Head to the Desert for your next vacation, and meet new people! Hostels are an affordable way to stay in Israel, and also a great place to meet fellow travelers from all over the world. A bed in a dorm costs on average $20 per night, and a private room for couples costs on average $70 per night.
You can also book hotels directly in Israel and around the world through Secret Tel Aviv’s Booking.com Platform, it will cost you the same, but you will be supporting the work we do at Secret Tel Aviv.
We’ve broken this guide into areas:
- Negev
- North Arava
- South Arava
- Arad
- Eilat
- Dead Sea
We’ve also created a ranking system based on ratings from other popular websites.
Pricing for 2 people sharing 1 room:
- $$ >$200/ night
- $ <$200/ night
Best Hostels in the Negev
Tsavta Tube Hostel and Naot Farm
Desert Lodge | Hostel | North Negev | $
Tsavta Tube Hostel is a meeting and relaxing place, for travelers from all places, young souls from 18 to 80, that enjoy a multi- generation company.
Sleeping a double bed or 2 single beds- is in a huge air-conditioned pipe on a pleasant bed, an invalid water conductors pipe that we gave it new life!
Negev Camel Ranch
Desert Lodge | Hostel | North Negev | $
The Negev Camel Ranch was established in 1986 in the Eastern Negev, along the northern Incense Route, near the ancient Nabatean city of Kurnub-Mamshit.
The ranch raises riding camels with the utmost care and offers camel tours, desert hospitality and lodging.
ibex (iBike) Desert Inn
Desert Lodge | Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $
Just 5 minutes’ drive from the Ramon Crater, iBike Hotel is modern boutique hostel in Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev Desert. It features a café and social areas with a TV and DVD player.
Hotel iBike has a bright and colorful design throughout. Guests can relax out in the garden or in the comfortable lounge with plenty of sofas. Cyclists and hikers are welcome and bikes are available to rent from reception.
Silent Arrow
Tents | Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $
Offering authentic tent accommodation or Camping, many activities, Work Shops hospitality and a lot of inspiration…
Chai Negev Revivim
Tents | Hostel | North Negev | $
Chai Negev is an Ecological site built entirely out of mud.
In addition, a desert zoological garden with a variety of animals, petting and feeding zoos, The desert hospitality includes: making pita on the saj – made by visitors, labane (cheese), vegetables, olive and za’atar oil, spicy olives and desert tea.
Chan Hashayarot
Bedouin Tents | Hostel | North Negev | $
“Chan Hashayarot” is a site for lodging and desert activities located between Sede-boqer and Mizpe-Ramon, right on the ancient Nabatean “perfume route”.
The Chan offers magnificent Bedouin tents for lodging and activities, guest cabins for families and for couples as well as a camping site, a variety of pampering desert meals and authentic Bedouin feast meals, which are served at the hospitality Bedouin tent or under the open sky.
Me’Ever Hostel
Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $
Me’ever is a space for meeting and creation In the beautiful desert town of Mitzpe Ramon, Just by the Ramon crater, offering simple & cool accommodation options.
During your stay, you will other great travelers, the people of Mitzpe Ramon, and the amazing staff of Me’ever…Come to be a part of an inspiring daily life!
HI – Mitzpe Ramon Hostel
Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $
Set on the northern ridge of the Ramon Crater, HI – Mitzpe Ramon Hostel is immersed in the Negev Desert. It offers air-conditioned rooms and dormitories with satellite TV.
Rooms at the HI – Mitzpe Ramon have bright, modern furnishings and tiled floors. Rooms feature a private bathroom with shower, while dormitories have a shared bathroom. Disabled access rooms are available.
Spice Quarter Inn
Hostel | Mitzpe Ramon | $
The Spice Quarter Inn is a unique place where you relax and enjoy your stay at Mitzpe Ramon in a welcoming homey atmosphere.
Offering a variety of rooms including private rooms, each with their own bathroom, whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, a family or a big group, we can offer you private rooms by your choice, or unique dormitory accommodation with shared bathrooms and kitchen .
Best Hostels North Arava
Desert Days – Negev Ecolodge
Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | Tsukim, North Arava | $
Negev Ecolodge is located in Israel’s Desert of Paran, in the Arava region. It offers eco-friendly huts built with hay bales and mud bricks, and free use of a shared kitchen.
The Ecolodge uses solar panels to provide electricity and all the water from the showers and the kitchen is drained back to the desert. Free private parking and an outdoor swimming pool are available, which is heated in winter.
Etnahta Lodge
Desert Lodge | Hostel | North Arava | $
Surrounded with a green garden, Etnahta is located in Moshav Ein Tamar near Ne’ot HaKikar. The owners offer vegetables from their homegrown farms.
All accommodations units are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen satellite TV. A fully equipped kitchenette with a microwave and a fridge are included into each unit. Featuring a spa bath, private bathrooms also come with a shower and towels. All units have views of the garden.
Desert Routes Inn / Shvilim Bamidbar
Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | Tsukim, North Arava | $
Desert Routes Inn Shvilim ba Midbar is located in the Moshav Hatzeva in the heart of the Arava Desert, a 40-minute drive from the Dead Sea. Decorated in oriental style, the property offers accommodations with outdoor areas and colorful rugs. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Private rooms are air-conditioned and feature a private outdoor seating area. Each also consists of a private bathroom with a shower and a kitchenette with a fridge and tea/coffee maker. Guests staying in dormitory rooms have a shared bathroom at their disposal.
Rash Hasita
Tents | Hostel | North Arava | $
Just 4.8 km from Hatzeva, Rash Hasita offers rustic accommodations in tents in the middle of the Arava Desert. The Gidron Stream is about a 10-minute drive away.
This large, isolated complex is surrounded by palm trees and desert. All tent accommodations share an outdoor bathroom. The large public tent is decorated with mats, low tables, mattresses and hammocks.
Best Hostels South Arava
Kibbutz Lotan Desert Inn
Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | South Arava | $
Welcome to Kibbutz Lotan Desert Inn located in the Negev desert. Far from the buzzing crowds of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Eilat, relax in a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful landscapes.
Kibbutz Lotan is home to the Center for Creative Ecology and EcoTourism. Ideal for families, backpackers and groups, there are plenty of exciting activities at Kibbutz Lotan to choose from. Kibbutz Lotan’s EcoTourism strives to provide a clean and healthy environment for people and the planet.
Kibbutz Elifaz Country Lodging
Swimming Pool | Desert Lodge | Hostel | South Arava | $
Country-style accommodation, with 25 air-conditioned rooms (12 family rooms & 13 doubles) feature satellite TV, shower, fully equipped kitchenette, refrigerator, all surrounded by wide open spaces and glorious shaded seating areas, shaded rest spots, lawns, outdoor grills, playgrounds, and a swimming pool (April-October). For your convenience, our shop sells dates, ice cream, and original locally made items.
Best Hostels Arad
HI Arad Hostel
Hostel | Arad | $
Arad hostel is situated in a green and rural location, but only a short walk from the central bus station.
There are 45 welcoming rooms, all with air conditioning, shower and bathroom, TV and coffee-making sets. The hostel has two halls with audio-visual equipment for study days, conventions, conferences and events. Free Wi-Fi is available. The spacious dining room seats 160, and there is a second dining room that seats 40. Additional meals (including packaged meals) can be ordered in advance. Food is Kosher.
Best Hostels Eilat
Abraham Hostel Eilat
Hostel | Abraham | $
Abraham Hostel Eilat, a one of a kind hostel located in Eilat’s city center, and is only a short walking distance to the beach.
With modern dorms & private rooms, a swimming pool, and bar & lounge, the hostel is a unique meeting point for global travelers looking to experience the wonderful combination of sea, sun, and desert.
Bordering with Jordan & Egypt, the hostel is the perfect starting point to explore the amazing underwater world of the red sea, the powerful desert, along with beautiful sandy beaches.
HI Eilat Hostel
Hostel | $
Does exactly what is says on the tin – Cheap accommodation in Eilat! Located in the city center, about 1km from the touristy North Beach, the hostel has various different room options and a free breakfast.
Arava Hostel
Hostel | $
The Arava Hostel is located in Eilat’s town center, a 10-minute walk from North Beach. It offers free WiFi, free parking, and free breakfast. The simply furnished rooms and dormitories come with air conditioning.
Rooms at the Arava all have a private bathroom. The mixed dormitories have shared facilities.
The property has a relaxing sun terrace and a communal kitchen for guests’ use, as well as barbecue facilities.
Eilot Kibbutz Country Lodging
Hostel | Kibbutz | $
Featuring an indoor and outdoor pool, Eilot Kibbutz Country Lodging is 3.7 mi north of Eilat and its beach. It offers spacious rooms, and a garden with free BBQ facilities.
Modern, air-conditioned rooms at the Eilot Kibbutz come with a balcony, seating area, and refrigerator. Some also include a microwave.
Best Hostels Dead Sea Area
The Ein Gedi Hostel
Hostel | $
Located about 1km from the Ein Gedi Kibbutz, the Ein Gedi Hostel has many of the amenities you would expect from a decent hostel – clean rooms, free wifi, free breakfast good location. Many rooms have balconies overlooking the Dead Sea, and the location is great for people wanting to hike nearby.
Massada Hostel
Hostel | $
A good cheap alternative for people who want to visit the Dead Sea and Massada on a budget. The hostel has clean rooms, free breakfast and wifi, and an outdoor pool! It is located on the foot of Massada, making it a great option for hikers and travellers who want to walk up Massada or hike around nearby trails.
Shkedi’s CampLodge
Hostel | $
Shkedi’s CampLodge is located south of the Dead Sea, and is ideal for hosting backpackers, families and small groups.
Shkedi’s Camplodge offers private wooden cabins and stylish bungalows (dorms & private). You are bound to have a unique experience in a place that cherishes and compliments nature and the beautiful atmosphere of the desert.
Kfar Hanokdim
Hostel | $
In the Kana`im valley which is in the Judean desert, between the city of Arad and ancient Masada, lies Kfar Hanokdim. It is a green oasis shaded by palm trees and crowned with biblically inspired gardens.
Much thought and imagination were put in to creating an authentic Bedouin oasis, with buildings of natural stone, lamps made of salt crystals from the nearby Dead Sea, wooden furniture decorated with iron art work, colorful fabrics constructed with stone tools all contributing to the magic of Kfar Hanokdim.
Jericho Inn Hotel
Swimming Pool | $ | Settlement
A warm and peaceful atmosphere. Suitable for couples, families, independent travelers. Offering free Wi-Fi, the Jericho Inn is located in the quiet and peaceful Vered Jericho area. It features simple air-conditioned rooms with a kitchenette, satellite TV and bathroom with shower.
The Inn comes with a large garden with swings and hammocks where you can relax. It is located 100 m from a local swimming pool, and approximately 5 minutes by car from the city of Jericho.
Metzoke Dragot
Hostel | $ | Settlement
Metzoke Dragot – the magnificent view of the Dead Sea on one side and the wide open desert and breathtaking mountains on the other. Imagine being surrounded on all sides by open-air spaces. Perfect for your next trip!
The village offers various accommodation styles: a campsite, hostel rooms of various sizes, or fully-equipped apartments on a cliff 21 m above sea level.
Kalia Kibbutz Hotel
Swimming Pool | Hostel | $ | Settlement
Located within an Israeli settlement, Kalia Kibbutz Hotel is surrounded by green plants and gardens with outdoor swimming pool. Located in the desert, it is 4.3 mi from the beaches of the Dead Sea.
The historic site of Qumran Caves as well as Ein Feshchah Nature Reserve are only 10 minutes away by car from Kalia Kibbutz. The rooms of Kibbutz Hotel Kalia all have a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a fridge.
Biankini Village Resort
Swimming Pool | Hostel | $ | Settlement
Biankini- Dead sea beach is a resort, spa, beach and much more, located at one of the most beautiful places in the world! Located within an Israeli settlement, The Biankini is a luxurious property on the northern shores of the Dead Sea, with private beach. It offers elegant suites, an outdoor swimming pool, and a Moroccan restaurant. Parking is free.
This guide is part of our series of Best Hotel Guides in Israel. Also check out our guides for Best Hotels in Israel, Best Hotels in Jerusalem, Best Hotels in the Dead Sea, Best Hotels in Eilat; for those looking for boutique hotels we have guides for the Best Boutique Hotels in Israel and Best Boutique Hotels in Tel Aviv; and for those traveling in a budget, we have guides for the Best Hostels in Israel and Best Hostels in Tel Aviv.
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