The Dead Sea & Masada

When John and I were in Jerusalem, we went to the Dead Sea & Masada for a day.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip


The drive from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea takes about an hour.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

It is Earth’s lowest elevation on land at 1,388 feet below sea level.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

The Dead Sea is also called the Salt Sea with 29% salt content compared to 3-6% in the oceans.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Animals cannot survive there because of the high salt content.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

I am sure Ein Gedi Beach is usually packed in the warmer weather, but we were all alone in January.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

And it was perfect.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

We were there on a cold, dreary, and windy day but nothing was going to keep me from getting in:

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Even if it was only up to my ankles.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

I couldn’t believe it — I was standing in The Dead Sea!

So cool.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

We stood on the shore and watched the waves gracefully come and go for quite awhile.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

I loved how the white water wrapped around the rocks and then slowly slide away.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Like a big, warm, salty hug.

Masada is located about 18 km south of Ein Gedi.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

There are two ways to get to the top: The Snake Path or The Cable-car.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

We took the cable car.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Masada is Hebrew for fortress.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

It was built as a palace complex by Herod the Great who reigned from 37 – 4 B.C.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

It’s no wonder why Masada is one of the greatest archaeological sites in Israel and maybe even in the world.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

The remains of the fortress are well-preserved and several parts have been reconstructed.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Plan on being there a couple of hours. There is a lot to see and the views from the top are incredible.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

The Dead Sea and Masada are easy to visit in a day when visiting Jerusalem, so be sure to put them on your schedule.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

The drive to and from Jerusalem is filled with beautiful colors and caves of the desert.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

And camels, too!

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

What an amazing trip!

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

You can read about our time in the Jerusalem’s Old City HERE, Mount of Olives HERE, and all of the delicious places we ate HERE.

Dead Sea & Masada Day Trip

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.