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: they come here for the treatment of 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 2,700 years ago, the ancient settlement was destroyed, and in 1921 a new city appeared in its place. Today, it is home to about 25,000 people, most of whom (80%) are Jewish.
Over the centuries, people have made many attempts to settle in the Judean Desert in Israel, but due to the lack of fresh water and the unbearable climate, there were few people willing 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 main part of the population) and other countries, it greatly increased in size. At the beginning of zero, there were so many visitors from far abroad that the crime situation in the city began to deteriorate rapidly. Now everything is calm on the territory of the Judean Desert, because the measures taken by the authorities in time were able to prevent undesirable consequences.
As the city of Arad stands in the middle of the desert, there is little green here, unlike cosmopolitan Tel Aviv and the Israeli capital Jerusalem. But relatively close (25 km) is the Dead Sea.
Things to do
Excursions
Since the city is located near the Dead Sea, excursions are often combined with rest on the healing lake. However, if you want to explore the city on your own, you should pay attention to the following attractions:
Masada Fortress and cable car
A cable car runs from Arada to Masada Fortress (900 metres). The trailers move slowly, so you can get a good look at everything that passes from below.
Masada is the largest and most famous landmark in the city of Arad, located at the highest point of the Judean Desert. On the vast territory of the fortress, you can see the Palace of Herod (or the Northern Palace), the Western Palace, the armory and synagogue, the mikvah (ablution pool) and baths. The landmark is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can get to the fortress by using the Masada cable car, which starts just in Arad.
Read more about the fortress in this article.
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Ein Gedi is an incredibly beautiful oasis located in the middle of an arid desert. Walking through this place you can see many waterfalls, high cliffs, and more than 900 species of plants growing on well-groomed lawns. In some parts of the reserve live wild animals: mountain goats, foxes, hyenas. The Dead Lake (Ein Gedi Resort) is 3 km away.
For more information about the reserve, see this page.
Glass Museum
If you don’t want to stay in the hotel, and the street is characteristic of Israel unbearable heat, it’s time to go to the Glass Museum, where you can see the works of the famous Israeli master Gideon Friedman. The gallery offers master classes (every Saturday) and guided tours (several times a week).
Tel Arad National Park
The park is located on the very 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 a well-preserved ancient reservoir. Especially interesting to visit this attraction will be for children and teenagers.
Treatment and wellness at the Dead Sea
It is not difficult to go to the Dead Sea on your own from Arad, because they are separated by 25 km. Many tourists prefer to live in Arad (where housing is cheaper), and go to the lake every day to relax. All conditions are created for this: buses and minibuses leave Arad every hour. Travel time is less than half an hour. On the way to the resort, you can meet camels, goats and sheep, as well as enjoy the breathtaking views from the car window.
However, you can choose a more convenient option – accommodation near the sea. The most famous resorts are: Ein Bokek (31 km from Arad), 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 Gendi is located near the nature reserve of the same name. The resort has only 3 hotels, 2 beaches and a few 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 cozy resort on the shores of the Dead Sea. There are 6 hotels, 4 beaches and a couple of shops. You will not be able to relax cheap in this village, since all hotels operate on an all-inclusive system.
Prices in the resorts are much higher than in Arad, but living near the sea is clearly more convenient.
Hotels in Arad
There are about 40 hotels and hostels in the city of Arad in Israel. Luxury apartments are difficult to find here, but you will definitely find comfortable and inexpensive housing. The best 3* hotels are considered:
Dead Sea Desert’s Edge
This hotel offers rooms with desert views. 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 a famous chef. The beauty of this place is that you can be alone with nature. The cost of one night for two in the season is $ 128.
David’s Fancy Apartment
David’s Fancy Apartment is a modern and cozy hotel located in the city center. This place is perfect for both young people and families. All rooms are equipped with the latest technology-air conditioning, TV, a large kitchen with newfangled devices. The disadvantages include the lack of terraces and a green area for recreation on the territory of the hotel. The cost of one night for two in the season is $ 155.
Yehelim Boutique Hotel
Like the first hotel on the list, Yehelim Boutique Hotel is located on the outskirts of Arad and overlooks the desert. Tourists who have visited here note that this is an ideal option for those who love nature, but do not want to leave the city. The advantages of the rooms include huge balconies, which are in each room. The cost of one night for two is $ 177.
Weather and climate — when is the best time to arrive
Since the city of Arada is located in the desert, the temperature here never falls 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 in spring and late autumn. In June, July, August and September, you should definitely not come here, as the temperature reaches its maximum levels. In April, October and November, temperatures range from 21 °C to 27 ° C, and this is the best time to visit not only Arad, but Israel as a whole.
Since Arad is located in the desert, rain is very rare here. The driest months are July, August and September. In January, the highest amount of precipitation falls – 31 mm.
How to get to Arad from Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv and Arad are separated by 140 km. Getting from one city to another is not difficult.
By bus (option 1)
Bus number 389 runs from Tel Aviv to Arad 4 times a day (at 10.10, 13.00, 18.20, 20.30) only on weekdays. The journey time is about 2 hours. The bus departs from the New Central Bus Station. Arrives at Arad Central Station. The price is 15 euros. The ticket can be purchased at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station.
Practically all bus transportation in the country is handled by the Eged company. You can book a ticket to any destination in advance on their official website: www.egged.co.il/.
By bus (option 2)
Boarding in Tel Aviv at the Arlozorov Terminal station by bus number 161 (also operated by Eged). Transfer to bus # 558 in Bnei Brak (Chason Ish station). Travel time on the Tel Aviv-Bnei Brak route is 15 minutes. Bnei Brak Arad – just under 2 hours. The price is 16 euros. You can buy a ticket at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station or on the company’s official website.
Bus # 161 runs every hour from 8.00 to 21.00. Bus # 558 runs 3 times a day: at 10.00, 14.15, 17.00.
By train
Boarding train No. 41 at Hashalom railway station in Tel Aviv. Travel time is 2 hours. The price is 13 euros. You can buy a ticket at the railway station of the city or at any station along the route. The train departs from 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 holidays and prices in Tel Aviv on this page.
Useful tips
- Often enterprising residents of the city of Arad in Israel mislead tourists, saying that Arad stands right on the shore of the Dead Sea. Of course, this is not the case at all.
- It is often much cheaper to live in Arad and drive a rented car to the sea every day than to rent a small room in one of the Dead Sea resorts.
- Arad rises in the middle of the desert, so be prepared for the temperature changes and stock up on different clothes (the same applies to many other cities in southern Israel).
- Book your accommodation in Arad in advance. There are not so many hotels and private villas, and they are never empty during the season.
- Keep in mind that the roads leading to Arad are some of the most dangerous in Israel. They are a mountain serpentine, and driving on them is quite extreme. But from the highway there are beautiful views.
- For a trip to the Masada fortress, choose a low-heat day, because the attraction stands in the middle of the desert,and there is nowhere to hide from the scorching sun.
- 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 stopping here for those who want to see ancient sights and save a little on their vacation.
