Masada Fortress, Israel Self-Guided Walking Tour

Tour Details

Walking
2 - 3 Hours
Purchase QTY
One Per Person
Distance
0.2+ miles
Audio Stories
42
Self Guided
At Your Own Pace
Tour Benefit
Tour Anytime
Any Day
Works Offline
100%
Money-back
Guarantee

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Welcome to the Masada Fortress Walking Tour in Israel

Masada, the Ancient Fortress atop a rock plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. Learn about the siege of Masada, the rebels’ fight with the Romans, their battle strategies, and their ultimate sacrifice on your Israel walking tour.

Key Stops:

The Evolution of Masada
What is the siege
How did it happen
The Symbolism of Masada
The Snake Path Gate
The Quarry
Commandant’s Residence
Commandant’s Headquarters
Storerooms Complex
The Northern Palace
The Large Bathhouse
Spot of the ‘lots’
The Water Gate
Administration Building
Northern Palace Observation Point
The Synagogue
Columbarium Towers
The Breaching Point
The Western Byzantine Gate
The Tanners’ Tower
The Western Palace
The Public Immersion Pool
Herod’s First Small Palace
Herod’s Second Small Palace
Herod’s Third Small Palace
Rebel dwellings
Eastern Cistern
Byzantine Monastic Cave
The Byzantine Church
Officer’s Quarter
The Round Columbarium Tower
The Southern Cistern
Swimming pool
The Southern Fort Southern Gate

Starting Point Address: Masada National Park, Israel

How does it work?

Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours.
To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

What You'll See

The Evolution of Masada
Overlooking the Dead Sea is Masada, an ancient fortress in southern Israel’s Judean Desert. You can get to the fortifications via cable car or a long, winding path. The fort was built around 30 B.C. Here you can find the ruins of a Roman-style bathhouse with mosaic floors and King Herod's Palace, which sprawls over 3 rock terraces. A must visit is also the Masada Museum that houses archaeological exhibits.
The Snake Path Gate
The Snake Path is one of the most famous hikes in Israel. It winds up from the Dead Sea toward the fortress of Masada, offering incredible views along the way.
The Quarry
This is the quarry where workers gathered the stone to build Masada. It also served a double purpose as a dry moat protecting the city from potential invaders.
Commandant's Residence
This once-grand structure still maintains some of its old power. The courtyard here would have been where the Commandant met with other powerful figures, and the ruins offer a glimpse into the distant past.
Commandant’s Headquarters
These rooms were once decorated with extravagant wall paintings, some of which have not completely disappeared. Here, you'll get some insight into why these spaces were decorated as they were.
Storerooms Complex
This immense complex of storerooms needed to be big enough to supply an entire settlement. Here, one would find the food, drink, and weaponry Masada needed to survive a long siege.
The Northern Palace
Built by King Herod, the "hanging" Northern Palace with its three terraces, is a masterpiece of antique engineering and architecture. Here, you will learn more about this ancient king and why he chose this site to build Masada.
The Large Bathhouse
This intricate structure was modeled after the famous bathhouses of ancient Rome. It had enormous baths, fresco-adorned walls, and an immense chamber beneath it all to supply heat.
Spot of the ‘lots’
This is an integral archaeological site. It is here where hundreds of pottery shards with inscriptions were found, which told scholars a great deal about Masada's past.
The Water Gate
This gate was part of a complex system of water transportation which supported the population of Masada.
Administration Building
This administration building was most likely used by Herod's clerks. During the revolt, however, it housed a number of rebel families.
Northern Palace Observation Point
This point affords fantastic views of the Northern Palace, Masada's water system, and the paths up the mountain. From here, you can also see three Roman siege camps and the siege wall.
The Synagogue
This ancient synagogue is fascinating for numerous reasons. Chief among them, however, is the underground room within, where archaeologists found religious texts, ammunition, and even military salary records.
Columbarium Towers
Originally built as guard towers, the Columbarium Towers quickly became a favorite spot for pigeons. Rather than try to shoo the birds away, the people of Masada used the droppings for fertilizer.
The Breaching Point
This is the spot along Masada's impressive walls where the Roman army breached the perimeter.
The Western Byzantine Gate
This gate opens to a path toward the water cisterns, for those interested to see more of Masada's intricate water system.
The Tanners’ Tower
This tower, as its name suggests, was once the site of a leather tannery.
The Western Palace
The Western Palace is the largest building in Masada. While much of the structure has fallen into ruin, some of the most fascinating features remain, such as beautiful mosaics.
The Public Immersion Pool
Like the bath house, this public pool was a gathering place where Masada's residents could socialize, clean themselves, and simply relax.
Herod’s First Small Palace
This small palace was modeled after other, larger palaces. According to archaeological investigations, however, it was never actually completed.
Herod’s Second Small Palace
This palace once boasted many luxuries, including a small ritual bath.
Herod’s Third Small Palace
This third small palace once encompassed a beautiful courtyard, though only hints of this remain today.
Rebel dwellings
These dwellings, which hug the perimeter wall of Masada, once housed rebels and their families. During the initial archaeological survey of the site, archaeologists found tons of artifacts here, including jewelry and coins!
Eastern Water Cistern
The Eastern Water Cistern is a fascinating example of ancient technology. It's one of the earliest such cisterns, and offers a compelling look at how ancient civilizations managed to keep a supply of drinkable water.
Byzantine Monastic Cave
This unassuming landmark was once home to Byzantine monks. These dedicated monks were known to stay in their caves and cells through the week and only on weekends would they come together for meals and prayer in the church.
The Byzantine Church
The Byzantine Church still stands at a considerable height, despite the ravages of time. The walls still bear remnants of the intricate mosaics which once covered nearly every surface of the building.
Tower
You can climb this tower for simply breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and the fortress itself. The overlook also allows a better understanding of how the Roman siege played out.
Officer’s Quarters
These were once the luxurious quarters of King Herod's officers. It remained functional well into the Byzantine period.
The Round Columbarium Tower
This is another pigeon housing and breeding tower. The lower floors were used for the birds and the upper floor for getting a birds’ eye view of the land around the fortress.
The Southern Water Cistern
The Southern Water Cistern features a flight of 64 stairs and walls which still remain in remarkably good shape--a testament to the craftsmanship of the original construction.
Swimming pool
With a capacity of 550 cubic meters, this was perhaps the most popular place for King Herod's subjects to swim.
The Southern Fort
Herod built this fort on the southernmost point of the fortress for two purposes—to keep watch on the streams far below the cliffs and to view the beauty of the Dead Sea.
Southern Gate
This gate offers great views of the Dead Sea and the mountains of Moab.
Ritual Bath
This is the last of Masada's ritual baths, and the conclusion of your tour.

Preview the Tour

The Evolution of Masada Audio Story

The Northern Palace Audio Story

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions:

App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on next trip. Never expires.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos/ snacks/hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated videos, text, and hidden gems.

Exclusions:

Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations to any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.

Masada Fortress, Israel Self-Guided Walking Tour

Tour Details

Upgrade to Bundles & Save

Action+ Annual Unlimited Subscription of 100+ Tours for $99.99 SAVE WITH BUNDLES $99.99

Welcome to the Masada Fortress Walking Tour in Israel

Key Stops:

How does it work?

What You'll See

The Evolution of Masada

The Snake Path Gate

The Quarry

Commandant's Residence

Commandant’s Headquarters

Storerooms Complex

The Northern Palace

The Large Bathhouse

Spot of the ‘lots’

The Water Gate

Administration Building

Northern Palace Observation Point

The Synagogue

Columbarium Towers

The Breaching Point

The Western Byzantine Gate

The Tanners’ Tower

The Western Palace

The Public Immersion Pool

Herod’s First Small Palace

Herod’s Second Small Palace

Herod’s Third Small Palace

Rebel dwellings

Eastern Water Cistern

Byzantine Monastic Cave

The Byzantine Church

Tower

Officer’s Quarters

The Round Columbarium Tower

The Southern Water Cistern

Swimming pool

The Southern Fort

Southern Gate

Ritual Bath

Preview the Tour

The Evolution of Masada Audio Story

The Northern Palace Audio Story

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions:

Exclusions:

Action+ Annual Unlimited Subscription of 100+ Tours for $99.99 SAVE WITH BUNDLES $99.99

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Action+ Annual Unlimited Subscription of 100+ Tours for $99.99
SAVE WITH BUNDLES
$99.99

Action+ Annual Unlimited Subscription of 100+ Tours for $99.99
SAVE WITH BUNDLES
$99.99