bring it right away. All toiletries are in duplicate since there are two bathrooms. I must say that they are of very high quality. The bathrooms have special threads for drying clothes, a separate bathtub and a separate shower. There is a bidet and even a telephone in case something happens to you in the toilet. There are two balconies, and on them there are tables and two ottomans.
The walk to the restaurant is no more than five minutes, and to the sea about 15 minutes. You just need to go down the steps past the private villas. The cleaning was very good, but due to the overcrowding of the hotel, the cleaner only reached us at three o'clock in the afternoon. Cleaned the bed, replaced towels and bathroom sets. I asked him for an extra tube of shampoo for a tip.
In the main pool the water is at a quite suitable temperature and it is very good that there are different depths there. But in the heated pool (it’s located nearby) the water is too chlorinated. The bar next to the pool plays music throughout the day and evening. The main pool is more suitable for families and children too. Towels were provided near the main pool. There is also a SPA, but we didn’t look into it. But vacationers praise it very much.
The downside of the beach is the inconvenient entry into the sea. There are no stairs or slabs; you have to walk on large stones covered with salt. Due to the large number of bathers, the salt is flattened in places, but it is still very uncomfortable without slippers - you can easily get hurt. The beach has showers and a vat of healing mud. If you go a little up the steps from the sea, there is a wide beach strip and on it there are sun loungers and also showers. The water temperature in the sea is simply excellent - not hot and not cold.
Due to the large number of vacationers, the food was simplified but still delicious. For breakfast, four to six types of cereal with nuts and grains, sweet and plain yoghurts. There was also yogurt, which was more like a sweetened cream, very tasty with the addition of coconut and fiber. Boiled eggs, buns, bread, omelet were made with additives to order, two types of sausages, cheese, potatoes, baked tomatoes, then fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, olives, sardines, fried bacon, salads, croissants, oranges, apples and grapefruits , various jams, Nutella, fruit salads, muffins, honey, pancakes, and waffles are baked right in your presence.
For lunch there was always soup, then fried potatoes, baked vegetables, four types of cheese, four or five salads, olives, herbs, fish and cutlets in sauce, kebab fried right in front of you, chicken breast too, meat in sauce including lamb , rice, then also pasta with cherry tomatoes, an excellent selection of sweets, chocolate cake, soufflé and cheesecake. In general, everything was freaking delicious. And of course we are very pleased with the food.
So this is not the first time we have been staying in the hotel, we always like it, we recommend it to you. Well, if you get into the rooms after the update, then everything will be wonderful.
I would like to immediately warn those who are planning to go here on vacation that there are very few hotels on the Dead Sea coast on the Jordanian side and all of them are very expensive. Well, we were already excited to go here, so we chose from what was available. This one looked pretty good in the pictures, the reviews were normal and we were more or less happy with the price.
When we were already checking in about arriving at the hotel, we learned about a very unpleasant surprise - it turns out that in booking the hotel prices do not include taxes and fees, so we had to immediately add twenty percent to the original cost. So be careful and take this fact into account. If I had known about this in advance, I would have been better off choosing a whole chalet in Mujib Chalet for the same price.
There is no infrastructure around the hotel at all, only one road. When we arrived, there was just a gap between lunch and dinner, and I really wanted to eat. We had to take a car and go to the only nearest shopping center in Samara. There are three cafes there. Well, in the hotel itself there is a pub with a very smiling bartender.
In February, it is naturally not the season in these places, so a maximum of five people lived in the hotel. Maybe that’s why the beach looked completely abandoned with torn umbrellas and a bunch of unburied pipes. The showers work very poorly and there are no changing rooms as such here. In the mornings we met a cleaner there, he diligently swept and prepared a bucket of dirt in advance.
There is a construction site right behind the hotel fence; there are a lot of excavators working there, and of course there is noise, dust and dirt. Although the hotel was practically empty, they still managed to put us in the courtyard and we could hear our neighbors perfectly from the room opposite. If there was a balcony, we might even be able to see everything that was going on in their room. Our room, although slightly shabby, was still spacious, so in principle it was possible to live.
The Dead Sea resorts in Israel are not so numerous, but before the trip it is better to find out the features of each in order to independently choose where it is best to relax. The article provides photos and a general description of the main resort of Ein Bokek on the Dead Sea and others.
Dead Sea resorts in Israel - list and general conditions
You need to understand that the resorts located on the Dead Sea are not cities and, sometimes, not even villages. In fact, in Israel there is only one resort on the Dead Sea as such - the hotel village of Ein Bokek, with a stretch you can add the neighborhood of Neve Zohar and Ein Gedi, and there are also small hotels and guest houses in the area of Kibbutzim Kalia and Metzok Dragot. And I would also like to highlight the city of Arad, although it is located 25 km from the Dead Sea, it has its own advantages, which we will discuss further.
Dead Sea resorts on the map of Israel and Jordan:
And now I’ll tell you about each of them in more detail.
The resort of Ein Bokek on the Dead Sea is the most important
General description of the Ein Bokek resort
The Ein Bokek resort is located directly on the shores of the southern basin of the Dead Sea in Israel. Includes:
- 12 hotels.
- 2 health clinics.
- 2 shopping centers.
- About 7 hotel beaches and 1 public one.
- Cafes, restaurants.
Ein Bokek is, first of all, a health resort of the Dead Sea. There are no public nightclubs or similar establishments here.
This photo shows the third part of the Ein Bokek resort 
And in this photo half of Ein Bokek Wellness clinics
Ein Bokek is home to 2 multidisciplinary health clinics: the Dead Sea Clinic and the Paula Clinic. Their treatment specializes in cerebral palsy, skin, gynecological and urological ailments, diseases of the respiratory tract and musculoskeletal system, stress and rejuvenation. Both speak Russian.
Beaches of Ein Bokek
There are about seven private hotel beaches and one free public beach in Ein Bokek. In my opinion, here are the most well-groomed and pleasant beaches of the Dead Sea. When we were in Israel (January 2016), the beaches of the Ein Bokek resort on the Dead Sea were being renovated and refreshed with red sand.
There is a detailed article about it with descriptions and prices.
The shops
The resort village of Ein Bokek has three small shopping centers: Petra Shopping Center, Sky Blue Shopping Center and Ein Bokek Shopping Center. They have cosmetics, clothing, souvenir shops, jewelry stores and grocery minimarkets. In minimarkets you can buy chocolate bars, cookies, chips, alcohol, etc. You shouldn't count on anything more significant. As for prices in grocery stores, in the minimarket in Petra Shopping Center they were about 20% higher than, say, in Jerusalem, and in the minimarket in Sky Blue Shopping Center they were slightly cheaper than in the Petra shopping center.
Shops at Petra Shopping Center 
Cafe And restaurants
At the resort you can visit McDonald's, the oriental-style cafe-bar Taj Mahal, adjacent to the Leonardo Inn hotel, the Quatro bar and the Cafe-Cafe, Aroma and others. You can also visit restaurants at hotels where you do not live, including, for example, the Ranch House meat restaurant at the Isrotel Dead Sea hotel.
- Taj Mahal. Snacks (hummus, salads, vegetables) - 20-45 shekels. ($5-12), meat dishes (entrecote, kebab, ribs, kebab, schnitzel) - 35-95 shekels. ($9-25), desserts - 25-30 shekels. ($6-8), hookah - 35 shekels. ($9), drinks and beer - 8-25 shekels. ($2-6), vodka - 25-50 shekels. ($6-12), bottle of vodka - 300 shekels. ($78).
Taj Mahal Cafe near Leonardo Inn Hotel Ein Bokek Hotels
There are 12 large hotels of medium class and above in Ein Bokek. Room prices can be viewed by clicking on the button.
Neve Zohar Resort (Hamei Zohar)
The Neve Zohar resort is located 1-2 km north of the kibbutz of the same name in a place called Hamei Zohar. In fact, this resort is a continuation of Ein Bokek, which is located very close - just 3 km to the north.
There are only 3 hotels in the Neve Zohar (Hamei Zohar) resort, one of which operates on an All Inclusive basis. There are beaches in the area of these hotels. Two of them belong to hotels, one to a spa center and part-time Premier cosmetics store, and one to a public one.
Hotels in Neve Zohar resort A kilometer from the three hotels is Kibbutz Neve Zohar itself - a very small village on the shores of the Dead Sea.
Below is the entire village of Neve Zohar 
Neve Zohar has several guest houses and rooms. There is no beach in the kibbutz itself (the nearest 1.5 km is at the hotels), but some still manage to swim here.
You can swim in Neve Zohar only behind those hotels Reviews and prices for hotels and guest houses in Neve Zohar and the surrounding area can be viewed by selecting dates and clicking on the button below.
Ein Gedi Resort - an oasis near the Dead Sea
Israel's resorts on the Dead Sea also include Kibbutz Ein Gedi, which is located near the reserve of the same name. The settlement has:
- Spa hotel Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel in the kibbutz and HI Ein Gedi Hostel near the Ein Gedi nature reserve.
- SPA-center.
- 1 public and 1 paid beach from the Spa.
- Village infrastructure (canteen, shops).
Kibbutz Ein Gedi is located in an oasis a little away from the shores of the Dead Sea, a few kilometers from the beach. From the Ein Gedi Spa Hotel there is a shuttle service to the beach during the day.
Kibbutz Kalia area
The northern beaches of the Dead Sea are 40 km from Jerusalem. The archaeological site of the ancient manuscripts of Qumran is located nearby. Here are:
- 3 paid beaches: Kaili, Bianchini and Neve Midbar.
- Kalia Kibbutz Hotel in Kibbutz Kalia (in 6 km from the beach of the same name!), guest house on Bianchini beach, huts on Neve Midbar beach.
- Village infrastructure in the kibbutz.
- Bars and cosmetics and souvenir shops on the beaches.
The area is more suitable for a day visit from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Kalia Beach, Bianchini and Neve Midbar 
Area of Kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem and Metzouk Dragot
Kibbutzim Mitzpe Shalem and Metzouk Dragot are located in the middle of the Northern Salt Lake Basin. These are far from the Dead Sea resorts, but in this area you can find:
- Metzoke Dragot Hostel, which has both standard rooms and mattresses in a 10-person tent for budget travelers. It’s better not to stay here without a car, as there is a five-kilometer uphill climb to the hostel.
- Paid beach Mineral with natural mud. From 01/01/2015 temporarily closed for repairs due to ground failures. As of January 2016, still not operational.
- Factory of the famous Dead Sea cosmetics Ahava.
Suitable for a one-day stop when traveling along the Dead Sea, and even then not now.
Mineral Beach near Mitzpe Shalem is closed Arad is the cleanest city in the world
The city of Arad is also often referred to as the Dead Sea resort in Israel. It is located at an altitude of 600 m above sea level. The distance from Arad to Neve Zohar is 25 km and to the resort of Ein Bokek – 30 km. By the way, most of the employees of these resorts live in Arad. There are also health clinics and spa centers at some hotels, and the holiday can be more homely if you rent an apartment or house.
Well-kept town of Arad Pros:
- On many tourist portals there is information that from an environmental point of view, according to UNESCO, Arad was recognized as the cleanest city on earth. This is especially important for people with allergies and respiratory diseases.
- Infrastructure of a residential city. Accordingly, prices in shops and cafes are not inflated for tourists. At least there is no shortage of these establishments.
- Choose from a large number of housing in different price ranges. These are not only hotels, but also guest houses, cottages, apartments where you can arrange a family vacation at home.
- The air here is drier, making it easier for asthmatics to breathe.
- Rest and treatment in Arad (with trips to the Dead Sea) can be cheaper than in Ein Bokek. The difference will be especially felt if you stay at coastal resorts for more than a week.
- A decent portion of the city’s population are Russian-speaking Israelis.
Minuses:
- One very big minus is the distance from the coast by 25 km. Actually, because of this it is difficult to call Arad a Dead Sea resort. This problem can be solved in three ways: 1) renting a car; 2) an agreement with the owner of the property on delivery free of charge or for a small fee using his transport; 3) public transport, buses 384, 421 go to the Dead Sea resorts - 16 shekels. ($4.2) to Neve Zohar, 21.5 shekels. ($5.6) to Ein Bokek (see schedule egged carrier website).
⚠ Some people think that the road from the Dead Sea to Arad is very difficult and serpentine. As for me, there is nothing so scary about it: a good, wide, winding road with beautiful views.
Accommodation in Arad can be found in several ways:
- Rent a hotel online. For those who do not know how this is done, I have prepared an article:.
- Rent an apartment or house from a private owner through the airbnb website. To get a discount on your booking of $15-35 (promotions change periodically and may soon be canceled altogether), you must first register using this invitation link. Then type “Arad” in the search window and select your expected vacation dates. The offers on this site are amazing. We ourselves have rented apartments through Airbnb many times, including in Israel, and we also successfully saved money by taking advantage of the discount. Our experience was described in the article: .
Where is the best place to relax in the Dead Sea - my conclusions
My opinion is that if you go to the Dead Sea for one day without an overnight stay, you can stay at any of the above resorts and hotels, depending on your location and the transport you use. Kibbutzim Ein Gedi, Neve Zohar and Ein Bokek are suitable for 2-3 days. For treatment and rest for a period of more than three days, I would choose the resort of Ein Bokek or the neighboring Hamei Zohar (1 km from Kibbutz Neve Zohar) with their hotels operating on an all-inclusive or half-board basis. If living on the seashore is not essential, then for relaxation and treatment for a long period I would definitely consider the city of Arad.
Be sure to read the article about, in which I spoke in detail about possible expenses during the trip.
Dead Sea resorts on the map of Israel and Jordan
I have prepared a map of the Dead Sea resorts in Israel and Jordan, which also shows beaches, hotels, spas and clinics. If you click on an object, you will see the GPS coordinates of the point and a link to the site (if available).
Marina and Konstantin Samorosenko