Introducing The Negev
The Negev Desert, often bypassed by travellers hurrying to Eilat, is much more than just sand.
Look closely between the rocks of the wadis (valleys) and you will find water and even wine. The Negev Highlands region is also home to so many vineyards that it now has its own wine route. Today, ecologists from all over the world come to the kibbutzim of Sde Boker and the Arava to study solar energy and water treatment. But this isn’t new. Two thousand years earlier, the Nabataeans cultivated grapes and practically invented desert irrigation, which can still be seen at the ancient ruins of Shivta, Mamshit and Avdat.
This region, comprising 62% of Israel’s land mass, may seem sparse but it offers a world of adventure, including mountain hikes, camel treks, 4WD desert drives and Red Sea diving. Yet perhaps the biggest secret of the Negev is Makhtesh Ramon, a crater-like wilderness, which feels like another planet.
Activities in The Negev
Eilat
Wedged between Jordan and Egypt, and separated from the Israel of international headlines by 200km of desert, Eilat is a resort town where glitzy, ziggurat-like hotels line an artificial lagoon and glass-bottomed boats ply deteriorating coral reefs.
Mitzpe Ramon
Mitzpe is Hebrew for ‘watchtower’, and accordingly, this small but engaging desert town is perched above the dramatic Maktesh Ramon crater.
The Negev destination guides
The Arava
Hotels in The Negev
Budget Hotels & Hostels in The Negev
Guesthouses and B&Bs in The Negev
Apartments in The Negev
Arad
On the road between Be’er Sheva and the Dead Sea, this lethargic eastern Negev community benefits from its surrounding wealth of mineral deposits.
Entertainment in The Negev
Be'ersheva
There’s no denying that Be’er Sheva (Bear Share-Vah) is a hot and ugly town, developed quickly in the ’60s and still growing.
Shopping in The Negev