Neve Zohar in Israel is one of the most well – groomed and beautiful resorts on the shores of the Dead Sea. Tourists love the village for its clean beaches and picturesque sunsets. There are very few people living here, so the place is perfect for lovers of a calm and measured rest.
General information
Neve Zohar is located in southern Israel, 23 km from the city of Arad. This is the lowest settlement on our planet. The permanent population is 60 people. Neve Zohar means “sparkling, shining stream” in Hebrew.
Despite the fact that over the centuries various settlements have periodically appeared and disappeared on the site of today’s Neve Zohar, the history of the village began only in 1964, when a camp was founded on the shore of the Dead Sea for workers who were engaged in the construction of a nearby factory. Gradually, people began to come to the resort, and in 2008 30 families permanently lived here. All local residents work in the tourism sector: they maintain cafes, restaurants and hotels.
Despite the small size of the settlement, there is everything you need for recreation-shops, spacious beaches, sports fields and other entertainment.
Things to do in Neve-Zohar:
Beaches
There are no public beaches on the territory of Neve Zohar in Israel. According to the signs, it is forbidden to swim here, since the territory is not equipped and the bottom of the Dead Sea in this place is not well explored.
Hamei Zohar
The nearest beach to the resort is located 2 km from the settlement, in the Hamei Zohar village, and has a public (i.e. free) status. As a rule, there are not many tourists here, so tourists can easily find a place for themselves. The beach is about 2 km long. The entrance to the water is gentle, the sand is fine. Children will be comfortable and safe to swim here.
Near the beach there is a parking lot, as well as toilets, changing cabins and large gazebos for relaxing in the shade. There are no sun beds or umbrellas.
Leonardo Hotel Area Beach (Hamei Zohar)
Another beach in Hamei Zohar is located 2.5 km from Neve Zohar. This is a private and therefore paid beach for those who do not live in the Leonardo Hotel. It offers tourists changing rooms, toilets, showers, comfortable sun beds and umbrellas.
The length of the beach is about 800 m. The entrance to the sea is gentle, the sand is fine. Great place for children to swim. The cost for one day is $ 10.
Excursions
Neve Zohar is a small settlement, so there are practically no attractions here. In really interesting places, you will have to go to other cities in Israel.
Cable car and Masada Fortress
The cable car is already a tourist attraction in itself. The small cabins offer impressive views of the desert and Arad. The Dead Sea is visible in the distance.
This is the main attraction of the Judean Desert, located 18 km from Neve Zohar. The fortress is located on a huge rock – the highest point of the region. You will not be able to climb Masada by car, so you need to get to the city of Arad, and then take the cable car that will take you to the fortress.
Detailed information about this landmark in Israel can be found here.
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Ein Gedi is a surprisingly beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert (perhaps the best in Israel). It is home to leopards, mountain goats, antelopes and monkeys. There are more than 900 rare plant species. In the reserve you can see many waterfalls and incredibly beautiful orange rocks. For more information about the reserve, see this article.
Fine Art & Doll Museum
Wax Doll Museum (one of the few in Israel) is located in Arad (25 km from Neve Zohar). The owners of this institution, and, in combination, artists and sculptors, have been making and collecting the most interesting exhibits for more than 30 years. Tourists who have visited here note that this is one of the most interesting museums they have ever visited.
Treatment In Neve-Zohar
All resorts in Israel on the shores of the Dead Sea are famous for sanatoriums that treat skin, urological, gynecological, and neurological diseases. Neve Zohar in Israel is more specialized in the elimination of respiratory diseases. Thanks to the special air (and it is dry and clean here, and also does not contain allergens and harmful emissions), visiting guests significantly improve the condition of their respiratory tract, and in the following years they suffer less from coughs, choking attacks and asthma.
The smallest particles of minerals enter the human body and contribute to its purification. By the way, oxygen on the shore of this sea is 10-15% more than in other regions of Israel. Two weeks at the Dead Sea is proven to replace a year of physical therapy in Europe.
Do not forget about the unique mud and minerals of the Dead Sea, which can cure or significantly improve the course of skin diseases. As a rule, for a more pronounced effect, the patient is referred not only to peloid therapy (treatment with Dead Sea mud), but also to hydrotherapy (treatment with salt water), physical therapy (laser therapy), massage and physical therapy. Medications are prescribed extremely rarely, since the Dead Sea itself is a strong remedy.
Hotels in Neve-Zohar
There are only 6 hotels and several private guest houses in Neve Zohar. The choice of accommodation is very limited, so you should book a room much in advance. The best 3* hotels in the resort include:
Yifat’s Rooms Dead Sea
This 3* hotel in Neve Zohar is located near the Dead Sea. Provence-style rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom are provided in each room. The advantages also include: a spacious terrace, a large dining area in the lobby, the ability to walk with children in the garden on site. The price for one night for two in season is$166. More information about the hotel is available here.
Aloni Neve Zohar Dead Sea
According to tourists, this is one of the best hotels in the Neve Zohar resort. The rooms are small, but they have everything you need for a comfortable stay: household and kitchen appliances, air conditioning, TV. Each room has an attached terrace with 2 sun beds, a dining table and chairs. The price for one night for two in season is$129. You can find out more about the hotel and book a room on this page.
Carmit’s Dead Sea Place
Another cozy hotel with its own picturesque courtyard and spacious rooms. The advantages include:
- Free Wi-Fi is available on site,
- barbecue facilities available at the reception,
- household and kitchen appliances in each room.
Some rooms offer a beautiful view of the mountains. The price for one night for two in season starts from $ 143. More detailed information about the hotel can be found on this page.
Weather and climate — when is the best time to arrive
The temperature at the resort in January rarely falls below +7 °C. In the middle of summer, the thermometer often rises to +33.6°C. The climate in Neve Zohar is arid, with warm winters and long hot summers. The air is dry mountain, so local sanatoriums are especially good for treating respiratory diseases, skin and gynecological ailments.
The best time to visit the resort (as well as others in Israel) is spring (April) and autumn (October, November). At this time, the temperature varies from +24°C to +28°C. In summer and early autumn, Neve Zohar has hot weather, and you should definitely not go here: +35°C — + 38°C.
Neve Zohar resort is located near the Judean Desert of Israel, so precipitation is extremely rare here. The rainiest month is January (31 mm of precipitation falls).
Neve Zohar is a good resort for those who prefer a calm and measured rest and wellness.
