Off-the-Beaten-Path in Israel: The Negev Desert

One of the best ways to see the Negev Desert is on a road trip through Israel. Sure, you can fly from Tel Aviv to Eilat in 45 minutes, but it is much more scenic (and after you factor in airport wait times and delays) it is almost quicker to do the drive. We know; we did both.

Driving through the Negev Desert

There are two main roads running through the Negev Desert. The faster but less scenic road is Highway 90, which runs north south along the border with Jordan. The preferred road to take is Highway 40, a winding, less direct road to Masada, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv, but a this is a road that has a lot more to see and do along the way. If you are going to be driving through the Negev Desert, this is the road you should take.

The roads in Israel are well-paved, in perfect condition, with an abundance of street signs. We found it very easy to drive here. In fact, many of the roads were in better condition than those we have in the US.

On the drive, there are two things you have to watch out for: camels and tanks. No joke. Part of the drive goes through a military training area and this is where you could meet a tank crossing the road.

Best Things to See in the Negev Desert

The Desert Scenery. For most of the drive, it will be yellowish-tan sandy mountains stretching out in all directions. It’s quite beautiful and it is a landscape that is very unique from many other parts of the world.

Masada. Yes, Masada is in the Negev Desert. It is also one of Israel’s most popular tourist attractions. With enough time, you can combine a tour of the Negev Desert with a visit to both Masada and the Dead Sea.

Makhtesh Ramon.  Makhtesh Ramon, a giant crater in the Negev Desert, is Israel’s version of the Grand Canyon. The best views are from the lookout at Mitzpe Ramon. Many say that this is one of the highlights of the Negev Desert.

Jeep and Camel Tours. Desert Eco Tours, a company that we hired for our two day excursion to Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan, also does camel and Jeep tours of the Negev Desert.

Ben-Gurion Grave. Located in Sde Boker are the graves of David and Paula Ben-Gurion. The best part of coming here are the desert views, some of the best we saw in the entire Negev Desert. To make the visit even more memorable, a family of ibex walked right in front of us.

Timna Park. Hike among strange rock formations and explore one of the world’s earliest copper mines. Timna Park is located just north of Eilat.

Wine Route. Located just north of Sde Boker is Negev wine country. Grapes can grow here with state of the art irrigation systems, producing both red and white wines. A recommended winery is Yatir Winery.

Hiking. Ein Avdat National Park is one of the best hiking locations in the Negev Desert. Hike through desert scenery to a surprisingly cold pool of water. The National Israeli Trail spans the entire country from north to south. The portion of the trail through the Negev Desert is supposed to be one of the most stunning. For more information about hiking in the Negev Desert, visit the Negev Trails website.

For More on Israel and Jordan:

• 10 Day Israel and Jordan Itinerary
• 30 Things to do in Jerusalem, Israel
• Day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea
• Best things to do in Petra, Jordan

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