DEAD SEA

SPA and hot springs in Israel

Hamey Gaache Springs

Near Netanya, a 10-minute drive away, there are indoor swimming pools with natural mineral springs called Hamei Ga'ash.

The water temperature ranges from 37 to 41 degrees Celsius.

Entrance fee: 90 shekels.

Pool Hamat Gader

Near the Sea of Galilee, a 1.5-hour drive from Netanya by car, is a complex with a hot mineral water pool and a park.

The water temperature ranges from 38 to 41 degrees Celsius.

Entrance fee: 128 shekels.

Dead Sea

A 2.5-hour drive from Netanya is the Lot Hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea in Ein Bokek, where you can spend the whole day for 240 shekels per person with lunch (buffet), a large freshwater heated pool with a relaxation area, and an indoor pool with heated seawater from the Dead Sea (water temperature +37-+38).

Holidays at the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea offers unmatched relaxation and unforgettable sensations as you float in its warm, salty waters. The best place to experience it is Ein Bokek, Israel’s most famous Dead Sea resort. This small settlement features about 15 hotels, a 1.5 km promenade, a small shopping center, and several cafés. Before visiting, there are a few things worth knowing.

From November to late March, the water in the Dead Sea is usually too cold for swimming. However, the warm and dry weather is perfect for sunbathing or enjoying the hotel pools. Some hotels even have indoor mineral pools heated to +37–38°C with authentic Dead Sea water.

One of the most popular options is Lot Spa Hotel (LOD), located right on the Dead Sea shore, about 400 meters below sea level, with stunning views of the Edom Mountains and the Judean Desert. This hotel specializes in wellness and relaxation, offering day packages that include spa access, pools, and meals.

Day Packages at Lot Spa Hotel:

Premium Package — 460 ₪ per person (480 ₪ on holidays)
- Heated Dead Sea pool, jacuzzi, dry sauna, fitness room (with sneakers), outdoor pool, and beach access.
- One 60-minute treatment of your choice (massage, stone therapy, Lotus massage, Black Pearl or Lotino therapy, or facial care).
- Lunch in the main restaurant (13:00–14:00).
Health Experience — 360 ₪ (380 ₪ on holidays)
- Spa facilities access.
- One shorter treatment: 30-minute medical massage, neck/back massage, foot massage, aromatic body scrub (40 min), or express facial (40 min).
- Lunch included.
Pampering Package — 330 ₪ (350 ₪ on holidays)
- Full spa use.
- One treatment: mud wrap (30 min) or salt body scrub (40 min).
- Lunch included.
Fun Day — 255 ₪ (275 ₪ on holidays)
- Spa, pools, saunas, gym, and beach only.
- Lunch included.

Ein Bokek - a Dead Sea resort

Ein Bokek is a compact resort with only a few cafés and shops, most of which close for Shabbat (from Friday afternoon around 14:00–16:00 until Sunday morning). Visitors should plan their leisure activities in advance. In the evenings, pools and beaches close at dusk, and life at the resort almost comes to a standstill. With the switch to winter time and the surrounding mountains, darkness falls as early as 16:00, and by 17:00 the resort is completely quiet. The promenade is only about 1.5 km long, so evening entertainment options are very limited. Most hotels have their own restaurants, which is why there are very few independent cafés in town.

Another important aspect is pricing: hotel stays at the Dead Sea are significantly more expensive than in other Israeli resort areas like Eilat. Compared to Red Sea resorts, accommodation here can cost 2–2.5 times more. However, the unique therapeutic benefits of the Dead Sea waters and the calm, restorative atmosphere make it worth the price for those seeking healing and tranquility.

By day, Ein Bokek is a lively resort: tourists bask in the sun, modern hotels sparkle under the desert light, and life flows gently by the Dead Sea shore. But once the sun sets behind the Judean Mountains, everything changes.

At night, the resort becomes almost deserted. There are no noisy bars, clubs, or late-night cafés — only the quiet glow of hotel windows and the sound of the waves. The moon and stars reflect on the still waters, while a few lanterns softly light the paths along the shore.

Ein Bokek by night is meditative and almost surreal. This place is designed for those who seek solitude and wish to experience the magic of the Dead Sea under the stars — where nature and silence take center stage.

Natural SPA - Gan HaShlosha

Gan HaShlosha, also known in Arabic as Sakhne, is a true oasis of warm springs in Israel. Located in the north of the country, near Mount Gilboa, it is considered one of the most picturesque places for family recreation in nature. With natural pools of warm freshwater surrounded by lush greenery and flowers, Gan HaShlosha creates the atmosphere of a paradise where visitors can relax and recharge all year round.

The park’s main attraction is its large natural pools, where the water temperature remains a pleasant +28°C (82°F) year-round. This makes Gan HaShlosha a popular spot in both summer and winter. Each pool has different depths, from shallow areas for children to sections as deep as 2.5 meters, perfect for swimming. Constant water circulation ensures cleanliness and freshness.

As in many Israeli nature parks, around the pools you’ll find picnic areas, shaded pergolas, gazebos, barbecue spots, restrooms, and fresh water taps. Families enjoy the playgrounds and spacious lawns, while active visitors can explore sports areas and walking trails around the pools. The park is designed for spending an entire day outdoors in comfort.

Gan HaShlosha also offers cultural highlights. Inside the park, you can visit the Museum of Regional Archaeologywith local artifacts, and a reconstructed ancient water mill. Another attraction is a small ethnographic village that tells the story of the first kibbutzim and early settlers around the Sea of Galilee.

The springs are especially popular in spring and autumn, when the air temperature is most pleasant. In early spring, the surrounding landscape is at its greenest, making the area breathtakingly beautiful.

Gan HaShlosha is the ideal destination for anyone seeking a balance of nature, relaxation, and history. Loved by Israelis and international tourists alike, it offers a unique chance to unwind in Israel’s natural warm springs while enjoying cultural and natural treasures.

The Quality of Water and Its Natural Inhabitants

One of the most remarkable features of Gan HaShlosha is the exceptional purity and clarity of its waters. The park’s pools are naturally fed by underground springs that flow continuously throughout the year, maintaining a steady temperature of around +28°C (82°F). This constant renewal of water ensures excellent quality — clean, mineral-rich, and slightly alkaline, which gives the pools their crystal-blue color and silky texture.

Because the water is always in motion, it remains fresh and oxygenated, preventing stagnation and creating a perfect environment for small aquatic life. Visitors often notice tiny Garra rufa fish — sometimes called “doctor fish” — swimming near the rocks and shallow areas. These harmless little fish are known for gently nibbling away dead skin cells from the feet, providing a natural exfoliation that feels ticklish but refreshing.

The presence of these fish is a sign of the healthy ecosystem within the springs, where clean, mineral-balanced water sustains both flora and fauna. Combined with the lush greenery surrounding the pools, this living environment turns Gan HaShlosha into a true natural spa, where the landscape, water, and wildlife coexist in perfect harmony.

Beaches of the Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) is not only a sacred lake with millennia of history but also one of Israel’s favorite vacation spots. Its shores stretch for dozens of kilometers, offering everything from secluded coves to lively beaches with music, cafés, and camping facilities.

One of the most popular beaches on the southwestern shore is Boro-Boro Beach, located just a few minutes’ drive from Tiberias – official website. Boro-Boro combines the vibe of a resort club with the laid-back relaxation of a lakeside getaway.

What to expect at Boro-Boro Beach:

Clean sand-and-pebble shore with sun loungers, umbrellas, tables, and chairs.
Warm, clear water of the Kinneret – perfect for swimming or SUP boarding.
Lounge-style meals and music in the restaurant above the beach.
A bar on the shore offering cold drinks, snacks, and light dishes.
Comfortable showers and clean restrooms for changing.

Nearby beaches worth visiting:

Gai Beach – with pools and water slides.
Ein Gev Kibbutz Beaches – grassy lawns and Golan Heights views.
Northern shore beaches – more secluded, ideal for camping with children.

Practical info:

Address: South of Tiberias, along Highway 90.
Parking: Free.
Entrance fee: ₪65.
Capacity: up to 500 visitors.

Boro-Boro Beach is the perfect spot to enjoy the beauty of the Kinneret, whether you’re looking for fun, relaxation, or a family day by the water.

Perseids

Meteor shower

Every August, Israel observes the planet's passage through the Perseid meteor shower, formed from dust particles ejected by the tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle.

Observations of shooting stars are conducted away from light-polluted urban areas; the ideal location is Ramon Crater in the Negev Desert, located approximately 2.5 hours by car from central Netanya.

In Netanya, meteors are clearly visible from the sea, at least 1 km from the shore. In the city, the sky is heavily polluted by hotels and city lights, even on the beaches.

When to observe

Meteor showers begin in late July, but the peak of the meteor shower occurs between August 7 and 13. The best night for observing is between August 12 and 13. However, if the full moon coincides with these dates, there's no point in going sky-gazing. The moon is so bright in August that the sky becomes overcast, and meteors won't be visible without a telescope.

It's best to leave home no earlier than one o'clock, ideally around 4 a.m. Then, in the dark, calm sky directly overhead, you can see about 100 shooting stars per hour until dawn.