Valley of Elah

#102 among destinations in Israel

Nature, Natural attraction, Valley

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Facts and practical information

The Valley of Elah or Ella Valley, called in Arabic: وادي السنط, Wadi es-Sunt, is a long, shallow valley in Israel and the West Bank best known as the place described in the Hebrew Bible where the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath. It is home to several important archaeological sites, including those identified as the ancient towns of Azekah and Socho. Rising up from the valley on its extreme southeast end lies the hilltop ruin Adullam, and on its north lie the ruins of the ancient fortress city of Khirbet Qeiyafa, which is identified with the ancient town of Sha'araim. ()

Local name: עמק האלה Coordinates: 31°41'25"N, 34°57'8"E

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JerusalemIsrael

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Day trips

Valley of Elah – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Avshalom Cave, Beit Jimal, Tell ej-Judeideh, Hurvat Itri.

6.1 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Cave
Avshalom Cave, Beit Shemesh
156 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the Judean Hills near the city of Beit Shemesh, Israel, lies the captivating Avshalom Cave, also known as Soreq Cave or Stalactites Cave. This subterranean wonder is renowned for its high concentration of stalactites, stalagmites, and other...
2.8 miNE
Monastery
Beit Jimal, Beit Shemesh
72 min walk • Nestled in the rolling hills near the city of Beit Shemesh, Israel, lies the serene and historical Beit Jimal Monastery. This Catholic monastery, steeped in quiet contemplation and rich tradition, is a hidden gem that offers visitors a glimpse into spiritual life...
4.6 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Tell ej-Judeideh, Beth Guvrin
119 min walk • Tell ej-Judeideh is a tell in modern Israel. The tell, 9.7 kilometres southeast of Gath, was excavated by Frederick Jones Bliss and R.A.S.
3.1 miSE
Archaeological site
Hurvat Itri
79 min walk • Horvat 'Ethri, Hebrew for "Ethri ruin", Arabic name: Umm Suweid, is a sprawling archaeological site that features the remains of a now partially restored Jewish village which dates back to the Second Temple period.
5.1 miNE
Zoo, Specialty museum, Park
Biblical Museum of Natural History, Beit Shemesh
131 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Beit Shemesh, Israel, the Biblical Museum of Natural History brings to life the vibrant tapestry of creatures mentioned in the Scriptures. This unique institution is not merely a repository of artifacts but a dynamic and interactive space that...
3.9 miSE
Town, Archaeological site
Adullam
99 min walk • Adullam is an ancient ruin, formerly known by the Arabic appellation ʿAīd el Mâ, built upon a hilltop overlooking the Elah Valley, straddling the Green Line between Israel and the West Bank. In the late 19th century, the town was still in ruins.
3.3 miSE
Archaeological site
Aderet
84 min walk • Aderet is a moshav in central Israel. Located in the Judean foothills in the Adullam region, south of Beit Shemesh, west of Gush Etzion and overlooking the Valley of Elah, it falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council.
2.6 miS
Archaeological site
Adullam-France Park
68 min walk • Adullam-France Park, also known as Parc de France-Adoulam, is a sprawling park of 50,000 dunams in the Central District of Israel, located south of Beit Shemesh.
4.3 miNE
Archaeological site
Khirbet Tibnah, Beit Shemesh
111 min walk • Khirbet Tibnah, is located on the West Bank, between the villages Deir Nidham and Nabi Salih.
6.2 miSW
Archaeological site
Tel Burna, Beth Guvrin
159 min walk • Tel Burna is an Israeli archaeological site located in the Shephelah, along the banks of Nahal Guvrin, not far from modern-day Qiryat Gat.
1.4 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Forest
Britannia Park
36 min walk • Britannia Park is a forest and recreation area in Israel, in the Judean lowland. The forest was planted by the Jewish National Fund starting in the 1950s, and with the financial aid of British Jews, after whom the park was named.