Attractions in Arad and the Area —
History, Desert, and Adrenaline

Let's start with the famous neighbor: Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a short drive from Arad. Herod's fortress atop the mountain, the story of the Roman siege, and the view over the Dead Sea make it one of the most striking sites in Israel — and the reason tourists from all over the world pass through the area.

For families with kids: the Masada story works great for school-age children too — a fortress on a mountain, Roman army camps visible from above, and a massive earthen ramp built by hand. It's worth starting at the visitor center to give the story context before heading up.

The classic tip: go up early in the morning. Many people climb the Snake Path before sunrise to watch the sun rise over the Dead Sea, then come down before the heat arrives. Those who'd rather skip the climb can take the cable car on the eastern side. Either way, you're free by midday to continue the day — which is exactly the structure of a perfect day in the area.

The road down from Arad toward the Dead Sea is, on its own, one of the most scenic drives in the country: a long descent through desert scenery that opens onto the blue-and-salty sea. At the bottom, the beaches are waiting, along with the famous floating sensation that's impossible to explain until you try it, mineral mud, and spa treatments at the area's hotels.

A common combination among our visitors: a morning of adrenaline at the Arad race track, an afternoon of floating and calm at the Dead Sea. The contrast between 450 horsepower and total stillness on the water is exactly what makes this day unforgettable.

A small tip from the locals: bring water shoes (the seabed is salty and sharp), don't shave that morning, and drink much more water than you think you need — the desert air dries you out without you noticing. And if you stay for the evening, the sunset over the Moab Mountains, on the Jordanian side of the sea, paints everything a pink you won't find anywhere else in the country.

Anyone who loves open nature will find plenty around Arad: breathtaking desert lookouts right at the edge of town (the sunsets over the Judean Desert are free — and worth every shekel), short walking trails to streambeds and cliffs, and especially dark night skies that make the area one of the best stargazing spots in the country.

For those heading farther south, the craters are waiting: the Large Crater (HaMakhtesh HaGadol) and Ramon Crater, a geological phenomenon unique to Israel, with hiking trails, lookout points, and adventure activities. It's a drive of about an hour or more from Arad, so it suits travelers spending a full weekend in the South better. We've gathered the whole southern extreme-sports picture in our guide to extreme attractions in the South.

And here's the part we know best: at the edge of town operates the Arad race track — 14 technical corners across three configurations, an official pit lane, a paddock, and a spectator area holding up to 1,000 people, approved by the Ministry of Culture and Sport and the Performance Driving Authority, in partnership with the Arad Municipality.

EXR Racing runs self-driving experiences at the track in real sports cars: the Chevrolet Corvette C6 with 450 hp, the Mitsubishi EVO X with turbo and all-wheel drive, and the BMW M240. Every experience includes a briefing, a certified instructor riding beside you, insurance, and video and photo coverage — and anyone not driving can watch from the stands. Experiences are arranged in advance on WhatsApp. For the full guide, see the Arad race track driving experience.

One important planning tip: the driving experience needs to be arranged in advance — it's not an attraction you can drop into spontaneously. Book your slot at the track first, then build the rest of the day around it. The dry desert climate is pleasant most of the year, and in summer it's best to stick to the morning or late afternoon.

Because there's nowhere else in Israel where you can, on the very same day, stand on a 2,000-year-old fortress, float in the saltiest water in the world, watch a desert sunset, and drive a real sports car on a professional race track. Arad isn't just a stop on the way to the Dead Sea; it's the base from which to do the South right — clear air, small-town calm, and everything big within arm's reach.

Want the track experience to be a gift? A flexible voucher lets the recipient arrange their own day. And if you're still comparing options, our guide to comparing driving experiences in Israel will help you understand why it's worth the drive out to Arad.