Arad located in the Southern District of Israel on the edge of the Negev and Judean Deserts, 25 kilometres west of the Dead Sea and 45 kilometres east of Beersheba. It is located mostly on the western and southwestern Kidod Range, and the Arad Plain, which is the southwest end of the Judean Desert, Arad’s elevation ranges between approximately 361 and 631 meters above sea level, Mount Kidod at 600 meters above sea level. The city has a diverse population of 24,400 including Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews, both secular and religious, Bedouins and Black Hebrews, as well as new immigrants.
Founded in 1962 Arad was Israel’s first planned city, and with the Dead Sea, Masada National Park and Ein Gedi nearby tourism was built into the plan, but once the Dead Sea hotels grew tourism in Arad dwindled.
The Israel National Trail passes through Arad, between Mount Kina and Tel Arad, a major archeological dig and tourist attraction. The the Zohar Peak and Zohar Lookout (Mitzpe Zohar) are common hiking and biking destinations on the national trail.
Parks and Attractions Nearby
Tel Arad National Park
Tel Be’er Sheva National Park
Makhtesh Ramon
Hai Ramon
Geological and Archaeological Park
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Ein Gedi Antiquities National Park
Ein Bokek
Einot Zukim Nature Reserve
Massada Sound and light show
Mamshit National Park
Qumran National Park
Tel Arad
Massada National Park
Tel Be’er Sheva National Park