Travel

What to Expect from Your First Visit to Masada

By  | 

A lot of people visit the Dead Sea for healing purposes. Dead Sea salt and mud contain a lot of minerals that help the body heal at a much faster rate. There are even resorts that specialise in Dead Sea healing experiences, offering treatments and facilities to help you enjoy the best Dead Sea experience.

But the Dead Sea is so much more than just a wellness destination. There are a lot of interesting – often intriguing – places to visit while you are in the area. One of them is Masada, an old fortress overlooking the Dead Sea. What can you expect from your first visit to Masada?

What is Masada Exactly?

As mentioned before, Masada is an ancient fortress that is more than 2,000 years old. It is located on the top of the mountain and it lets you enjoy the breath-taking view of the Dead Sea from above. It was built by King Herod the Great as more than just a fortress.

You will also find ruins of the ancient swimming pool and bathhouse, as well as the palace itself. Another interesting thing about Masada is its aqueducts, which are an engineering marvel. The system found here is so famous that many modern systems are based on it.

For Jews, Masada is more than just a fortress. It is a symbol of resistance, as it acted as the last refuge from the Roman Empire. From the summit, you can still see ruins of the ancient Roman siege camps around Masada.

To the Top

If you are feeling adventurous and you are up for a challenge, a hike is the best way to reach Masada. You start from the Masada Visitor Centre and then hike up the Snake Path to reach the summit. Many travellers, including those who don’t particularly enjoy hiking as a hobby, visit this attraction for the hiking experience.

It is, however, a long climb. Make sure you pack plenty of water and that you pack your daypack lightly for this trip. The further you climb, the more it will feel like the summit is beyond reach. However, even inexperienced hikers can make it, and there is nothing more rewarding than being able to conquer this 1400-foot mountain.

Other Ways to Visit Masada

If you don’t feel like going on a long climb on a hot, sunny day, you have other ways to reach the top too. Masada now has a cable car that takes you all the way to the top. Visiting the historic site with children and seniors is much easier if you hop in a cable car.

Besides, you’ll have more energy as soon as you reach the top, which means you can spend more time admiring the intricate details of the fortress. Masada is one of the best ancient fortresses in the country and the view of the Dead Sea from this site alone is more than enough reason to visit Masada on your next trip to the Dead Sea.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply