Masada
- Address:Masada
- Hours:Apr - Sept 8am - 5pm, Oct - Mar 8am - 4pm. Fridays and holiday eves, site closes one hour earlier.
- Admission:Cable Car entrance: NIS 67; Snake Path entrance: NIS 25
UNESCO Heritage Site, UNESCO Heritage Site, UNESCO Heritage Site, Palace, Palace, Palace, Ruin - Ancient, Ruin - Ancient, Ruin - Ancient, Synagogue, Synagogue, Synagogue, Town / City, Town / City, Town / City
4:15 AM Monday, May 28
Clear. Mild.
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The incredible fortress of Masada, located in the astonishing Judean Desert near the Dead Sea, has been symbolic to the Israeli people since the Roman era, symbolizing bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of adversity. The plateau is surrounded by rocky cliffs on all sides, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
Upon arriving, you can either walk to the entrance or take a cable car lift. While the cable car is the fastest way to reach the site, you can walk up the two beautitful paths of either the "Snake Path" or the Roman Ramp.
When you have reached the top, explore Herod's palace complex with its amazing ancient bath houses and mosaics. There are also remnants of Roman encampments, synagogues, and homes. Combined with the breathtaking views of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, Masada is an experience not to be missed.
Latest Reviews All Masada Reviews »
floating in the Dead Sea is bizzare, and worth the trip. Masada is a fascinating peice of ancient history, and the tour guide did a good job of explaining what we saw: much better than wandering around by ones-self
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Great day trip with an excellent guide(Zahi). His enthusiasm for the history of his country was infectious. There was the obligatory visit to the factory shop to buy Dead Sea products but it didn't last too long. Masada is exposed and hot - take a hat and water. Herod the Great showing off his building skills and we can still marvel at them 2 thousand years later. The story of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans is the sad or proud climax to the visit. Still so much to excavate. Will be worth visiting again. Floating in the Dead Sea is a must so take towels and costumes and flip flops (sharp stone under-foot). As it is shrinking at an alarming rate better experience it now. We passed by the caves of Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found by nomad shepherd. We also passed groups of Bedouin who still prefer the nomadic life with their goats, sheep and camels. Some things don't change. A fascinating day trip.
Continue Reading »Practical Info
If you have a private car, you can access Masada from either Road 90, which runs along the coast of the Dead see, or Road 3199 from Arad. There is a parking lot at the end of the road, from which you can ascend the plateau.
If you're taking a bus, you can take the 486 from Jerusalem or Ein Gedi, or the 421 from Tel Aviv.
