Middle East
Israel
Southern District
Arad
Arad Attractions
Masada Fortress
See all things to do

Masada Fortress

See all things to do
See all things to do
Masada Fortress
5
About
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
437 reviews
Excellent
377
Very good
52
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
ScenicSights
Wauwatosa, WI768 contributions
Amazing to visit but crowded
Mar 2023
For those of us who read or watched videos about Masada, it's really meaningful to visit. The cable car going up and down is convenient and fast. The movie you watch before going up is informative and helpful. Masada is pretty big and it takes a while to see all the structures. If you read all the information plaques, it'll take you a long time to get through everything. It was pretty crowded which wasn't that nice.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy12,240 contributions
Desolate place, well in tune with the tragic final story of the Zealots
Aug 2022
The fortress of Masada is one of those places that one has generally heard at least briefly before visiting it. Yet the visit is equally striking.
It is because the mass suicide of the Zealots (nearly 1000 people according to Josephus Flavius) that ended their siege by the Roman army in 73AD is a tragic event anyway, and what remains of the siege works (the bases of the camps of the "Legio X", the incredible artificial ramp that from the valley floor rises almost to the walls), preserved for two millennia by the arid climate, gives the feeling that the story ended a few years or a few decades ago.
It is because this place, before the final tragedy, was certainly a fortress but also a palace, built by Herod the Great (37BC-4BC) to take refuge in case of revolts, and therefore some surviving parts of the fortress (for example the baths) they speak eloquently of the comforts that a ruler could grant himself, in contrast with the asceticism of the last occupants.
Finally, it is because the surrounding landscape, one of the most desolate that can be imagined, in any case appears to accompany the warlike and macabre events that took place here with its fascinating squalor. The hill on which the fortress stands rises about 60 meters above sea level; but since here we are near the Dead Sea, ie the area emerged at the lowest altitude on earth, from the hill the earth sinks to the east for hundreds of meters of altitude, and the gaze therefore catches in this direction a desolate (and hot in the summer months) desert expanse, which appears (and actually is, if we think about geological and non-human times) the bottom of a dried up sea, whose glimmering remains can be seen in the distance.
For all of these reasons, don't even think about overlooking Masada if traveling through Israel!
Written 3 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NicScul
London, UK169 contributions
Sunrise Amazing
Nov 2022 • Couples
Amazing view, need to start out early and get a March on
Such a lovely sunrise over the dead sea. Would highly recommend.
Take the ramp Rd.
Once sun has risen, enjoy the view and then head over to engedi
Written 4 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,818 contributions
Heroic resistance ended in disaster
Oct 2022
Those of us who have an interest in Jewish history cannot help but be fascinated by Masada. A band of Jewish rebels held out against the might of the Roman Empire, until they were defeated by Rome's 10th Legion. The Zealots and their families committed mass suicide; it was better than being sold into slavery. The siege of Masada was recorded by Josephus Flavius, a Jew. The text of "The Jewish War" was conserved by the Catholic Church, probably because Josephus mentions Jesus and his disciples several times .
Written 3 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edith G
Haifa, Israel493 contributions
A sure pick!
May 2022 • Couples
Amazing place, full of history. Magnificent views of the surrounding area. Extensive work has been done to make it accessible to tourists. Many explanations posted in English and Hebrew. Allow enough time to explore, preferably early in the day or later afternoon. Bring water bottles - they can be refilled at the information center or up on top - as well as hats snd sunscreen. Well worth the effort to drive there. Highly recommended. Will be glad to return again.
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B T
London, UK1,194 contributions
Phenomenal Views
Mar 2022
You get phenomenal views from the top, it is worth walking up to the top, but you can also take the cable car when approaching from the Dead Sea. There is not much in terms of ruins at the top, but it is absolutely well worth visiting.
Written 16 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phenning2347
Mandalay, Myanmar122 contributions
Herod's refuge
Jan 2020
A rich history preserved in ruins - a Roman palace within the fortress ruins built in the first century BC, and Byzantine monastery and church ruins from the fifth and sixth centuries.
Built 400 metres above the eastern plains, the views toward Jordan and the Dead Sea are amazing. It can get quite windy as there is little to disrupt the air currents.
Written 28 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saul S
Orlando, FL62 contributions
It was a hot day
Oct 2019
Although it was a hot day, it was well worth it.The sight is well marked and explained. The views were breath taking. NOT to be missed!
Written 21 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightsee41547
11 contributions
Great History and Vista's
Nov 2019
This place was a fortress for King Herod and the last stronghold of the Zealots against the Romans. It took two years for the Romans to build a 2,000 feet long and 200 feet high ramp to reach the top. When they got there they uncovered that the Zealots committed mass suicide. It is said that only two women and 5 children survived. The cable car ride to the top was built in 1998 is 2,953 ft long and 1,476 ft high. The views form the cable car ride and at the top of the fort are astounding. Oh I forgot to mention you can walk to the top if you desire. Good Luck
Written 23 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JAMS51
Helensburgh, UK789 contributions
Fantastic Fortress & Views
Mar 2020
Use the cable car unless you are really fit, they really squeeze you in the cable car but it's only a short ride.

Plenty to see in & around the fortress & there are information plaques everywhere. to see it all you would need 4 -5 hours. The views down the valley are fantastic & you can see the both the north & south parts of the Dead Sea .

We visited in early March & it was hot then to take plenty of water, sun cream, hat & sun glasses as there is very little shelter from the sun up there. terrain is varied so wear a good pair of shoes.
Written 1 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 216
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Masada Fortress, Arad

Frequently Asked Questions about Masada Fortress