A Complete Guide to Masada, Israel
Are you planning your day trip to Masada in Israel? Read our travel guide on Masada that includes tips on what to see and do while there, when to visit, entrance fee, how to get, tours, or when to go.
Masada is a top attraction in Israel, and you probably won't meet a single fellow wanderer while traveling around this incredible country who wouldn't have it on their Israel itinerary.
Why is Masada so popular? Well, you don't get a chance to travel back in time (roughly 2000 years) every day, do you?
Masada is an ancient fortress sitting on the top of a mesa-like plateau near the shore of the Dead Sea in Israel that steals the attention of pretty much everyone.
Its unique location, fascinating history, epic views of the Judaean Desert and the Dead Sea, and cool structures make it one of those UNESCO sites that you can't miss.
While Israel is full of unique places that are worth visiting, Masada is leading the pack.
Masada is a special place for Israelis, and they take all the stories connected with it very seriously, but we have a funny story here.
After the notorious security check at the airport, one of the officers, who was really strict and serious during the process, started telling us with nothing but admiration in his tone about Masada, the ramp, Romans' effort, and the Israelis' sacrifice.
It was pretty funny to receive travel tips from someone who looked two minutes ago like he was not even letting us to Israel in the first place.
But that just illustrates the fact of how important Masada really is. So here's everything you need to know about Masada before you go.
History
But before we focus on Masada as a tourist attraction, we need to dive into the history first to get a better understanding of the site.
According to Josephus, the Hasmonean dynasty built the first fortification on the top of the mesa around the 1st century BCE.
However, the evidence is lacking in this regard, as archaeologists found no ruins from this era.
The first person who left some evidence in Masada was Herod the Great, the King of Judea.
He built the castle complex in Masada that consisted of two palaces, a bathhouse, fortification, barracks, or armory.
Some years after King Herods' death, the Jewish rebels took the Roman garrison by surprise and settled in the fortress.
But why is Masada so famous? Masada is a symbol of the last resistance of Sicarii.
Sicarii were Jewish Zealots who were against the Roman occupation of Judea in the time before Jerusalem's destruction in 70 CE.
They took the last refugee on the top of the mountain near the Dead Sea during the end of the First Jewish-Roman War.
The Roman army led by Lucius Flavius Silva besieged the fortress between 73 to 74 CE and eventually conquered it.
It's said that 967 Sicariis' committed mass suicide to die free rather than facing enslavement; only a few children and women hid to avoid certain death.
This heroic last stand of Jewish people against Romans described by Josephus is quite compelling, and there isn't probably a single person in Israel who wouldn't know the story.
There's only a small catch, though. The story might have happened a bit differently.
Not only that some scholars point at the lack of evidence of the mass suicide (only twenty-eight human remains were found at the site), but some also go even further and claim that there wasn't even any siege.
While the narrative behind Masada's resistance might be true or not, it's still a fascinating story.
Later on, a small church was established in Masada during the Byzantine period, but then the whole complex was abandoned and forgotten.
While there were some basic excavations in the 19th century, the first archaeologist (and military commander) who took it seriously was Yigael Yadin, and he organized major excavations between 1963 and 1965.
Indeed, you don't need a guide to visit Masada as it's easy to get there independently.
But if you're really interested in history, a knowledgeable guide can bring this place back to life through their stories.
If you're adamant about visiting Masada on your own, make sure to read as much of Masadas' history as possible before you go to get the most of your trip.
Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth by Jodi Magness might be a good start.
Things to Know About Masada
One of the most important things to do before visiting any top attraction in the world is to set your expectations right to have a better trip.
And Masada is no exception to this fact.
And while Masada is truly an extraordinary place to visit, it's better to know what to expect to avoid disappointment.
If you're keen enough to find something similar to Karak Castle or even Nimrod Fortress at the top of the mountain, you might want to lower your excitement a bit.
While the views from the top are superb, there isn't much left of the structure itself. Moreover, the plateau is much more extensive than expected and might feel a bit empty at first sight.
And even the structures that endured the harsh conditions of the Dead Sea area are not as epic as in some other places.
When you start walking around Masada, you will soon notice black lines on the walls of the remaining structures.
These lines mark the original height of the buildings in Masada, and what you see above this line is the result of the conservation efforts.
Also, the visibility might be an issue on some days. It was so hazy when we arrived at the top that we almost couldn't see the Dead Sea.
It got better after a couple of hours we spent roaming around the complex so we could at least take some pictures with the salt lake.
Where is the Entrance to Masada
When you look at the Masada map, you'll quickly realize that Masada has two entrances.
And as you're not familiar with the place yet, you might start wondering which entry is the main one or which one is better to use.
So yes, Masada has two main entrances, and it makes quite a difference at which one you arrive.
Masada West Entrance
You can reach the Masada West Entrance only from Arad, and if you decide to enter the site from this direction, you will have to climb the Roman Path, which is shorter and faster and there’s no way how to avoid the climb.
Masada East Entrance
Masada East Entrance is accessible from Highway 90 and the Dead Sea area and gives you access to the cable car, Snake Path, museum, and visitors center.
If you're wondering which Masada entrance is better for you, then it depends on your preferences.
Both entrances have pros and cons, but we believe that eastern access is a bit better for a casual visitor.
What to See and Do in Masada
There is plenty to see and do in Masada that will keep you occupied for at least a couple of hours.
We can't stress enough how important it is to keep the map you get when purchasing the ticket as it helps with orientation.
Here's what you can expect to see at Masada.
Visitors Center
The first stops will lead you to the counter at the visitors center, where you can purchase your tickets.
Make sure you get the Masada brochure that includes a map and information about each stop.
By the way, the Masada map we got had 32 stops that are worth noting, so it's pretty apparent that you should allow yourself sufficient time to see them all.
Museum
Before you rush to the cable car lower station or the Snake Path trailhead, we recommend you stop at Masada Museum first.
Sure, if you're hiking the Masada to catch the sunrise, then you need to leave your visit afterward. But the rest of the travelers should make the museum their first stop in Masada.
There are plenty of objects on display, and the most noteworthy ones are the pot shards with names of selected Jewish men that were supposed to kill everyone else before the Romans breached the walls.
Make sure to get the audio guide to make the most of your visit. It is necessary to say that the museum is near the eastern entrance.
Movie
After buying our tickets at the counter, we continued to a fairly large projection hall to see a short movie in English about Masada.
We already had a similar movie experience in places such as Beit Alfa Synagogue or Avdat National Park.
And while it's definitely not mandatory to see them, these short info videos give you a good overview of the site you're about the visit, especially if you did not have time for proper preparation beforehand.
By the way, if you're a fan of movies, then you shouldn't miss a TV Mini-Series from 1981 starring Peter O'Toole and Peter Strauss simply called Masada.
The film retells the story of Masada in a span of 400 minutes, split into four parts, so the only question is whether you want to see it before you visit the site or leave it for once you get home.
Snake Path Trail
After sitting half a day in a car, we couldn't wait to stretch our legs and hike to Masada via Snake Path Trail.
While our travel itinerary didn't allow us to time our hike for the sunrise or sunset, we didn't mind that much this time.
Snake Path is one of those hikes that we love so much. It's steep and quick, plus you can see your finish line from the bottom.
Moreover, the trail is well-maintained, so no obstacles might potentially slow you down. Well except, for the incline and deadly heat.
Honestly, the incline is not that bad due to plenty of zigzags. If you're wondering how hard it is to climb to Masada, then we would say that any moderately fit person shouldn't have any problems with it.
As the trail surface is uneven with plenty of rocky steps, make sure to wear proper footwear.
Be prepared that Snake Path is not open all the time.
Due to the extreme weather in the Judaean Desert, it can happen that the trail closes at 8 AM or 9 AM, especially on super hot days in the summer.
Roman Ramp Path
Walking the steep incline on a Roman ramp will definitely give you a different perspective on the whole historical event.
While the brave narrative of brave Jewish Zealots is the center point of the Masada story, I still can't grasp how difficult it must have been for Romans to build the ramp.
And then have still enough will and strength to push a heavy battering ram up the hill.
By the way, some new studies suggest that if there was a siege of Masada, it didn't take a couple of years but rather anything between four to eight weeks, which is the exact amount of time Romans needed for building similar ramps during other sieges.
Masada
Regardless of the side you enter Masada; the first impression is quite overwhelming. Even though it wasn't effortless, we both tried to avoid seeing Masada photos before our trip.
So we were quite surprised to see how the Masada complex is extensive in real life. We also quickly reestimated how much time we're actually going to need to see it all.
Snake Path Gate
The gate on the eastern side is not as massive as the ones we saw in Caesarea or Akko, but it has its charm.
Once we entered the Masada complex through Snake Path Gate, we refilled our water bottles, quickly scanned the map in the brochure, and started slowly to make our way through the structures on our right-hand side toward the Nothern Palace.
Bathhouse
When we arrived at the large bathhouse, we got stuck in a large crowd consisting of local kids on a school trip, so it took us a while to make our way through.
Truth to be told, they took pity and let us in when they saw our desperate faces.
The bathhouses played a crucial role in Roman daily life, and we also saw them in Beit Shean National Park in Israel or Jerash last year in Jordan.
Northern Palace
Once we reached the northernmost tip of Masada fortress, we arrived at the Northern Palace, which Herod constructed.
The palace has three decks - an upper terrace, a middle terrace, and a lower terrace.
Obviously, you get the best views from the top, but make sure to walk down a bit to see the lower parts of the palace as well.
The lower terrace has pillars and walls covered with stucco and was used for banquets and receptions.
Once we soaked up the views, we climbed a few flights of stairs and reappeared at the main complex.
While there are a few more interesting structures in this area (quarry, commandant's residence, storerooms), the most noteworthy of them all is the room where archaeologists found the shards with inscribed names.
Synagogue
As we walked towards the western entrance, we stopped at the Synagogue. It was initially used as a stable during Herod's reign, but then it was rebuilt into a synagogue.
There is not much to see today, but archaeologists found some biblical scrolls under the floor in the adjacent room, indicating that it might have been a storage room for sacred scrolls.
On top of that, they also found an inscription making it a synagogue from the time of the Second Temple.
Western Gate
On the way from Synagogue to the Western Gate, don't forget to stop at the walls that offer superb views of the Roman Ramp.
The Roman Ramp with the Breach Point and the Western Gate is located next to each other, so you won't be technically able to follow the way of Roman soldiers all the way to the fortress.
If you've arrived at the Western Gate Parking, this is the gate that you will use for entering the complex, so adjust your order of seeing the structures accordingly.
Western Palace
With 3700 square meters, the Western Palace is the largest structure in Masada.
King Herod built the palace during his rule, and it had everything from an open courtyard, reception rooms, living quarters to guardrooms or bathing rooms.
There is plenty to see in the remains of the palace, so take your time here and enjoy a bit of shade while there.
Byzantine Church
Here, you can turn left and take a short detour to see some mosaics in the Byzantine Church.
While they lack the grand scale of mosaics in Tzipori National Park, it's still pretty awesome to find some even here on the top of the hill.
Southern Viewpoint
The southern part of the complex is quite vast, but there is not much to see and do.
Until you arrive at the Southern Viewpoint, from which you get the most stunning views of the surrounding scenery.
A narrow metal viewing platform offers an amazing view of the desert and wadis, and this place would still be worth seeing even if it wasn't for the Masada fortress on the top.
I've already mentioned this in one of my previous articles, but the views from this viewpoint reminded me of Machu Picchu.
While these two UNESCO sites seem incomparable, the location (and the views from both places) is what makes them so special and unique.
Southern Water Cistern
Another large cistern is located at the southern tip of the complex. If you've been to Tel Hazor National Park, then you have already seen a pretty amazing cistern.
And while some cisterns are not safe to access, you can walk to the bottom of this one.
Eastern Observation Point
The eastern side is very similar to the southern part of the complex, so there is not much to see and do as well.
Fortunately, the weather cleared, the haze lifted up, and we could finally see the Dead Sea a bit better from above.
Somewhere in the middle of Masada, you will find restrooms and another drinking station which might come in handy. If you've missed some structures mentioned in the brochure, now is the time to make it right.
Otherwise, you can continue to the Snake Path Gate and either take the cable car or hike down back to the visitors center.
Before you leave, we would recommend filling up your water bottles once again.
Masada Sound and Light Show
If you time your visit well and still have time, you can consider the audio-visual Masada night show called From Dusk Till Dawn.
Every Tuesday and Thursday after sunset, Mount Masada turns into a giant screen and the space in front of it into a huge open-air theatre that can host up to 1500 visitors.
You can expect an outdoor show to retell the old story using modern and advanced multimedia technologies such as video mapping, lighting, or sound effects.
The show is in Hebrew, but you can rent an audio guide (English, French, Spanish, etc.).
We didn't stay for the show, but from what we understand, the translation is not that important, as it's more about the audio-visual effects.
The Masada Sound and Light Show ticket cost 41 NIS ($13) per adult.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Masada is 31 NIS ($10), which is a fairly reasonable sum of money for a UNESCO site.
However, if you have a valid Israel Pass, then you can use it here to save some money.
If you're a budget traveler deciding whether it's worth it to invest in Israel Pass, it depends on how many places (that are included) you want to visit, but in general, we think you should get it.
Masada Cable Car Ticket
As you probably guessed already, a cable car ticket is not included in the entrance fee. Well, at least not in the regular one.
Therefore, you need to purchase it separately.
The entrance fee to Masada with the cable car is 77 NIS ($25) per adult or 59 NIS ($20) for a one-way ride (with the entrance fee).
Opening Hours
Masada is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM in summer (Friday and holiday eves 8 AM to 4 PM), and from 8 AM to 4 PM in winter (Friday and holiday eves 8 AM to 3 PM).
One of the best things about Masada is that it's open on Saturdays (Shabbat).
As Shabbat can make traveling around Israel difficult at times, visiting national parks which remain open is one of the best things you can do during this day.
As Ein Gedi and the Ein Bokek beaches remain open on Saturdays as well, visiting the Dead Sea area on Shabbat might be an excellent idea.
As with most Israeli national parks, the last entry is one hour before closing (similarly, the last cable car runs one hour before closing).
Crowds
As mentioned above, Masada is one of the best places to visit in Israel. As locals have a deeper connection with the site, they flock in all year round.
In 2019, roughly a million tourists visited Masada, and that's a number you can't brush off.
It's rare to have Masada for yourself, so be prepared that the site will fill up quickly with hundreds of tourists once the bus tours start arriving.
We had the opportunity to visit Israel during a quiet period, which meant that the site's eastern side was almost empty with only a few tourists around.
The biggest surprise lay at the top of the mountain, where we stumbled upon at least a dozen of school bus trips that entered the site from the opposite direction.
The site was packed with school kids who were literally everywhere. Fortunately, the site is pretty large, so the crowds have room to spread a bit.
The rule of thumb to avoid the crowds in Masada is to get there early before day-trippers from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem arrive.
Plus, you will beat the extreme temperatures of the desert.
Is Masada Safe to Visit?
Yes, Masada is safe to visit, but make sure you're prepared for the extreme weather conditions of the Judaean Desert.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Israel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
How Much Time Do You Need for Masada
It's not easy to say how much time you need for Masada as it depends on plenty of factors.
First, you need to decide whether you want to travel to Masada by car or bus. While it's not that difficult to get to Masada by bus, using public transport is always more time-consuming.
Then you need to choose between the eastern and western parking lots.
Once you know from which side you will enter Masada, you'll face another dilemma. The western side makes it easier for you, as the only way to get there is via a Roman Ramp on foot.
But if you go from the eastern side, then you can choose between hiking, cable car, or some combination of these.
And then remains the last question of how much time you will spend in the fortress.
The hike up via Snake Path should take between 40 minutes to one hour, and you'll probably be a bit faster on the way down.
The cable car will clearly speed up the process and save you some time in exchange for money.
We spent about two hours at the top, and while we didn't rush things and tried to see everything Masada has to offer, we can easily imagine that some travelers might need even more time for their explorations.
Lastly, you might want to see the movie (it's short), the museum or even buy some souvenirs in the gift shop.
Okay, now we might be getting somewhere. We believe you need approximately four hours for Masada.
If you really push it, then three hours might be enough as well, but we think that Masada deserves a bit more love from your side.
Five hours will allow you to hike up, see Masada, enjoy the museum, and take things more slowly.
Ways to Reach Masada
As mentioned above, you have two ways to reach the plateau at the top of the hill. We chose the more challenging way as we love hiking and wanted to stay active while traveling.
However, the cable car is an excellent alternative for people short on time or when the weather is too hot.
Hike
As mentioned above, you can also reach Masada on foot. We chose the longer Snake Path that starts at the eastern side, but you can also try the shorter Roman Ramp Path.
Getting to the top via Snake Path Trail should take anything between forty to sixty minutes, while walking the Roman Ramp Path requires about fifteen minutes of your time.
If you're visiting Israel on a budget, then hiking to Masada is something you should really consider.
Cable Car
Even though you can walk up to the top of the hill, many travelers prefer to take the cable car up instead.
Of course, you can always take the cable car up and then walk down (or vice versa). The cable car station is close to the east parking lot.
How to Get There
We rented a car in Israel to see as many places as possible in the limited time we had for this country.
Driving in Israel is not difficult, and the rental car will give you all the flexibility you need.
We believe it's the best way to get around the country, but we also understand that not everyone wants to drive in a foreign country.
So if you're traveling around Israel using only public transport, it's not that difficult to get to Masada by bus. It's not the fastest and most efficient way to get there, but it's doable.
Car
When traveling from Jerusalem (or even Tel Aviv), you need to decide whether you want to drive through the West Bank or make a detour to avoid it. Highway 1 and 90 go through Zone C, which is under Israeli control.
So the only question you need to figure out is whether your rental company allows you to drive in the West Bank and if the insurance covers the rental car in this area.
If yes, then Masada is located about 160 kilometers from Tel Aviv and 100 kilometers from Jerusalem.
If not (which is most common), you need to get via Highway 1 onto Highway 6 and drive south towards Beer Sheva, then turn onto Highway 31, and once your reach the Dead Sea, turn left onto Highway 90.
This road will eventually take you to the Masada Junction, where you need to turn left one more time.
The route from Tel Aviv is 190 kilometers long, but the ETA is similar to when driving through the West Bank.
When avoiding the West Bank, the 190-kilometers long route from Jerusalem to Masada is significantly more time-consuming.
Eilat is 220 kilometers south of Masada, and it takes less than three hours to get there.
Here, you can find the best deals on rental cars in Israel.
Bus
Getting to Masada from Jerusalem is very easy, though not very time-efficient as it takes about two hours just to get there.
Take bus 486 (Egged) from Jerusalem Central Bus Station and get off at Masada Center.
The 486 bus runs several times a day and also stops at Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek, which is highly convenient.
If you're traveling to Masada from Tel Aviv New Central Bus Station by bus, you need to get to Jerusalem first by 405 bus, and then hop on 486 bus. The journey will take about three hours.
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Masada Day Tours
If you're short on time but still want to see Masada with your own eyes, then you should strongly consider taking a tour.
As Masada is one of the top-rated places to visit in Israel, you can choose from a pretty large selection of tours.
Be prepared that most Masada Tours also include the Dead Sea area in their itinerary.
We find it quite convenient as you visit at least two or three top attractions in one day, which is probably the reason why you wanted to take the tour in the first place.
When searching for the best Masada tours, make sure to reserve the one that includes all places of your interest.
Masada Day Tour from Tel Aviv | One of the most popular Masada day tours from Tel Aviv allows you also to visit the Dead Sea area and includes a pick-up.
Masada Day Tour from Jerusalem | This Masada full day tour from Jerusalem also includes the Dead Sea area and a pick-up.
Parking
Masada has two main parking lots, so there's plenty of parking on both sides of the mountain. Moreover, both parking lots at Masada are free.
The eastern side also has an upper covered parking lot and lower parking lot, so it depends on the occupancy where you'll be able to leave the car.
Masada Eastern Parking is only accessible from Highway 90, while Masada Western Parking is from Arad.
Where to Stay
The only accommodation you can find directly in Masada is Masada HI Hostel and Masada West Campsite.
On top of that, many travelers also visit Masada on a day trip from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, making any recommendations a bit more difficult unless we want to make a very long list of cities where you can stay overnight before or after the trip.
However, we believe that the journey around the Dead Sea area is better to be split into two days so you can fully soak up the unique atmosphere.
And while you're there, staying on the shores of the Dead Sea is a must-do.
Unfortunately, being a top tourist destination in Israel means that the budget accommodation is not very cheap here.
On the other hand, that's the problem of the entire Israel and a topic for another discussion.
As we wanted to enjoy the sunset over the Dead Sea, we decided to stay in Ein Gedi, as the accommodation in Ein Bokek was simply too expensive for us.
So here's our choice of the best hotels you can find near Masada.
Ein Bokek | Vert Dead Sea Hotel - About seventeen kilometers south of Masada Eastern Entrance lies a luxury resort town Ein Bokek, often regarded as the best place to stay overnight while in the Dead Sea area. Vert Dead Sea Hotel offers luxurious accommodation, spacious and elegant rooms, a spa experience with many treatment options, unique swimming pool with the Dead Sea water, saunas, or mud treatments.
Ein Gedi | Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel - Less than twenty kilometers north of the Masada Western Entrance, Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel offers charming accommodation in a lush garden reminding you of an oasis. This hotel is clean modern, and you'll also find an outdoor swimming pool and a lovely spa here. Free parking and a delicious breakfast are included in the price. This hotel has an excellent location for those who also want to hike in Ein Gedi Natural Reserve.
Arad | Yehelim Boutique Hotel - Located twenty-two kilometers west of the Masada Western Entrance, Yehelim Boutique Hotel in Arad is a small and intimate place to start or end your Masada trip. Rooms are spacious, clean, and overlook the desert. A rich breakfast is included in the price, and the property offers free parking.
Camping
Campsite Masada West is, as the name suggests, located near the Masada West Entrance.
This is a fairly popular campsite usually full of locals that offers camping in private or on-site tents and also campervan spots.
The campground also has relatively good facilities, so it's not exactly as cheap as you would hope. The night costs 55 NIS ($18) per tent and adult in Campsite Masada West.
Check-in is from 3 PM to 10 PM in summer (it's 3 PM to 9 PM in winter), and the check-out is at 11 AM. On Saturdays and holidays, the check-out is at 10 AM.
It's recommended to reserve a spot at Campsite Masada West via the official National Parks website.
Despite the fact that Masada is usually pretty hot during the day, it can get cold at night in the winter, so make sure you bring an extra warm layer.
It seems that there is also a free campsite at Masada East Entrance in the parking lot. However, this place has no facilities, so you would need to bring everything with you (tent, water, food, etc.).
When to Go
The best time to visit Masada is arguably autumn, spring, or even winter. You can say that the best time to visit Masada is when it's not hot.
Visiting Masada outside summer allows you to avoid the scorching heat, but you might run into more tourists during this period.
As a rule of thumb, summer is often considered the worst time when to visit Israel as you'll be facing extreme temperatures also in the Negev Desert, Sea of Galilee, and some other parts of the country.
We visited Masada roughly in mid-November, and the weather was just perfect. Although we started our hike in the middle of a sunny day, it wasn't as bad as we expected it to be.
However, we would also suggest visiting Masada early in the morning before it gets too hot.
As mentioned above, the Snake Path can close at either 8 AM or 9 AM if you want to go up and 9 AM or 10 AM if you're going to go down.
For example, we remembered that similar rules had the trail around Uluru in Australia. While it's not convenient from the tourist point of view, we understand that it's done for everyone's health.
What to Pack
As there is only a very little shade in Masada, make sure to bring some headcover. Whether you have a hat, cap or scarf, wear it on your head all the time.
Also, make sure to stay hydrated throughout all day when visiting Masada and the Dead Sea. It's vital for your health, and being dehydrated while traveling is not fun.
Luckily, Israel is one of the best countries in the world when it comes to public access to drinking water.
As you'll find a few water drinking stations in Masada near the eastern entrance, Water Gate, or Byzantine Church, the only thing you need to do is to bring your own reusable water bottle.
It also makes your life easier if you decide to hike the Snake Path as you don't need to bring as much water as you would otherwise need.
Despite the fact that the Dead Sea is one of the hottest regions in Israel, it can be windy at the top, so make sure you have an extra layer when visiting Masada in winter.
While you don't need exactly hiking boots for the Snake Path, you should wear a good pair of runners to have better support on the trail.
Lastly, don't forget to bring your favorite mirrorless camera with you, as Masada offers plenty of photo opportunities.
Is Masada Worth Visiting?
We had only words of praise for Masada throughout the article, so you probably already know our opinion by now.
We believe that Masada is definitely worth visiting, and it's rightfully one of the top places to see while in Israel.
It offers not only a fascinating look into ancient history but also several ways to enjoy your time there.
And due to its excellent location near the shore of the Dead Sea, halfway between Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and Ein Bokek, it wouldn't make much sense to skip Masada while you're there.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
