Masada
Masada is a magnificently located fortress site in Israel's stark Judaean Desert, close to the Dead Sea. If you are really adventurous, you can hike through the valleys to the north or south of Masada, and thus reach it from the "other side". Be aware that due to the steep cliffs and desert terrain, this is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.
Float in the Dead Sea
Floating in the Dead Sea is one of those must dos when visiting Israel. It’s also one of the healthiest things you can do on a visit to the Dead Sea – splash on some of that famous Dead Sea mud on your skin and feel the vitamins and minerals seep through every pore.
Mineral Beach
Spa treatments (with the famous Dead Sea mud); sulphur pools; and, of course, the beach fringing that salty Dead Sea water itself are all popular tourist attractions at Mineral Beach. Facilities include a café, sun-loungers and sunshades, a swimming pool, and the very necessary freshwater showers for when you've come out of the sea.
Judean Desert Jeep Tour
If you’re after a completely unique experience, how about an amazing jeep tour through the Judean desert? This tour might just blow your socks off, and is one of the very best ways to really explore the area overlooking the Dead Sea and the stunning landscapes of the desert that surrounds the area
Ein Gedi National Park
The Ein Gedi National Park is the second largest oasis in Israel. It is one of few places in the Israeli deserts where streams are running all year long. The park is found in the Dead Sea Valley, which is an effect of the Great Rift Valley. Visitors can follow trails past waterfalls, springs, caves, canyons and an early Bronze Age temple.
Explore the caves at Qumran
For the ultimate Qumran experience, you really need to get on your hands and knees and crawl through ancient aqueducts and hike through the canyon that is part of Qumran. This is an amazing desert experience.
Meet the Bedouins
Of course, one of the best ways of getting to really know a country is to meet the locals, and meeting these desert nomads is a truly unique experience, as you get to see their views and way of life, much of which has remained unchanged over hundreds of years.