Wheelchair Accessibility at Masada Desert Fortress and the Dead Sea in Israel

If you know anything about me, then you should know at this point that I’m a complete sucker for a good view. And Israel has to be one of the best places in the world for incredible views. I went hot air ballooning over the Negev Desert and saw the city of Nazareth from atop Mount Precipice, but the view that I was most excited for during my trip was the one from Masada in southern Israel. I had seen photos online and it looked breathtaking, but nothing could prepare me for actually seeing it in person.

My journey to Masada started from Tel Aviv, and it ended up being a little more than a two hour drive. The drive wasn’t bad and as we started getting closer to Masada, the scenery was fantastic. We even had to stop for some photos along the way.

Most people make a visit to Masada a day trip from the more populous cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but if you want to spend more time in this area there are some great resorts. The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, is just minutes from Masada, so it would certainly be worth spending a night or two in this area so that you can visit both Masada and have ample time to float in the Dead Sea.

If you want to visit the Dead Sea, I would suggest going to Premier Beach. There are indoor showers and changing rooms, but unfortunately no shower chairs or changing tables. If you can bring your own shower chair, it would make things easier, as you could also roll it into the Dead Sea. There is a long ramp that goes into the sea from Premier Beach, so that’s why it’s one of the most accessible options, despite not having beach wheelchairs or many amenities for disabled visitors. The staff was very friendly though, and by taking your own shower chair to roll into the water with, you should be able to make it work.

While the Dead Sea is a little tricky for wheelchair users to visit, Masada is the complete opposite. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has undergone accessibility improvements in recent years, and I had no problem reaching the top of the mountain for incredible views. My visit started by entering the museum at the bottom of Masada and watching a short film about the history of this place. Here’s an explanation from the Israel Ministry of Tourism about Masada’s history –

“The fortress of Masada was built in the year 30 BCE by King Herod, whose architectural feats have left their mark throughout the country. At the beginning of the great revolt against Rome in the year 68 BCE, the site was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots, and Masada became their last stronghold. In the year 72 CE the Romans besieged Masada and succeeded in reaching the steep fortress after constructing a huge earthen ramp on its western side. In the year 73 CE, the 960 Jewish zealots living at the top of Masada chose to commit suicide rather than to fall into the hands of the Romans alive. Their deeds left behind a saga of courage, heroism, and martyrdom.”

As you can see, Masada has a long and varied history, and it was really quite surreal to actually be here. I kept imagining what this place would have been like a couple thousand years ago and how much turmoil the people that lived here went through.

To get to the top of Masada, you can hike a trail (not the most accessible option) or take a cable car. Needless to say, I opted for the cable car and it was perfectly accessible. The entrance to get in the car was smooth and the cable car was spacious, so it was easy to roll around inside of it on the way to the top. The ride is only about three minutes long, but it travels nearly 3,000 feet to get to the top. Despite the speed, it was a smooth and enjoyable ride.

Once we reached the top, it was time to explore. Most of Masada is paved and it is easy for a wheelchair to roll around. There are even signs that show where the accessible routes are. Not every part of Masada is wheelchair friendly, but enough of it is that it’s definitely worth visiting. There is an accessible restroom at the top as well, which was nice to see. I spent about an hour to an hour and a half wandering around, but you could spend more time here depending on how much you want to see. I visited in the middle of August and it was 109° Fahrenheit while I was there, so an hour was about my limit. I don’t think I’ve ever sweat so much in my entire life.

While at Masada, I saw the remains from thousands of years ago. They have actually been pretty well preserved and thanks to our guide, Eli of Israel4All, it was like getting an up close and personal history lesson. Eli was extremely knowledgeable and seemed to know everything about Masada. I went to Masada just expecting pretty views really, but I walked away (or rolled away) with a newfound appreciation for Masada. Sure, the views are amazing, but the history here will leave an impact on you that is much more important.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with the level of accessibility at Masada and can’t recommend it enough. Despite the intense heat, it was one of my favorite experiences in Israel and I enjoyed it even more than I expected. It’s easy to see why Masada is one of the Holy Land’s most visited places.

*Thanks to the Israel Ministry of Tourism and Israel4All for this experience. While my visit was complimentary, all opinions are authentic and my own.