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If you are hoping to see the authentic and exact location of Jesus’s baptism, you will need to visit a site called Bethany Beyond the Jordan. This is situated in the country of Jordan on the East Bank of the River Jordan. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know to plan an independent visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan in 2025 (The Baptism Site).
Although this is a very special and significant attraction, it is not necessarily straightforward to plan a visit. Before we visited Bethany Beyond the Jordan, we had lots of our own questions, and it was not easy to find the answers online. So, we have decided to write this article to fill the knowledge gap and help you plan your own visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know, including travel and transport information, facilities and amenities at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, what you can expect to see and do at the baptism site, and some very helpful tips. If you are planning to visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan, a little research now could save you a lot of time, money, and stress later.
One more thing… don’t miss this amazing intrepid 7 day Jordan itinerary
Why Visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan?
One of the main reasons that people visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan is to visit the site of the baptism of Jesus. The baptism of Jesus is a very significant story in the Gospels. Jesus’s baptism marked the start of his ministry of miracles and teaching. After his baptism, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The baptism story is also an example of a Holy Trinity moment in the Bible. According to the gospel accounts, when Jesus was brought out of the water, the father’s voice was heard audibly saying, “This is my son in whom I am well pleased; listen to him,” and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove.
There are also some lesser known biblical events associated with this site too. For example this is though to be the area that Joshua crossed the river Jordan before travelling north to Jericho. It is thought to be the location that Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind and Elisha took the Mantle that fell from Elijah (2 Kings 2:1-22)
However, the baptism site may also be of interest to non-Christians. This area has a fascinating culture and history. In 2015, Bethany Beyond the Jordan was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which underscores its importance as a place of historical and religious significance. Many dignitaries, religious leaders, and world leaders have visited this site over the years.
Many people visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan to be baptised at this super special site.
Is Bethany Beyond the Jordan the Authentic Baptism Site of Jesus?
The Baptism Site, “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas), is considered by the majority of the Christian Churches to be the location where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The actual baptism site is now disconnected from the path of the River Jordan. However during Jesus’ time this current recognised Site of Jesus’ baptism was connected to the path of the Jordan River. There is also additional evidence that supports this as the genuine spot that Jesus was baptised.
Here is some evidence supporting the authenticity of this site:
- Historical and Biblical Accounts: The belief in Bethany Beyond the Jordan as the authentic baptism site is based on historical and biblical accounts. The New Testament, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, references a place “Beyond the Jordan” as the location where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. This biblical reference suggests that the site was east of the Jordan River.
- The Madaba Mosaic map (pictured above) is the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land and dates back to the 6th Century. This map depicts the river Jordan and the Baptism Site of Jesus on the east bank near the outlet into the Dead Sea.
- Early Christian Tradition: Early Christian tradition, as documented by figures such as Eusebius of Caesarea, an ancient Christian historian, identifies Bethany Beyond the Jordan as the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. These early Christian writings have helped establish the site’s significance in Christian tradition.
- Archaeological Discoveries: Archaeological excavations at Bethany Beyond the Jordan have uncovered remains of ancient churches and baptismal pools, which date back to the early Christian period. These findings add historical weight to the site’s authenticity.
- Pilgrimage and Religious Practice: Over the centuries, Bethany Beyond the Jordan has become a popular destination for Christian pilgrims who come to visit and participate in religious ceremonies, including baptismal reenactments. This ongoing tradition has helped solidify its status as the authentic site of Jesus’ baptism.
Can you visit the baptism site of Jesus in Israel?
You can also visit the Jordan River Baptism site from the Israel side. However, if you do this it is only possible to see the river Jordan and not the Baptism Site itself. The actual baptism site of Jesus is located a few hundred meters inland on the east bank of the river Jordan. This is in the country of Jordan rather than Israel.
What Is the Best Way to Get to Bethany Beyond the Jordan?
Don’t miss our full guide – How to travel from Amman to the Baptism Site AND our in-depth guide How to travel around in Jordan for more info and top tips
There are no local buses or public transport connections from Amman to the baptism site (Al-Maghtas). So, if you are planning to visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan from Amman, you will need to arrange your own transport.
1 Take a taxi
One of the most common ways to get to the baptism site is to take a taxi from Amman. There are two ways to arrange a taxi: you can walk around the Amman old city and make a deal with a taxi driver. Alternatively, you can use the Uber taxi app to book a taxi from Amman to the baptism site. If you arrange the journey with a taxi driver, expect to pay around 40 JOD (around £40 or $50) for a simple two-way journey with a couple of hours waiting time. The advantage of a taxi is flexibility. If you would like to visit other destinations such as the Dead Sea, a taxi may cost around 50 JOD – 70 JOD (£50 – £70 or $60 – $80)
If you use Uber to book your taxi, expect to pay around 20 JOD – 25 JOD each way (around £20 – £25 or $25 – $30). Once you have booked your journey, you may be able to make an informal deal with your taxi driver to return to Amman.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to taking taxis in Jordan
2 Book a tour
Another way to visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan is to book a tour from Amman. You can either book a tour through your guest house or hotel. Alternatively, you can book tours online. Expect to pay around 80 JOD – 200 JOD (£80 – £200 or $100 – $250) for a tour.
3 Rent a car and drive
Alternatively, if you want more flexibility and independence, you could consider car rental, which typically starts at around 35 JOD per day in Amman (around £35 or $40). If you rent a car, we recommend that you obtain an international driver’s license. It is also important to be reasonably experienced and confident to drive on the roads in Jordan.
Recommended One Day Itinerary
8 am – 9am: Travel from Amman to the Baptism Site
9am – 11am: Explore the Baptism Site
11 am – 12pm: Visit the Dead Sea as a day guest at one of the lovely resorts (may be included in a Dead Sea day pass)
12pm – 5 pm: Swim and enjoy the facilities at your Dead Sea Resort
5 pm – 6pm: Travel back to Amman
What Is the Best Time of Day to Visit the Baptism Site in Jordan?
Bethany Beyond the Jordan is open daily from 8:30 am – 5 pm.
It is likely to be relatively busy throughout the day, so we do not recommend planning on having this space to yourself. We do recommend visiting in the morning if you would like to visit at a cooler time of the day. This is particularly important if you are visiting during the summer months of June to August.
Most of the walk around the baptism site is under shade, so you don’t need to worry too much about sun protection when you visit.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan?
If you purchase your ticket on arrival, it costs 12JOD (£12 or $15) to visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan. However, if you are planning to purchase a Jordan pass, you can get a discounted ticket to Bethany Beyond when you buy your pass. You only need to pay 8 JOD (£8 or $10) for a Bethany Beyond ticket when you buy your Jordan Pass. Find out more about the Jordan Pass.
The entrance fee covers access to the site and also includes a two-way minibus ride and a tour guide. The tour takes around 1 hour and departs every 30 minutes.
If you are certain that you want to visit the baptism site during your Jordan trip, we do recommend purchasing your ticket when you buy your Jordan pass to save money.
The Jordan pass allows you visa-free entry to Jordan (you need to stay in the country at least 3 nights). The Pass also includes entry to the Petra archaeological site. You only need to visit Petra in order to save money with a Jordan pass. What’s more, the Jordan pass also includes free entry to a range of other attractions, but remember Bethany Beyond is not included with the Jordan pass for free. You must select Bethany Beyond as an add-on when you buy your pass.
Can You Explore the Baptism Site Independently?
It is not possible to explore the baptism site independently. If you visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan, you need to purchase your ticket from The Visitor Center. Once you have your ticket, you then need to wait for a tour to depart (they depart every 30 minutes). They do not let you explore the area independently; you need to stay with your tour group throughout your time at this site. The River Jordan marks the border between Israel and Jordan, so this is quite a serious area. They don’t want people wandering around unsupervised here.
What Can You See and Do at the Baptism Site?
1 Visitor centre
The tour starts at the Bethany Beyond the Jordan Visitor Center. There are several displays, artifacts, and exhibits that you can look at while you wait for your bus to depart. The tour buses depart every 30 minutes, and they are generally full.
2 Minibus
The minibus journey is included with your entry ticket, and the journey takes around 5 or 10 minutes. The scenery on this journey is fascinating.
3 Gift Shop
The first stop is a small gift shop selling a range of gifts, souvenirs, and artwork. If you are planning to enter the Jordan River, you will need to buy a baptism robe at the gift shop; this costs 10 JOD (around £10 or $12).
4 Walk along the Jordan
Once you have spent all your money in the gift shop, the tour guide will take you for a short walk along the Jordan River. This is a genuinely beautiful area. Although Jordan is a very dry and arid country, the area around the River Jordan is teeming with life. There are several viewpoints and stops along the way until you reach the main event.
5 The Baptism Site (the actual spot Jesus was baptised)
The actual baptism site of Jesus is situated a short distance to the east of the River Jordan. It is not possible to go into the water in this area. However, you can see the area well from the path, and the tour group stops at this point for a short time.
6 The River Jordan (public baptism site)
After seeing the baptism site, the tour continues towards the River Jordan. There is a stop at a platform next to the River Jordan. At this point, there is a changing room and a covered seating area. You can also walk onto the decking at the edge of the River Jordan if you are planning to get baptized at the River Jordan. This Is The Baptism site, and anyone is welcome to enter the water, and there are no rules about who can be baptized or who is allowed to do baptisms. If you are planning to get baptized here, they do ask that you wear a baptism robe. Remember to buy this at the gift shop.
7 St. John the Baptist Orthodox monastery
After visiting the River Jordan, the tour continues to the St. John the Baptist Orthodox monastery. This is a very beautifully decorated small Chapel with stunning artwork.
8 The Baptist Site Museum
A short stop at this chapel, and then the tour continues to the museum, which also has a gift shop. After exploring the museum, the tour returns to the bus, which takes you back to the visitor center. The whole process takes around 1 hour. It is important to recognize that there are not any public toilets available in this time. There are toilets in the Visitor Center (at the start), so we recommend using the toilet before you depart on the tour.
What Facilities and Amenities Are There at Bethany Beyond the Jordan?
There are toilets available at the Visitors Center. However, there are not any toilets available throughout the remainder of the tour. There are no lockers or bag storage space at the Visitors Center, so we recommend considering what you bring with you. There are two gift shops on the tour. The first stop is at a gift shop which sells a wide range of gifts and artwork. The second gift shop is situated in the museum at the end of the tour. There are not any cafes or restaurants in the area. Bring snacks and a water bottle.
Cultural and Religious Tips for Visiting Bethany Beyond the Jordan
The Baptism Site Commission is the official body that preserves and protects Bethany Beyond the Jordan as a site for pilgrims and visitors. This area is not dedicated to any specific Christian denomination, and visitors from any denomination or faith are welcome. Because this is a non-denominational site, you do not need to follow any specific rules or cultural guidelines. The Baptism Site Commission does ask people to dress in a modest and conservative way in order to respect other visitors. Jordan is a relatively conservative and modest country; therefore, we recommend dressing appropriately, keeping shoulders and knees covered when you visit the Baptism Site.
Is It Safe to Visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan?
And finally, we just wanted to say a thing or two about safety at the baptism site. Jordan is a relatively safe country, and many people visit throughout the year without any problems. We always recommend that you keep your eye out on the latest travel information and advice. We have found the UK FCO website to be a great source of reliable and up-to-date travel safe information.
The Baptism Site in Jordan is a relatively safe attraction. Many people visit this area without any problems. It is, however, important to recognize that the baptism site sits at the border of Jordan and Israel. You will notice a military presence in the area, and there is plenty of security around. You are not allowed to explore this area independently, and you need to remain with your tour group.
