Thirty kilometers south of the Ein Bokek hotel strip, where Route 90 bends toward the Arava valley, a cluster of date palms and greenhouses marks the presence of Neot HaKikar. At 345 meters below sea level, this small agricultural moshav is one of the lowest permanently inhabited communities on Earth, a settlement sustained by brackish groundwater, Israeli drip irrigation technology, and the same desert heat that drives visitors to the Dead Sea shore.
Neot HaKikar sits at 345 meters below sea level in the Arava valley south of the Dead Sea, where approximately 70% of its agricultural output, including organic Medjool dates and winter vegetables, is grown for export using drip irrigation and saline well water.
Overview
Neot HaKikar began in 1970, replacing an earlier cattle farm and military base. The initial settlers faced severe conditions: extreme heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in summer, highly saline soil, and limited potable water. Yet the region’s mild desert winters and abundant sunlight proved ideal for greenhouse agriculture. Today, the moshav produces red, green, yellow, and orange peppers, winter ripening melons, and organic Medjool dates, with approximately 70% of the harvest exported to European markets.
The neighboring moshav of Ein Tamar, established in 1982 by 24 families, shares both the agricultural economy and the tourism infrastructure.
Together, the two communities form the core of the Kikar Sodom (Sodom
Valley) region, administered by the Tamar Regional Council.
Accommodation
Neot HaKikar provides a quieter, more affordable alternative to the Ein Bokek resort district. The village and its neighboring settlements offer a range of lodging categories, from rustic desert camping to couples’ wellness retreats.
Guesthouses and B&Bs
Belfer Cabins: Wooden cabins with kitchenettes, mountain views, and private balconies. Accommodates couples and families of up to 5 guests.
Korin Home (Korin’s at the Dead Sea): Two bedroom apartments with jacuzzis, satellite TV, and kitchenettes. Tennis, basketball, and football facilities on site. Approximately 30 minutes from Masada.
Pnina Zimmer: Simple, modern guest unit with bedroom, living room, equipped kitchenette, and private backyard with grill.
Rachel Place: Family oriented guesthouse with equipped kitchenette and outdoor seating areas.
Shahar HaMidbar: Cabin style units with desert views, shared and private accommodation options.
Nof Tamar Zimmer (Ein Tamar): Guest units in the neighboring moshav, 20 minutes from the Dead Sea beaches.
Couples and Wellness Retreats
Libi Bamidbar: A couples focused healing and relaxation resort with lodge rooms, private balconies, hot tub, sun terrace, and spa treatments. Rated 9.5 for couples on Booking.com.
Budget and Camping
Shkedi’s Camplodge: Cabin and dormitory tent options in a communal setting with campfire areas, a bar, and a relaxed desert atmosphere.
Starting from approximately 25 USD per night.
Neot Camping (operated by Esti Barak): Seasonal tent camping under date palms, with shared facilities and barbecue areas. Adjacent to the ceramics studio.
Rates across these options are typically 30 to 60% lower than comparable hotel stays in Ein Bokek. The trade off is distance from the Dead Sea shore, approximately 20 minutes by car to the nearest beach access.
Workshops and Experiences The Kikar Sodom settlements have developed a small but distinct workshop economy that gives visitors direct contact with desert craftsmanship:
Esti Barak Ceramics Studio: Located in Neot HaKikar, this gallery and workshop has operated for over 30 years. Sessions cover wheel throwing and hand building techniques using local clay. The studio also maintains a camping complex on site.
Desert Scent soap and perfume workshop: Set among date groves, this workshop teaches traditional incense and soap production using local botanical materials.
Agricultural tours: Date palm cultivation demonstrations, greenhouse visits, and seasonal harvest participation.
Desert wellness: Qigong and movement sessions offered through local practitioners.
What to Do Nearby
Mount Sodom: 5 km north. Hike the Fish Trail, view Lot’s Wife pillar, or arrange guided salt cave descents.
Kikar Sodom cycling: 15 to 20 km off road loops through marlstone canyons and the Mount Sodom foothills.
Ein Plutit salt spring: A local salt water spring near the moshav, named after one of Lot’s daughters.
Birdwatching: The Arava valley is a major migratory corridor. Spring and autumn bring significant raptor and songbird passage.
Eco Desert Park: A visitor center at the entrance to the moshavim, serving as a starting point for regional hiking and cycling.
How to Get There
Neot HaKikar is accessible by car via Route 90 south from Ein Bokek (approximately 30 km, 20 minutes) or north from Eilat (approximately 170 km, 2 hours). No regular public bus service reaches the village directly, though buses on the Eilat to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv routes stop at the
Route 90 junction, approximately 3 km from the village center.
From Jerusalem, the drive takes approximately 2 hours via Route 1 East and Route 90 South.
From Tel Aviv, allow 2.5 to 3 hours.
Best Time to Visit
October through April delivers the most comfortable temperatures, with daytime highs of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The date harvest typically occurs in September and October, coinciding with the Sukkot holiday season and the annual Tamar Festival in the broader Dead Sea region.
Summer months (June through August) bring extreme heat, with temperatures routinely exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. Most camping facilities close for the summer.
Neot HaKikar provides a base for exploring the southern Dead Sea that costs a fraction of the Ein Bokek hotel district, with direct access to Mount Sodom trails, Kikar Sodom cycling routes, and the Arava valley’s migratory birdwatching corridor.
FAQ Section
How far is Neot HaKikar from the Dead Sea beaches?
Neot HaKikar is approximately 30 km (20 minutes by car) south of the
Ein Bokek public beach area. The village itself is not on the Dead Sea shore, but serves as an affordable base for day visits to the beaches and other regional attractions.
Is Neot HaKikar suitable for families?
Several guesthouses accommodate families of up to 5 guests, with kitchenettes and outdoor play areas. The ceramics workshop welcomes participants of all ages, and the flat terrain around the village is suitable for family cycling.
What kind of agriculture does Neot HaKikar produce?
The moshav grows organic Medjool dates, colorful bell peppers, winter vegetables, and melons using drip irrigation with saline well water.
Approximately 70% of the produce is exported, primarily to European markets.
Can I visit Mount Sodom from Neot HaKikar?
Mount Sodom’s southern access points are approximately 5 km north of
Neot HaKikar, making the village the closest accommodation base for hiking the Fish Trail, visiting the Lot’s Wife pillar, or arranging guided salt cave descents.