Ein Tamar has a clear agricultural focus: several crops are grown on saline desert soil, and group tours are available by prior arrangement. Nearby, Tamar Spring and Nahal Amatziahu Park add landscape and cultural connections to the area. This makes it possible to plan a stay around both local agriculture and the distinct destinations in the surrounding area.
Agriculture and Tours in Ein Tamar
Crops grown include dates, basil, peppers, watermelons, melons, tomatoes, zucchini, and asparagus. The saline desert soil shapes this agricultural landscape. Individual crops may vary by season. If you want to get to know Ein Tamar through its agriculture, you can use cultivation as a starting point for planning.
Agricultural tours are offered for groups in Hebrew, Russian, and English. They take place by prior arrangement; check current availability directly with the organizer. The tour is a planned group activity that you should arrange in advance.
Tamar Spring and Nahal Amatziahu Park
Tamar Spring, after which Ein Tamar is named, is located near Nahal Zin. It lies at the end of a line of springs stretching from Jerusalem to Sodom. Together with numerous other springs, it forms a distinctive ecological environment in the nearby Sodom salt desert. This extends the landscape connection from cultivation on saline soil to the springs in the surrounding area.
Nahal Amatziahu Park is located at the entrance to Ein Tamar and Neot HaKikar. A monument made of two stones stands there: one comes from the Dead Sea, the lowest place in the world, and the other from Everest, the highest place in the world. The stones were erected in the park and in the Everest protected area as a sign of friendship between peoples and of the connection between the highest and lowest points. Important for planning: the park is closed to visitors until further notice. Check whether it has reopened before visiting.
More Places to Explore in the Southern District
The wider travel destination of the Southern District offers other places with different themes. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Negev Highlands, along the route of the ancient Incense Route. This adds an archaeological and historical dimension of the Southern District to Ein Tamar’s agricultural focus.
Ein Gedi has a different focus: the nature reserve includes Israel’s largest oasis, with springs, waterfalls, and flowing streams; ibex and hyraxes also live there. A hiking trail along Nahal Arugot, which flows year-round, leads to a hidden waterfall and pools in its upper reaches. Route conditions may change after flooding; check them before your visit.
Masada is another historical highlight in the Southern District. The site represents the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction, and the final resistance of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. The remains include Herod’s palaces and Roman siege works, which are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world. Registering in advance through the visit coordination system secures a place for your chosen visit date. As the arrangements may change, check the current procedures before planning.
Discover more destinations: Kiryat Mal'akhi, Elifaz, Arad, Idan, Mitzpe Ramon, Ein Bokek, Sapir, Kfar Menahem
View the wider travel overview: Southern District.
