Avdat National Park
Avdat National Park
5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
In the heart of the desert, on a hilltop above the Tsin Stream watercourse, are the impressive remains of an ancient Nabatean city.
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5.0
345 reviews
Excellent
275
Very good
58
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Indigenous17
Lisbon District, Portugal89 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
I love the Negev but hadn’t been to Avdat NP yet. We are hikers so we left the car at the welcome center and hiked up to the city, but I realized the brochure guides you from the back of the site so we walked quickly to the Roman tower. The map/guide gives a little information so it’s good to watch the short film after you buy your entry. There is a lot to see and the views at several spots are amazing. Take a detour behind the Roman barracks and you can see all the way to Ein Avdat.
Written 21 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ErikCarlson
London, UK99 contributions
Aug 2022
We spent a few hours exploring the ruins. The visitors centre was great, the lady was friendly and spoke good English. She put on a movie about the site in English and gave lots of helpful advice.
We only had time to see the ruins which are set across quite a wide area. Well signed and accessible. Very hot, bring all your water!
As well as the history there are some amazing views. A few hours only allowed us to see the ruins. I would return and allow a day do the surrounding national park area too.
Good facilities, easy to park.
We only had time to see the ruins which are set across quite a wide area. Well signed and accessible. Very hot, bring all your water!
As well as the history there are some amazing views. A few hours only allowed us to see the ruins. I would return and allow a day do the surrounding national park area too.
Good facilities, easy to park.
Written 19 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martyk74
Corydon, IN4,267 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
This is a beautiful national park with a nice hike. There are 2 entrances to the park. The upper entrance is the first one you come to out of Mitspe Ramon. It is mainly an observation point down into the canyon. It is a glorious view, not to be missed. You can look down and see people walking the trail in the canyon. If you don't have time or aren't capable of doing the hike, at least stop at this observation point.
The hike is at the lower entrance and you enter the park right next to the Ben Gurion Tomb Park (don't miss that either, a short visit with breathtaking views of the Zin Valley). The parking area is at the bottom of the canyon.
You can either do a circular hike or a one way hike which has you climbing the canyon wall at the end to the upper observation point. To do the one way hike, you must have a means of getting back to your car/someone to pick you up. You cannot climb back down.
We did the circular route. You really aren't missing anything doing the circular route. You can walk all the way to the where the climb begins and then turn around. So you just miss the climbing and as I said before, you can drive to the upper entrance for the view.
It is a good hike, not too challenging with wonderful views up of the canyon walls along the way. It should go without saying that it can be very hot so bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat and even though it is relatively easy, pace yourself on a hot day.
The hike also isn't very long, probably 2 hours max roundtrip depending on you pace. We stopped for a bit to rest in the shade.
Both entrances are covered by the park pass.
The hike is at the lower entrance and you enter the park right next to the Ben Gurion Tomb Park (don't miss that either, a short visit with breathtaking views of the Zin Valley). The parking area is at the bottom of the canyon.
You can either do a circular hike or a one way hike which has you climbing the canyon wall at the end to the upper observation point. To do the one way hike, you must have a means of getting back to your car/someone to pick you up. You cannot climb back down.
We did the circular route. You really aren't missing anything doing the circular route. You can walk all the way to the where the climb begins and then turn around. So you just miss the climbing and as I said before, you can drive to the upper entrance for the view.
It is a good hike, not too challenging with wonderful views up of the canyon walls along the way. It should go without saying that it can be very hot so bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat and even though it is relatively easy, pace yourself on a hot day.
The hike also isn't very long, probably 2 hours max roundtrip depending on you pace. We stopped for a bit to rest in the shade.
Both entrances are covered by the park pass.
Written 7 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lyn426
Tel Aviv, Israel272 contributions
June 2018 • Family
This stunning hike exhibits all of the best that the desert has to offer. In addition to the beautiful scenery, most of the hike is an easy walk and suitable for all ages. If you’re in the area don’t miss it, in the summer months it’s best to get there right when the park opens in the morning to avoid the heat.
Written 11 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kitty Mo
Glasgow, UK420 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Probably my favourite park. Popular with groups an easy walk through a limestone canyon. Rather than rushing through take time to listen to the birds and watch the wildlife. There are clean toilets and a good carpark. Do take water and wear proper walking shoes.
Written 25 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leatherstocking88
New York City, NY112 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
This is a stark desert setting in the Negev, with an ancient Nabatean City (Avdat) which once controlled the trade from Arabia in frankincense. The ruins are well preserved and very impressive. In a small box canyon nearby, we were silently passed by a herd of 30 camels. Magic.
Written 16 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dom
27 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
This park is very amazing. It has a beautiful landscape and gives you a very impressive view on how the Israelis use the desert as a hiking location. The ways are very easy to go to the waterfalls so that even people who are not the best hikers can easily reach the waterfall.
But what many poeple do not see are the small steps just 200m (?) before the waterfall. There you can climb up (wich is not so easy, because the steps were humid and slippy) and get on an upper level and walk deeper into the spring.
There we saw hawks and vultures. Just great. We didn't see ibex, but that is possibly too. We loved it. From the spring, there is an ascent (only ascent!!) to un upper level and a watchpoint.
So if you plan to visit the Avdat National Park, you should start at the lower level, close to the Ben-Gurion-Memorial and hike all the way up to the upper level. From there you can take a bus back down.
To the waterfall everybody can hike. The the upper level of the waterfall it gets a little bit more difficult. From there up to the watchpoint is even more difficult, you have to climb a little.
Unfortunately from time to time there are tourist buses arriving, wich makes the way to the waterfall crowded.
But what many poeple do not see are the small steps just 200m (?) before the waterfall. There you can climb up (wich is not so easy, because the steps were humid and slippy) and get on an upper level and walk deeper into the spring.
There we saw hawks and vultures. Just great. We didn't see ibex, but that is possibly too. We loved it. From the spring, there is an ascent (only ascent!!) to un upper level and a watchpoint.
So if you plan to visit the Avdat National Park, you should start at the lower level, close to the Ben-Gurion-Memorial and hike all the way up to the upper level. From there you can take a bus back down.
To the waterfall everybody can hike. The the upper level of the waterfall it gets a little bit more difficult. From there up to the watchpoint is even more difficult, you have to climb a little.
Unfortunately from time to time there are tourist buses arriving, wich makes the way to the waterfall crowded.
Written 7 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith K
Tel Aviv, Israel173 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
We left the car by the gate of the park and walked along the water to the fall. We also climbed up the stairs. Beautiful view
Written 9 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben S
Sedona, AZ203 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
These very large canyons are full of colorful rocks, waterfalls, and interesting animals. It is hot, but very dry, so the heat is manageable. You can drive to trails that will take you to lovely streams and waterfalls.
Written 14 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miriam d
Jerusalem594 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
Ein Avdat National Park is in the south of Israel, very close to kibbutz Sde Boker , only a few Km. from the ruins of the Nabatean city of Avdat and also near Mitzpe Ramon and its impressive crater. Therefore, all these sites can be visited during a weekend. Mitzpe Ramon can be reached with public transportation, but for the visits you need a car or a local taxi.
The hike must start at the western gate: you walk along a gorge that brings you close to pools and waterfalls in the middle of the desert; then you climb a long staircase excavated in the rock and reach another area with more pools and waterfalls; at the end of that trail you can climb a rather steep way up till you reach the eastern gate (really only an exit and a watching point), or you can come back by the same way.
If you decide to climb to the eastern gate, you need two cars, in order to leave one at this gate to be able to return, because the western gate is about 5 Km. from the eastern one, too far to walk after the hike. If you decide to return by the same way, you only need one car, that you will leave at the parking lot near the western gate. In this case, it is a must to go to the eastern gate, before or after the hike, for the wonderful view you can get from the nearby watching point. Ibex and other desert creatures are often to be seen in the area.
Tips: as with other hikes in the south of Israel, it is better to avoid the hottest months of July and August: bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water: don't forget you are in the middle of the desert. Enjoy!
The hike must start at the western gate: you walk along a gorge that brings you close to pools and waterfalls in the middle of the desert; then you climb a long staircase excavated in the rock and reach another area with more pools and waterfalls; at the end of that trail you can climb a rather steep way up till you reach the eastern gate (really only an exit and a watching point), or you can come back by the same way.
If you decide to climb to the eastern gate, you need two cars, in order to leave one at this gate to be able to return, because the western gate is about 5 Km. from the eastern one, too far to walk after the hike. If you decide to return by the same way, you only need one car, that you will leave at the parking lot near the western gate. In this case, it is a must to go to the eastern gate, before or after the hike, for the wonderful view you can get from the nearby watching point. Ibex and other desert creatures are often to be seen in the area.
Tips: as with other hikes in the south of Israel, it is better to avoid the hottest months of July and August: bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water: don't forget you are in the middle of the desert. Enjoy!
Written 23 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for all the answers to my previous question. several people mentioned that there is a path that is paved to the lower falls, how much time would that take minimally for a leisurely paced walk there and back? Approximately.
Written 15 September 2019
Are there paths that I can take a stroller on for my two-year-old?
Written 12 September 2019
Yes, there are easier paths and harder paths to walk. The easier path to the lower falls can definitely handle a stroller.
Written 13 September 2019
Cuanto tiempo lleva el recorrido?
Written 15 December 2018
Travel301170
Washington DC, District of Columbia
interested in finding a paved or very flat area to walk because I have a bad foot.
Written 27 November 2018
Yes, that is possible to the lower falls.
Written 13 September 2019
Travel301170
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Can beautiful sites be reached by car ? I cannot hike on uneven ground cus of a bad foot. Will I be able to drive thru any areas to see sites ?
Written 22 November 2018
Can anyone comment on the difficulty of the climb for a group with three boys ages 10, 8 and four years old?
Written 3 August 2018
I would not hesitate to take children, make sure they are properly dressed hats and good shoes would be my main concern. Everything was well laid out and easily accessible.
Written 17 August 2018
The website lists closing 1700 with last entry at 1600
Written 3 August 2018
bonjour;
comment visiter le scratère? points de départs possibles? où peut dormir? doit on prendre un guide? est il possible de faire une rando de 2 jours en décembre? merci
Written 18 December 2017
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