Visiting Ben-Gurion's Tomb National Park in Israel
Ben-Gurion National Park is a monument in Israel that you might consider visiting when road tripping the Negev Desert. In this travel guide, you will find helpful information on how to get there, the entrance fee, and if it's worth a visit or not.
Have you ever heard of Ben-Gurion? Yeah, we neither. At least before our trip to Israel.
But it didn't take long to come across this name that is so important for Israelis and the state of Israel itself.
The first time we heard the name Ben-Gurion was when we were in the process of buying flight tickets to Israel, as the main international airport near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem carries his name.
At the time, we didn't pay that much attention to it, but as soon as we started planning our Israel itinerary, the name popped up from time to time from all different corners of the country.
So when we reached the great Negev Desert, we couldn't fail to notice that one of the national parks carries Ben-Gurion's name as well.
At first, we were pretty hesitant to go there, but when the opportunity arose, we said why not.
There is no entry fee, and the park is right next to another one of many Negev gems, Ein Avdat National Park.
We have already seen some tombs in Beit Shearim, but they were ancient. Therefore, this site promised a very different experience.
So here's everything you should know about visiting Ben-Gurion National Park.
Places to Visit in Israel Named After Ben-Gurion
While visiting Ben-Gurion's tomb is an experience on its own, there are more places to see in Israel connected to Ben-Gurion's name.
Here are only a few examples to prove our point.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the largest airport in Israel currently carries Ben-Gurion's name.
While getting from Ben-Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv is easy, make sure to read our blog post that will navigate you around.
The cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv is a place where you can find a nonstop life but also Ben-Gurion's home.
An impressive Ben-Gurion boulevard in Haifa connects Haifa Port and the unique Bahai Gardens.
The street runs through the former German Colony, and when you visit Haifa, it's one of the places you shouldn't miss out on.
When you arrive in Beer Sheva, there is the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in the city's northeast corner.
And while we understand that you probably won't make a detour to see the university complex, it's good to know that this is one of the most important places named after Ben-Gurion in Israel.
David Ben-Gurion
David Ben-Gurion was the first prime minister of Israel and is today known as the founding father of the state of Israel.
He was born in 1886 in the Russian Empire in Plonsk, which is today's central Poland.
He had a big passion for Zionism, which is a movement that supports the idea of a Jewish state in the Holy Land.
As you're reading a travel blog and not an encyclopedia, we won't be writing his entire biography here (which you can easily google yourself).
So the most important fact about him is that on 14 May 1948, he declared the independence of the State of Israel.
That resulted in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that started right after the end of the British Mandate for Palestine.
Despite all odds, Israel was able to win the war, and Ben-Gurion was elected the prime minister of Israel, where he remained until 1963 (except for the years 1954 and 1955).
After his political retirement, he moved to Sde Boker (Sde-Boqer), a small kibbutz in Negev Desert, where he spent the rest of his life.
Ben-Gurion National Park
On our way from the Avdat National Park, we climbed back from the Tzin Valley through a zig-zagging road, and as we still had some time to spare, we decided to visit the Ben-Gurion tomb.
We had no idea what to expect, so we kept our expectations low.
What we didn't expect to find in the well-maintained park were wildlife, grass, and trees.
We've already seen Ibexes in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, but finding them here grazing on the well-kept green lawns was quite a sight to behold.
At least compared to the harsh and arid landscapes surrounding this little oasis of peace.
The final resting place of David and Paula (his wife) Ben-Gurion is on a small plateau that ends with a steep drop into Tzin Valley.
The view is very similar as you would get from the stop on the upper zig-zag of the road, but it's still very impressive even when you see it for the second time.
The tombs are very simple, with only names on them.
The pebbles or small stones that are put by Jewish people on the top of the graves are a typical tradition that acts as a remembrance and honoring the deceased.
Several school bus trips made the scene more lively, but as we had previous experience with them from places such as Masada or Tzipori National Park, we embraced the experience.
There is not much else to do in Ben-Gurion National Park except to see the tomb, admire the views, or take a cover under some trees in the park.
Moreover, the entire visit won't take you more than 20-30 minutes. The site is wheel-chair friendly.
As mentioned above, the site is, for obvious reasons, popular with school trips, and some parts can be crowded and noisy.
Ben-Gurion's Desert Home in Sde Boker
The simple home where Ben-Gurion lived with his wife after he retired from active political life is also known as Ben-Gurion's Hut.
The house that is now a museum is very modest and remains in the same state as it was 50 years ago.
To find his home, you need to drive to Sde Bokker Kibbutz, which is about 4 kilometers north of the national park. It's near the Delek petrol station.
Ben-Gurion spent his retirement writing a history of Israel's early years and died in 1973 after he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
The museum is open from 8:30 AM to 4 PM from Sunday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 2 PM on Fridays, and 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays.
Unlike the park, there is a 20 NIS entry fee to Ben-Gurion's Hut.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Ben-Gurion National Park is free. Yes, even though that this site is part of the national parks network, there is no entry free.
That's great news for all travelers visiting Israel on a budget who don't want to use up their discounted entrances from their Israel Pass.
Opening Hours
Ben-Gurion National Park is open all day, but probably the best time to arrive there is during the day to enjoy the epic views of the Tzin Valley.
Arriving early in the day will also help you avoid the bus tours. Nevertheless, the park is open year round.
Morevoer, you don't have to plan your visit so carefully as you should for some other popular places, let's say Dome of the Rock or Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Here you will find more information on when to visit Israel.
Parking
The parking at Ben-Gurion National Park is free, though it's not very large.
We didn't have any issues finding an empty space, but it might be more challenging in the peak season, especially if you arrive simultaneously as bus tours.
You will find the parking lot right next to the first gate at the upper entrance to Ein Avdat National Park.
How to Get There
Ben-Gurion National Park is located 53 kilometers south of Be'er Sheva. That's the direction when visiting this national park from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
If you have a rental car, you can get there in less than an hour via Highway 40.
Driving in Israel is easy and relatively safe, and we believe it's the best way to get around the country.
Avdat National Park is 11 kilometers south of Ben-Gurion National Park. Mitzpe Ramon is 34 kilometers south of Ben-Gurion National Park.
You can also catch a direct bus (Metropoline 64, 65, 160) from Be'er Sheva to Ben-Gurion National Park that stops near the entrance, but as you need to get to Be'er Sheva first, this option is quite time-consuming.
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Is Ben-Gurion's Tomb Safe to Visit?
Ben-Gurion's Tomb is safe to visit, but make sure you're prepared for the extreme weather conditions of the Negev Desert.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Israel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Ben-Gurion National Park Worth Visiting?
Ben-Gurion National Park is a historical place with a breathtaking lookout of Tzin Valley.
If you have free time, then it's not a bad idea to visit the tomb of one of the most important persons in Israeli history.
The site bears much more significance for Israelis than us foreigners, but it never hurts to learn more about the history of a country you're about to visit.
Most importantly, Ben-Gurion National Park is right next to the Ein Avdat National Park.
Some other top attractions, such as Avdat National Park or Makhtesh Ramon Nature Reserve, are also close to this site.
Therefore, including this national park in your itinerary makes quite some sense for those who are at least remotely interested in history.
On the other hand, making a trip with the only goal in mind to see the tomb is not probably worth it, at least in our opinion.
Where to Stay
For those who want to stay in a kibbutz, you have an opportunity to spend the night in Sde Boker.
Mitzpe Ramon, down further, Highway 40 offers accommodation for every budget, and it's probably your best bet when it comes to the hotels in this area.
Of course, you can also stay in Beer Sheva if necessary.
Sde Boker | Isrotel Kedma - This brand new hotel is a beautiful oasis in the Negev Desert. You will find everything you need in Isrotel Kedma and much more. It's not the most budget-friendly accommodation here, but it's only a small price to experience a true oasis.
Mitzpe Ramon | Beresheet Hotel By Isrotel - Set on a cliff overlooking the crater, Beresheet Hotel is hands down the best place to stay in Mitzpe Ramon. Of course, if the budget allows. Spacious rooms offer panoramic views, and there is also a wellness center and a seasonal outdoor pool. Free private parking is possible on site.
Be'er Sheva | La Finca Luxury Suites Hotel - Despite its name, this hotel offers fairly affordable accommodation in the heart of Be'er Sheva. Rooms are air-conditioned, spacious, and clean, and there is also a shared kitchen and an outdoor jacuzzi.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
