overview
Arad is located in the Judean and Negev deserts, 600 km above sea level and with the Dead Sea 25 km to its east.
The climate in Arad is a desert climate and the air quality is excellent.
Arad is characterized by beautiful scenery, tranquillity and serenity as befits the desert, with a wide range of hiking trails, jeep tours, bike tours, and many beauty spots. The cliffs, the caves, the canyons and the sites with archaeological value such as the adjacent Tel Arad represent a source of attraction for the thousands of tourists who visit the town every year.
In 1962 the first settlers arrived and their original intent was to establish a settlement for people to work on the gas and oil drilling there. In its first years the settlement absorbed immigrants from Romania and other countries and in the nineties a large wave of immigrants from the Soviet Union arrived.
You will be able to take many trips to the areas surrounding Arad such as a hike to the Kina River. This is a relatively easy hike of 4.5 km. Another delightful hike is from the Tamrur Cliff to Ein Bokeq. Along the route are a number of spectacular observation points. Ein Gedi and the Arougot River is a slightly more difficult trail and it incorporates the picturesque desert scenery of the Judean Desert. During the hike it is more than likely that you will see ibexes and rock hyraxes and also a number of flowing springs. From Arad you will be able to take a trip to the last stand of the great revolt, Massada. Massada is in fact an ancient fortress on the eastern part of the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. You will be able to visit the antiquities of Massada and be impressed by the spectacular scenery. Another trip is to Tel Arad. This is one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel is and located about 7 km from the town. An ancient biblical city was located at Tel Arad and it is mentioned in the bible when its king blocked the route to the Children of Israel when they wanted to leave Egypt. Some remains have been discovered there from the ancient Canaanite era. Visitors will be impressive by the wall encompassing the town and the watch towers around it. The excavations have exposed the entire lifestyle of the inhabitants, tools such as cooking burners and earthenware pots. The Arad Biblical Museum is another destination to be visited.
If you want shopping you will be able to visit the Arad Shopping Mall which offers a wide range of shops and coffee shops.
