Yardenit: Jordan River Baptism Site
How to Get to Yardenit from Tel Aviv
The Yardenit Baptism Site on the Jordan River is located just south of the Sea of Galilee, close to the city of Nazareth. For those interested in visiting Yardenit, it is best to include a trip to Yardenit with a few other close by tourist destinations.
During my trip to Israel, I did not rent a car and chose to visit Yardenit as part of a tour. I booked a tour with the company Bein Harim, which included Nazareth, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, and the Yardenit Baptism Site. Booking a tour meant I wouldn’t have to worry about driving in the heavy Israeli traffic, which is common roads during rush hour, and ensured that I would be led around by a local, qualified guide.
I will link my tour towards the bottom of this page as I found that taking a tour was the best way to see Yardenit – Baptism Site on the Jordan River.
Yardenit is approximately 102 km from Tel Aviv, 110 km from Jerusalem, and 41 km from Nazareth. In addition to renting a car and taking a tour, there is also bus service between Israelis major cities and Yardenit. During my visit to Israel, I used the app “Moovit” to find and schedule public transportation.
Yardenit – Baptism Site on the Jordan River was not crowded when we arrived. It was the last stop on our tour, and we arrived around 3:30 pm.
Yardenit – Baptism Site on the Jordan River offers visitors the chance to see the Jordan River, which is the river where Jesus Christ was baptized by his cousin John the Baptist. In addition to being able to touch the river’s holy water, visitors can also be baptized in the river by a Christian priest or official.
Yardenit - Baptism Site on the Jordan River - Table of Contents
- How to Get to Yardenit from Tel Aviv
- Was Jesus Baptized at Yardenit?
- Getting Baptized at Yadenit
- Is it Possible to Wade into the Jordan River at Yardenit?
- My Thoughts on Visiting Yardenit
- Video Highlights of My Visit to Yardenit
- Yardenit Tours and Packages
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Was Jesus Baptized at Yardenit?
“Was Jesus Christ baptized at Yardenit?” This question was asked to our guide almost immediately upon our arrival. According to Christian records, Jesus was likely baptized somewhere north of the Dead Sea and east of Jericho. According to our tour guide, it is not believed that Jesus Christ was baptized near Yardinet. Instead, Jesus’ baptism site is believed to be located south of Yardinet, about nine kilometers north of the Dead Sea.
I visited both Yardenit and the consensus Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ further south. In the photos below, you can see that the consensus location where Jesus Christ was baptized has water that is much more stained with dirt and sentiment. Our guide said that more visitors typically prefer to be baptized at Yardinet than at the consensus location.
Mark’s account of the baptism of Jesus, written in 80 different languages, is displayed on the walls leading up to the entrance to Yardenit. I was slightly confused as I felt Yardinet was attempting to convince visitors that Jesus was baptized at this site. While there is no way to prove exactly where Jesus Christ was baptized, it is not believed that he was baptized at site that is today known as Yardinet.
How to Get Baptized at Yadenit
While there is no cost to enter Yardinet, visitors are required to rent or purchase a white robe to be baptized. The robes cost $15 to rent and $30 to buy. While there is no priest permanently on duty at Yardenit, our guide told us that there is almost always a priest or Christian official that can be found.
I did not get baptized at Yardenit, although a few of our group members did. They were baptized by a Brazilian Priest who was just finishing up baptizing a group of Brazilain pilgrims.
The photo below shows the group of Brazilian tourists who were being baptized at Yardenit. As the baptisms took place, the group was cheered by all of the people visiting Yardenit.
I spoke with one of the Brazilian pilgrims after. She told me that they were on a tour of the holy land and that I should absolutely use these photos on my website. I gave her a card with my website’s address, and I hope that she is able to see these photographs of her group.
Is it Possible to Wade into the Jordan River at Yardenit?
Those not being baptized can touch and even wade into the Jordan River at the Yardenit Baptism Site. Although I was not baptized at Yardenit, I did touch the water of the Jordan River.
During my visit, I did see people swimming and floating down the Jordan River. The wading area and the baptismal site at Yardinet are fenced off from the rest of the river to separate the recreational visitors from the religious ceremonies.
My Thoughts on Visiting Yardenit
Yardenit – Baptism Site on the Jordan River was quite a bit more commercial than I expected. In order to enter, visitors had to walk through a large gift shop selling everything from anointing oil to holy water. There was also a charge to use the changing rooms, showers, and restrooms. Despite being too commercial, Yardenit definitely provided a great location to view the Jordan River. Although research shows that Jesus was likely not baptized at this location, Yardenit has great facilities for viewing the beautiful Jordan River.
I enjoyed my visit to Yardenit and can see why it is a popular destination for baptism and religious pilgrims.
Video Highlights of My Visit to Yardenit
Yardenit Tours and Packages
Below are two tour options, a group tour, and a private tour. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you book a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of July 2023.
 Capernaum, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee Day Trip from Jerusalem - $122.00 Biblical Highlights of Nazareth, Tiberias, and the Sea of Galilee |
 Private Tour to Nazareth & Sea of Galilee & Jordan River Yardenit - Exclusive - $280.00 We guarantee this will be the best day you spend in Israel, Holy Land. |
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