Masada
Discover Masada
Masada (Hebrew: מצדה) is a magnificently located fortress site in Israel's stark Judaean Desert, close to the Dead Sea. The last Jewish holdout to fall to Rome in 73 CE, Masada symbolizes the exile of the Jewish nation from the Holy Land. Its violent end has become a symbol of bravery and self-sacrifice since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. Masada, whose Hebrew name means "fortress", is on a breathtaking rock plateau with steep cliffs rising on all sides. Roman client King Herod the Great constructed a fortified palace complex atop of the plateau between 37 and 31 BCE. During the Jewish rebellion against Rome in first century CE, a sect of Jews called the Kanai took refuge in isolated Masada. They were known in Greek as zelotes, or the Zealots. After remaining there for seven years, the Zealots finally fell at the hands of the Roman army in 73 CE. However, rather than be killed or enslaved, the holed up rebels chose to commit a mass suicide, a deed which forever enshrined them in the annals of Jewish history.
Taste of Masada...
The 31.3116435.3623711 Visitor Centre below the fortress contains a small food court including a McDonalds. Bring lots of water, since the climb is hard and the sun is burning the whole day. Water is available on top of Masada and at the visitor centre to refill your bottles. For more and cheaper options try Arad Tandem (₪95) in Arad, about 25 km to the west or: Luxury and more expensive (but in off-season also bargains) accommodation can be found in Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea, 16 km south of Masada.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMost people access Masada from the eastern side near Road 90, which runs down the Israeli coast of the Dead Sea. Masada is an hour and a half drive from Jerusalem, two hours from Tel Aviv, or two and a half hours from Eilat. This is the official entrance to the "Snake Path," a steep hiking trail that takes at least 40 minutes to the top.This is the official entrance which leads to the "Snake Path", the steep and at least 40 min hiking trail up. The less used option is Road 3199 from Arad to the western side. The road ends at a parking lot, from which there is a comparatively easy 15-20 minute ascent to the top. Check departure times from Masada either beforehand or online from the McDonald's restaurant on site as there is no timetable at the bus stop. Buses may run ahead of schedule. The site is open seven days a week. The first cable car runs at 08:00. The site closes at 16:00 (October to March) or 17:00 (April to September)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
If you are really adventurous, you can hike through the valleys to the north or south of Masada, and thus reach it from the "other side". Be aware that due to the steep cliffs and desert terrain, this is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. The fastest way to reach ascend Masada is via cable car. However, the cable car does not begin running until 08:00, meaning the option is not available to those wishing to experience sunrise at Masada. The other two routes up are the so-called "Snake Path" or the Roman Ramp. The Snake Path (actually a combination of tracks and steps) is accessible from the eastern side of Masada via the Dead Sea Highway. It consists of a series of switchbacks 'snaking' all the way up to the summit. The climb can take anything from 40 minutes to 2 hours or more depending on stamina/speed. Because of the difficulty of the climb, and the path's exposure to the sun, the Snake Path is usually closed from 10:00, and many choose to ascend before sunrise.
Where to Stay
For more and cheaper options try Arad Tandem (₪95) in Arad, about 25 km to the west or: Luxury and more expensive (but in off-season also bargains) accommodation can be found in Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea, 16 km south of Masada.