The colorful and young city of Arad, Israel. Arad - a young city with a rich history Tel Arad - National Park

Modern Arad is located in the south of Israel, in close proximity to the ancient Arad mentioned in the Bible, destroyed more than 2700 years ago. The city itself is 25 km west of the Dead Sea and 45 km east of the city of Beersheba. Arad stands on a mountain pass in the middle of the desert, at an altitude of 640 m above sea level. The local climate is considered more favorable and easily tolerated than that which has developed in the immediate vicinity of the Dead Sea.

Arad has dry mountain air, so local resorts are recommended for the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

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How to get to Arad

By bus

• By bus

Arad can be reached by bus from Beersheba (journey time 45 minutes), Ein Gedi (1.5 hours), Ein Bokek, Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. All buses arrive at the central bus station of the city, located at the intersection of Rehov Yehuda and Yerushalayim streets.

• By car

Highway 31 connects Arad with Beersheba in the west and the Dead Sea in the east. The road has two interchanges - highway No. 80 and No. 3199, along which you can get to the popular attraction of Israel - the Masada fortress in half an hour.

Search for flights to Tel Aviv (nearest airport to Arad)

Weather in Arad

Arad is located in an arid mountainous area, so summers are always dry and hot. In winter, rains are also infrequent, with the most precipitation falling from December to February.

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Popular hotels in Arad

Treatment

Arad treats diseases of the respiratory tract, including asthma and bronchitis. This resort is also recommended for patients with psoriasis, arthritis, skin and nervous disorders. Treatment methods: mud applications, face and body cosmetic cleansing, massage, anti-stress therapy, soothing baths.

Entertainment and attractions of Arad

In the center of Arad there is an information office for tourists where you can get acquainted with the geology and history of the formation of the Judean Desert, find out information about trekking routes in the desert and its main attractions, buy maps and books. The center is open to visitors from April to September from 8:00 to 17:00 and from October to March from 8:00 to 16:00.

National Archaeological Park

Tel Arad National Park, surrounded by mountain ranges, is very interesting, located on the site of an ancient city, just 10 km west of modern Arad. The archaeological complex is divided into two parts - upper and lower, which was inhabited during the Eneolithic period around 4000 BC. e. The park is open to visitors from 8:00 to 17:00 (from April to September), from October to March from 8:00 to 16:00.

The extensive settlements on the site of which Arad is located belong to the Bronze Age and lasted until 2650 BC. e. During the migration of the Israelites in the 11th century. BC e. the area acquired the status of a city known as the Citadel. The most significant archaeological find is considered to be an ostracon - a clay shard, along with expensive papyri, it also served for records. On the shard found, the Citadel is referred to as the "House of Yahweh" ("Yahweh" is the Hebrew probable pronunciation of the name of God).

Up to 597-577. BC e. during the reign of the Jewish kings, the Citadel was repeatedly rebuilt until it was completely destroyed during the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II. However, with the siege of Jerusalem, the Citadel was not completely abandoned. In the 5th-4th centuries. BC e. during the Persian period of rule, about 100 ostraca were written in Aramaic.

The citadel and sanctuary discovered during excavations in Arad were built during the time of Kings David and Solomon.

Thus, in one place, one above the other, several fortresses were built that existed during the reign of the Hellenes and Romans. The citadel stood until the final destruction of Jerusalem, and then lay in ruins for 500 years until 861 AD. e. Then a new fortress was erected in its place, which is considered the last building on the territory of ancient Arad.

Fortress Masada

One of the most popular attractions in Israel is the Masada fortress, located in the Judean Desert at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. Fortress dating back to 37-31. BC e., was completed in 25 BC. e. King Herod the Great, who built a shelter on this place for himself and his family. At present, Herod's palace, a synagogue, water tanks, fragments of mosaics have been preserved on the territory of the fortress.

Ein Gedi

In the immediate vicinity of Masada is the Ein Gedi oasis, the territory of which is recognized as a national reserve. The reserve is located on the coast of the Dead Sea and runs along the eastern border of the Judean Desert. In Ein Gedi, the David and Arugot waterfalls, the Dodim karst cave and the ancient synagogue are noteworthy. The reserve is open to visitors from 8:00 to 17:00 (from April to September), from October to March - from 8:00 to 16:00, the entrance fee is 29 ILS.

Not far from the oasis of Ein Gedi is the settlement of Qumran, famous for its cache of scrolls found in nearby caves.

City in Israel near the Dead Sea, Arad

There are wonders of the world that not everyone knows about. There are still unique places on the planet with a miraculous climate. We found such a place 25 km from the eighth wonder of the world - the Dead Sea. This place is the city of Arad, Israel. A few years ago, UNESCO recognized Arad as the most environmentally friendly city in the world! Arad has a truly unique location in the middle mountains, at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level, at the junction of the Judean Desert and the Negev Desert. The unique climate of Arad is formed by dry winds from the desert and the healing air streams of the Dead Sea mixed with them, saturated with bromine, oxygen and other useful substances. The city has the purest dry hypoallergenic air. Since the 60s of the 20th century, the construction of industrial enterprises has been prohibited within a radius of 10 km from Arad.

All these factors have made Arad a destination for millions of tourists from all over the world, especially those with medical conditions such as allergies, asthma, diseases of the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, dermatitis, psoriasis and other diseases. The healing climate of Arad itself and the opportunity to visit the beaches of the Dead Sea every day is a unique combination.

On the Dead Sea itself, in Israel, there is only one resort village - Ein Bokek, where almost all Israel's hotels on the Dead Sea are located. The cost of living in these hotels is quite high, and long-term accommodation near the Dead Sea itself is generally impossible due to the specifics of the climate.

Thus, the optimal climate situation and an interesting price offer for all types of tourists, and especially for people with health indications and who need to improve their health at the Dead Sea and its environs, is just that!!! Arad. By the way, the mayor of Arad is Russian-speaking

But what does Arad offer today to millions of tourists from all over the world?

*According to statistics, only in the USA, Europe and Russia more than 100 million man suffering from asthma

Arad is an amazing place not only in terms of climate. It is one of several cities in Israel that still has the status of a "development city" in Israel, tax incentives and, most interestingly, relatively low real estate prices!

For example, a good 4-room apartment of 100 sq.m. in the city center can be bought for $170,000 , and a simple kopeck piece for $ 60,000, a house of 150 sq.m. with a plot of 5 acres for $ 250,000. At the same time, real estate prices in Israeli major cities are significantly higher. The rise in real estate prices in Israel is the most stable among all developed countries in the world. Over the past 7-8 years, prices have increased by an average of 80%

The tourist infrastructure in the city is poorly developed. There are only 8 hotels and mini hotels, among them only 2 hotels with more than 50 rooms. At the same time, in the high season, for example, October-November 2012, the occupancy of these 8 hotels is 100% (according to booking. com ). The city administration is extremely interested in the development of tourism infrastructure and is ready to discuss benefits for investors, and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism in certain situations can allocate concessional financing for the construction of new hotels with up to 25% participation in investments.

In Arad, there are operating or almost ready-for-operation mini-hotels for sale. For example, a cimer (private mini-hotel) 240 sq.m., 9 rooms, consists of two parts with separate entrances and yards, plot area 1000 sq.m. for sale for $370,000, there is the possibility of building a 2nd floor throughout the entire area of ​​​​the house.

Today's Arad is a small but modern city with all the relevant attributes: schools, clinics, shopping malls, sports clubs, etc.

The city is very well located geographically. If you look at the map, then, just Arad is the geographical center of Israel (and not Tel Aviv or Jerusalem - as many people think). From Arad - to Tel Aviv 140 km (1 hour 30 minutes) to Jerusalem 145 km (1 hour 40 minutes), to Eilat 220 km (2 hours 20 minutes). So, we again see the uniqueness of Arad. Living in this city it is most convenient to visit three!!! At the same time, the seas live very close to the most wonderful - the Dead Sea. You can reach the Mediterranean Sea (by car) in an hour and a half, and the Red Sea in two and a half hours. And it will take about an hour and a half to get to Jerusalem.

But what is the reason for its popularity among tourists? The city itself is very young, it is barely half a century old, so many historical sights cannot be seen here. To go 25 km, there are no large lakes and rivers nearby. The secret of Arad is in its unique status, which was awarded to the city by the World Organization of UNESCO. It is recognized as the most environmentally friendly city on earth. Therefore, it is clear why tourists from all over the world come here for the most valuable thing - health.

Some facts about the city of Arad

A little about the city itself:

Things to do?

Most of the tourists who come to Arad spend their holidays here in a sanatorium format. Dry mountain air has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, so people come here to treat chronic bronchitis and asthma. Also, several clinics in the city accept patients with diagnoses such as arthritis, psoriasis, nervous disorders, and various skin diseases. Treatment, as a rule, is carried out in the form of a complex of absolutely painless and even pleasant procedures: mud applications, massage, soothing baths, anti-stress therapy, cosmetic cleansing.

But treatment is not all that you can do in Arad. There are many interesting sights in the city and its environs. Among them:

Arad also has a tourist center (Ben Yair Street 28), where you can get detailed information about the proposed excursions, main attractions, accommodation places, addresses of city institutions (hospitals, banks, police stations). Here you can also watch an interesting audiovisual presentation about the problem of water in the Judean Desert, see an interactive model and a photo of Tel Arad.

Where to stay?

The main part of the places where you can stay for the night is represented by small guest houses (there are about 15 of them in the city) and apartments (about 20 in the whole of Arad). Among them there are budget options where you will pay from €35 to €60 per night:

• Desert Bird Guest House;
• Zman Midbar Eco Spirit Lodge;
• Oasis Negev;
• Shimon Street Apartment;
• Art Guest House Vanzetti's Studio.

You can stay with more comfort in more comfortable apartments and guest houses (price per night from €70 to €120).

At the highest level (from € 200 per night), you can relax in Arad in places such as A Picture In the Desert guest house, Boutique Hotel Yehelim or guest house Kfar Hanokdim.

There is also an ordinary hotel in Arad, as in the main resorts of Israel. This . The average price for living here is about €75.

All prices are for July 2017. In the "low season" housing in Arad can be rented cheaper.

Restaurants and cafes

Most guest houses offer tourists additional catering services. But in the city itself there are many good places where you can eat deliciously. This:

The city also has many small eateries, bistros and inexpensive fast food cafes.

Weather in Arad

The climate is positioned as warm Mediterranean, but due to the fact that Arad is located high above sea level, conditions are created here that are different from those characteristic of this climatic type. The air is much drier and cleaner. Thanks to this and the fact that there are no sharp temperature changes in this area, it is so good and easy to breathe here at any time of the year.

Which is located on a mountain pass, in the most sultry desert, which has the name Judaic. Arad is a beautiful modern Israeli town. Not far from it, in the immediate vicinity, are the remains of the ancient city of Arad, which is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. Old Arad was destroyed more than 2700 years ago.

What is remarkable about the city of Arad in Israel? Firstly, these are the most beautiful landscapes that surround it, they can be called simply magical. Here, in the Judean Desert, peace reigns, and the dry climate has healing properties. In addition, fascinating tours of Israel and unexplored excursion routes through the corners of the desert are just a small part of what the magical city of Arad in Israel has to offer.

And yet, Arad, at the same time, is a modern, young city, which is perfectly designed and built according to international standards of modern construction. And therefore, even after 45 years after its creation, the city is very beautiful, clean. There are no problems with parking cars, no traffic jams, and the city's residents are very happy to host guests from all over the world.

The location of Arad in Israel is very advantageous and has several advantages. In the eastern part there is a unique Dead Sea - the world-famous resort of Israel, with its healing properties and picturesque, simply unrealistically beautiful landscapes.

The location of the city of Arad in Israel has several advantages. In the eastern part, the Dead Sea is located, which is not only famous for its healing properties, but has simply unrealistically beautiful landscapes, a healing climate and huge wealth - mineral-rich mud, water and salt.

We can say that the city is located in the desert, it is surrounded by the sands of the picturesque Judean Desert and the Negev Desert. The Negev Desert of Israel is not just endless dull sands, there is something to see here: impressive mountain canyons, ridges and bizarre rocks.

And a few kilometers from Arad is a vast area occupied by forest. This forest is the largest of all planted forests in Israel, its name is Yatir. In this man-made forest, there is an atmosphere of tranquility and silence. The atmosphere is European.

We can say that Arad in Israel is both the gateway to the stunning expanses of the deserts, and the ideal starting point for traveling around the country, excursions and holidays in the resorts of Israel, as well as a wonderful place to live near the Dead Sea. The city itself is located on a high plateau in the desert, where the air is unusually clean and transparent. There are also sights of Israel in Arad that you can see. Not far from the modern city of Arad lies the hill of Tel Arad. This hill is the remains of an ancient city that is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible.

The city has an ancient history, it was destroyed more than once, it was reborn like a phoenix again. Here at one time there was a fortress erected by King Solomon. A sanctuary was built behind the huge walls of the ancient fortress, which fully corresponds to the description of the Tabernacle of the Covenant in the Bible. Here, in this fortress, a huge number of people visited, at different times - Persians, Romans, Greeks. The city controlled the route from ancient Canaan to the city of Edom. The fortress of King Solomon was destroyed more than once. Today, her remains have been restored. New Arad in Israel was established in 1961, it is considered a city of development, young and promising. Due to the fact that the city and its environs have a wonderful climate, Arad today is a resort town. Asthma and other diseases of the respiratory system are treated here.

But, the city is known not only for its health resorts, it is developing in any direction, including its industry. In Arad, there are enterprises that are engaged in the extraction and processing of minerals. Today, 30,000 people live and work in the modern city of Arad, Israel. Not far from Arad, 50 kilometers away, is another resort town - Beer Sheva, the capital of the Negev.

You can get from Arad in Israel to the unique Dead Sea by highway in 20 minutes, the distance is 25 kilometers. Even the road to Beersheba itself is a local landmark. After all, this is not just a road, it is a mountain serpentine, which is one of the most beautiful and unusual roads in the country. Along the way, magnificent views open up that you can admire almost endlessly, because behind every turn there are more and more new delights. Sometimes you can even doubt - are all these creations of nature, and not human hands. Therefore, this road, its unique landscapes attract tourists with their beauty for photo sessions. The pictures come out amazingly unique and beautiful.

Another of the local attractions of Arad in Israel is the Massada Fortress, located near the city. Massada is a famous historical monument in Israel. The only way to get to the famous light and sound show at Massada is through the city of Arad. The show is shown on the inner slopes of the old fortress from the side of the sandy mountains. But you can visit the fortress itself only through the Dead Sea.

There are also various observation platforms in Arad, installed in the most beautiful and spectacular places, with paths for walking. A favorite place for walking, relaxing and picnicking in Arad in Israel is Arad Park, which was formed by the Israel Land Trust. The museum created based on the Bible, "Biblical Arad", as well as the Museum of Glass, will also be interesting for tourists. No less interesting is the quarter where contemporary artists live and work, galleries and art workshops are located here.

The advantage of living in Arad is that, compared to hotels located on the shores of the Dead Sea, housing here is affordable and has quite reasonable prices for accommodation. Therefore, when planning a trip to Israel to the Dead Sea, you need to know that tourists will always be welcome in this city, offering excellent service at a minimal cost. If we talk about the infrastructure of the city, then there is also a huge shopping center, various shops and shops, stylish bars, restaurants, cafes, billiard rooms and cinemas.

Getting to Arad in Israel is very easy. This small town has its own airstrip, and therefore it is possible to fly into the city on the plane of one of the companies that serves domestic flights. You can get to Arad by bus. There is a bus connection with Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ein Bokek. Buses in any direction depart from Arad in Israel from the central bus station. Traveling in Israel by car, you can get to Arad along Highway No. 31, which connects Arad with the city of Beer Sheva on the west side, and on the east with the Dead Sea.