Coat of arms of Arad (Israel)
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Founded	1962
Time zone	UTC+2, in summer UTC+3
Coordinates	Coordinates: 31°15′37″ N. w. 35°12′53″ E. d. / 31.260278° n. w. 35.214722° E. d. (G) (O) (I)31°15′37″ n. w. 35°12′53″ E. d. / 31.260278° n. w. 35.214722° E. d. (G) (O) (I)
Dialing code	+972 8
National composition	Jews - 80%
Population	23,500 people (2010)
Mayor	Tali Ploskov
Official website	http://www.arad.muni.il/ (Hebrew)

Arad (Hebrew, Arabic) is a city in southern Israel on a mountain pass in the Judean Desert, located in close proximity to the remains of ancient Arad, mentioned in the Bible and destroyed more than 2,700 years ago. Arad is located 25 kilometers west of the Dead Sea and 45 kilometers east of the city of Beersheba. With a population of 23,500 (2010), the city is home to various ethnic and social groups such as Sephardim and Ashkenazim, Black Jews and Bedouins, secular and religious Jews, native Israelis and immigrants. Arad has been recognized by UNESCO as the “most environmentally friendly city in the world.”

The first attempt to renew the Jewish presence in the territory of modern Arad was made in 1921, but the city was founded only in November 1962, as one of the last cities to develop.

Base

The first modern attempt to establish a settlement near ancient Arad was made on February 23, 1921. Nine men and two women tried to settle in the area, but left after 4 months because they could not find water.

A second attempt to develop this area was made in the early 1960s. The development of a plan for the creation of the city began on November 15, 1960, by order of the Cabinet of Ministers with a budget of 50 thousand Israeli liras. The location of the city was approved on January 31, 1961.

Arad was founded in 1962 by 160 young people, natives of Israel and immigrants from Argentina. At an altitude of 640 meters above sea level there is a mountain pass, where the microclimate for human life is much more acceptable than below the Dead Sea. The population mainly works in Dead Sea hotels, in a city on the shore of the Dead Sea called Ein Bokek.

After 1971, Arad received many Jewish immigrants, mainly from the Soviet Union, but also from English speaking countries and Latin America, and its population increased from 4,000 in 1969 to 10,500 in 1974. In the first half of the 1990s, another 6,000 immigrants from the former Soviet Union arrived in Arad.

Location

The highway distance from Arad to the Dead Sea is 25 kilometers. The roads are mainly mountain serpentine, which is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the country. The highway offers beautiful scenery. And from Arad to Beersheba 45 km. Arad is also the closest town on the way to the Masada fortress - famous in Israel historical monument. When the massive construction of hotels began on the Dead Sea coast, it was decided to create a place to live for the workers of these hotels.

Story

Population

The bulk of Arad's residents come from European countries, with immigrants from the USSR making up half of Arad's population. In the city you can meet a lot of Bedouins from surrounding villages. They use Arad's banks and government institutions.

Due to the influx of refugees and illegal emigrants from African countries in 2005-2010. There is a crime situation in the city (as of 2010 there were about a thousand people here).

In the elections for the head of the city of Arad in April 2010, the NDI candidate, Tali Ploskova, won with a convincing margin.

A 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 flows of healing air from the Dead Sea, saturated with bromine, oxygen and other useful substances, mixing with them. The city has the cleanest 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 place where millions of tourists from all over the world flock, 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, there is only one resort village in Israel - Ein Bokek, where almost all of 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 specific climate.

Thus, an optimal climate situation and an interesting price offer for all types of tourists, and especially for people with health conditions and who need health improvement in the Dead Sea and its surroundings, that’s just it!!! 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, in the USA, Europe and Russia alone there are more than 100 million. man has asthma

Arad is an amazing place not only in terms of climate. This is one of the few 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 you can buy for $170,000 , and a simple two-room apartment 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 major Israeli cities are significantly higher. The growth 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. Moreover, in the high season, for example October-November 2012, the occupancy rate 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 incentives for investors, and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism in certain situations can provide preferential financing for the construction of new hotels with up to 25% participation in investments.

In Arad there are operating or almost ready-to-operate mini-hotels for sale. For example, a zimer (private mini-hotel) 240 sq.m. 9 rooms, consists of two parts with separate entrances and courtyards, plot area 1000 sq.m. sold 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 that has all the appropriate attributes: schools, clinics, shopping malls, sports clubs, etc.

The city is very well located geographically. If you look at the map, then 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 again we see the uniqueness of Arad. Living in this city, it is most convenient to visit three!!! The sea while living very close to the most wonderful - the Dead Sea. You can get to the Mediterranean Sea (by car) in one and a half hours, and to the Red Sea in two and a half hours. And the road to Jerusalem will take about an hour and a half.

The Masada fortress is located on the Black Sea coast, near the city of Arad, at the very top of the cliff of the Judean Desert. It was built in the period from 37 to 31 BC by the Hasmoneans, and in 25 BC it was strengthened by King Herod I the Great, who built it into a refuge for his family. Many weapons and food supplies were stored in Masada, an artificial water supply system was created, and the spacious baths were similar to the Roman ones in their style and structure. The remains of this structure were first found in 1862.

The fortress, located on top of a 450-meter cliff, is surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs, which makes it invisible from land. Only towards the sea there is a narrow winding path, which is called the “Snake”. The area where Masada is located has the shape of a trapezoidal flat plateau with dimensions of 600 by 300 meters, which is surrounded by a strong wall.

Today, on the territory of the Masada fortress, Herod’s palace, decorated with fragments of mosaics, a synagogue, water tanks carved into the rocks, baths, storage rooms and weapons depots are preserved. The fortress was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Israel's landmarks.

Glass Museum

The Glass Museum in Arad is a unique phenomenon in the field of plastic art. This is the studio home of artist Gideon Friedman and other artists, where sculptures made from recycled bottle glass are displayed.

The museum was founded in 2007. The permanent exhibition features works by Gideon Friedman, made from recycled glass using a unique technique using burners and kilns designed by the artist himself. In addition, there are glass works by about 20 other artists on display.

The museum hosts master classes and lectures on the properties of glass and methods of processing it. Most of the works on display can be purchased. Visitors are shown a film about the creation of glass sculptures. Friedman himself often conducts excursions.

The museum has, in addition to the main exhibition hall and gallery-shop, an auditorium, a screening room and a workshop. There are conditions for people with disabilities.

What sights of Arad did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Acre Stadium

Acre Stadium, also known as Toto Acre, is a municipal stadium built in the city of Acre, which is located in Israel. This stadium was opened on September 4, 2011, 2.5 years after its construction. This event became a real holiday for the city. The Akko stadium can accommodate up to five thousand spectators, which, in principle, is not a colossal figure.

This stadium is where Hapoel Football Club hosts its home matches and trains its players. The stadium itself was built with funds from the Israeli Railways. At first the stadium was just a training stadium, but then the railway authorities built a new stadium with an arena for the club in the city of Acre.

The new arena cost the sponsors 50 million shekels, but after its construction the old Napoleon Stadium was demolished and a railway was built in its place, which later allowed the railway company to recoup its costs for the new arena and even ultimately remain in pros.

In the north of Israel, near the border with Lebanon, is the city of Kiryat Shmona. It is named after the eight fallen defenders of the legendary settlement of Tel Hai, located next to Kiryat Shmona. The attractions of this city include a museum dedicated to the memory of the defenders of Tel Hai, as well as a cemetery where the defenders are buried. There is a monument by Abraham Melnikov installed on it.

One of the attractions of Kiryat Shmona can be considered the Ironi Stadium. This is a small but very comfortable football stadium. Its “hosts” are considered to be the players of the Ironi football club, who hold games and training at this stadium.

The stadium itself was built in 1989. When the Ironi Stadium football team reached the Israeli top football division, the stadium underwent major renovations and renovations. Concrete stands for spectators were replaced with more modern, plastic ones, and a new scoreboard was installed. And although the number of seats in the stands was reduced to 5,300 people, the stadium only benefited from this. It has become more comfortable and modern, especially since very important matches are not held there anyway.

Doha Stadium

Doha Stadium, also known as the Peace Stadium, is a football stadium that opened in 2006 in the city of Sakhnin. Its capacity is 8,500 people. The Bnei Sakhnin team trains here, and the Akhva team hosts home games.

Construction of the stadium cost 17 million US dollars. In addition, this relatively new stadium, just three years after its construction and opening, underwent reconstruction of its northern stand.

An interesting fact is that Israel allocated only 3.3 million US dollars for the construction of this stadium. Most of the money was provided by the Qatari government. And all this thanks to a member of the same government - Knesset Ahmed Tibi. But the decision itself was made on the day of the election of Knesset Ahmed Tibi as a member of the UN Security Council. And although the construction of the stadium itself was part of the “City of Sports” project, it is clear that without such generous donations from patrons the construction would hardly have been completed. In the near future, it is planned to increase the maximum number of spectators to 13,000 people.

Museum "Zami's Music Box"

The Zami Music Box Museum is one of the most amazing museums of musical instruments. He is in small town ke called Metula near the border with Lebanon.

The museum's collection contains more than 160 musical instruments from more than 50 countries. Among them you can see a variety of string and wind instruments, but a special place in the collection is occupied by keyboard instruments, among which you can see everything: from a piano to an exotic chambelo.

By visiting the museum, you will not only be able to experience the wealth and variety of musical instruments, but also enjoy a concert, the duration of which will depend on your order.

The most popular attractions in Arad with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Arad on our website.

Individual and group

City of Arad- the closest Israeli city to the Dead Sea. That is why Arad is a profitable and worthy alternative to expensive hotels in the Ein Bokek resort on the Dead Sea. Of course, there are not many hotels in Arad - only four, but there are many small cozy guest houses, zimmers and apartments. Thousands of tourists who come for vacation and treatment at the Dead Sea stop in Arad every year, saving significant amounts of money on accommodation and food. Civilization, parks, banks, currency exchange, many shops, a shopping center, playgrounds, many cafes, bars, pizzerias and restaurants. A stunning observation deck, a glass museum, an artists' quarter - there is a lot to do and see in Arad. Arad also has lovely city pool- a favorite leisure spot for local residents. On the territory of the pool complex there is a park area, a Country Club, a rocking chair, a jacuzzi, etc. Unfortunately, at the Dead Sea, after the first 2-3 days and the “duty” tour of local shops, tourists begin to little by little “die” of boredom and regret that there are still 2-3 weeks of such “entertainment” ahead. Indeed, there is no entertainment - the local authorities are opposed, maintaining peace and quiet, protecting the status of a world health resort...

CityArad(Israel)-This is a wonderful, beautiful modern town, located in a pastoral atmosphere, among stunning mountain-desert landscapes, mesmerizing in its beauty, on the border of two Israeli deserts - the Judean Desert and the Negev Desert. From Arad to Dead Sea“nearby”, only 25 kilometers, i.e., approximately 20-25 minutes drive. But not an easy ride! This is a soaring flight over Martian landscapes along a mountain-desert serpentine road, which is rightfully considered one of the mostbeautiful and unusual roads in Israel. The views are exceptionally beautiful, admire them you can endlessly, discovering new beauties that suddenly emerge from around the next turn... Unimaginable forms of mountain canyons, abysses, ridges, amazingly clear symmetry and grace of lines - the feeling is as if you are pouring into it from above at speed and dissolving in this beauty... The photographs presented below are only a tiny piece of clarity that does not fully reflect reality, because how can you photograph the feeling of “breathtaking”? Or "with bated breath"? Impossible!...

Photos of the city of Arad, Israel

Cheap accommodation in Arad- this is a smart solution for those who know how to count their money and who are tired of throwing it away, paying for unreasonably expensive Dead Sea hotels and dooming themselves to very mediocre hotel service and terrible boredom, for which the Ein Bokek resort is so famous, because the world The health resort is not a place for entertainment, and this status (of the health resort) is carefully protected by local authorities.For tourists, it is much more profitable to rent apartments, apartments, guest rooms in Arad, short-term rentals and accommodation in the private sector of Arad are much more profitable than expensive hotels on the Dead Sea. This is exactly what we offer our guests. Our mini-hotel (cimer, boarding house, apartments, home hotel) in Arad welcomes guests from all the republics of the former CIS and Russian-speaking people from all over the world: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Germany, Cyprus, Portugal, Spain, Australia, South Africa, USA, England, etc. We accept guests through this site without intermediaries, our prices are indeed minimal, because We do not cooperate with travel agents and do not pay commissions. We will be happy to welcome you and will make sure that you have a comfortable, carefree, easy and peaceful holiday.

Accommodation in Arad has a lot of undeniable advantages and more and more people understand this and are convinced of it. Having come to visit us, they no longer want to hear about the hotels of the Dead Sea and regret that they did not know anything about Arad before and did not do this earlier. But, as they say, there is always a “first time”...

By the way, I would like to warn exactly those who are traveling for the first time. On the Internet you often find advertisements like: “private sector in Arad for tourists...”, “short-term rental of apartments, apartments, villas in Arad for tourists...”, “daily rental in Arad...”, “apartments in Arad ", "apartments near the Dead Sea", "apartments for rent for tourists..", "apartments in Arad...", "rent with sharing...", "room for rent...", etc. ., etc. Almost all such advertisements indicate: “in the center”, “near the exit from the city...”, “opposite the bus station”, “opposite the shopping center”, “near the center” - and tourists who do not understand what they are talking about, they see this proximity to the center as an important advantage... And now comes the long-awaited vacation, which they have been waiting for, planning, making plans, and in the end - disappointment, nerves, ruined vacation and wasted money. Explanation: The city center and the residential areas adjacent to it are where the city of Arad began 48 years ago. The first residents of Arad, who once bought these apartments for almost nothing, no longer live there, but rent them out (including for tourists), or sell them cheaply, just to get rid of them, since these apartments can be sold at normal market prices. price is impossible - this is the most unprestigious area to live. The promised “apartments” and “apartments after renovation” turn out to be in old, squalid, “destroyed” houses with small loophole windows and dark, crumpled entrances and corners, and even on some floor. Since these apartments are the cheapest (available) both for sale and for rent, the corresponding contingent lives there: the unemployed, the poor, dysfunctional families, drinkers, drug addicts, immigrants from Ethiopia, African refugees, etc. Not the most pleasant neighborhood for a holiday abroad, you must agree... And if it’s also in the same entrance, in the next apartment or above you...

So, gentlemen, think twice before saving a few dollars a day on your comfort, nerves and health!More than once we have received people running away from such a “vacation”, scolding themselves and those who arranged this “vacation” for them. Angry, confused, disappointed, left to their own devices in a foreign country, without minimal help and accompaniment, and not understanding how they could “buy” into this. I really don’t want you to be left with negativity and terrible memories because someone misled you, and you “bought it”, wanting to save money... Analyze! Don't be fooled! After all, rest should be rest, and not a series of discomfort and continuous problems!Trust yourself in good hands!

U distance from the seafor some potential guests who do not have the correct information,seems to be a defining flaw. But this is how beginners think, who still have no idea what the heat is like at the Dead Sea... Experienced tourists already say differently! In fact, the remoteness from the Dead Sea is rather the advantage of Arad, rather than its disadvantage, but this can only be understood and appreciated by visiting here. Or by listening to the advice of experienced people - which is what we suggest you do! Away (or, more precisely, at a height) from the unbearable heat, closer to civilization and away from the noise, hustle and bustle of the resort area - but also nearby at the same time. On the shores of the Dead Sea, with all due respect to its unique healing properties, the climate for human existence and permanent habitation is not very suitable : 420 meters below sea level, stupefying heat up to 46-48 degrees with high humidity - Kenya and Botswana were not even “close”... But 25 km from the Dead Sea, at an altitude of +600 meters above sea level, the microclimate for human life is simply excellent . It is much drier and cooler here due to the altitude and desert climate , and in the evenings and nights - invigorating coolness, which is so welcome after a hot summer day!

Transport accessibility- also not the last thing. A new bus station has been built in Arad, there are many direct flights to different points of the country, in particular to Tel Aviv (5 flights per day). Every 15-20 minutes there are buses to Beer Sheva, this is our “southern capital”, a large and beautiful city. From its huge central bus station you can travel anywhere in the country, all the way to the north.

Modern Arad the city is quite young, it is not yet fifty years old . PThe first attempt to revive this city was made back in 1921 during the English Mandate. Then this business failed due to lack of water in the region and the complete lack of infrastructure.When the massive construction of hotels began on the Dead Sea coast, it was necessary to create a place to stay for the workers of these hotels - and so it was born in this place the city of Arad. Today the city is surrounded by greenery and beauty, so against the backdrop of the surrounding desert such a contrast cannot but please. A real blooming oasis in the midst of a beautiful desert!

Population of Aradtoday it is approximately 20-22 thousand people - the number of the city is constantly changing due to the influx and outflow of youth and the Orthodox population. Many of the city's residents work in hotels, shops and clinics of the Dead Sea; one can say that the Dead Sea is the main employer of the city, a "city-forming enterprise." And, in addition, the industrial zone, which is quite large and modern, also provides jobs for the residents of Arad. Several electronics factories, metalworking, plastics, food industry, cosmetics production, many different private small and medium-sized businesses - in principle, there is enough work for everyone (for those who want to work).

Most of the residents Arad are people from European countries (Ashkenazis are European Jews), and people from the former CIS make up approximately half of the population of Arad. Every institution and store has a Russian-speaking employee, so even without knowing Hebrew, you can walk, choose and buy without complexes or embarrassment - they love tourists here. And on the street, even more so, every second person will answer you native language! Russians in Arad feel very comfortable, there is almost no language barrier and many Russian tourists are even surprised - as if they never left!

Arad: treatment of asthma.

The city of Arad is located in the middle mountains-the most physiological zone for human habitation, at an altitude of +600 meters above sea level, just a twenty-minute drive from the resort complex and the beaches of the Dead Sea. The atmosphere above the city is unique, it is saturated with iodine and bromine ions and does not contain allergenic and industrial pollution, and evaporation from the Dead Sea turns the air of Arad into a truly healing oasis. These qualities, coupled with a mild dry climate (humidity below 35%), not too hot summers (up to 35 degrees) with a refreshing breeze, high insolation (over 335 sunny days a year), magnificent views of the surrounding Judean Mountains and the proximity of the Dead Sea make the city of Arad is extremely attractive for Israeli and foreign tourists who come for vacation and treatment at the Dead Sea. Arad is a generally recognized world resort for the treatment of asthma and other pathologies of the lungs, allergic, neurological and many other diseases. A few years ago, Arad was recognized by UNESCO as “the most environmentally friendly city in the world.”Arad has amazingly clean air, resulting from the mixing of air flows from the Negev Desert and the Dead Sea, not polluted by industrial emissions. This is no coincidence - the city authorities have introduced strict restrictions prohibiting the creation of industrial enterprises in the city and in its vicinity, the emissions of which provoke allergic diseases.

Tests carried out since the 60s show that the air in Arad contains much less harmful components than, say, on the coast. The presence of, for example, allergy-causing pollen in the air of Arad is 50 percent lower than on the coast. At the same time, the content of substances beneficial to health is high. In addition to this, it should be noted that the presence of substances that provoke asthma in house dust in Arad is tens of times less than in the coastal plain. Medical tourism in the Arad area peaks between March and September. The course of treatment for most patients is three to six weeks.

Welcome to Arad - a beautiful city of sun and warmth, a healing and healing city, a city of oriental exoticism, a blooming oasis in the heart of the Judean Desert!!!

The biggest feature of the city of Arad- his young age. Located in the hottest and driest desert in the country. The second feature is that it is a city of migrants; refugees from the former Soviet Union, Latin America and other English-speaking countries periodically came here themselves or were brought by the government. Tourists who come here can hear local conversations in a variety of languages; it turns out to be a mixture of Russian, Ukrainian, English, Spanish, and Hebrew. It’s interesting that the residents themselves understand each other perfectly, and guests will feel comfortable.

Other features of the city: in the eastern part there is the Dead Sea, a healing resort, natural beauty; The city is surrounded by the Negev desert, not only endless sands, but also canyons, rocks and ridges; literally a few kilometers away is the artificially created forest of Yatir.

Arad is considered the optimal choice for the starting point of a trip to Israel. Here you can improve your health, go on an excursion through the desert, get acquainted with the developed industry of the city, and attractions.

There is no winter here, the air temperature does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius, in summer it does not rise above 30. Rain is rare.

Sights of Arad:

• Masada Fortress. Located on the shores of the Dead Sea at the very top of a cliff in the desert. It was a full-fledged dwelling and included baths and weapons depots, barns with food supplies and artificial water supply. The Masada fortress is located at an altitude of 450 m above sea level and is surrounded by cliffs. Excursions to it are conducted regularly; guests can see Herod’s palace, a synagogue with ancient mosaics, food and weapons storage facilities.
• It was founded in 2007 and is a studio of artists who create sculptures from recycled bottle glass. The basis of the collection is the work of Gideon Friedman, who creates them on kilns of his own design and manufacture. The collection constantly includes sculptures of other artists, lectures on glass are held, and all exhibits are sold.

Glass Museum in Arad

• Tel Arad is a national park. Located on the very outskirts of the city, it is famous for its archaeological excavations. Guests are shown the structure of an urban settlement in the first years of our era; there are also examples of the life of residents of the 6th century. The remains of dwellings, specially carved containers in the rocks to collect water, temples and squares have been completely excavated and even partially restored. Of particular interest is the ancient engineering structure– a reservoir in the Lower Town with a huge stone bowl.
• Masada cable car. It leads from Arad to the ancient fortress, length - 900 meters. Small carriages and low speed of movement allow you to explore everything around.

Masada cable car

Popular places to stay:

• Oasis of the Negev. Guest house, there are both single and family rooms. The cost of living is on average 4,000 rubles, including breakfast, use of the jacuzzi, and internet. Buses to the Dead Sea depart regularly from the hotel.
• Arad Hostel. There are cozy rooms and a shared kitchen, where you will have to cook lunch and dinner yourself; breakfast is included in the price (3500 per person per day).
• Masada Holiday. You will have to pay 6,000 rubles per person per day. Guests receive a full range of services, including meals, transfers, and organization of excursions throughout Israel.

Read more in our article about the city of Arad in Israel.

Read in this article

Features of Arad

The biggest feature of the city is its young age, although the place is considered one of the most popular and visited by tourists in Israel. Arad is located in the hottest and driest desert of the country. The first people tried to settle here in 1921, but quickly left the place - they could not find water, without which it is simply impossible to survive.

The second attempt to found a city on the mountain pass in 1962 led to success - 160 residents settled at an altitude of 640 m above sea level, found water and recognized this place as the most favorable for living in terms of climate.

The second feature of Arad is that it is a city of migrants. Periodically, refugees from the former Soviet Union, Latin America and other English-speaking countries came here themselves or were brought by the government.

Tourists who come here can hear local conversations in a variety of languages; the result is a monstrous mixture of Russian (sometimes Ukrainian words slip through), English, Spanish, and Hebrew. It is interesting that the residents themselves understand each other perfectly, and guests will feel comfortable - out of more than 30,000 people you can find someone who will understand explanations and questions.

Here are some other features highlighted by guests of the city of Arad (Israel) and its residents themselves:

• in the eastern part of the city there is the Dead Sea with all that it implies: a healing resort, natural beauty;
• The city is surrounded by the Negev desert and it is not only endless sands, but also canyons, rocks and ridges;
• literally a few kilometers from Arad there is an artificially created Yatir forest - silence, coolness and tranquility are guaranteed.

City of Arad

Arad is considered the optimal choice for the starting point of a trip to Israel. Here you can improve your health at the Dead Sea, go on a tour of the desert, and get acquainted with the developed industry of the city. There are also quite serious sights around the city, mention of which can be found in the Bible.

Weather in the city

There is no winter here! And this weather fact, perhaps, becomes the most important when choosing a stopping place during a trip to Israel. Even in the usual winter months, the air temperature does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius, and in the summer it does not rise above 30.

In Arad, both people with high blood pressure and those who are weather dependent (there are no sudden changes in pressure or air temperature or winds) feel comfortable. Rains are rare - after all, the city is located in the desert, but if it rains, it happens from December to February.

Despite the proximity of the Dead Sea, the air remains dry even in the heat and therefore there is no suffocating condition when you have to literally swim, as if in jelly. Considering the numerous green spaces, the presence of parks and fountains with artificially created miniature reservoirs, you can come here even in the most extreme heat.

Sights of Arad

Museums and natural unique places, ancient cities - there is a lot of this in Arad, and therefore, if you stay in the city, you can go nowhere around the country for several days!

Masada Fortress

Located on the shores of the Dead Sea at the very top of a cliff in the desert. The fortress was founded in 73 BC, but in 25 AD it was greatly strengthened and expanded by Judas the Great, and at the same time he built a whole complex of shelters for his own family. The fortress was a full-fledged dwelling and included baths and weapons depots, barns with food supplies and an artificial water supply.

Masada Fortress

The Masada fortress is located at an altitude of 450 m above sea level and is surrounded by rocks, so it is almost impossible to see or examine it from land. Excursions to it are conducted regularly; guests can see Herod’s palace (it has been preserved almost completely in its original form), a synagogue with ancient mosaics, food and weapons storage facilities.

Arad in Israel at one time served as protection against enemies entering the country - the fortress made it possible to track their movements long before they approached the rocks.

It was founded in 2007 and is a studio of artists who create sculptures from recycled bottle glass. The basis of the collection is the work of Gideon Friedman, who creates them on kilns of his own design and manufacture. In addition to Gideon’s works, the collection also constantly contains sculptures of other artists - they change frequently, which allows you to see a wide variety of exhibits in a short period of time.

The museum invites its guests to attend lectures on the history of glass, its properties and features/types of processing, and attend master classes. All museum exhibits are for sale and can be purchased by any guest - the administration of the establishment provides a document authorizing the export of the exhibit abroad.

Excursions are often conducted by Gideon Friedman himself, who also demonstrates and verbally accompanies a film about the creation of the sculptures that are exhibited in the halls.

Tel Arad National Park

Located on the very outskirts of the city, it is famous for its archaeological excavations. Conventionally, the territory of the park is divided into the Upper and Lower Towns, and regular excursions are held around them. Thanks to excavations, guests are shown the structure of an urban settlement in the first years of our era; there are also examples of the life of residents of the 6th century. The remains of dwellings, specially carved containers in the rocks to collect water, temples and squares have been completely excavated and even partially restored.

Of particular interest is an ancient engineering structure - a reservoir in the Lower Town with a huge stone bowl. Water from the Upper City flows through specially laid pipes and gutters, accumulates in a bowl and is then distributed to all streets and houses.

Tel Arad

It is surprising that scientists did not have to dig too deep - it was enough to remove the sand from the protruding stones and expose 2 layers in the ground, and the ancient city “in all its glory” appeared before the eyes of archaeologists.

Masada cable car

It leads from Arad to the ancient fortress and is 900 meters long. Small carriages and low speed of movement allow you to look around, admire the vastness of the desert, enjoy the bird's eye view of the Dead Sea (290 meters!) and imagine and appreciate the greatness of this place - it is often mentioned in the Bible and only from the good side.

Where to stay in Arad

There are quite a lot of hotels in the city - after all, the main financial filler of the budget is the tourism business. Three hotels are especially popular, in which the price-quality ratio is simply optimal:

• Oasis Negev. This is a guest house that has several types of rooms - from single to family. The cost of living is on average 4,000 rubles, which includes continental breakfast, use of the jacuzzi, and internet. The hotel has regular bus services to the Dead Sea and Arad's attractions.

Guest House Oasis Negev

• Arad Hostel. Perfect for a group of friends, but absolutely not recommended for a family holiday. There are cozy rooms and a shared kitchen, where you will have to cook lunch and dinner yourself, but breakfast is included in the price (3500 per person per day).
• Masada Holiday. These are real apartments in which a young couple, older people, and a family with children will enjoy relaxing. Yes, you will have to pay 6,000 rubles per person per day, but in return guests receive a full range of services, including meals, transfers, and organization of excursions throughout Israel (travel outside Arad is subject to an additional fee).

Arad is a small city in the Israeli desert, which has a unique geographical location, a pleasant climate in both winter and summer and can be a starting point for visiting Israel. You just need to resolve the issue of accommodation and the hotel staff themselves will help you navigate the offers from tour operators.

Useful video

Watch the video about what the guest house in Arad looks like: