Region: Negev / South Area

Location: Be'er Sheva  is located on the northern edge of the Negev desert 115 kilometres (71 mi) south-east of Tel Aviv and 120 kilometres (75 mi) south-west of Jerusalem. The city is located on the main route from the center and north of the country to Eilat in the far south.

Driving Directions: From Tel Aviv: Highway 1 to Highway 40 south. Straight to Be'er Sheva approximately 1 1/2 hrs. From Jerusalem: Highway 1 towards Tel Aviv, Pick up route 3 at Latrun int, follow for 20 minutes to Route 40 at Re'em Junction. Straight ahead to Be'er Sheva. Total about 1:40. 
 
Cities/Town Close By: Arad, Dimona, Hatzerim, Kiryat Gat, Netivot, Ofakin, Sderot, Yerucham.

Population: approx. 186,100 
 
Landscape: Be'er Sheva is located in the flat desert with beautiful canyons and scenery. 

Modern Day: Be'er Sheva is the largest and most successful city in the Negev (Israel's southern desert) and the sixth largest city is Israel.  It is a modern day city that is home of the highly respected Ben Gurion University and the Soroka Medical Center.

Biblical History: Be'er Sheva's name, has several meanings that are based on biblical stories.  The seven wells dug by Isaac ("Sheva" - seven).  The oath of Abraham and Abilmelech ("Shvua" means oath).

The nearby archaelogical site, Tel Be'er Sheva, contains many artifacts the show that the region has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries.

Mentioned in the Book of Genesis, Be'er Sheva, was the place where Abraham made his agreement "oath" with Abimelech. Isaac built an altar in Beersheba (Genesis 26:23–33). Jacob had his dream about a ladder to heaven (Genesis 28:10–15 and 46:1–7).  The tribe of Shimon and Judah was located in Be'er Sheva (Joshua 15:28 and 19:2). Elijah, the prophit, ran to live in Beersheba when Jezebel ordered him killed (I Kings 19:3). The prophet Samuel's sons were judges in Beersheba (I Samuel 8:2).  Israel's first king, Shaul, built a fort to fight against the Amalekites (I Samuel 14:48 and 15:2–9). Amos, the prophit, mentions Beersheba in regard to idolatry (Amos 5:5 and 8:14).


Near by Parks/Forests: Ein Avdat National Park, Ben-Gurion's Tomb National Park, Tel Be'er Sheva National Park, Nahal Beersheva, Mamshit National Park, Yatir Forest, Lahav Forest

Biblical Sites/Tels: Abraham's Well, Tel Beersheva National Park 
   
Shopping Malls: BIG Beer Sheva, One Plaza Shopping Center, B7 Mall, Avia Mall, Hanegev Mall, Kiryat Hamemshala Mall, Shaul Hamelech Mall
 
Museums: Israel Air Force Museum located west of Be'er Sheva at the Hatzerim Air Force Base 08-990-6853, Negev Museum, Israel Bible Museum, Abraham’s Well Museum 1 Dereh Hevron St. 08-623-4613, Joe Alon Center

     
Theaters/Perfomance Centers: Be'er Sheva Theater, The Israel Sinfonietta Beersheba

Festivals:  coming soon 
 
Things to Do: Hiking, Biking, Discovery, Archeological Digs, Art and Media Center for Young People, the Negev Museum -art museum, A Science Park, Soroka Medical Center, Rambam Square, the former Governor's House, Negev Brigade Memorial, The Shuk, ancient ruins, Israeli Airforce Museum, Municipal Zoological Garden, "Neve Midbar" hot water springs, BIG shopping center 
 
Dining:  click here 
 
Lodging: click here

City Website: click here

City Map: click here

Links of Interest: Coming Soon (links to other websites)

Places of Interest: Coming Soon (Tels, Forests, Parks, etc.)