Dead Sea: Day Trips and Tours from Tel Aviv

With its unique location as the lowest point on earth and its mineral-rich waters, it's no wonder the Dead Sea was a finalist to be named one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The salt content in this land-locked lake means that visitors can float effortlessly on its surface, and revel in the novelty of this natural phenomenon.

Day trips to the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv explore a plethora of historic and cultural sights in the bustling cities of Israel, before heading to the lake for a tranquil escape.

Here's all you need to know about Dead Sea, one of the most exciting day trips from Tel Aviv.

How to get to the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv?

The Dead Sea is located in the east of Israel and is situated along the country’s border with Jordan. It is approximately 90 kilometers from the city of Tel Aviv:

From Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea by car

To make the journey to the Dead Sea by car, you’ll travel east out of Tel Aviv and use Highway 1, which travels past Jerusalem. Merge onto Route 90 and continue south to the lake. The drive takes approximately 2 hours.

Guided tour to the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv

If you don’t have a car available on your Israel vacation or simply don’t want to fuss over the navigation, there is another option. Instead of driving, you should consider making the jaunt to the Dead Sea via a guided excursion.

These day tours tend to begin early — between 6 AM and 7 AM — and return to Tel Aviv in the late afternoon.

You can choose to benefit from a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off service. Alternatively, you may decide to meet your tour guide at an easy-to-reach destination in the city instead.

You can view the meeting point of all Dead Sea excursions before booking in order to organize transportation beforehand.

What is the typical itinerary?

The itinerary of Dead Sea day tours varies significantly depending on the other locations you’ll be visiting.

Some excursions travel out of Tel Aviv and head directly to this famous patch of water for an early morning dip before the crowds arrive. However, in most instances, you’ll discover the other destinations on your itinerary first.

You may travel to the archaeological site of Masada to explore its ancient ruins and snap a spectacular shot from its plateau.

Alternatively, you might start your day atop the celebrated Mount of Olives, which is home to an abundance of Biblical landmarks and provides a dramatic bird’s eye view of Jerusalem.

From here, you can participate in a walking tour of the Holy City and learn about its melting pot of cultures, and traditions. Moving on, you may have the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Christ — Bethlehem — before journeying to the Dead Sea.

If you opt for a Dead Sea day tour that includes Mount Temptation, you’ll spend the first hours of your trip exploring the religious monuments of Jericho, a city with a history that spans 11,000 years.

All of your discovering may leave your feet tired and your body in need of a well-deserved break. This makes the afternoon the perfect time to travel to the Dead Sea, where you can enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Trawl the souvenir shops and purchase some mineral-rich mud to take home from your vacation or spend all of your time floating on the lake’s salty surface. From here, you’ll board your bus and enjoy the scenic ride back to Tel Aviv.

What kinds of tours are available?

You can choose from a variety of destinations to include on your Dead Sea day trip. Whether you’re a devout Christian wanting to witness the birthplace of Jesus or a history fiend seeking out ancient palaces, there’s a day tour to suit everyone.

Day trip to the Dead Sea plus Masada from Tel Aviv

One of the most popular day trips to the Dead Sea includes the incomparable Masada Palace complex. You’ll begin your excursion by traveling to this ancient landmark, built in the 1st century B.C. by Herod the Great.

Don’t be daunted by the steep climb up to Masada’s plateau, as you’ll speed up the vertical cliff in a comfortable cable car instead.

Once you arrive at these historic ruins, you can explore the mosaics and Roman baths that date back over 2,000 years. After you’ve been awed by the origins of this impressive palace, you’ll continue on to the lowest point on earth — the Dead Sea.

Cover yourself in the mineral-infused mud from the lake and bathe in its salty waters. Before returning to Tel Aviv, you’ll make a stop at the Qumran cave.

It was here that the Hebrew and Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 20th century, dating as far back as the 3rd century B.C.

Day tour to the Dead Sea plus Jerusalem from Tel Aviv

Another highly-visited destination on a Dead Sea day tour is the holy city of Jerusalem. Traverse the deserts of Israel to reach the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view over the 5,000-year-old city.

One of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem is brimming with religious landmarks and archaeological monuments, including the Western Wall, which you’ll visit on your day trip.

You’ll also wander through the limestone streets of the Jewish and Christian Quarters, stopping to see the ancient Roman’s stamp on the city at the Cardo.

Be enchanted by the city’s bustling bazaar as you carry on toward the Church of Holy Sepulcher — where Jesus is thought to have risen from the dead. Journey on to the Dead Sea where you can float the afternoon away without a care in the world.

Guided day trip to the Dead Sea plus Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Follow the trail of Bible locations all the way to Bethlehem — where Jesus is thought to have entered the world — on this Dead Sea excursion.

Start your day with a refreshing dip in the mild waters of the Dead Sea before busloads of tourists make their way to this fascinating stretch of water.

Once you’ve witnessed the slowly-shrinking natural phenomenon, you’ll continue to Jerusalem, where you’ll delve into the fascinating Christian, Jewish and Islamic history of each part of the city.

Because of its 5,000-year history, you won’t have to look far to find a captivating ancient ruin or monument.

Your thrilling excursion culminates at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. It is here that Christians believe Mother Mary gave birth to the most important man ever to have lived on earth.

Day tour to the Dead Sea plus the Jordan River, Jericho and Mount Temptation from Tel Aviv

On this whirlwind tour of Israel’s highlights, you’ll experience some of the most fascinating natural, religious and cultural sites the country has to offer.

Jericho — the oldest city on earth — is the first point of call on this Dead Sea day trip. Here, you can discover an assortment of ancient religious monuments, as well as the Islamic Hisham’s Palace, which showcase the city’s eventful 9,000-year history.

Pause at Zaccheus' Tree — famed for its appearance in the Bible — before traveling to the Monastery of the Temptation, built into the rocky cliffs of the eponymous mountain.

Experience the holy site of Qasr al-Yahud, where John the Baptist is thought to have baptized Jesus. This Biblical scene is so well-known that hordes of pilgrims travel to this spot yearly to feel closer to God.

End your day trip by soaking in the enriched waters of the Dead Sea — known for their healing properties.

How much does a day trip to the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv cost?

The most budget-friendly day tour to the Dead Sea features both Jerusalem and Bethlehem in its itinerary. This trip costs around US$110 per person and includes guided tours of both culturally-significant cities.

A day trip to the Dead Sea that also includes Masada costs approximately US$120 per person.

Those that visit the Jordan River, Jericho and Mount Temptation, as well as the Dead Sea, cost US$130 per person.

If you wish to see only the holy city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, you’ll pay around US$150 each.

What will you see and do?

The salt lake known as the Dead Sea is located in the Jordan Rift Valley separating Israel and Jordan, and is accessible from both countries.

Its location within this gorge secures it as the lowest point on earth, and the valley follows the entire length of the Jordan River.

The surface of the Dead Sea is over 430 meters below sea level and is more than 200 meters deep. The land-locked lake was named the Dead Sea because of its 34% salinity, which prevents flora and fauna from flourishing in its waters.

However, the water is totally safe for visitors to bathe in and provides a novelty factor as tourists bob effortlessly on the surface due to the weight of the water.

The Dead Sea has been reducing in size every year and has shrunk by over 400 square kilometers since 1930, which means those wishing to experience the wonder should do so now. However, there are conservation projects in place to reduce its decline.

Similarly to many locations in Israel, the Dead Sea features in the Bible. It is referred to under several names in the holy book, including the “Salt Sea” and the “Sea of Arabah.”

There is mention of this lake in several Bible stories, such as that of Lot’s wife and the prophecy of the Seer Ezekiel.

Despite its name, the Dead Sea is rich in several minerals, including magnesium, iodine and calcium. Visitors can scoop mud from its bed to smother over themselves and enjoy the healing benefits.

Many people who regularly bathe in the Dead Sea report a decrease in muscle pain, inflammation and arthritis.

When is the best time to visit the Dead Sea?

The best time to plan a day trip to the Dead Sea is the spring months, between March and May. At this time, the climate is temperature with highs of 25 degrees Celsius as you head toward the summer months.

Another pleasant time to make your trip to the Dead Sea is during the fall months of October and November when the summer sun has cooled off.

Avoid visiting the Dead Sea during July and August when the scorching sun makes for an uncomfortable climate, and temperatures can soar to 41 degrees Celsius.

These summer months are also the prime months for tourism. As such, visiting during another part of the year will guarantee you a quieter and more enjoyable experience.

Are there any tours to the Dead Sea from other cities in Israel?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Israel:

• Day trips to the Sea from Jerusalem
• Day trips to the Dead Sea from Eilat

Travel tips

• If your Dead Sea day tour travels to other destinations, bear in mind that you’ll need to dress modestly. Your shoulders and knees will need to be covered, as well as your head, in certain locations if you are female.
• Remember to bring your swimsuit and a towel with you on your adventure to the Dead Sea.
• Many of Israel’s residents abide by Shabbat, which is a day of rest and celebration that lasts between sunset every Friday, and nightfall the following day. As such, many restaurants, shops and attractions are closed, so plan your excursion outside of this window.