Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Travel Guide

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Photo: Aleksandar Todorovic/Shutterstock

The Judean Hills that encircle Jerusalem, together with the wilderness that slopes precipitously eastward to the Dead Sea, offer an astonishing range of scenery: springs and oases, forests and fields, hiking trails, and impressive archaeological sites such as Masada. West of the city, nature reserves and wineries offer other worthwhile excursions. Don't miss Soreq Cave, full of fantastic stalagmites and stalactites, or the extraordinary man-made caverns of Beit Guvrin and Maresha. The area is becoming more popular with a wide range of travelers, thanks to its thriving wineries and cheese and olive oil producers.

Hotels

Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Hotels

Visitors, both national and international, who come to "take the waters" and enjoy the serene desert scenery, heavily use the lodgings in the Dead Sea region...read more

Restaurants

Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Restaurants

Some Judean Hills wineries offer fancy meals along with their tastings, but these should be reserved in advance. Abu Ghosh, on the way to Latrun, is known...read more

Things To Do

Things To Do in Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea

Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.

Hotels

Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Experiences

  • Top Reasons to Go

    Ein Gedi: This oasis rich in flora, fauna, and archaeology—praised in the Bible for its beauty and today one of Israel's most impressive... Read more

  • The Last Stand of Jewish Freedom Against Rome

    Masada was first used by the Hasmoneans in the 2nd century bc, but it was Herod the Great—King of the Jews by the grace of Rome and his... Read more

  • The West Bank

    The West Bank is that part of the onetime British Mandate of Palestine, west of the Jordan River, that was occupied by the Kingdom of Transjordan... Read more

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