The Israeli Desert – Attractions in Southern Israel

You arrived at my Israeli desert page! The desert in Israel is covering more than half the country, so I figured I might as well write a few words about the interesting spots you can find there at the southern part of Israel.

The biggest city in the Israeli desert is Be'er sheva in the northern Negev. Another city of much interest - and much fun – is the resort town Eilat at the southern end of the Negev (and the country) where it meets the Red Sea.

Not too many Israelis live in the desert – in fact only about 600,000. Among those there are some 200,000 Bedouin inhabitants – Arab speaking nomadic tribes. The majority of the Negev is being used by the Israeli army for training, and the biggest military bases are located in the desert. Still, there are a few interesting spots and attractions that you might want to check out:

• Machtesh Ramon – This huge crater like geological formation is unique to the area. There are 2 more similar craters Hamachtesh Hagadol and Hamachtesh Hakatan.


Machtesh Ramon - a unique geological crater like formation - Picture by Chadica.


• Eilat – The best resort town in Israel (in my opinion).


A hotel at the awesome resort town of Eilat. Picture by Britrob.


• Kibbutz Sde Boker – Home of the late David Ben-Gurion who was the first prime minister of Israel.


A cute Ibex at Kibbutz Sde Boker. Picture by Chadica.


• Timna Park – Not too far from Eilat you will find this natural park that has some of the more bizarre geological formations.


looks a bit like Mars...Timna Park. Picture by Chadica.


• Beersheva – The capital of the Negev and the biggest town.