dead sea day trip israel

Visiting the Dead Sea in Israel? Here’s What You Need to Know

• March 29, 2023

Are you planning a trip to the mesmerizing Dead Sea in Israel? Get ready for an unforgettable experience! In this comprehensive Dead Sea travel guide, we will explore everything you need to know before embarking on your journey. From the best time to visit the Dead Sea to must-see places and exciting activities, we’ve got you covered!

The Dead Sea – A Natural Wonder

The Dead Sea is a unique natural wonder located between Israel and Jordan. It’s the lowest point on Earth, sitting at approximately 1,410 feet (430 meters) below sea level . The water in the Dead Sea is famously salty, with a salinity level almost ten times that of regular seawater . This extraordinary salt concentration has made the Dead Sea a popular destination for its therapeutic properties and striking beauty.

Best Time to Visit the Dead Sea

When planning your visit to the Dead Sea, it’s essential to consider the climate. The region experiences a hot, dry desert climate, with scorching summers and mild winters. The best time to visit the Dead Sea is during the shoulder seasons, specifically between March and May or between October and December. During these months, you can expect pleasant temperatures, making it the perfect time to relax by the sea, visit the best Dead Sea beaches , and explore the stunning surroundings.

Is Dead Sea Day Trip an Option?

A visit to the Dead Sea can be easily organized as a day trip from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. The drive from Jerusalem takes approximately 1-1.5 hours, while from Tel Aviv, it’s around 2-2.5 hours. Numerous guided tours are available for those who prefer a more structured experience. Alternatively, you can take a bus, or, even better, rent a car and make your way to the Dead Sea at your own pace, allowing you to explore the region more extensively.

Essential Tips When Visiting the Dead Sea 

Before travelling to the Dead Sea, it’s crucial to keep a few essential tips in mind:

• Stay hydrated: Due to the hot and dry climate, it’s important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout your visit.
• Sun protection: Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses, to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.
• Water safety: The Dead Sea’s extreme salt content can cause discomfort if it comes into contact with your eyes, open cuts, or sensitive skin. Be sure to enter the water slowly and avoid submerging your head. If you experience any irritation, rinse with fresh water immediately.
• Float, don’t swim: The Dead Sea’s unique buoyancy makes it nearly impossible to swim conventionally. Instead, relax and enjoy floating effortlessly on the water’s surface.

Dead Sea Places to Visit and Attractions to See

While visiting the Dead Sea, be sure to explore some of the incredible attractions in the surrounding area:

• Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

This beautiful oasis, located near the Dead Sea, boasts lush vegetation, stunning waterfalls, and a variety of hiking trails suitable for almost any level . A visit to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is a perfect way to experience Israel’s diverse landscape.

• Masada National Park

Perched atop an isolated rock plateau, the ancient fortress of Masada is a must-see destination. The site is rich in history, having served as the last stronghold of Jewish rebels against the Roman Empire. You can either hike up the Snake Path or take a cable car to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Dead Sea and surrounding desert.

• Qumran National Park

Home to the famous Dead Sea Scrolls , Qumran National Park offers visitors a glimpse into the fascinating history of the region. Explore the ancient ruins of the Qumran settlement and visit the nearby museum, which houses a collection of artefacts and scrolls discovered in the area.

• Ahava Dead Sea Factory and Visitors Center

If you’re interested in learning more about the production of Dead Sea cosmetics, a visit to the Ahava Factory and Visitors Center is a must. Discover how the unique minerals and mud from the Dead Sea are transformed into luxurious skincare products, and take the opportunity to purchase some souvenirs to bring home.

• Mineral Beach

For a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, head to Mineral Beach, a popular spot for floating in the Dead Sea’s therapeutic waters. The beach is equipped with shaded areas, showers, and a café, ensuring a comfortable visit.

• Dead Sea Panoramic Complex

This impressive complex offers stunning views of the Dead Sea and the surrounding area, as well as an informative museum showcasing the geological, ecological, and historical aspects of the region. Be sure to stop by on your way to or from the Dead Sea for a memorable and educational experience.

• Ein Bokek Beach 

This well-maintained public beach is a popular spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy the Dead Sea’s waters. Ein Bokek Beach offers facilities such as showers, changing rooms, and sun loungers, making it an ideal location for a relaxing day by the sea.

• Lot’s Wife’s Pillar

According to biblical legend, Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah . Today, visitors can view a unique rock formation near the Dead Sea, which is believed by some to be the remains of Lot’s wife. The site offers a fascinating blend of natural beauty and ancient lore.

Wadi David is another stunning oasis located near the Dead Sea, offering a selection of picturesque hiking trails and refreshing natural pools. The area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

• Wadi Mujib 

Located on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib is a breathtaking canyon that offers a range of thrilling adventure activities such as hiking, abseiling, and canyoning. Although it requires crossing the border, it’s well worth the trip for those looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Where to Stay When Visiting the Dead Sea?

If you’re planning to extend your visit to the Dead Sea beyond a day trip, there are various accommodation options available. From luxury resorts to budget-friendly hostels, you’ll find something to suit your preferences and needs. Below are just a few examples and suggestions you could consider.

• Herods Dead Sea Hotel

This upscale resort offers elegant rooms, a private beach, and a luxurious spa, providing guests with a truly indulgent experience. The hotel also features an outdoor pool, fitness center, and several dining options, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

• Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel & Spa

With its contemporary design and relaxing atmosphere, Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel & Spa is another excellent option for those seeking luxury accommodations. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s private beach, pampering spa treatments, and a variety of on-site dining options.

• Leonardo Plaza Hotel Dead Sea

This modern hotel offers a range of amenities, including a private beach, outdoor pool, and spa facilities, at a more affordable price point. The hotel also provides a selection of dining options, as well as comfortable and spacious rooms.

• Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel

Set within the serene surroundings of the Ein Gedi Kibbutz, this hotel offers a unique and tranquil experience. Guests can enjoy the beautiful botanical gardens, refreshing swimming pools, and comfortable accommodations, all while being immersed in the kibbutz lifestyle.

• HI Ein Gedi Hostel

This clean and well-maintained hostel provides budget-conscious travellers with an affordable option near the Dead Sea [20]. Guests have access to a shared kitchen, comfortable common areas, and a range of room options, including dormitories and private rooms.

• Metzoke Dragot Guest House

Nestled in the heart of the desert, Metzoke Dragot Guest House offers guests a unique and authentic experience. The guest house provides simple yet comfortable accommodations, as well as a range of activities, including camel rides and guided tours.

Make the Most Out of Your Dead Sea Visit

Visiting the Dead Sea promises to be a memorable and enriching experience, offering an extraordinary natural landscape, fascinating history, and a plethora of exciting activities. With this comprehensive Dead Sea travel guide, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your journey to this remarkable destination. So pack your bags, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

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Understanding the Significance of the Western Wall Prayer Request

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The Dead Sea: top tips for your first visit to the lowest place on earth

Jan 31, 2020 • 6 min read

The Dead Sea is a place like no other, one where you'll find yourself immersed in novel experiences © Hrecheniuk Oleksii / Shutterstock

The Dead Sea , the lowest place on earth at 434m below sea level, beckons visitors with healing mineral waters, air so rich in oxygen it protects you from sunburn, oases teeming with rare animals and world-class historical sites that (almost) bring the Roman Empire to life.

Get ready to take a soothing dip in water so saline it's slimy, spot wild ibexes at spring-fed oases and climb Masada, where ancient Jews made a dramatic last stand against the legions of Rome.

Dead Sea beaches and spas

The highlight of a visit to the Dead Sea is the cobalt-blue lake itself, whose waters – shared by Israel and the Palestinian Territories on the western side and Jordan on the east  – have a salt concentration of 34%, 10 times more than ocean water. Part of the Great Rift Valley, the lake is fed by the River Jordan, but it has no outlet.

On the Israeli shore, the best place to take a dip is Ein Bokek Beach , along the sea's turquoise-hued southern basin. Given a complete makeover a few years back, this wide public beach, sandy and spotless, has lifeguards and offers a variety of free amenities, including shade shelters, changing booths, open-air showers, toilets, a paved promenade and nighttime lighting.

Spending a few hours being pampered at a mineral spa makes a fine complement to a soothing dip.  The spas inside Ein Bokek's hotels offer freshwater swimming pools, saunas, mineral baths, and health and beauty treatments; most have day rates for non-guests. At some places, including Ein Gedi Spa , you can coat yourself with invigorating black mineral mud scooped from the floor of the Dead Sea.

Warning: sinkholes

In recent years, the land around the Dead Sea's northern basin has been plagued by sinkholes, created when fresh water dissolves underground salt deposits. Because they can open up without warning – and have been known to swallow unsuspecting passersby – only a handful of seashore sites are safe to visit. Within Israel, the only accessible beach along the northern basin – where the water level drops by about a metre a year – is at Ein Gedi Spa; its shuttle takes you down to the shoreline.

Paris' Arc de Triomphe was inspired by the monumental Arch of Titus in Rome, built to celebrate the victory of the Roman legions against a Jewish rebellion that engulfed Judaea in 66 CE and was definitively ended seven years later at the Dead Sea. Masada , a mesa overlooking the northern basin of the Dead Sea, served as a place of refuge for about a thousand Jews following the destruction of Jerusalem. As a Roman battering ram stood poised to breach the walls of their redoubt, ending a months-long siege, Masada's defenders famously chose suicide over enslavement.

The best place start a visit to Masada National Park , a Unesco World Heritage Site, is the Masada Museum , whose evocative artefacts offer a remarkably vivid introduction to the site's archaeology and history. The easiest way to get to the ruins is by cable car, which whisks you up 290 metres in three minutes flat, but the only way to experience a romantic sunrise on top is to hoof it up the aptly named Snake Path , which takes about an hour.

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

One of the region’s most enchanting desert oases, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve encompasses two spring-fed canyons, Wadi David and Wadi Arugot , that plunge from the Judean Desert to the shores of the Dead Sea. Short stream-side walks take you to year-round waterfalls and freshwater pools (swimming permitted) enveloped by lush vegetation. Animals you're likely to spot include the Nubian ibex and the boulder-dwelling hyrax (dassie). Nearby stand the ruins of an ancient synagogue , known for its outstanding, 5th-century mosaic floor.

Where to stay

About a dozen large luxury hotels can be found at Ein Bokek  (four more are planned) , arrayed along a lakefront strip. Outfitted with powerful air-conditioning, gorgeous swimming pools, state-of-the-art spas and buffet bonanzas, they don't come cheap, though online deals are sometimes available. The area's classiest inland hostelry is the lovely Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel , famed for its hillside views and verdant gardens.

If you don't mind staying away from the beach, hostel options just outside Ein Gedi Nature Reserve include the Ein Gedi Youth Hostel and the SPNI Field School , run by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. The Masada Guest House , another hostel, is just a few hundred metres from Masada's eastern entrance. All of these places offer simple rooms and delicious, healthy Israeli-style breakfasts (vegetable salads, soft and hard cheeses, olives, yoghurt, fresh bread, jam); count on paying US$120 to US$140 for a double.

By far the cheapest way to overnight at the Dead Sea is to camp, which is permitted for no charge along two stretches of the Ein Bokek beachfront. A step up is Khan Ein Gedi , just outside Kibbutz Ein Gedi, which offers inexpensive accommodation in basic huts; bathrooms are shared.

Where to eat

Most overnight visitors to the Dead Sea take half-board at their hotels, so restaurants are in short supply. Even Ein Bokek has only a handful of proper eateries. According to some locals, the best of the bunch is Taj Mahal , which – despite its Indian-inspired name – serves Middle Eastern grilled meats, with nary a curry in sight. It's in a Bedouin-style tent (think rugs, pillows and low couches) outdoors, so there's no air-con. Ein Bokek's hotel zone also has a handful of cafes. Other options include a dairy restaurant at Kibbutz Ein Gedi and, for lunch, the food court at Masada's eastern entrance.

For self-caterers, the best place to stock up on picnic supplies is the Kolbo Grocery inside Kibbutz Ein Gedi. Along the Ein Bokek strip, several mini-markets sell a limited supply of edibles.

How to get around

If you're short on time, the major sites along the western shore of the Dead Sea can be visited on a day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv . Getting around is easiest and most convenient if you have your own wheels, but good-value tours are available – among the best are those offered by Abraham Hostels .

It's also possible, though fiddly, to take public buses . Except on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Jewish holidays, about a dozen buses a day (numbers 444 and 486), run by Egged, link Jerusalem's central bus station with the Dead Sea. If you catch the first bus of the day (usually at 7am), it's possible to take a short hike at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, bus it to Masada and then swim at Ein Bokek before hopping on an evening bus back to Jerusalem.

Top tips for taking a Dead Sea dip

- Don't shave anywhere for a day or two before you get to the Dead Sea – the minerals in the water will make every scratch sting. - Do not wear jewellery – almost everything except 24-carat gold will instantly tarnish (though it can be cleaned). - Wear flip-flops to protect your feet from the scorching sand (and, in some places, sharp stones). - Do not splash or dunk your head – if water gets in your eyes, they will sting ferociously. - Drink lots of fresh water – the Dead Sea's dry heat (up to 47°C) can quickly suck you dry of precious bodily fluids. - Make sure westerly winds don't blow you out to sea, towards Jordan.

This article was first published Nov 28, 2017 and updated Jan 31, 2020.

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Home » Articles & Tips » The Ultimate Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv

The Ultimate Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv

In southern Israel, on the western edge of the Judean desert lies the Dead Sea – a hyper-saline lake which is also the lowest point on Earth. This is, without a doubt, one of the must-visit places during your trip to Israel. While Tel Aviv offers a vibrant nightlife, endless restaurants, and a stunning coastline, the true natural beauty of Israel is found not in the cities, but in its deserts, hills, and nature reserves.

The Dead Sea is perhaps the most remarkable body of water in the world. The high salt concentration makes your body more buoyant and allows you to float effortlessly across the water, and the Dead Sea floor contains mineral-rich mud which provides tremendous benefits for your skin.

Traveling from Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea

Getting to the dead sea from Tel Aviv via public transport is very straightforward. The no.421 bus from the Tel Aviv bus terminal (more commonly known as Arlozorov Terminal) departs twice daily at 9 AM and 12 PM. Reservations can be made using the Egged website , up to 14 days in advance.

In addition, there is also the option of a private shuttle bus, guided dead sea tours, and taxis. For more information and reviews, please see TripAdvisor.

However, if you have the means, traveling from Tel Aviv to the dead sea by car can be an unforgettable experience. This is our recommended method of travel to the dead sea as it offers the most independent journey.

Attractions between Tel Aviv and the Dead Sea

Along the way, you will encounter plenty of natural landmarks, archaeological digs, nature reserves, and historically preserved sites. By car, the journey takes approximately two and a half hours, so we advise that you leave Tel Aviv early in the morning so that you have plenty of time for stop-offs along the way, and still arrive at the dead sea long before sunset.

Here are a few places that you should visit while traveling from Tel Aviv to the dead sea. Please, keep in mind that some attractions can be closed or have limited access on Friday and Saturday, so make sure to check opening hours beforehand.

( Note: This list is based on traveling via Route 90 – through the West Bank, and arriving at Ein Bokek)

Jericho Valley

The first portion of the journey is between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, lasting approximately 45 minutes. Afterward, as you continue South, beyond Jerusalem and past Maale Adumim, you will enter the breathtaking Jericho Valley.

Here, the road winds between golden desert hills, and it’s one of the most scenic views in the entire country. There are several small settlements along the road, each offering places to eat, relax, and enjoy the warm desert climate. These include Mitzpeh Jericho, Kalya, and Almog .

Qumran National Park

As you continue South along route 90 towards Ein Bokek (the main tourist beach of the dead sea) you will reach Qumran National Park – home of the Dead Sea Scrolls . This is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in the world, and visitors are given a remarkable insight into the Hellenistic and Herodian eras of ancient Israel.

35 KM south of Qumran is the Ein Gedi reserve –  a desert oasis and one of Israel’s premier hiking spots. The reserve is a natural sanctuary for many animals, and several rare species of hyrax and ibex can be found here.

In addition, the neighboring Kibbutz is home to an internationally acclaimed botanical garden, spread across almost 24 acres and containing over 900 species of plants.

Masada National Park:

Finally, the last stop we recommend before arriving at Ein Bokek is the Masada National Park . Atop a large desert plateau lies the ruins of the ancient Masada fortress, where, according to Josephus, the final battle between the Judean rebels and the Roman Empire occurred. The plateau is also a natural observation point where one can witness the entirety of the Judean desert and the dead sea bank

A few extra tips:

Aside from leaving early and making the most out of your day, here are a few things to consider before you travel from Tel Aviv to the dead sea:

• Bring water: The climate is hot and humid, and dehydration is a genuine concern. Make sure to pack plenty of water for the journey.
• Bring flip flops: The beach sand gets scorching hot, especially during summer. Be sure to bring flip-flops so you don’t burn your feet!
• Don’t go underwater: The dead sea is not the place to practice your diving skills. If the water gets into your eyes they will sting ferociously.
• Don’t swim with your jewelry. The salt levels will corrode your expensive watches, bracelets, and necklaces – take them off before entering

Thinking of Visiting Jerusalem first? Here is some important information on how to get to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem !

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• Mar 2, 2022

The best way to experience the Dead Sea (and more) in Israel: day trip guide

Updated: Mar 25, 2022

This post is all about our favourite way to experience the Dead Sea in Israel by taking a unique day trip - starting by watching the sunrise from the Masada Fortress over looking the desert, exploring the springs of Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and exfoliating with that rich Dead Sea mud at the beach! The day tour can be taken from both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem , although we recommend you do it from Jerusalem, which makes for a shorter drive.

This tour we took in March 2020 was one of the best days we spent in Israel. Bathing in the Dead Sea (the lowest point on Earth!) in Israel is an activity that enriches any travel itinerary here. The best part about it is that the day trip also has 2 other stops/activities (exploring the Masada Fortress at sunrise and walking around the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve ) which just as exciting as the Dead Sea in Israel experience itself!

Experience summary: hike the Masada Fortress early to watch sunrise over the desert, explore Ein Gedi Reserve's natural waterfalls, float in the Dead Sea

Price per person: about 78 EUR (87 USD) p.p (if going from Jerusalem)

you can get 10% off the tour with our exclusive discount code at the bottom of this post

Total time: 7-8 hours

The highlight of the day: the early morning hike and sunrise over the desert!

Day Overview

What to bring with you.

Discount code for 10% off the tour

First stop: Hiking the fortress in Masada National Park

Depending on which city you're starting the tour (day trip tours available from Jerusalem & Tel Aviv), be ready to leave anywhere from 2:30 am to 3:30 am (also depends on the season). About a 1 hour's drive later, you'll arrive in the Masada National Park, an a part of the country not far from the Dead Sea in Israel.

Reaching the top of the fortress for sunrise requires some work, about an hour's worth of hiking up the mountain. We're not very experienced hikers and found the trail on the more difficult side, with quite a few mountainous steps. If you want to make it to the top for sunrise, you'll have to keep a good pace, so come prepared with water and comfortable shoes.

Once at the top for sunrise, you can walk around and look out onto some of the ruins of the fortress, enjoying 360° views of the desert and the dead sea around you.

Note: If an uphill climb seems like your worst nightmare, don't be put off! You can definitely choose to walk up only as much as you wish & still enjoy the beautiful views from where ever you choose to stop on the trail.

Next stop: Exploring the Ein Gedi Reserve

Once you make it down from the fortress at Masada, it's a short, beautiful drive to stop number 2 - Ein Gedi Reserve. This is a popular nature site in Israel, where you'll find natural spring waterfalls and a variety of beautiful vegetation and wildlife.

The tour allows you to explore the reserve at your own pace, having a total time of about 1 1/2 hours.

Our recommendation - walk about 20 minutes into the park until you come across one of the waterfalls. Most people from the tour will check them out & wander further into the reserve, so if you want to take it easy after the morning sunrise hike, you can perch youself on a comfy rock & stick your feet into the cool spring water!

Last stop: The Dead Sea

The last part of the tour will be a visit to one of the beaches of the Dead Sea in Israel. If you don't know already, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth based on elevation. The water here is so salty, you'll float immediately after relaxing and laying down in the water, making for a truly unmissable experience.

You'll be taken to a beach on the north end of the Dead Sea Israel coast, which is plentiful in the iconic mud, rich minerals. Make sure you use the opportunity to cover yourself in the precious mud and exfoliate!

Towels will be provided for you in by the tour company and the beach has lockers and showers to store your belongings safely whilst you enjoy your swim. There are also a few cafés to get food and lunch with a very nice view.

Top tip - the salty water can sometimes sting your skin! This is nothing to be concerned about, just try not to shave the day before you go!

After a 1,5 hours free time at the dead sea, you will have about a 12:30 hour drive back into the city.

Breakfast and other snacks (there's no food to purchase available really until you're last stop of the day)

Comfortable shoes

Sunhats & sunscreen

Bathing suit, flip flops or water shoes (also, consider that the mud might stain your swimmers, so don't wear your nicest white bikini!)

Toiletries for showering

Plastic bag for storing your wet items after the Dead Sea swim

Costs & Your Exclusive Discount

The price for the tour includes all your transport for the day and some of the entry fees to attractions. You will however need to pay 50 shekels (14 EUR) and 32 shekels (9 EUR) for entrance to the Masada and Ein Gedi Parks, so have the cash ready for this.

This itinerary was organised by a great company called Abraham Tours, who offer the tour (called Masada Sunrise Tour) from both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. If you're interested in reserving your tour from Jerusalem online, they've kindly given us an exclusive code to share with you, which gets you 10% off the tour. Just use the code OFTENCOMMUNITY when booking online here.

Some other great tours to complement your trip:

This itinerary (Masada Sunrise Tour) from Tel Aviv - read more Northern Israel (from Nazareth) Sea of Galilee & Golan Heights - read more

Extend your trip by crossing the border over to Jordan - 3 day Petra & Wadi Rum Tour (read our Jordan guides here ) Bethlehem, ancient city of Jericho, the best of the West Bank - read more

We wish you a great day of exploring the Dead Sea in Israel's unique nature scene & let us know if you visit!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you we may earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. This commission is very appreciated and allows us to to be able to continue to write such guides and create more helpful travel content!

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Jerusalem to the Dead Sea: A Perfect 1-Day Itinerary

One of the top attractions in Israel is the Dead Sea. This beautiful salty lake, located in the Judean Desert, is the lowest place on Earth and one of the most magical places in Israel. Since Jerusalem is the nearest big city to the Dead Sea area, most people go on a day trip  from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea.  I also recommend doing that. In this post, I’ll provide some options for getting to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem and also offer a suggested 1-day itinerary for independent travelers.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no extra cost to you. These links help me keep the website alive and not depend on sponsors! Thank you in advance.

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How to get to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem? 

The distance from Jerusalem to the northern part of the Dead Sea is about 40 kilometers, which is about 25 miles. It usually takes about 30-40 minutes to drive there, but there could be traffic in the city center in the morning, so it can also take about an hour. If you want to avoid traffic, it’s best to leave Jerusalem around 7 AM or, if possible, even earlier. Most Dead Sea attractions are located more to the south, around 100 kilometers – 62 miles – from Jerusalem. It takes about 1.5 hours to get there.

In this post, I will provide you with a one-day itinerary for visiting the Dead Sea area independently from Jerusalem. Here are the main ways you can get there: 

By rental car

The best way to get to the Dead Sea is by rental car. So, if you’re okay with driving, you can rent a car in advance through  Rental Cars  or any other rental website, and drive on your own.

The road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea is relatively easy to drive. There’s usually not a lot of traffic, the road is well-maintained, and most of the drive is very straightforward. However, there are parts with many curves and only one lane, so some people are afraid to drive there. If you’re okay with winding roads, this shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.

As mentioned above, the ride to the Dead Sea’s northern tip should take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the traffic. To reach Ein Gedi, Masada, and Ein Bokek, it would take you around 1.5 hours. 

When renting a car, also take into consideration that there is a parking fee at the Dead Sea beach, so make sure you have the Pango app (for  Android  or  iOS ) to pay for parking.  Read more about parking in Israel .    

By public bus

If you’re less comfortable with driving, you can reach the Dead Sea via public bus. For example, the ride from Jerusalem to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve takes about 1.5-2 hours by bus. However, because of low bus frequency, traveling from one site to another could take longer. Therefore, if you’re traveling by bus, you will probably be able to visit only two sites in one day – either Masada and the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea, or Masada and Ein Gedi. If you want to see all the sites, it might be better to stay a night in the Dead Sea area.

Buses 444 and 486 both go from Jerusalem Central Station to the Dead Sea. Bus 444 requires a prior reservation, so it might be better to take bus number 486 if you prefer more flexibility. The good thing about line 444 is that it leaves Jerusalem earlier, at 7 AM, while line 486 leaves at 8 AM, so if you want an early start, you might want to book 444 for the ride to the Dead Sea area and then use line 486 on your way back. If you want to take bus 444, read  my guide to buying bus tickets in Israel   so you can book your tickets in advance.

I recommend using  Moovit  or  Google Maps  to plan your route and timetable. The last bus leaves from the Dead Sea Hotels area (Ein Bokek, עין בוקק) around 8 PM, so make sure you won’t get stuck. 

With a tour 

Maybe the easiest way is to simply take a tour from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. My favorite tour operator in Israel is  Abraham Tours , which operates various guided and self-guided tours for budget travelers. They have two self-guided tours from Jerusalem that provide transportation to the main sites in the Dead Sea region:

• The Masada Sunrise, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Tour  – This tour includes all the main sites and an early sunrise hike to Masada on the Snake Trail. Keep in mind that it does not include entry tickets or a guide.
• Dead Sea Chill Tour  – This tour is for those who only want to chill out at the Dead Sea. The transportation takes you from Jerusalem to a Dead Sea beach and back.

If you prefer a guided tour,  you can hire me as your private guide. I don’t drive, but I can guide you in your rented car, travel with you via public transport, or organize a car and driver for the day. Contact me at [email protected] or through  my contact form  for more info and prices.

Might be useful: The Israel Pass

This itinerary includes two national parks: the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and the Masada National Park. If you plan to visit another national park in Israel or want to add the Masada Museum to this day trip, the Israel Pass could come in handy.

The Israel Pass is a money-saving card that covers all of the INPA national parks and nature reserves in Israel. This includes Masada (not including the cable car), Ein Gedi, Caesarea, Beit Guvrin, Amud Stream Nature Reserve, and dozens more! It lets you enter those parks for free and can save you up to 20%. You can choose between a 3-site, 6-site, or all-site pass, depending on how many places you would like to visit.

For more information about the Israel Passs, visit the  INPA website .

A suggested 1-day itinerary from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea 

Remember – this itinerary assumes that you are using a rental car. If you’re traveling by public transportation, you might only be able to see some of the sites in the itinerary in one day.

Station #1: Ein Gedi   Nature Reserve

From Jerusalem, drive down to the lowest place on Earth, the Dead Sea, which is approximately 430 meters (1,400 feet) below sea level. The first destination in this itinerary is the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a lovely green oasis in the middle of the Judean Desert.

On the way to Ein Gedi, you’ll pass by the  Qumran National Park . You don’t have to stop there because there’s not much to see there today, but it is an important site to be aware of. The Essenes, a Jewish sect, lived here during the Second Temple period. They were very strict about Jewish religious practices, lived a life of poverty, and believed that they were the ones who were practicing and conserving Judaism the right way. It is also where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Those scrolls are the oldest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible in the world. Today, you can see these scrolls at  the Israel Museum in Jerusalem .

So, you can choose to either stop at Qumran or continue on your way to Ein Gedi. As I said, Ein Gedi is a desert oasis, full of flowing water and green plants that stand in contrast to the whiteish-yellowish desert. There’s a short, accessible path that leads to a small waterfall, but if you truly want to experience the reserve and are physically capable of walking up a lot of stairs, I’d recommend doing the hike to the David Waterfall and back. It’s a family-friendly hike with many natural water pools and waterfalls on the way, and it takes about an hour to complete. If you’re lucky, you might also spot some ibexes and rock hyraxes. 

Learn more about the reserve and its different trails in my post >>  Visiting Ein Gedi by Public Transportation .   

Note:  Visiting the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve when it’s very hot is not recommended. In case of heatwaves, the nature reserve might be closed. In this case, you can go to Qumran instead and maybe add  the Novomeisky Visitors Center  near the southern edge of the Dead Sea. 

Driving distance:  The distance from Jerusalem to Ein Gedi is about 78 kilometers, or 48 miles. It takes about one hour to drive there from Jerusalem.

How much time does it take?  It takes about an hour to hike the classic trail to the David Waterfall and back. You can spend more time in the natural pools or try other hiking trails in the area, which will lengthen your visit.

For opening hours and ticket rates,  check out the official website of  the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve . It’s best to reserve your visit in advance because sometimes, especially during weekends and holidays, the slots fill up, and you won’t be able to visit.

Station #2: Masada National Park

Next, you can make your way to Masada, one of the most famous sites in Israel. At Masada, you can visit the remains of one of the majestic palaces of King Herod, one of the greatest architects of the ancient world. It’s also where you can learn about the Jewish revolt against the Romans in the 1st century CE. Masada was the last Jewish stronghold before it was captured by the Romans around 73-74 CE. Until today, you can see the ancient Roman siege camps at the foot of Masada.

If you’re traveling to Masada on a pleasant day, you can hike up the Snake Trail to the top of the plateau. It takes about an hour to climb up. This is the cheapest way to visit Masada. If it’s too hot or you’ve had enough hiking in Ein Gedi, you can take the cable car, which requires an additional fee.

If you want to learn more about Masada’s history and the things you’ll see on top, you can start your visit at the Masada Museum located near the entrance. Just make sure to reserve a place in advance through the national parks’ official site.

Another new attraction that opened recently on Masada is the “Masada Challenge,” a trail that takes you along the cliff to places hidden from most of the public. You’ll be harnessed and helmeted before setting off on this adventure. I haven’t tried it yet, but it sounds awesome. Pre-registration is required, so if you want to do it,  register for the “Masada Challenge” here .   

Driving distance:  The distance from Ein Gedi to Masada is about 20 kilometers or 12 miles. It takes about 20 minutes to drive there.

How much time does it take?  It takes around 1-2 hours to visit the archeological site of Masada. If you would also like to visit the Masada Museum, take another 30 minutes into account.  

For opening hours and ticket rates,  check out the official website of  Masada National Park . It’s best to reserve your visit in advance because sometimes, especially during weekends and holidays, the slots completely fill up, and you won’t be able to visit.

Station #3: The Free Dead Sea beach (Ein Bokek) 

When you’re done with both Ein Gedi and Masada, you can finish your day trip at the Dead Sea beach. There are several beaches where you can float in the Dead Sea, but if you’re looking for a free beach – you should head to the Ein Bokek hotel area. There, you can find a long strip of free beach with lifeguard service, open-air showers, restrooms, changing rooms, and sitting areas. There are also many restaurants in the area if you want to grab something to eat. I recommend  Mul Hayam . 

Learn more in my post >>  How to visit the Ein Bokek Resort . 

Driving distance:  The distance from Masada to Ein Bokek is about 17 kilometers or 10 miles. It takes about 15 minutes to drive there.

How much time does it take?  You can spend as much time as you want at the beach. Since you can’t really swim in the Dead Sea and you can’t stay in the water for more than 20 minutes each time, most people spend around 1-2 hours at the Dead Sea. Of course, if you have time, you can also spend longer.  

After enjoying the beach and showering off all the salt, you can head back to Jerusalem. The distance is about 110 kilometers, which is about 69 miles, and it takes 1.5 hours. 

One of Israel’s classic destinations is the Dead Sea area, where you can float in the salty waters, visit the ancient fortress of Masada, and hike in the beautiful desert oasis of Ein Gedi. I hope this post will help you plan a perfect day trip from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea!

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If you liked this post or found it useful, please don’t hesitate to like, share or comment (:

If you need any more advice, please don’t hesitate to send me a message on my  Facebook page  or to contact me at [email protected] .

If you’re searching for a tour guide in Israel, I also offer private tours in Israel .

You can also support my work by buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi .  Your support helps me maintain the site and keep creating content about Israel. It’s greatly appreciated!

The Gatekeepers Film: A Review With Personal Insights

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TAKE RELAXATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The Dead Sea, officially The Lowest Place On Earth (428m Below Sea Level) And A Shortlist Candidate For The World’s 7 Natural Wonders, Is An Enthralling And Evocative Combination Of Natural Splendor, Compelling Ancient History And Modern Luxuries.

From the healing powers of the Dead Sea’s cobalt blue waters, through the awesome beauty of the surrounding landscape to the myriad of fascinating sights this area has to offer, the Dead Sea is a place of tranquility, health and inspiration for body and soul alike.

Float on the waters, take a mud bath or go exploring - with 330 sunny days a year, the Dead Sea area is filled with superb attractions including natural healing spas, magnificent hiking trails, gourmet and fast food restaurants and adrenaline-charged attractions. Along the main part of the 75 kilometer stretch dotted with beautiful beaches, you will also find world class hotels and spa facilities to guarantee a truly indulgent experience.

The Magical Beaches of the Dead Sea

The beaches of the Dead Sea are like nothing else the world has to offer. There are many kilometers of beautifully developed and well-maintained spots where you can soak up the sun while on your dream vacation. Choose your spot on the rocky sand and take in the breathtaking scenery with the incredible mountain ranges surrounding the sea. The warm waters of the Dead Sea are always calm and offer superior relaxation from the minute you get in.

On the southern shores at the lowest point on earth, you will find an array of hotels where you can enjoy a magical sunrise over the lake, leaving an array of colors on the small ponds with the salt formations scattered throughout. To complete the experience of being at the Dead Sea, take some of the silky dark mud and lather it on allowing your skin to absorb the helpful minerals. Dead Sea mud has been proven beneficial to the skin and body. You will feel refreshed with skin that looks and feels younger. Give yourself the pampering that you deserve and get dirty with the Dead Sea mud – it’s healthy!

Discover the desert area around the Dead Sea

There is more to do than just relaxing in the spas and floating in the Dead Sea. If you are travelling south from Jerusalem, complement your desert experience by stopping at kibbutz Ein Gedi, a natural oasis on the slopes of the Judean desert, and take a hike through a nature reserve where you will see wildlife like the ibex (a kind of mountain goat) and enjoy the waterfalls and pools cascading on the rock formation. Ein Gedi also offers hotel accommodations and spas which houses hot sulphur pools and have different types of healing and therapeutic massages too. Continue south from here to Masada, a national landmark with a strong historical connection, located at the top of a massive mountain that the adventure seeker can hike, or it can be reached comfortably by cable car.

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Dead Sea Tours

For years, people from around the globe have been discovering the wonders of the Dead Sea. As the world’s oldest natural spa and the lowest point on Earth, it has earned a reputation as a must-visit destination. Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of the Negev Desert while basking in the warm embrace of the Mediterranean sun, as you effortlessly float in the rejuvenating, salty waters of the Dead Sea. Not only do our Dead Sea tours offer a mesmerizing and soothing experience for your mind, but the dead sea water provides healing benefits for your body. This famous destination is a renowned health haven for tourists due to its water’s beneficial minerals and its mud’s remarkable therapeutic properties. Take a moment to unwind, revitalize, and leave with a renewed sense of well-being.

Main Sights included in our Dead Sea Tours:

You may be surprised to learn that there is more to do at the Dead Sea than just float in the water, but there is! Take full advantage of your day. 

Healing Mud

Renew your body and soul with the Dead Sea’s all-natural, nurturing mud. Head down to Mineral Beach, where you will find a natural pool of black mud. Cover your body from head to toe with the mud and let it dry. When you wash off the mud, your skin will feel renewed, the most soft and fresh that it’s felt in years!

Massage at Resort

Once you have floated in the water and taken in the healing properties of the Dead Sea mud, it is time to really let go. What better way to relax than with a soothing massage from one of the resort’s professional masseuses? 

Metsuke Dragot

This stop is full of surprises. Metsuke Dragot is situated above Murabat Wadi, a nearby ravine facing the Dead Sea. You might expect it to be as dry as the desert, but it is actually full of streams, secret caves, and flourishing vegetation! Explore the area and learn what makes it so special. Many of our offered Dead Sea tours include this gem of a spot, and it is not to be missed. 

Qumran Caves

This is the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls, now on display in the Israel Museum, were discovered. Explore the caves where these ancient manuscripts were found and see the ancient ruins of the Essenes community. This place is not only beautiful in its own right, but also adds context and history to your day at the Dead Sea. 

Our Guided Tour Options

As a new visitor, it can be challenging to fit in all the must-see sights. Our Dead Sea tours allow you to explore the way you want to, while also gaining a deep and thorough understanding of what you are seeing.  Plan to combine destinations to be sure you’re covering all of the highlights. Travel and sightsee without worrying that you’re missing out.

We offer great options for guided Israel tours. To fully experience the Dead Sea, we recommend our relaxing Dead Sea Spa Tour . If you also want to explore the surrounding area, consider our  Masada and Dead Sea trip. Or, book our Tour of Israel’s Main Attractions, covering Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, and the Dead Sea for a full adventure. These are just a few of the many Israel tour options we provide! Don’t forget we also offer customizable private tours in Israel . Explore this beautiful country at your own pace with the convenience of your own private guide. The possibilities are endless! Be sure to include one of our Dead Sea tours in this personalized plan. Read on to learn why they are so highly recommended.

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Relaxing Dead Sea Tour

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Frequently asked questions.

There is no question that the Dead Sea is worth visiting. Haven’t you ever wanted to float on water instead of sinking? Aside from that, it contains minerals with healing properties, mud that leaves your skin feeling smoother than after a day at the spa, and a view of Jordan. 

Here at Egged Tours, we provide a large selection of half-day, single day and multiple day guided Dead Sea tours. Major destinations include Jerusalem, Masada tours , the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Galilee, and the Golan Heights. If you prefer to combine several destinations, we also offer Israel tour packages for your convenience.

April and May are the best months to visit Jerusalem. Spring is the ideal season for Dead Sea tours because the weather is pleasant and fewer tourists come to visit. October through November are also mild months when crowds are thin.

Yes! Masada and the Dead Sea are practically neighbors, making these two locations the perfect combination for a day trip. Explore the ancient fortress of Masada with a qualified and licensed tour guide and relax at the Dead Sea with our Masada and Dead Sea trip , full-day tour.

You can spend as much time as you want at the Dead Sea. Fully relaxing and taking in its miraculous nature is the whole point! It is best to combine your visit to the  Dead Sea with Masada to truly get the most out of your day.

You can relax at the Dead Sea on your own, but it is much easier to explore the area (including Masada), with a tour guide.

Guided Dead Sea tours enhance your trip in so many ways:

• They know the best routes: There is a lot to see and only so much time. Tour guides will plan the trip in the way that makes the most logical sense. Instead of taking circular routes to see all the sites you want to see (and then being disappointed when you miss something), tour guides make sure you see all the places that matter most to you.

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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine 'destroys Russian Black Sea minesweeper'

Ukraine's navy says it has destroyed a Russian Black Sea fleet minesweeper. Meanwhile, an attack on a residential area in Kharkiv left six civilians injured - with Ukraine saying it is investigating the bombing as a potential war crime.

Sunday 19 May 2024 13:17, UK

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• Two killed in Russian strikes on Kherson  | Five dead in Kharkiv
• Ukraine investigating 'potential war crime' after civilians wounded
• Ukrainian soldiers reveal how they were secretly moved ahead of Russian invasion
• Russia takes control of village in Kharkiv - defence ministry
• Live reporting by  Josephine Franks

We're getting photos of the aftermath of strikes on a recreation area just outside Kharkiv which killed five people and left at least 16 injured. 

The pictures show a lakeside resort, where shortly before the attacks local residents were "resting, enjoying a normal way of life", according to a local police inspector (see our 11.54 post).

Parademics and police tend to the wounded, but were also caught up in the second strike, which came about 20 minutes after the first. 

These are known as "double tap" strikes, which kill or injure emergency workers at the scene of strike impacts. 

Here are the latest photos from the scene...

As Russian forces push across Ukraine's northern fringes, footage from the frontline tells us how this new offensive is unfolding.

Sky News has geolocated videos provided by Ukrainian sources that shed light on how fighting unfolded in the early stages of Russia's assault from the north.

OSINT producer Sam Doak maps how a new front has been opened in the north of Ukraine...

A seven-month pregnant woman was among five people killed in strikes on a Kharkiv recreation area, local police said. 

At least 16 people were injured; eight of them are in a serious condition, police said. 

An 8-year-old child received minor injuries and a police officer and paramedic were injured in the second strike, they added. 

You can see some photos from the scene in this Facebook post from Kharkiv police...

President Salome Zourabichvili has vetoed a controversial bill which sparked weeks of mass protests Georgia - but it is likely her veto will be overturned by the government majority. 

The "foreign agents" bill passed by parliament earlier this week would force media and non-governmental organisations and other non-profit groups to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of funding from abroad.

The president said the bill, which the US has described as a "Kremlin style law", contradicts Georgia's constitution and "all European standards", adding it "must be abolished".

She is increasingly at odds with the ruling party, Georgian Dream, considered by many as pro-Russian.

Read more about the rule and what the president's veto means below...

The number of people killed in Russian airstrikes in a recreation area just outside Kharkiv has risen to five, and at least 16 are injured. 

Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov gave update on Telegram, saying: "The explosions heard in Kharkiv around noon occurred in a nearby suburb. 

"Two Russian missiles hit a recreation centre where people were relaxing, killing five people and injuring sixteen others." 

Yaroslav Trofimko, an inspector with the local police department, said there "never any soldiers here".

"It was a Sunday, people were supposed to be here to rest, children were supposed to he here, pregnant women, resting, enjoying a normal way of life." 

He arrived on the scene after the first blast, and was there when the second strike hit the same scene around 20 minutes later.

Ukraine has frequently accused Russia of using "double tap" strikes to kill or injure emergency workers at the scene of strike impacts. 

Kharkiv's governor Oleh Syniehubov earlier said a paramedic was among those injured. 

Russian air defences downed 103 Ukrainian drones and 12 United States-made ATACMS missiles over the past 24 hours, the Russian defence ministry said .

Russian officials earlier said that Ukraine had fired nine ATACMS at Crimea and attacked Russian regions with at least 60 drones, forcing one oil refinery in southern Russia to halt operations. 

We're getting more news from the scene of a Russian strike in a northern suburb of Kharkiv where four people were killed, as reported in our 10.30 post.  

The number of people reported injured has risen from eight to 15. 

A recreation area was destroyed, according to Reuters correspondents at the site.

Rescuers described a powerful blast, followed by a second, "double tap" strike about fifteen minutes later. 

A man's corpse lay under the rubble of what just over an hour previously was a busy lakeside restaurant area on a sunny day. 

A woman stumbled around in shock looking for her handbag in the wreckage. 

"The occupiers attacked the area where local residents were relaxing," Kharkiv's governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said on Telegram. 

In recent weeks, Kharkiv city and the region of the same name have been under constant attack by Russian missiles and guided bombs as Russian troops have launched an offensive in the northeast of the region. 

Ukraine fired long-range missiles at Crimea and attacked Russia  with at least 60 drones in a major attack last night.

Meanwhile Ukraine says it destroyed more than 30 Russian drones.

Russian air defences shot down 57 Ukrainian drones over its southern Krasnodar region, the country's defence ministry said. 

As we reported in our 8.26 post, an oil refinery hit by debris had to halt operations, with local military officials saying there was no fire or damage. 

Local news outlet Astra published videos appearing to show an explosion at the refinery as it was hit by a drone. The videos could not be independently verified. 

Nine long-range ballistic missiles and a drone were destroyed over the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula following Friday morning’s massive Ukrainian drone attack that cut off power in the city of Sevastopol. 

The Russian-installed governor of Ukraine's partially occupied Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said one person died and 16 were wounded when a Ukrainian drone hit a minibus on Sunday morning.

In Ukraine, air force officials said air defence shot down all 37 Russian drones launched against the country overnight (more in our 7.20 post). 

Four people have been killed and at least eight more injured in a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials say. 

Kharkiv's governor Oleh Syniehubov said the strike hit the residential area of Malodanyliv.

A paramedic was among those injured, he said on Telegram. 

Kharkiv has been the target of frequent airstrikes since Russia began its new offensive on the northeastern region late last week. 

Residential buildings have been destroyed and Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting civilians, saying it is investigating this as a "potential war crime". 

Governor Oleh Syniehubov said this morning that one person died and 11 were wounded as a result of shelling on Saturday. 

Here are some of the latest pictures from the city...

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Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand

The porn star testified for eight hours at donald trump’s hush-money trial. this is how it went..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

It’s 6:41 AM. I’m feeling a little stressed because I’m running late. It’s the fourth week of Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial. It’s a white collar trial. Most of the witnesses we’ve heard from have been, I think, typical white collar witnesses in terms of their professions.

We’ve got a former publisher, a lawyer, accountants. The witness today, a little less typical, Stormy Daniels, porn star in a New York criminal courtroom in front of a jury more accustomed to the types of witnesses they’ve already seen. There’s a lot that could go wrong.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.”

Today, what happened when Stormy Daniels took the stand for eight hours in the first criminal trial of Donald J. Trump. As before, my colleague Jonah Bromwich was inside the courtroom.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

It’s Friday, May 10th.

So it’s now day 14 of this trial. And I think it’s worth having you briefly, and in broad strokes, catch listeners up on the biggest developments that have occurred since you were last on, which was the day that opening arguments were made by both the defense and the prosecution. So just give us that brief recap.

Sure. It’s all been the prosecution’s case so far. And prosecutors have a saying, which is that the evidence is coming in great. And I think for this prosecution, which is trying to show that Trump falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal, to ease his way into the White House in 2016, the evidence has been coming in pretty well. It’s come in well through David Pecker, former publisher of The National Enquirer, who testified that he entered into a secret plot with Trump and Michael Cohen, his fixer at the time, to suppress negative stories about Trump, the candidate.

It came in pretty well through Keith Davidson, who was a lawyer to Stormy Daniels in 2016 and negotiated the hush money payment. And we’ve seen all these little bits and pieces of evidence that tell the story that prosecutors want to tell. And the case makes sense so far. We can’t tell what the jury is thinking, as we always say.

But we can tell that there’s a narrative that’s coherent and that matches up with the prosecution’s opening statement. Then we come to Tuesday. And that day really marks the first time that the prosecution’s strategy seems a little bit risky because that’s the day that Stormy Daniels gets called to the witness stand.

OK, well, just explain why the prosecution putting Stormy Daniels on the stand would be so risky. And I guess it makes sense to answer that in the context of why the prosecution is calling her as a witness at all.

Well, you can see why it makes sense to have her. The hush money payment was to her. The cover-up of the hush money payment, in some ways, concerns her. And so she’s this character who’s very much at the center of this story. But according to prosecutors, she’s not at the center of the crime. The prosecution is telling a story, and they hope a compelling one. And arguably, that story starts with Stormy Daniels. It starts in 2006, when Stormy Daniels says that she and Trump had sex, which is something that Trump has always denied.

So if prosecutors were to not call Stormy Daniels to the stand, you would have this big hole in the case. It would be like, effect, effect, effect. But where is the cause? Where is the person who set off this chain reaction? But Stormy Daniels is a porn star. She’s there to testify about sex. Sex and pornography are things that the jurors were not asked about during jury selection. And those are subjects that bring up all kinds of different complex reactions in people.

And so, when the prosecutors bring Stormy Daniels to the courtroom, it’s very difficult to know how the jurors will take it, particularly given that she’s about to describe a sexual episode that she says she had with the former president. Will the jurors think that makes sense, as they sit here and try to decide a falsifying business records case, or will they ask themselves, why are we hearing this?

So the reason why this is the first time that the prosecution’s strategy is, for journalists like you, a little bit confusing, is because it’s the first time that the prosecution seems to be taking a genuine risk in what they’re putting before these jurors. Everything else has been kind of cut and dry and a little bit more mechanical. This is just a wild card.

This is like live ammunition, to some extent. Everything else is settled and controlled. And they know what’s going to happen. With Stormy Daniels, that’s not the case.

OK, so walk us through the testimony. When the prosecution brings her to the stand, what actually happens?

It starts, as every witness does, with what’s called direct examination, which is a fancy word for saying prosecutors question Stormy Daniels. And they have her tell her story. First, they have her tell the jury about her education and where she grew up and her professional experience. And because of Stormy Daniels’s biography, that quickly goes into stripping, and then goes into making adult films.

And I thought the prosecutor who questioned her, Susan Hoffinger, had this nice touch in talking about that, because not only did she ask Daniels about acting in adult films. But she asked her about writing and directing them, too, emphasizing the more professional aspects of that work and giving a little more credit to the witness, as if to say, well, you may think this or you may think that. But this is a person with dignity who took what she did seriously. Got it.

What’s your first impression of Daniels as a witness?

It’s very clear that she’s nervous. She’s speaking fast. She’s laughing to herself and making small jokes. But the tension in the room is so serious from the beginning, from the moment she enters, that those jokes aren’t landing. So it just feels, like, really heavy and still and almost oppressive in there. So Daniels talking quickly, seeming nervous, giving more answers than are being asked of her by the prosecution, even before we get to the sexual encounter that she’s about to describe, all of that presents a really discomfiting impression, I would say.

And how does this move towards the encounter that Daniels ultimately has?

It starts at a golf tournament in 2006, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Daniels meets Trump there. There are other celebrities there, too. They chatted very briefly. And then she received a dinner invitation from him. She thought it over, she says. And she goes to have dinner with Trump, not at a restaurant, by the way. But she’s invited to join him in the hotel suite.

So she gets to the hotel suite. And his bodyguard is there. And the hotel door is cracked open. And the bodyguard greets her and says she looks nice, this and that. And she goes in. And there’s Donald Trump, just as expected. But what’s not expected, she says, is that he’s not wearing what you would wear to a dinner with a stranger, but instead, she says, silk or satin pajamas. She asked him to change, she says. And he obliges.

He goes, and he puts on a dress shirt and dress pants. And they sit down at the hotel suite’s dining room table. And they have a kind of bizarre dinner. Trump is asking her very personal questions about pornography and safe sex. And she testifies that she teased him about vain and pompous he is. And then at some point, she goes to the bathroom. And she sees that he has got his toiletries in there, his Old Spice, his gold tweezers.

Very specific details.

Yeah, we’re getting a ton of detail in this scene. And the reason we’re getting those is because prosecutors are trying to elicit those details to establish that this is a credible person, that this thing did happen, despite what Donald Trump and his lawyers say. And the reason you can know it happened, prosecutors seem to be saying, is because, look at all these details she can still summon up.

She comes out of the bathroom. And she says that Donald Trump is on the hotel bed. And what stands out to me there is what she describes as a very intense physical reaction. She says that she blacked out. And she quickly clarifies, she doesn’t mean from drugs or alcohol. She means that, she says, that the intensity of this experience was such that, suddenly, she can’t remember every detail. The prosecution asks a question that cuts directly to the sex. Essentially, did you start having sex with him? And Daniels says that she did. And she continues to provide more details than even, I think, the prosecution wanted.

And I think we don’t want to go chapter and verse through this claimed sexual encounter. But I wonder what details stand out and which details feel important, given the prosecution’s strategy here.

All the details stand out because it’s a story about having had sex with a former president. And the more salacious and more private the details feel, the more you’re going to remember them. So we’ll remember that Stormy Daniels said what position they had sex in. We’ll remember that she said he didn’t use a condom. Whether that’s important to the prosecution’s case, now, that’s a much harder question to answer, as we’ve been saying.

But what I can tell you is, as she’s describing having had sex with Donald Trump, and Donald Trump is sitting right there, and Eric Trump, his son, is sitting behind him, seeming to turn a different color as he hears this embarrassment of his father being described to a courtroom full of reporters at this trial, it’s hard to even describe the energy in that room. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. And it was just Daniels’s testimony and, seemingly, the former President’s emotions. And you almost felt like you were trapped in there with both of them as this description was happening.

Well, I think it’s important to try to understand why the prosecution is getting these details, these salacious, carnal, pick your word, graphic details about sex with Donald Trump. What is the value, if other details are clearly making the point that she’s recollecting something?

Well, I think, at this point, we can only speculate. But one thing we can say is, this was uncomfortable. This felt bad. And remember, prosecutor’s story is not about the sex. It’s about trying to hide the sex. So if you’re trying to show a jury why it might be worthwhile to hide a story, it might be worth —

Providing lots of salacious details that a person would want to hide.

— exposing them to how bad that story feels and reminding them that if they had been voters and they had heard that story, and, in fact, they asked Daniels this very question, if you hadn’t accepted hush money, if you hadn’t signed that NDA, is this the story you would have told? And she said, yes. And so where I think they’re going with this, but we can’t really be sure yet, is that they’re going to tell the jurors, hey, that story, you can see why he wanted to cover that up, can’t you?

You mentioned the hush money payments. What testimony does Daniels offer about that? And how does it advance the prosecution’s case of business fraud related to the hush money payments?

So little evidence that it’s almost laughable. She says that she received the hush money. But we actually already heard another witness, her lawyer at the time, Keith Davidson, testify that he had received the hush money payment on her behalf. And she testified about feeling as if she had to sell this story because the election was fast approaching, almost as if her leverage was slipping away because she knew this would be bad for Trump.

That feels important. But just help me understand why it’s important.

Well, what the prosecution has been arguing is that Trump covered up this hush money payment in order to conceal a different crime. And that crime, they say, was to promote his election to the presidency by illegal means.

Right, we’ve talked about this in the past.

So when Daniels ties her side of the payment into the election, it just reminds the jurors maybe, oh, right, this is what they’re arguing.

So how does the prosecution end this very dramatic, and from everything you’re saying, very tense questioning of Stormy Daniels about this encounter?

Well, before they can even end, the defense lawyers go and they consult among themselves. And then, with the jury out of the room, one of them stands up. And he says that the defense is moving for a mistrial.

On what terms?

He says that the testimony offered by Daniels that morning is so prejudicial, so damning to Trump in the eyes of the jury, that the trial can no longer be fair. Like, how could these jurors have heard these details and still be fair when they render their verdict? And he says a memorable expression. He says, you can’t un-ring that bell, meaning they heard it. They can’t un-hear it. It’s over. Throw out this trial. It should be done.

Wow. And what is the response from the judge?

So the judge, Juan Merchan, he hears them out. And he really hears them out. But at the end of their arguments, he says, I do think she went a little too far. He says that. He said, there were things that were better left unsaid.

By Stormy Daniels?

By Stormy Daniels. And he acknowledges that she is a difficult witness. But, he says, the remedy for that is not a mistrial, is not stopping the whole thing right now. The remedy for that is cross-examination. If the defense feels that there are issues with her story, issues with her credibility, they can ask her whatever they want. They can try to win the jury back over. If they think this jury has been poisoned by this witness, well, this is their time to provide the antidote. The antidote is cross-examination. And soon enough, cross-examination starts. And it is exactly as intense and combative as we expected.

We’ll be right back.

So, Jonah, how would you characterize the defense’s overall strategy in this intense cross-examination of Stormy Daniels?

People know the word impeach from presidential impeachments. But it has a meaning in law, too. You impeach a witness, and, specifically, their credibility. And that’s what the defense is going for here. They are going to try to make Stormy Daniels look like a liar, a fraud, an extortionist, a money-grubbing opportunist who wanted to take advantage of Trump and sought to do so by any means necessary.

And what did that impeachment strategy look like in the courtroom?

The defense lawyer who questions Stormy Daniels is a woman named Susan Necheles. She’s defended Trump before. And she’s a bit of a cross-examination specialist. We even saw her during jury selection bring up these past details to confront jurors who had said nasty things about Trump on social media with. And she wants to do the same thing with Daniels. She wants to bring up old interviews and old tweets and things that Daniels has said in the past that don’t match what Daniels is saying from the stand.

What’s a specific example? And do they land?

Some of them land. And some of them don’t. One specific example is that Necheles confronts Daniels with this old tweet, where Daniels says that she’s going to dance down the street if Trump goes to jail. And what she’s trying to show there is that Daniels is out for revenge, that she hates Trump, and that she wants to see him go to jail. And that’s why she’s testifying against him.

And Daniels is very interesting during the cross-examination. It’s almost as if she’s a different person. She kind of squares her shoulders. And she sits up a little straighter. And she leans forward. Daniels is ready to fight. But it doesn’t quite land. The tweet actually says, I’ll dance down the street when he’s selected to go to jail.

And Daniels goes off on this digression about how she knows that people don’t get selected to go to jail. That’s not how it works. But she can’t really unseat this argument, that she’s a political enemy of Donald Trump. So that one kind of sticks, I would say. But there are other moves that Necheles tries to pull that don’t stick.

So unlike the prosecution, which typically used words like adult, adult film, Necheles seems to be taking every chance she can get to say porn, or pornography, or porn star, to make it sound base or dirty. And so when she starts to ask Daniels about actually being in pornography, writing, acting, and directing sex films, she tries to land a punch line, Necheles does. She says, so you have a lot of experience making phony stories about sex appear to be real, right?

As if to say, perhaps this story you have told about entering Trump’s suite in Lake Tahoe and having sex with him was made up.

Just another one of your fictional stories about sex. But Daniels comes back and says, the sex in the films, it’s very much real, just like what happened to me in that room. And so, when you have this kind of combat of a lawyer cross-examining very aggressively and the witness fighting back, you can feel the energy in the room shift as one lands a blow or the other does. But here, Daniels lands one back. And the other issue that I think Susan Necheles runs into is, she tries to draw out disparities from interviews that Daniels gave, particularly to N-TOUCH, very early on once the story was out.

It’s kind of like a tabloid magazine?

But some of the disparities don’t seem to be landing quite like Necheles would want. So she tries to do this complicated thing about where the bodyguard was in the room when Daniels walked into the room, as described in an interview in a magazine. But in that magazine interview, as it turns out, Daniels mentioned that Trump was wearing pajamas. And so, if I’m a juror, I don’t care where the bodyguard is. I’m thinking about, oh, yeah, I remember that Stormy Daniels said now in 2024 that Trump was wearing pajamas.

I’m curious if, as somebody in the room, you felt that the defense was effective in undermining Stormy Daniels’s credibility? Because what I took from the earlier part of our conversation was that Stormy Daniels is in this courtroom on behalf of the prosecution to tell a story that’s uncomfortable and has the kind of details that Donald Trump would be motivated to try to hide. And therefore, this defense strategy is to say, those details about what Trump might want to hide, you can’t trust them. So does this back and forth effectively hurt Stormy Daniels’s credibility, in your estimation?

I don’t think that Stormy Daniels came off as perfectly credible about everything she testified about. There are incidents that were unclear or confusing. There were things she talked about that I found hard to believe, when she, for instance, denied that she had attacked Trump in a tweet or talked about her motivations. But about what prosecutors need, that central story, the story of having had sex with him, we can’t know whether it happened.

But there weren’t that many disparities in these accounts over the years. In terms of things that would make me doubt the story that Daniels was telling, details that don’t add up, those weren’t present. And you don’t have to take my word for that, nor should you. But the judge is in the room. And he says something very, very similar.

What does he say? And why does he say it?

Well, he does it when the defense, again, at the end of the day on Thursday, calls for a mistrial.

With a similar argument as before?

Not only with a similar argument as before, but, like, almost the exact same argument. And I would say that I was astonished to see them do this. But I wasn’t because I’ve covered other trials where Trump is the client. And in those trials, the lawyers, again and again, called for a mistrial.

And what does Judge Marchan say in response to this second effort to seek a mistrial?

Let me say, to this one, he seems a little less patient. He says that after the first mistrial ruling, two days before, he went into his chambers. And he read every decision he had made about the case. He took this moment to reflect on the first decision. And he found that he had, in his own estimation, which is all he has, been fair and not allowed evidence that was prejudicial to Trump into this trial. It could continue. And so he said that again. And then he really almost turned on the defense. And he said that the things that the defense was objecting to were things that the defense had made happen.

He says that in their opening statement, the defense could have taken issue with many elements of the case, about whether there were falsified business records, about any of the other things that prosecutors are saying happened. But instead, he says, they focused their energy on denying that Trump ever had sex with Daniels.

And so that was essentially an invitation to the prosecution to call Stormy Daniels as a witness and have her say from the stand, yes, I had this sexual encounter. The upshot of it is that the judge not only takes the defense to task. But he also just says that he finds Stormy Daniels’s narrative credible. He doesn’t see it as having changed so much from year to year.

Interesting. So in thinking back to our original question here, Jonah, about the idea that putting Stormy Daniels on the stand was risky, I wonder if, by the end of this entire journey, you’re reevaluating that idea because it doesn’t sound like it ended up being super risky. It sounded like it ended up working reasonably well for the prosecution.

Well, let me just assert that it doesn’t really matter what I think. The jury is going to decide this. There’s 12 people. And we can’t know what they’re thinking. But my impression was that, while she was being questioned by the prosecution for the prosecution’s case, Stormy Daniels was a real liability. She was a difficult witness for them.

And the judge said as much. But when the defense cross-examined her, Stormy Daniels became a better witness, in part because their struggles to discredit her may have actually ended up making her story look more credible and stronger. And the reason that matters is because, remember, we said that prosecutors are trying to fill this hole in their case. Well, now, they have. The jury has met Stormy Daniels. They’ve heard her account. They’ve made of it what they will. And now, the sequence of events that prosecutors are trying to line up as they seek prison time for the former President really makes a lot of sense.

It starts with what Stormy Daniels says with sex in a hotel suite in 2006. It picks up years later, as Donald Trump is trying to win an election and, prosecutors say, suppressing negative stories, including Stormy Daniels’s very negative story. And the story that prosecutors are telling ends with Donald Trump orchestrating the falsification of business records to keep that story concealed.

Well, Jonah, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Of course, thanks for having me.

The prosecution’s next major witness will be Michael Cohen, the former Trump fixer who arranged for the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Cohen is expected to take the stand on Monday.

Here’s what else you need to know today. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a defiant response to warnings from the United States that it would stop supplying weapons to Israel if Israel invades the Southern Gaza City of Rafah. So far, Israel has carried out a limited incursion into the city where a million civilians are sheltering, but has threatened a full invasion. In a statement, Netanyahu said, quote, “if we need to stand alone, we will stand alone.”

Meanwhile, high level ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been put on hold in part because of anger over Israel’s incursion into Rafah.

A reminder, tomorrow, we’ll be sharing the latest episode of our colleague’s new show, “The Interview” This week on “The Interview,” Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with radio host Charlamagne Tha God about his frustrations with how Americans talk about politics.

If me as a Black man, if I criticize Democrats, then I’m supporting MAGA. But if I criticize, you know, Donald Trump and Republicans, then I’m a Democratic shill. Why can’t I just be a person who deals in nuance?

Today’s episode was produced by Olivia Natt and Michael Simon Johnson. It was edited by Lexie Diao, with help from Paige Cowett, contains original music by Will Reid and Marion Lozano, and was engineered by Alyssa Moxley. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you on Monday.

• May 17, 2024   •   51:10 The Campus Protesters Explain Themselves
• May 16, 2024   •   30:47 The Make-or-Break Testimony of Michael Cohen
• May 15, 2024   •   27:03 The Possible Collapse of the U.S. Home Insurance System
• May 14, 2024   •   35:20 Voters Want Change. In Our Poll, They See It in Trump.
• May 13, 2024   •   27:46 How Biden Adopted Trump’s Trade War With China
• May 10, 2024   •   27:42 Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand
• May 9, 2024   •   34:42 One Strongman, One Billion Voters, and the Future of India
• May 8, 2024   •   28:28 A Plan to Remake the Middle East
• May 7, 2024   •   27:43 How Changing Ocean Temperatures Could Upend Life on Earth
• May 6, 2024   •   29:23 R.F.K. Jr.’s Battle to Get on the Ballot
• May 3, 2024   •   25:33 The Protesters and the President
• May 2, 2024   •   29:13 Biden Loosens Up on Weed

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jonah E. Bromwich

Produced by Olivia Natt and Michael Simon Johnson

Edited by Lexie Diao

With Paige Cowett

Original music by Will Reid and Marion Lozano

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

This episode contains descriptions of an alleged sexual liaison.

What happened when Stormy Daniels took the stand for eight hours in the first criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump?

Jonah Bromwich, one of the lead reporters covering the trial for The Times, was in the room.

On today’s episode

Jonah E. Bromwich , who covers criminal justice in New York for The New York Times.

Background reading

In a second day of cross-examination, Stormy Daniels resisted the implication she had tried to shake down Donald J. Trump by selling her story of a sexual liaison.

Here are six takeaways from Ms. Daniels’s earlier testimony.

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Jonah E. Bromwich covers criminal justice in New York, with a focus on the Manhattan district attorney’s office and state criminal courts in Manhattan. More about Jonah E. Bromwich

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