National park · Israel
Beth Guvrin National Park
Enter Beth Guvrin for a cool summer hike: pay the entry fee (check), take the 1‑km Maresha burial‑cave trail (easy, 30 min) or the 3‑km Eleutheropolis ridge loop (moderate, 2 h); avoid weekends in July‑August when local school trips crowd the site.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
approximate
Established
1965
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Israel before…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Israel ↗Check your own government travel advice for Israel before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Israel ↗Entry rules, including any pre-arrival authorisation, depend on your passport and on the current border and security position; check the Population and Immigration Authority.
- Israel ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Israel before you rely on it.
- Shfelah ↗Public transport covers Modi'in and Beit Shemesh only; springs, caves and ruins need a car, taxi or organised tour.
- Shfelah ↗Spring pools are informal and unstaffed; go early on weekends and never enter unmarked cave systems alone.
At a glance
- Country
- Israel
- Area
- 12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²)
- Approximate; official park boundary not published.
- Established
- 1965
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Beth Guvrin National Park preserves a network of chalk‑carved burial caves, Roman ruins and an ancient underground city, offering cool summer hikes and archaeological experiences in the Shfela region.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2014Underground city of Maresha‑Bet Guvrin.
Size and age
12 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (12 km²) · national park since 1965
Approximate; official park boundary not published.
Why go
- Explore the extensive chalk‑carved burial caves and ancient Roman ruins.
- Cool underground passages provide relief from summer heat.
- Archaeological dig experiences are offered nearby.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, low crowd levels.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarSpring, pleasant.
- AprWarm, dry, ideal for hiking.
- MayWarm, low rain.
- JunHeat rises, crowds increase.
- JulHot, school trips cause crowding.
- AugHot, similar crowd levels.
- SepCooling, fewer visitors.
- OctMild, comfortable.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCool, low crowd.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean scrub birdsMar–Sep · Common in open areas. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kiryat Gat
Bus 66 (Dan BaDarom) runs 6 times daily; alight at Beth Guvrin stop, then 5 min walk to gate.
30–45 min
From Beit Shemesh
Drive east 15 km (9.3 mi) via Route 35; follow signs to Beth Guvrin National Park.Drive east 9.3 mi (15 km) via Route 35; follow signs to Beth Guvrin National Park.
20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance | Ticket office, visitor centre, map, restrooms. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Maresha burial‑cave area | Network of small family burial caves, easy paths. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Eleutheropolis ridge trail | Moderate loop with Roman ruins and views over the Shfela. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the park; exact gate location approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | ILS 30 | person | Check official site for exact price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for short trails, but recommended for the ridge loop.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in nearby towns.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kiryat Gat hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range options, 15 min drive.
Near the park
Beit Shemesh guesthouses
Family‑run rooms, convenient for early park entry.
Safety
Heat in summer medium
Getting lost on ridge low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance and burial‑cave area have short, level paths suitable for wheelchairs.
- Ridge loop includes uneven steps; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect chalk formations.
- Take all litter with you; no waste bins inside caves.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Beth Guvrin?
The adult entry fee is about 30 ILS per person; check the official park office for the latest price.
What are the best hikes in Beth Guvrin?
The short 1‑km Maresha burial‑cave trail (easy, 30 min) and the 3‑km Eleutheropolis ridge loop (moderate, 2 h) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Beth Guvrin?
Spring (April–May) offers warm, dry weather and fewer crowds; summer is hot but caves stay cool, while July–August can be crowded.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
Guides are not required for the burial‑cave trail but are recommended for the ridge loop.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns such as Kiryat Gat or Beit Shemesh.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Beth Guvrin National Park
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