Qumran Caves
Kalya, West Bank
Famed as the home of the Dead Sea Scrolls—a cache of Hebrew manuscripts that transformed understanding of the Jewish and Christian religions—the Qumran Caves form the heart of Qumran National Park. Not all caves are open, but the rugged desert landscapes, small museum, lookout trail, and archaeological site all appeal.
The basics
While no one knows who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, or even when, the Qumran site delivers fascinating insights into the community that once lived there. Besides meeting rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, a watchtower, stables, and workshops, the wealth of purification pools show how seriously residents took their religion. A historical film and the museum put everything in context.
Many travelers visit on a day trip from Jerusalem, although tours also leave from Tel Aviv. Travelers with an interest in Jewish history often pair Qumran with Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Christian travelers often add in West Bank biblical sites such as Bethlehem and Jericho; others combine Qumran with a desert safari and a float in the Dead Sea.
Things to know before you go
- The Qumran watchtower lookout offers dramatic Dead Sea views.
- There is a moderate charge to visit the park.
- The Qumran ruins are stroller friendly and easy enough for small children to walk. Parents should note that the mineral-heavy Dead Sea water can sting eyes and mucous membranes.
- The Qumran Caves are wheelchair friendly, with accessible bathrooms and parking. The museum and film are wheelchair accessible, while a wheelchair-friendly trail runs through the archaeological site.
How to get there
Qumran National Park is about a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive east of Jerusalem, about a mile (1.5 kilometers) inland from the Dead Sea. Buses from Jerusalem pass the site en route to other Dead Sea destinations, but self-driving or joining a tour lets you cover more ground.
When to get there
The caves are open from morning until late afternoon, seven days a week; during winter, they close a little earlier and shut at lunchtime on the eve of national holidays. Plan to avoid the Israeli weekend (Friday and Saturday) to beat the crowds.
Exploring Israel’s Dead Sea Coast
At 1,412 feet (430 meters) below sea level, the Israeli side of the Dead Sea offers more than just spa treatments and beaches. Head to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve for gorgeous oasis landscapes, discover the rock fortress of Masada, built by King Herod and site of a famed mass suicide, or take a 4WD desert safari.
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