Negev
Discover Negev
In addition, cities like Ashdod and Ashkelon are considered by most Israelis to be part of the Negev, but they are included in the Israeli Coastal Plain region on Wikivoyage. The least populated area in Israel, the Negev is a home to (among others) the nomadic desert people known as the Bedouin. It offers some truly breathtaking scenery and is home to some fascinating sites and places.
Taste of Negev...
Not available
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsIsrael Railways connects Tel Aviv, Haifa and Ben Gurion airport to Be'er Sheva, with an extension to Dimona, but no further. A longer train line from Tel Aviv to Eilat is in the planning stages. Be'er Sheva is served by bus from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Buses to Eilat travel from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Towns and villages throughout the Negev are connected by bus to Be'er Sheva, but service could be infrequent. If you're flying into Ben Gurion Airport and want to head straight to Eilat, you would better get on a short train ride to Tel Aviv Hagana station and board a bus to Eilat from nearby Tel Aviv central bus station. Advance reservation is available on buses to and from Eilat, and there are also night buses. There are no laws concerning the number of people allowed on buses, so drivers will often pack the bus as full as possible, and you may end up with a young soldier sitting on the floor next to you, with his large semi-automatic poking you in the leg....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Three main highways cross the Negev from north to south: The two-lane highways are generally in good shape. The distance across the Negev from Tel Aviv to Eilat is around 360 km, covered by Egged express bus in 5 hours. Riding down from the Dead Sea to Eilat (Route <90>) is a pleasant (though uphill) desert experience for most of the way. Israel has been renovating this route from Arava junction (where 25 meets 90 at the southern terminus of the Dead Sea) since 2007 (a 170-km stretch). The stated goal is to widen the road to 4-lanes and to install rest stops every 45 km. As of 2019, they've only completed 40 km of this from Eilat to Yotvata. This 40-km "improved" stretch is actually far worse than the area north of it. The widened road has zero shoulder, with a curb at the edge of the lane providing no escape route. The safest approach to this 4-lane road is to take the right lane.
Where to Stay
The Negev features many free campgrounds, particularly along major hiking routes. Consult a map like OpenStreetMap (which is used by mobile apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz) to find them. Many campgrounds are also listed under Mitzpe Ramon. See Sde Boker, Mitzpe Ramon, Eilat and Arad for various other accommodation options. Most of the kibbutzim on Highway 90 have guest houses and offer charming rooms, and meals in their common dining rooms. Nearly all of the Negev is an arid desert which sees rainfall only a few times a year. While winters can be pleasant, with temperatures hovering around 20°C, summers can be fierce with temperatures commonly over 40°C, but in the afternoon and at night there is a comfortable temperature drop. The climate in the Negev is dry, with hardly any humidity.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Nearly all of the Negev is an arid desert which sees rainfall only a few times a year. While winters can be pleasant, with temperatures hovering around 20°C, summers can be fierce with temperatures commonly over 40°C, but in the afternoon and at night there is a comfortable temperature drop. The climate in the Negev is dry, with hardly any humidity. Bring a large amount of water and register your plans at the nearest police station before going offroad for your own safety, as flash floods are likely to happen if rain does fall, and some parts of the Negev serve as the IDF's main training area. In northern parts of the Negev, car theft is a major problem. When hiking in the Negev, dehydration can be a major concern, even in winter. Bring at least 1 liter of water per person per hour of hiking, and drink even if you don't feel thirsty. Wear sunscreen - the sun is very bright, and even if you wear a hat it may reflect off the light-colored rocks and onto your face.