Bethany: Day Trips and Tours from Amman

One of the most significant locations in the Bible for devout Christians, Bethany — also known as Al-Maghtas — is believed to be the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

Today, it attracts pilgrims from across the globe to walk in the footsteps of Christ and learn about the events that happened 2,000 years ago, which still shape the religion today. Bethany day trips from Amman are ideal, not just for believers, but for history and culture buffs too.

Here's all you need to know about Bethany, one of the most exciting day trips from Amman.

How to get to Bethany from Amman?

Bethany is located in the Jordan Valley on the eastern banks of the River Jordan. It is approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Amman.

From Amman to Bethany by car

The journey to Bethany from Amman by car takes approximately an hour and begins by leaving Jordan in a southwesterly direction. You’ll then follow the Dead Sea Road — otherwise known as Route 40 — the majority of the way, before turning right onto Baptism Road to finish the last leg of your journey.

Guided tour to Bethany from Amman

Public transportation between the two destinations is limited, which is why those without access to a car should consider making the jaunt to Bethany from Amman via an organized day trip.

These tend to last between 4 and 8 hours, depending on which locations are visited. Offering a more comprehensive and hassle-free experience, these excursions generally include a complimentary accommodation pickup service. Once your adventure is over, you’ll return to your hotel for relaxing or continue sightseeing in Amman.

What is the typical itinerary?

While each Bethany day tour is unique, all excursions share similarities. After being picked up from your hotel, you’ll get acquainted with your guide and, if you’re part of a group tour, the other individuals joining you in your vehicle. Then, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as you make the journey to the baptism site.

Upon arrival, you’ll participate in a guided tour along the riverbanks, learning about its association with three religions — Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Alongside the roots behind this popular pilgrimage spot, you’ll also see remains of a number of buildings from different eras that make the region such an archaeological gem.

From there, you may return to Amman. However, some combination day trips to Bethany also enable you to explore the Dead Sea. Alternatively, you may be able to add extra sites, such as Iraq Al Amir, onto your excursion to extend your adventure and gain a deeper insight into Jordan’s history, and culture.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Bethany?

Guided tours to Bethany from Amman

Whether you’re a believer yourself or are simply interested in the history of religious customs, you’re bound to enjoy a day trip to Bethany. After a scenic drive from Amman, you’ll enjoy a guided stroll along the eastern bank of the River Jordan, learning about the site believed to be where Jesus Christ was baptized.

As well as hearing tales of how the location is related to Jesus, you’ll also discover several archaeological sites, from the Roman and Byzantine eras, including caves, and churches. You may choose to upgrade this excursion to include Iraq Al Amir where you’ll find a number of caves that were inhabited during the Copper Age, which stretched between 3,500 and 2,300 B.C.

Day trip to Bethany plus the Dead Sea from Amman

For a more comprehensive excursion, book a private Bethany day tour that also includes the Dead Sea — one of the most unique natural attractions in the world. You’ll travel first to Bethany where you can drink in the holy atmosphere and fascinating history of the baptism site before journeying on to the Dead Sea.

Here, you can try out floating in the salty lake for yourself and reap the benefits of its mineral-infused waters, which include improvement in symptoms of rheumatic diseases, as well as lung conditions, and heart disease. You’ll also have the option to visit a nearby spa to relax even further as you enjoy a salt scrub or soothing massage.

How much does a day trip to Bethany from Amman cost?

A day trip to Bethany typically operates in small groups limited to seven participants and costs US$140 to US$150 per adult. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 cost just over US$50 each, while those under 6 can join in for free. You can choose to add lunch or a visit to Iraq Al Amir for an additional charge.

For a private Bethany day tour that includes the Dead Sea in its itinerary, you can expect to pay just under US$200 per adult and around US$70 per child aged 6 to 11. Once again, children under 6 can participate for free, and you can upgrade to have a meal included for an additional charge.

What will you see and do?

Nicknamed “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” by many, this holy attraction has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Bethany itself is split into two sections — Jabal Mar-Elias, which houses the remains of an ancient monastery — and the baptismal area, where you can find the ruins of several historic churches, and baptism ponds.

Jabal Mar-Elias has been identified as the location from the Bible where the prophet Elijah ascended into heaven. This significant figure is mentioned in Islam and Judaism as well, as it is believed he saved the religion of Yahweh from Baal.

Bethany is a relatively new destination for pilgrims, after being abandoned after the Six-Day War in the 1960s. Recovery of the site was only begun by archaeologists in the 1990s, however, today it is a bustling destination, attracting over 200,000 travelers each year.

Three popes have visited Bethany, contributing to its growing level of tourism, confirming this to be the site that the Bible dictates Jesus was baptized. Alongside being recognized as an important baptism and ascension site, Bethany is also widely considered to be the location where Joshua led the Israelites through the River Jordan to the Promised Land in the Old Testament’s Book of Joshua.

Despite its importance in several religions, the authenticity of Bethany as the destination where John the Baptist christened Jesus has never been confirmed. Long before Jesus is believed to have swept through these lands, this area of Jordan was settled by agriculturalists in the 4th millennium B.C.

Several centuries after Jesus is believed to have lived, churches began popping up on the banks of the River Jordan, the remnants of which can be seen today on a Bethany day trip.

When is the best time to visit Bethany?

The best time to visit Bethany is spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) when the weather is generally moderate, making it ideal for exploration. During these seasons, you will encounter fewer crowds, enhancing the spiritual and historical experience of the site. Summer can be excessively hot, and winter may be cooler with occasional rain.

Travel tips

• Given its religious significance, it's respectful to dress modestly. Wear long pants or skirts and cover your shoulders.
• The Jordan Valley can get quite hot. Carry plenty of water with you, especially if you're visiting during warmer months.
• Bring essentials like sunblock, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and perhaps a light snack.
• Bethany is a pilgrimage site for many. Always be respectful to those who are there for religious reasons.