Arad is a city in the desert of Israel near the Dead Sea

Arad (Israel) is a city that grew up in the middle of the Judean desert on the site of ancient Arad. Due to the proximity of the Dead Sea, the resort is popular with tourists: people come here to treat skin diseases, respiratory tract and nervous system.

General information

Arad is a city in the Judean desert, located in southern Israel. Even before our era, people lived here, and Ancient Arad is mentioned in the Bible. About 2700 years ago, the ancient settlement was destroyed, and in 1921 a new city appeared in its place. Today, about 25,000 people live here, most of whom (80%) are Jews.

Over the centuries, people have made many attempts to settle in the Judean desert in Israel, however, due to the lack of fresh water and an unbearable climate, there were few who wanted to live here. Modern Arad became a full-fledged city only in 1961, and after the arrival in 1971 of emigrants from the USSR (they still make up the bulk of the population) and other countries, it increased significantly in size. At the beginning of zero guests from far abroad, there were so many that the criminal situation began to deteriorate rapidly in the city. Now everything is calm in the Judean desert, since the measures taken by the authorities in time managed to prevent undesirable consequences.

Since the city of Arad is in the middle of the desert, there is not much greenery here, unlike the cosmopolitan Tel Aviv and the Israeli capital Jerusalem. But relatively close (25 km) is the Dead Sea.

Things to do

Excursions

There are many immigrants from the USSR and Russia living in Israel, so there will definitely not be any problems finding a Russian-speaking guide. Since the city is located near the Dead Sea, excursions are often combined with relaxation on a healing lake. However, if you want to explore the city on your own, you should pay attention to the following attractions:

The cable car runs from the city of Arad to the Masada fortress (900 meters). Trailers move slowly, so it is possible to clearly see everything that floats from below.

Masada is the largest and most famous landmark of the city of Arad, located on the highest point of the Judean desert. On the vast territory of the fortress you can see the Herod's Palace (or the Northern Palace), the Western Palace, the armory and the synagogue, the mikvah (ablution pool) and the bathhouse. The attraction is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can get to the fortress using the Masada cable car, the beginning of which is just in Arad.

Details about the fortress are written in this article.

Ein Gedi is an incredibly beautiful oasis nestled in the middle of an arid desert. Walking around this place you can see many waterfalls, high cliffs, and more than 900 species of plants growing on well-groomed lawns. Wild animals live in some parts of the reserve: mountain goats, foxes, hyenas. 3 km away is Dead Lake (Ein Gedi Resort).

Detailed information about the reserve is collected on this page.

If you don’t feel like sitting in the hotel, and there is unbearable heat characteristic of Israel on the street, it's time to go to the glass museum, where you can see the works of the famous Israeli artist Gideon Friedman. The gallery hosts master classes (every Saturday) and excursions (several times a week).

The park is located on the outskirts of the city, and is famous, first of all, for the artifacts found here. In Tel Arad, tourists will learn how their distant ancestors lived: how they built houses, what they ate, where they extracted water. The highlight of the park is the well-preserved ancient reservoir. A visit to this attraction will be especially interesting for children and adolescents.

Treatment and rehabilitation at the Dead Sea

Going to the Dead Sea on your own from Arad is not at all difficult, because they are 25 km away. Many tourists prefer to live in Arad (housing is cheaper here), and go to the lake every day to relax. All conditions have been created for this: every hour buses and minibuses go from the city of Arad. Travel time is less than half an hour. On the way to the resort you can meet camels, goats and sheep, and also enjoy breathtaking views from the car window.

However, you can choose a more convenient option - living near the sea. The most famous resorts: Ein Bokek (distance from Arad 31 km), Ein Gedi (62 km), Neve Zohar (26 km).

Ein Bokek is a resort for a calm and measured rest. There are 11 hotels, 2 hypermarkets, 6 free beaches and 2 sanatoriums - the Dead Sea Clinic and the Paula Clinic. They specialize in the treatment of skin, gynecological, urological and respiratory diseases, cerebral palsy. Perform rejuvenation procedures.

Ein Gendy is located near the eponymous reserve. The resort has only 3 hotels, 2 beaches and several shops. The distance to the Dead Sea is 4 km, so every morning tourists are centrally taken to the beach.

Neve Zohar is a small but clean and comfortable resort on the shores of the Dead Sea. There are 6 hotels, 4 beaches and a couple of shops. It is not possible to relax cheaply in this village, since all hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis.

Prices at resorts are much higher than in Arad, but living near the sea is clearly more convenient.

Arad Hotels

There are about 40 hotels in the city of Arad in Israel. It’s hard to find luxury apartments here, but you will definitely find comfortable and inexpensive housing. The best 3 * hotels are:

A hotel with rooms overlooking the desert. The rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay: shower, air conditioning, mini-kitchens and terraces. Unlike other popular hotels, there is no chic furniture or the famous chef. The whole charm of this place is that here you can be alone with nature. The cost of one night for two per season is $ 128. More information can be found here.

David's Fancy Apartment is a modern, cozy hotel located in the city center. This place is perfect for both young people and family people. All rooms are equipped with the latest technology - there is air conditioning, TV, a large kitchen with new-fashioned devices. The disadvantages include the lack of terraces and a green area for relaxing on site. The cost of one night for two per season is $ 155.

Like the first hotel on the list, Yehelim Boutique Hotel is located on the outskirts of Arad, overlooking the desert. Tourists who have been here note that this is an ideal option for those who love nature, but do not want to leave the city. The pluses of the rooms include the huge balconies that are in each room. The cost of one night for two is $ 177.Find out RATES or book any accommodation using this form

Weather and climate - when is the best time to come?

Since the city of Arad is located in the desert, the temperature here never drops below 7 ° C (January). In July, it can reach 37.1 ° C. The climate in the Judean desert is arid, with warm winters and hot summers. The air is dry mountain, so local sanatoriums are especially good for treating respiratory diseases.

The best time to visit is spring and late autumn. It is definitely not worth coming here in June, July, August and September, since the temperature reaches maximum levels. In April, October and November, the temperature varies from 21 to 27 ° C, and at this time the best weather is for visiting not only Arad, but also Israel as a whole.

Since Arad is located in the desert, rains here are a rarity. The driest months are July, August and September. The highest rainfall is 31 mm in January.

How to get to Arad from Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv and Arad are separated by 140 km. Getting from one city to another is easy.

Bus No. 389 runs from Tel Aviv to Arad 4 times a day (at 10.10, 13.00, 18.20, 20.30) only on weekdays. Travel time is about 2 hours. The bus leaves from the New Central Bus Station (Central Bus Station) stop. Arrives at Arad Central Station. The cost is 15 euros. Tickets can be purchased at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station.

Almost all bus transportations in the country are handled by the company Eged. You can book a ticket for any destination in advance on their official website: www.egged.co.il/en.

Landing in Tel Aviv at the Arlozorov Terminal station on bus number 161 (also Egged). Transfer to bus No. 558 in Bnei Brak (Chason Ish station). Travel time along the route Tel Aviv - Bnei Brak - 15 minutes. Bnei Brak - Arad - a little less than 2 hours. The cost is 16 euros. You can buy a ticket at the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv or on the official website of the company.

Bus number 161 runs every hour from 8.00 to 21.00. Bus number 558 runs 3 times a day: at 10.00, 14.15, 17.00.

Boarding train number 41 at the Hashalom train station in Tel Aviv. Travel time is 2 hours. The cost is 13 euros. You can buy a ticket at the city's railway station or at any station along the route. The train leaves Tel Aviv every day at 10.00 and 16.00.

You can track changes in the schedule and new flights on the official website of the Israeli Railways - www.rail.co.il/ru.

On a note! You can find out about beach vacations and prices in Tel Aviv on this page.

Useful Tips

1. Often, enterprising residents of the city of Arad in Israel mislead tourists, saying that Arad stands on directly on the shores of the Dead Sea. Of course, this is not at all true.

2. Often living in Arad and driving a rented car to the sea every day is much cheaper than renting a small room in one of the resorts of the Dead Sea.
3. Arad rises in the middle of the desert, so be prepared for the temperature and stock up on different clothes (the same applies to many other cities in southern Israel).
4. Book your accommodation in Arad in advance. There are not so many hotels and private villas, and they are never empty during the season.
5. It should be borne in mind that the roads leading to Arad are among the most dangerous in Israel. They are a mountain serpentine, and riding on them is quite extreme. But the highway offers beautiful views.
6. To travel to the Masada fortress, choose a hot day, because the attraction is in the middle of the desert, and there is nowhere to hide from the scorching sun.
7. Please note that many buses and trains in Israel run only on weekdays.

Arad (Israel) is a cozy city near the famous salt lake with unique healing properties. It is worth staying here for those who want to explore ancient sights and save some on vacation.

Masada Fortress off the southwest coast of the Dead Sea, in Israel

Watch the video: Negev and Judean Deserts around Arad, Israel, near Dead Sea. Арад, Израиль, Мёртвое море. (November 2024).