You came for the salty, but you’ll be staying for the sweet. At the geographical center of Israel’s Dead Sea coast, Ein Gedi is probably the most famous resort on the lake, with a sprawling oasis that crawls up the canyons behind. The beach for your token salty-sea floating may be underwhelming, but the sweet—and freshwater—oases of the national park, dotted with waterfalls and lagoons, make for stunning hikes and refreshing swims. Just as David took refuge from Saul here, you’ll find cool midday relief from the sun perched on the canyon walls.

In the generally undeveloped Dead Sea area, it’s almost inevitable that anywhere that gets hyped up is going to turn out to be a little overrated. The beach and spa—the supposed jewels of the area—are probably Ein Gedi’s most unexciting parts. Have a quick float, then spend your time in the park and, if you have a car, the nearby kibbutz, which has lush botanical gardens and a small zoo.