A Quick Guide to Visiting the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

One of Israel’s most famous nature reserves and hiking spots, Ein Gedi is a must-see if you happen to be visiting the Dead Sea.

With a range of nature (including botanical gardens) and spectacular natural beauty, Ein Gedi is a perfect stop-off on the way to or from the Dead Sea.

Photo: Itamar Grinberg

What is Ein Gedi?

Ein Gedi is a nature reserve, comprising nine hiking trails ranging from 30 minutes to half a day, with suitability levels running from beginner hikers to highly experienced hikers. The Ein Gedi reserve is also a popular spot to experience desert wildlife, including ibex, wolves, birds of prey, and other species indigenous to Israel.

With trails traversing rivers, caves, and other interesting sites, it's a fantastic day out for all the family.

Photo: Itamar Grinberg

What is there to do at the Ein Gedi Reserve

The Ein Gedi Botanical Garden

If you find it hard to believe that you'll find a tropical botanical paradise in the middle of the desert, then Ein Gedi’s botanical reserve has to be seen to be believed. Specializing in arid region plants, it's a family-friendly activity on the lower energetic end of the activity scale.

Ein Gedi Waterfall

A natural phenomenon, the Ein Gedi waterfall is a biblical site. Mentioned in the Bible as the location of the caves where David hid from Saul, there is a range of trails of varying difficulty to access the caves and the waterfall.

Ein Gedi Synagogue Ruins

Nearby to the more popular Ein Gedi Nature Reserve lies the ruins of an ancient synagogue destroyed by the Roman army in the first century CE. Visiting the ruins is a family-friendly activity, and we recommend you don't miss the well-preserved 2000-year-old mosaic floor

Photo: Yoav Lavi

Where to Stay Near Ein Gedi

Finding a hotel to stay near Ein Gedi is a little tougher than staying in a more popular area of the country, such as Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Ein Gedi has a kibbutz nearby, however, if you're looking for a luxury vacation located within easy traveling distance to Ein Gedi, then look no further than  Isrotel's luxury offerings close by in the Dead Sea.

Isrotel’s Hotels in the Dead Sea offer you easy access to both Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea in a luxury setting.

If you're searching for the ultimate relaxing health and wellness vacation, the Dead Sea has everything you need close by to stunning nature like the Ein Gedi reserve, with all of the healing properties of the Dead Sea minerals and treatments at the on-site Esprit spas at both locations.

Enjoy two Dead Sea water pools (both indoor and outdoor), two sulfur pools, wet and dry saunas, a solarium, jacuzzi, and state-of-the-art fitness suites, as well as excellent onsite restaurants across both the luxury Ganim Hotel and Nevo Hotel, both of which offer over 70 beauty and health treatments using the Dead Sea’s world-famous healing mineral mud.

Whether you're a couple, a family or a group of friends visiting Israel’s Negev desert region, both hotels are excellent options, with a range of activities and workshops for guests to enjoy, a kids club, and a private Dead Sea beach. 

Visiting Ein Gedi as a Part of your Luxury Vacation

Ein Gedi is just one part of your wider luxury Negev vacation. Visit Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea during your luxury vacation with Isrotel.