The ruins of Avdat, the greatest Nabatean city in the Negev, lie on a limestone hill overlooking the desert. Avdat is part of the ancient Spice Route between Petra and Gaza. The city was named for the admired Nabatean monarch Avdat, apparently Avdat II (30-9 B.C.E.), who asked to be buried here The remains include two impressive Bysantine churches, a wine press, and many other interesting finds. The Avdat National Park encompasses the ruins of Avdat on top of the hill and the area down the slope. There are parking lots at the base of the hill and at its top. Tours at the site usually start from the top and end at the bottom. Avdat National Park is off Route 40 between Kibbutz Sde Boker and Mizpe Ramon, 15 minutes from Sde Boker.
Phone # 972-8-6551511
Open: Sun-Fri 8am-5pm (April–September), 8am-4pm (October-March). On Fridays, all year around, the site closes an hour early.
The ruins of Avdat, the greatest Nabatean city in the Negev, lie on a limestone hill overlooking the desert. Avdat is part of the ancient Spice Route between Petra and Gaza. The city was named for the admired Nabatean monarch Avdat, apparently Avdat II (30-9 B.C.E.), who asked to be buried here The remains include two impressive Bysantine churches, a wine press, and many other interesting finds. The Avdat National Park encompasses the ruins of Avdat on top of the hill and the area down the slope. There are parking lots at the base of the hill and at its top. Tours at the site usually start from the top and end at the bottom. Avdat National Park is off Route 40 between Kibbutz Sde Boker and Mizpe Ramon, 15 minutes from Sde Boker.