Southern District: Oases, Craters and History

Oasis streams, an introduction to the natural features of the Ramon Crater and important evidence of ancient history give the Southern District its many different facets. When planning a trip, you can consider whether nature and wildlife, archaeological sites or outdoor activities should be your main focus. The destinations offer very different points of interest to choose from.

Oases, Water and Nature

The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve includes Israel’s largest oasis. Springs and waterfalls, flowing streams, ibex and rock hyraxes shape its natural landscape. One way to experience the area is the hiking trail along Nahal Arugot, which flows year-round: it leads to a hidden waterfall and pools in the upper reaches. Here, the focus is on water and wildlife. If you are especially curious about streams and an oasis on an outing, Ein Gedi offers a different nature experience from the region’s historic sites.

The Ramon Crater also offers a nature-focused perspective. The visitor centre combines the life story of Lieutenant Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut, with an introduction to the world’s largest crater and its distinctive natural phenomena. The crater is part of the Zin Cliffs and Negev Highlands nature reserves. The visitor centre therefore focuses both on a personal life story and on natural geological features; both are part of the introduction.

Besor Park (Eshkol) offers another way to combine nature with outdoor activities. It lies on the eastern bank of the river at Ein Besor Spring and is described as an oasis with extensive lawns, picnic facilities and children’s playgrounds. It also has signposted cycling trails and a disc golf course. Families can take the park’s specific amenities into account; those interested in cycling will find dedicated signposted routes there. The range of activities makes the park a different kind of nature destination from Ein Gedi or the Ramon Crater Visitor Centre.

Ancient Sites and Their History

Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Road in the Negev Highlands. This connection gives the site a clear historical significance: it is a testament to an ancient trade route and to the landscape of the Negev Highlands. Visitors interested in historic sites can consider Avdat as a focus in its own right, alongside nature reserves and park activities.

Masada is a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the final resistance of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 AD. The remains preserved there include Herod’s palaces and undisturbed Roman siege works. These are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world. The combination of the story of resistance and the preserved structures makes Masada a historic destination with several specific facets. If you would like to explore it, remember to register in advance in the visitor coordination system: this secures a place at Masada National Park for your selected visit date.

Another historical landmark is the Canaanite Gate in Ashkelon. It was built from mud bricks and kurkar bricks, dates from 1850 BC and is considered the oldest vaulted gate in the world. The natural side of Ashkelon National Park is something different: its southern part is a nature reserve for the distinctive flora and fauna of the sand dunes. Those interested in historic architecture and protected dune landscapes therefore have two distinct themes to consider when choosing a trip.

From Tel Be’er Sheva, you can look out over modern Beersheba. Together with Avdat, Masada and the gate at Ashkelon, this view adds a perspective on a modern city to the region’s historical points of interest.

Plan Your Visit and Prioritise Your Interests

When planning your trip, it may help to first choose the destinations that interest you most and then shape your stay around them.

More places in the Southern District: Eilat, Beersheba, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ein Bokek, Dimona, Ein Tamar, Mitzpe Ramon, Arad, Hatzeva, Amatzia, Mashabei Sadeh, Sede Boker, Midreshet Ben Gurion, Be'er Sheva, Kiryat Malachi, Merhav Am, Zuqim, Ein Gedi, Giv'ot Bar, Mishmar HaNegev, Meitar, Elifaz, Revivim, Kokhav Michael, Be'er Ora, Maslul, Sapir, Idan and Kfar Menahem.

For the overarching travel overview: Israel.