Location
Israel
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
October to April
About Metsoke Dragot Beach
Metsoke Dragot (Metzoke Dragot) beach is a remote stretch of the north-western Dead Sea shore below the cliff-top village of the same name, off Route 90 between Kalya and Ein Gedi. It is one of the last undeveloped parts of the Dead Sea coast: there are no hotels, lifeguards or beach clubs, just an open shore, freshwater springs running down to the water, and makeshift shade camps, called zulas, built by long-term campers and drifters from branches, tarps and sheets. Nudity is not officially permitted, but nude bathing and mud-covering happen quietly along the more secluded parts of the shore, and the beach has appeared on international lists of the world's best nude beaches, including one by The Naturist Society. Visitors are a mix of campers, hikers, backpackers staying at the village and naturists. The shoreline is retreating by more than a metre a year, and sinkholes have closed other Dead Sea beaches, so heed warning signs. Summer heat at the lowest point on earth is extreme, and swimming is only floating; keep the very salty water out of your eyes.
Getting there
Drive Route 90 along the Dead Sea to the Metsoke Dragot junction and take the winding road up to the cliff-top village, where you park; bus 486 from Jerusalem stops at the junction, followed by a 30-60 minute walk. From the village, trails drop steeply to the shore and the descent is rugged, rated moderate to difficult, with no step-free route. The village has toilets, showers, a café, hostel rooms and a campsite; there is nothing on the beach itself.
What visitors say
Visitors value the solitude, the raw landscape and the freedom to float nude in the Dead Sea and coat themselves in mud, and describe a laid-back alternative scene of campers and long-stayers. Complaints and cautions centre on the steep, rough descent, the lack of any shade or facilities on the shore, and extreme heat in summer. Reviews are mixed overall.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Israeli law technically prohibits nudity in public and there are no declared nude beaches; nudity here is unofficial and, by press accounts, not enforced. Nudebeachmap places the site in the Israeli / West Bank border area. Sinkhole warnings have closed parts of the Dead Sea shore.
Naturism at Metsoke Dragot Beach sits under Israel's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Israel public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 31.5795, 35.4126
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Israel
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity legal at Metsoke Dragot?
Strictly speaking public nudity is prohibited in Israel and the beach is not declared nude, but nude bathing is quietly practised and press reports say it is rarely challenged.
How do I get down to the beach?
Park at the cliff-top Metsoke Dragot village off Route 90 and walk down steep, rugged trails to the shore.
Are there facilities?
Only at the village (toilets, showers, café, camping); the shore has none, so bring shade and plenty of water.
When is the best time to go?
October to April; summer heat at the Dead Sea is extreme.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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