“Masada shall not fall again.”
The old oath still seems to hang in the desert air.
Perched high above the Dead Sea, Masada feels less like a ruin and more like a moment frozen mid-story. Herod the Great turned this remote plateau into a desert palace, complete with storerooms, bathhouses, and dramatic cliffside terraces. Decades later, Jewish rebels made it their final stronghold against Rome, choosing defiance on the edge of a cliff rather than surrender in the valley below.
On this self-guided walking tour, the Action Tour Guide app becomes your storyteller as you explore at your own pace. As you move across the summit, the audio links what you see underfoot with the history that played out here: the rise of the fortress, the long Roman siege, and the powerful legend that followed. No rushing groups, no fixed schedule, just you, the ruins, and the story unfolding in your headphones.
You will wander past the Snake Path Gate and quarry, step into the Commandant’s Residence and Headquarters, and picture shelves of grain stacked high in the storerooms complex. The Northern Palace and the large bathhouse hint at Herod’s taste for luxury even in the middle of the desert. At the spot of the “lots,” the narrative dives into the famous final decision of the rebels, while the ancient synagogue and columbarium towers reveal quieter details of everyday life on the plateau. Byzantine gates, a church, cisterns, pools, and rebel dwellings show how many layers of history this single rock still holds.
Side effect alert: May cause sudden respect for Roman ramps, an urge to rewatch every history documentary you ever skipped, and far too many photos of desert views you swear “don’t look real.”
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- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Where To Start?
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 Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- 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 and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Preview The Tour
Explore 200+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, get travel tips, hear narrated guides, and see hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
