Mount Sodom

Mount Sodom is a geologically unique hill range at the southwestern corner of the Dead Sea, composed almost entirely of rock salt (halite). Stretching approximately eight kilometers in length, it rises about 220 meters above the Dead Sea's surface, though its summit remains well below global sea level. The mountain is a salt diapir, formed when ancient salt layers were pushed upward by the immense pressure of overlying sedimentary rocks. Erosion from rare desert rainstorms has carved out the world's most extensive network of salt caves within the mountain, including the Malham Cave, which exceeds 10 kilometers in total length. A thin cap of gypsum and marl protects the underlying salt from rapid dissolution. The site is famously linked to the biblical narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah, with a distinct salt pillar on its slopes traditionally identified as 'Lot's Wife.' The stark, crystalline landscape provides surreal vistas of the Dead Sea evaporation ponds and the Moab Mountains in neighboring Jordan.

Nearby cities

Ashdod

Ashdod is a major coastal city and home to Israel's largest port, handling the majority of the country's cargo.

Beersheba

Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert, often referred to as the capital of the southern region.

Ashkelon

Ashkelon is a coastal city in the Southern District, featuring a rich history spanning thousands of years.

Eilat

Eilat is Israel's southernmost city, a busy port and popular resort at the northern tip of the Red Sea.

Rahat

Rahat is a predominantly Bedouin city in the Northern Negev, being the largest Bedouin settlement in the world.

Dead Sea (Ein Bokek)

The lowest point on Earth, famous for its hypersaline water that lets you float effortlessly and mineral-rich mud.

History & landmarks

Makhtesh Ramon

Makhtesh Ramon in the Negev Desert is the largest erosion crater in the world, captivating visitors with its dramatic cliffs and colorful…

Nature

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is an endorheic salt lake located at the lowest land elevation on Earth, famous for its extremely high salinity.

More places

Dead Sea Works

A huge industrial complex that extracts valuable minerals such as potash, bromine, and magnesium from the water of the Dead Sea.

Masada

An ancient fortress on a rock plateau overlooking the Dead Sea.

Zin Phosphate Mine

One of the most important mines in the Negev Desert, extracting large quantities of phosphates for the chemical industry and export.

Ein Gedi Botanical Garden

A kibbutz garden in the desert featuring an incredible variety of desert and tropical plants from around the world.

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

Ein Gedi is a verdant oasis in the Judean Desert, featuring waterfalls, springs, and abundant wildlife near the Dead Sea.

Yatir Forest

Yatir Forest is the largest planted forest in Israel, located on the edge of the Negev Desert.

Arava Valley

Part of the Great Rift Valley, stretching from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south.

Qumran Caves

A series of caves in the Judaean Desert where ancient Jewish manuscripts were found.