Day trip
Masada and the Dead Sea
Herod’s palace-fortress on its desert plateau, a UNESCO site, and a float in the Dead Sea.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Godot13 · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsMasada rises from the Judean Desert above the Dead Sea, a plateau on which, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority explains, Herod built a palace-fortress; the Roman siege camps and ramp at its foot are the most complete Roman siege system found anywhere. It was declared a national park in 1966 and inscribed by UNESCO in 2001. Book ahead on the parks authority’s site, then go down to the Dead Sea at Ein Bokek, or to Ein Gedi’s springs.
Masada
The palace-fortress, the siege system and the view over the Dead Sea; reserve your entry.
The Dead Sea
The beaches of Ein Bokek, and the springs of Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Anagoria · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsPractical
Carry water and a hat; in winter, check for flood warnings before you go.
Go up at opening time, and float in the afternoon.
Our advice: it is a long day by road; join a licensed tour or hire a car.
Why it's on our list
- Masada
- The Dead Sea
- Practical
Location
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