Skip to content
العربية 0 WhatsApp
Bethany beyond the Jordan, the baptism site of Jesus

Dead Sea & King's Highway

Baptism Site (Bethany beyond the Jordan)

The place on the Jordan River where John baptised Jesus – a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by popes and pilgrims.

  • UNESCO World Heritage

Al-Maghtas lies in a tamarisk thicket on the east bank of the Jordan River. Excavations uncovered churches, baptism pools and hermit caves from the Roman and Byzantine periods around the spring and Elijah's Hill, from where the Prophet Elijah is said to have ascended to heaven.

A guided shuttle takes visitors from the visitor centre to the archaeological church and down to the river, where you can touch the water or renew your baptism.

Don't miss

  • Baptism pools of the Byzantine church
  • Elijah's Hill
  • The Jordan River bank
  • Modern churches of many denominations
Bethany beyond the Jordan, the baptism site of Jesus The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ at Al-Maghtas The Jordan River at the baptism site of Jesus Al-Maghtas baptism site in the Jordan Valley

Tours that visit Baptism Site (Bethany beyond the Jordan)

Nearby

The Brazen Serpent Monument on Mount Nebo Mount Nebo The summit from which Moses looked over the Promised Land, with Byzantine mosaics and views to Jericho and Jerusalem. 8 tours The Madaba Map mosaic inside St George's Church Madaba The City of Mosaics, home of the 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in St George's Church. 11 tours The Dead Sea seen from the Jordanian shore The Dead Sea The lowest point on Earth, more than 430 metres below sea level – float effortlessly and cover yourself in mineral mud. 14 tours The thermal springs of Hammamat Ma'in near the Dead Sea Ma'in Hot Springs Hot mineral waterfalls in a desert canyon between Madaba and the Dead Sea. 2 tours