File:Beersheba_City_Hall_6.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Beersheba
Also known as Be'er Sheva, Beer Sheva, Beer Sheba, Bir al-Sabi
Beersheba ( ), officially '''Be'er-Sheva''' ( ), is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the centre of the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in Israel, the eighth-most populous Israeli city with a population of , and the second-largest city in the area (after Jerusalem), with a total area of .
AI overview
Beersheba is the largest city in southern Israel's Negev desert and serves as the regional capital, making it an important urban center in the country. It is the eighth-most populous Israeli city and the center of Israel's fourth-largest metropolitan area, demonstrating its significant role in the nation's geography and economy.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
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Place details
- Locality
- באר שבע
- Region
- מחוז הדרום
- Country
- ישראל
- Population
- 186,600
- Timezone
Travel guide
Understand
Beer Sheva can appear underwhelming at first glance. As you enter the city, the oversized avenues and partially run down residential building blocks from the 1950s and 1960s make for an unimpressive welcome. However, Beer Sheva can be of interest for any traveller who wishes to experience Israel off-the-beaten-track and there might be no better place to do this, since not even most Israelis are aware that Beer Sheva can be much more than only a stopover on the way to Eilat. The old Turkish town, as run down as it might be, has a very distinct feel and is hugely underrated: it is the only planned Ottoman city in the entire region, erected in 1900 for strategic reasons in order to secure the Negev region and to control the restive Bedouin population. Today, the architectural and historical jewels, culinary highlights, highly welcoming people and the provincial atmosphere of Beer Sheva allow for the visitor to explore the "normal" and "unpretentious" Israel beyond Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. In addition to that, Beer Sheva offers a vibrant student community - based around the university - which has developed a great nightlife one would never expect at first sight.
Beer Sheva and its surroundings give a feel of Israel's strength. On the way down from the north, agricultural fields have replaced the desert; as Isaiah prophesied: "Thirsty deserts will be glad; barren lands will celebrate and blossom with flowers". Also, like Tel-Aviv, a modern skyscraper city has been created o…
Get around
Beer Sheva is served by buses (₪4). Most of these depart from behind the central bus station (on your right when getting off from an inter-city bus). If coming in by train, these will be on your left when coming out of the train station. For details, see the bus map for Be'er Sheva. Pay attention that you can't pay the driver with cash on the buses.
Most taxi cabs in the city will take you anywhere else in the city for around ₪20.
Ride-hailing services such as Gett and Yango are available.
See
thumbnail|300px|Tel Beer Sheva
Do
A Hebrew list of cultural events in the city - concerts, theater, and more - is available here.
Eat
24-hour dining at Nafis located at the BIG mega shopping compound. There are also Chinese, Italian, French, Ethiopian, Argentinean, Brazilian, Indian, Bulgarian, Moroccan, Yemenite, Russian, Japanese, Spanish and many Middle Eastern restaurants in town which are moderately pricy. Beer Sheva's culinary offer is spectacular and reflects the cultural backgrounds of the inhabitants of this multi-ethnic city. Locations do change frequently and the restaurants are sometimes located in residential neighborhoods, so advice from locals (and especially students) can be essential.
~50 min read
Article
39 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Hebrew Bible
- History
- Chalcolithic
- Iron Age Israelite town
- Persian period
- Hellenistic period
- Roman and Byzantine periods
- Early Muslim period
- Mamluk period
- Ottoman period
- First World War and British Mandate
- 1948 Palestine war
- Israel
- First four decades
- Urban development in the 21st century
- Security incidents in the city
- Emblem of Beersheba
- Geography
- Climate
- Demographics
- Economy
- Local government
- Educational institutions
- Neighborhoods
- Culture
- Great Mosque of Beersheba
- Transportation
- Roundabouts
- Hiking
- Sports
- Environmental awards
- Notable people
- Twin towns – sister cities
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
Beersheba ( ), officially '''Be'er-Sheva''' ( ), is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the centre of the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in Israel, the eighth-most populous Israeli city with a population of , and the second-largest city in the area (after Jerusalem), with a total area of .
Human habitation near present-day Beersheba dates back to the fourth millennium BC. In the Bible, Beersheba marks the southern boundary of ancient Israel, as mentioned in the phrase "From Dan to Beersheba." Initially assigned to the Tribe of Judah, Beersheba was later reassigned to Simeon. During the monarchic era, it functioned as a royal city but eventually faced destruction at the hands of the Assyrians. The Biblical site of Beersheba is Tel Be'er Sheva, lying some distant from the modern city, which was established at the start of the 20th century by the Ottomans. The city was captured by the British-led Australian Light Horse troops in the Battle of Beersheba during World War I.