Things to see and do Sweimah

Bathing in the Dead Sea is a unique experience, well worth trying, despite the high cost of access to the beaches. The very high salinity of the water (almost 10 times higher than in other seas around the world) ensures better buoyancy. Even non-swimmers can bathe without risk, as it is impossible to sink or swim. On the other hand, salt is very aggressive to the skin, and you won't be able to stay in the water for long. What's more, the heat is often overpowering and the sun is scorching. It's essential to rinse off thoroughly with fresh water when you leave the beach. All beaches have showers, whether public or private.

Clay. Private beaches provide visitors with jars or pots filled with mud, a mineral-rich Dead Sea clay that is incredibly skin-softening. Coat your body and, if you have a shower nearby, your face, avoiding the eye area. You'll soon feel dry and cracked under the sun like a reptile. Now's the time to get in the water and gently remove the mud. For the face, rinse off in the shower of course, but don't try it in the sea - it burns the eyes.

Bathing. After the clay, the bath. Don't try to swim, you won't make it! Instead, float, drift a little (but not too far), taking care not to get your face wet - bathing is corrosive to the skin and especially the mucous membranes! Go carefully into the water and rinse thoroughly on your way out.

The death of the Dead Sea? The Dead Sea lies between Lake Tiberias and the Jordan Valley to the north, and the Red Sea to the south. Its extreme salinity began around 40,000 years ago, when rainfall became less abundant, leading to very strong evaporation of water and, consequently, a regression of the lake and a constant concentration of salt in the water. The water level in the Dead Sea continues to fall: it is so suffocatingly hot during the summer months (the mercury sometimes registers 50°C) that over 20 mm of water disappears every year. At this rate, the Dead Sea will be completely forgotten by 2050. The cause? Overuse of the Jordan River, which is now little more than a trickle. Pumped and diverted by the Israelis, but also by the Jordanians, it is no longer able to supply the Dead Sea sufficiently. The catastrophic effects of an industrial complex exploiting the marine mineral wealth (potash) are also worth noting.

Whether you have a vehicle or not, we recommend taking the scenic route over the Dead Sea in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset. Those who are on foot have only a few kilometers to go to reach the foot of the road which goes up in twists and turns. At each hairpin, the landscape is constantly renewed, you take height facing the sea. The mountains and the reddening sun create a magical, almost biblical atmosphere!

This cultural complex managed by the RSCN is a must-see for its splendid views of the Dead Sea. Shop, museum, and cafeteria.

Zara Cliff Walk. An easy trail leads to the top of Zara Mountain where the scenery is breathtaking. It's hard to believe that you are at sea level.

Dead Sea Museum. This museum will give you a maximum of information about the region: ecosystems, history of the people, uncertain future of the Dead Sea.

This is Amman beach, close to water as well as luxury luxury hotels, with swimming pools, parasols and sun loungers, showers, dressing rooms and lockers for business, towels for rent, but also a restaurant (10 DJ), bar and basketball. But the place looks like our municipal pools: noise, rubbish, overpopulation, nothing resting, one would think on the shores of the Mediterranean in August! Advised people who are looking for calm. For those who want to live an authentic afternoon with Jordanian families, this is the ideal place. Plan a short and a tee-shirt here you bathe dressed, especially women. For the price, it is better to test a hotel with a Spa, luxurious swimming pools and a quiet beach.

12 km south of the Mövenpick Hotel, a little after crossing the bridge over Wadi Zarqa, the river that feeds the springs of Hammamat Ma'in. Herod used to come here to treat his rheumatism. A small archaeological site was unearthed in 1807 including the remains of a port and Roman baths. It is possible to bathe (free of charge) in the Dead Sea by going down under the bridge that spans Wadi Zarqa and rinsing in the natural pools of the river (non-drinking water). Beware, the site is very busy on Friday and Saturday.