Be'er Sheva: Art, History and Park Activities

When looking for hotels in Be'er Sheva, it is worth first considering the main focus of your stay. The city offers rotating exhibitions, the history of Be’er Sheva’s liberation during the First World War, and activities at Be’er Sheva River Park to suit different interests. Nearby archaeological parks add more places to visit.

Art and History in Be'er Sheva

The Negev Museum of Art presents a continuous program of rotating exhibitions and displays from its collection. The ANZAC Visitor Center tells the story of Be’er Sheva’s liberation by the British Army during the First World War and the ANZAC troops’ cavalry charge. A visit includes a guided tour, a look at museum exhibits and an audiovisual presentation. This brings two distinct cultural highlights together in Be’er Sheva: changing art and collection displays, and an account of a specific historical event.

Archaeological Sites Nearby

The Mamshit National Park and Tel Arad National Park are located near Be’er Sheva. Mamshit preserves the remains of a Nabataean city from the Roman and Byzantine periods. A marked trail leads from the entrance to the national park down to the Mamshit Stream. The ancient city and the marked trail to the stream offer two different aspects of a visit.

Tel Arad National Park includes the remains of a fortified Canaanite city and fortresses from the time of the kings of Judah. It also preserves a unique temple and a remarkable water system from the Israelite period. If you compare archaeological sites by their historical focus, the two parks are quite distinct: Mamshit represents a Nabataean city and the Roman and Byzantine periods, while Tel Arad represents a Canaanite city, the kings of Judah and remains from the Israelite period.

Activities at Be’er Sheva River Park

Visitors can explore Be’er Sheva River Park by bicycle and buggy; rides in electric golf carts for four or six people are also available. The options differ in how you get around, and the golf carts have a specified group size. Before visiting, check the latest information on rides and the availability of bicycles and buggies, as operating details may change. This park adds another way to spend time outdoors alongside the museum and history attractions.

More Historical Sites in the Southern District

Other sites in the broader Southern District destination add to the range of themes. Avdat in the Negev Highlands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Road. Masada offers a different historical focus: the site symbolizes the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. The remains of Herod’s palaces and Roman siege works are preserved there; the latter are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world. Avdat connects World Heritage with an ancient trade route, while Masada is associated with resistance and the archaeological traces of the siege.

To visit Masada National Park, registering in advance through the visit coordination system secures a place for your chosen date. As the policy may change, take registration into account when planning your visit.

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