The Negev Desert comprises the entirety of southern Israel. Although it might not be as popular as Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, there are many wonderful sites for tourists to visit throughout the Negev Desert area. Below, we’ll go through a few interesting destinations located near each other in Israel’s Negev region.
- Masada
The Masada is a powerful symbol of resilience and self-sacrifice for Jews around the world. King Herod ordered this palace to be built around 37 BC on the cliffs of the Judaean Desert. During the First Jewish-Roman War, persecuted Jews fled for safety to the Masada and remained there until 73 AD. As Roman soldiers approached the fortress, the Jews inside the Masada agreed to commit mass suicide rather than submit to the yoke of Rome. The powerful story of Masada resonates deeply in the Jewish community to this day. Anyone can easily visit the Masada by car and hike to the top. Besides enjoying the exceptional views from the top of this fortress, you can also watch the popular Masada Sound and Light Show on special nights between April and October. It’s a great idea to visit Masada around 4AM to see the miraculous sunrise over the mountains.
- Dead Sea
As mentioned above, the Dead Sea isn’t that far from Masada. As some of you might already know, the Dead Sea is the lowest point in the entire world (approximately 1,269 feet below sea level!). The water here is so salty that it’s literally impossible for you to sink. Don’t be surprised if you see people rubbing mud all over their body by the Dead Sea. Locals believe the mud here has therapeutic minerals that help exfoliate the skin. On the Israeli side of the Dead Sea there are many cities you can choose to stay in, but the most popular are Ein Bokek, Ein Tamar, and Ein Gedi.
- Arad
Founded in the 1960s by a group of idealistic Israelis, Arad was planned as a city for nature lovers and artists. This city is a great jumping off point if you want to explore the northeastern region of Negev Desert. One exceptional place for nature lovers is the Yatir Forest, which has numerous hiking and biking trails. In the Tel Arad National Park you’ll get to tour impressive towers built here during the Bronze Age. To get a sense for the bohemian vibe of this city, definitely take a stroll through the “Artists Corner” (aka Eshet Lot) and then visit the Glass Art Museum.