Dead sea all year round: treatment, Ein Bokek hotels and how to get there

The Dead Sea heals skin and joints year-round. It lies about 430 m below sea level (as of 09/2026, Britannica). The dense salty water keeps you afloat on its own, and the air above it is saturated with minerals.

A typical beach vacation does not work here. There are no waves, but there is concentrated brine, therapeutic mud, and a clinic at every hotel. People come here for improvement with psoriasis, arthritis, and chronic fatigue.

We looked into how the local climate works, what makes the water beneficial, where you will stay, and how to get to the hotels. All prices and opening hours were checked in September 2026.

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Why the Dead Sea climate heals

💡 In short:

• Atmospheric pressure here is higher than anywhere else on land.
• A layer of evaporation and mineral dust scatters some of the harsh ultraviolet light.
• The temperature stays steady all year, and rain is rare.

The Dead Sea lies in the deepest depression on Earth, in the Jordan Valley. Because of this, atmospheric pressure here is noticeably higher than at sea level.

Scientists link this to the increased oxygen content in the air. Breathing is easier, and people with asthma and bronchitis have fewer attacks.

A dense layer of evaporation and mineral dust hangs over the water. It scatters the harsh rays of the sun, so ultraviolet light here is milder than at a typical southern resort.

The air temperature stays steady almost all year. Humidity is low, and rain is rare. Near the southern part of the sea, next to Ein Bokek, the Dead Sea Works potash plants operate.

The swimming season at the Dead Sea lasts year-round. Even in January you can sunbathe, and in the evening you put on a light jacket.

What makes the Dead Sea water special

© David Shankbone · CC BY-SAPhoto: David Shankbone, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

The salt concentration in the water is about 34%, almost ten times higher than in the ocean (as of 09/2026, Encyclopedia Britannica). This makes the water heavy: you lie on your back and stay on the surface without moving.

Magnesium, bromine, and potassium are dissolved in the brine. These trace elements penetrate the skin and reduce inflammation. The therapeutic mud from the bottom enhances the effect.

Swim carefully. Do not shave on the day you swim and do not rub your eyes: concentrated salt stings mucous membranes. Do not dive and do not swallow the water. After the sea, take a fresh-water shower.

If you have fresh cuts on your skin, go in for just a couple of minutes. Long bathing irritates the skin. The exact regimen will be confirmed by a doctor at the hotel clinic.

What conditions a stay here helps with

Dead Sea clinics accept patients from all over the world. Most often people come here with chronic diagnoses that respond poorly to conventional treatment. Here are the main groups:

• Skin conditions: psoriasis, dermatitis, ichthyosis, scleroderma, mycosis, lichen.
• Joints and spine: arthritis, polyarthritis, arthrosis, neuralgia, postural disorders.
• Nervous system: post-stress syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Respiratory organs: chronic bronchitis, asthma, tonsillitis.
• Trophic ulcers, scars, cellulite, and endocrine disorders.

A standard course lasts two to three weeks. During this time, the skin and joints have enough time to respond to the sun, brine, and mud.

Treatment is provided by doctors at hotels and clinics. You can take a full package or only individual procedures. The catch is that in high season everything is booked in advance and room prices go up.

Where to stay: Ein Bokek hotels

Almost all Dead Sea hotels are built along a single strip in Ein Bokek. Each has its own beach, spa, and water access, so the choice comes down to price and the set of procedures.

© Tiia Monto · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The classic on the strip: Royal Dead Sea with a large wellness center, heated pool, and jacuzzi. Some rooms face the Moab Mountains (as of 09/2026, Booking.com).

Nearby are the Herods and Isrotel spa resorts with their own beaches (according to Top in Israel, 09/2026). The price level in Ein Bokek is high, staying at the level of expensive spa hotels (according to Booking.com, 09/2026).

It is convenient to compare options in advance: Ein Bokek hotels on Trip.com. Book a room early, because in November and March there are almost no vacancies left.

Beaches and nature reserves: hours and entry

You can swim both for free and with a ticket. Here is what you should know about entry and opening hours for the main places in the area.

Ein Bokek central beach is free and open year-round. It is maintained by the Tamar Regional Council, which provides umbrellas and loungers (as of the Dead Sea website, 09/2026). Some hours are reserved for separate men's and women's bathing.

The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve hides waterfalls and green streams in the desert. Here you can walk through the canyon to David's Waterfall, and the longer trails require proper footwear. Entry is paid, and the park stays open longer in summer (as of 09/2026, Israel Nature and Parks Authority).

Masada sits on a cliff top above the sea. It is King Herod's fortress, reached by a winding path and a cable car. In summer the park opens before dawn so you can catch the sunrise (as of Israel Nature and Parks Authority, 09/2026).

When to go and how to get there

The best time for treatment is from November to March. The air is mild and the water is warm. This is high season, so book your room in advance. Even in March you can swim and sunbathe, while the Mediterranean coast is still cool.

In summer the air gets scorching, and bathing in the brine becomes difficult. On the plus side, hotels are cheaper in the heat, and you can combine the trip with early visits to Masada.

The easiest way to get there is via Route 90. From Jerusalem it takes just over an hour; from Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport the drive is longer. The Ein Bokek hotel strip is served by Egged buses.

With luggage, it is easier to take an airport transfer: the bus makes stops along the way.

Eilat as a budget alternative

If treatment is not the main goal, take a look at Eilat on the Red Sea. Hotels there are often cheaper than in Ein Bokek, and the sea is warm all year round. The drive from the Dead Sea takes several hours through the desert, so combining the two bases is inconvenient.

Eilat works well for a beach vacation with kids and for diving. Compare Eilat hotels on Trip.com if you want to build an itinerary covering two seas.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in the Dead Sea in winter?

Yes. The water stays warm even in January, and the air at that time is mild and dry. Bring a swimsuit and head to the Ein Bokek beach, it is open all year round.

How many days do you need for a trip?

For treatment you need a full course under a doctor's supervision, otherwise the effect will not last. If you are just going to swim and see the area, three or four days will be enough. In that time you can fit in Masada and the Ein Gedi nature reserve.

Does the Dead Sea help with psoriasis?

Yes, psoriasis is on the list of main indications. Sun, brine, and mud together reduce inflammation and extend remission. The course is done under a doctor's supervision at a clinic or hotel.

Which is better: Ein Bokek or Neve Zohar?

Ein Bokek is the main strip with hotels, spas, and a free beach. Neve Zohar is quieter and cheaper, but has fewer facilities and clinics. For a first trip, Ein Bokek is more convenient.

Can you swallow Dead Sea water?

No. A mouthful of brine causes severe irritation. Keep your head above the water. After swimming, rinse the salt off with fresh water.

In short: what to book

If you are going for treatment, choose a hotel with a spa on the Ein Bokek strip. If your goal is a warm sea and a beach with kids, look at Eilat. Masada and Ein Gedi are easy to add to either base. You can compare prices and rooms on Trip.com, and it is convenient to get Masada tickets in advance with a time slot.