Be'er Sheva: Art, History and Discoveries

Be'er Sheva brings together changing art displays, a clearly defined First World War history and various ways to explore River Park. Archaeological sites can also be found in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether experiences in Be'er Sheva itself or a broader look at the Southern District will provide the mix you want for your trip.

Art and History in Be'er Sheva

The Negev Museum of Art presents continuously changing exhibitions and displays from its collection. Since individual exhibitions change, the specific impression will depend on when you visit. If a particular subject is a deciding factor for your trip, it is best to check in advance what is currently on display.

The ANZAC Visitor Center tells the story of the British Army’s liberation of Be’er Sheva during the First World War, as well as the ANZAC troops’ cavalry charge. A visit includes a guided tour, museum exhibits and an audiovisual presentation. This offers a choice of different cultural focuses: a continuously changing art program or a historically focused presentation on a specific theme.

Explore Be’er Sheva River Park

At Be’er Sheva River Park, electric golf cart rides through the park are offered for groups of four or six. Bicycles and buggies are also available for visitors to explore the park. This gives you a clear choice of how to get around: golf cart rides for a specified group size or exploring by bicycle or buggy. Since operating details may change, check the current availability of these options before your visit.

Archaeological Sites Nearby

The Mamshit National Park and Tel Arad National Park are located near the destination. Mamshit contains the remains of a Nabataean city from the Roman and Byzantine periods. A marked path leads from the park entrance down to Mamshit Stream, adding another point of interest alongside the archaeological remains.

Tel Arad reflects a different historical period: the national park contains the remains of a fortified Canaanite city and fortresses from the time of the kings of Judah. A unique temple and a remarkable water system from the Israelite period have also been preserved there. The two parks therefore have distinct focuses: Mamshit, with the remains of a Nabataean city, and Tel Arad, with Canaanite and Israelite heritage.

The Southern District: Further Landscape and History Themes

The Southern District, as a broader regional context, offers further distinct nature and history themes. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Route in the Negev Highlands. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve encompasses Israel’s largest oasis, with springs, waterfalls, flowing streams, ibex and rock hyraxes. A hiking trail runs along Nahal Arugot, which flows year-round, leading to a hidden waterfall and pools upstream. Trail conditions may change after floods.

Masada adds another historical dimension. The site is a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. Herod’s palaces and intact Roman siege works have been preserved there; they are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world.

Choose a Holiday Rental to Match Your Focus

Your preferred focus is a useful starting point when choosing a holiday rental. If you want to focus on art exhibitions, ANZAC history and River Park, you can focus your search on Be'er Sheva. If you want to include Mamshit or Tel Arad, you can also take the nearby archaeological sites into account. The broader Southern District offers further nature and history themes for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Talmei Bilu.

Go to the broader travel overview: Southern District.