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Voykit pocket guide · Israel
Netivot
Skip Netivot unless you are visiting the Baba Sali hillula (January/February). Any other day: pass through on the train, no stop needed.
Netivot is a small Negev city founded in 1956, home to about 31,000 people. Its only draw for travellers is the annual hillula (commemoration) of Rabbi Baba Sali at his grave, which draws thousands of Moroccan-Israeli pilgrims. The rest of the year the city is quiet and has little to offer a tourist. A half-day is more than enough if you happen to be passing.
- Country
- Israel
- Best months
- January–February (for the hillula); otherwise March–May and October–November for mild weather
- Avoid
- June–August (extreme heat, unpleasant to walk)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ILS
- Money
- Cards work nearly everywhere; see Insurance & payments above for the insurance point that matters more.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₪150–250 (day trip from Beer Sheva) · Mid ₪250–400 · High ₪400+ (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Ambulance (MDA) 101 · Fire 102 · Home Front Command 104
Get in
By air
- TLV · Ben Gurion Airport
- About 1.5 h by train via Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva
Typical fares
- Train Beer Sheva → Netivot
- about ₪15–20, 15 min (check)
- Local bus within Netivot
- about ₪5.50 (check)
- Taxi from station to centre
- about ₪30–40 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The city is walkable (about 20 min across). Five local bus routes start at the train station and serve residential areas. In summer, walking is unpleasant; take a bus or taxi.
See and do
Known for
- Baba Sali's grave and annual hillula (4 Shevat, January/early February)
- Moroccan-Israeli Jewish culture
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Beer Sheva | Train, about 15 min | About 30 min |
| Sde Boker | Train to Beer Sheva then bus, about 1 h total | About 1.5 h |
| Mitzpe Ramon | Train to Beer Sheva then bus, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
Sleep
- City centre
- Limited options; most visitors stay in Beer Sheva or Ashkelon and day-trip.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | שלוםshalom |
| Thank you | תודהtoda |
| How much? | כמה?kama |
| Where is the train station? | איפה תחנת הרכבת?eifo takhanat harakevet |
| Help! | הצילו!hatzilu |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- The hillula draws huge crowds: book transport and accommodation well ahead if you plan to attend.
- Summer heat: carry water, wear a hat, avoid walking between 11:00 and 16:00.
- The train station is on the outskirts; you will need a bus or taxi to reach the centre.
Netivot is generally safe. During the hillula, crowds are large but orderly. Standard precautions apply: watch your belongings in crowds, avoid walking alone late at night in unlit areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Netivot yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Baba Sali's grave and annual hillula (4 Shevat, January/early February)
- Moroccan-Israeli Jewish culture
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Netivot municipality: www.netivot.muni.il/
- Wikivoyage: Netivot, revision 5244699 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244699
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/netivot). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.