Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park

Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park lies about 55 km southwest of Jerusalem in the Judean lowlands, roughly an hour away by car along Route 38. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised as the Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of the Land of the Caves. Over centuries, quarrying of the soft chalk created a labyrinth of underground chambers, among them the famous bell caves, which are bell-shaped quarries carved from the top down. Visitors can also explore the Sidonian burial caves, with painted tomb walls from the Hellenistic period, columbaria that once housed doves, olive presses, a Roman amphitheatre and the remains of a Crusader fortress. The park runs a Dig for a Day activity in which families and groups excavate in a real archaeological cave, sift for pottery and small finds, and learn from guides. A suggested day starts in the morning with the main cave sites while temperatures are cool, then takes in the dig activity in the afternoon, which costs about 50 ILS, in addition to the entry fee of about 28 ILS. Public transport is limited. A bus via Beit Shemesh costs about 30 to 45 ILS each way, but a rental car is far more practical because the sites are spread out across the park. The best season is October to May, as summer is hot, though the caves themselves stay cool. Food is available at the visitor centre cafe and at picnic areas, and nearby kibbutz guesthouses and restaurants offer meals. Visitors should bring a flashlight, sturdy shoes and water, as the caves can be damp and uneven. Some paths include steps and narrow passages, so the park suits active families and archaeology enthusiasts more than those with limited mobility.