Air views of Palestine. Flying south over the Jordan Rift. Tell Ghassul. Identified as site of Sodom and Gomorrah. E. of Jordan, N. of Dead Sea LOC matpc.22089.jpg

Matson Collection Public domain Wikimedia Commons

Sodom

Archaeological Site

On the western shore of the Dead Sea, the area associated with Sodom includes Mount Sodom's salt formations and low-lying saline plains. Tourists combine visits with Dead Sea excursions, geological features and historical-biblical interest.

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In this guide

Sodom essentials

Country: Israel
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Shekel (₪)
Language: Hebrew
Emergency: 100

Sodom at a Glance

About Sodom

Sodom is the name used for the ancient/biblical settlement traditionally associated with the area near the southern portion of the Dead Sea in the Southern District of Israel. The name is best known from biblical accounts and later traditions linking it to destruction narratives.

Modern scholarship does not have a single agreed archaeological identification for the biblical city, and several nearby sites have been proposed and debated. The surrounding landscape includes saline flats and geomorphological features linked to the Dead Sea region rather than a single continuous urban site.

References to the name are primarily historical and textual; on-the-ground interpretation draws on archaeology, geology and comparative study of ancient settlement remains. The site lies in the broader arid environment adjacent to the Dead Sea basin.

  • Biblical association: Associated with the biblical city named in ancient texts, though its exact archaeological identification and precise historical location remain subjects of scholarly debate.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Sodom

Best visited outside midsummer-autumn through spring (October-April) offers much more comfortable temperatures than the very hot summer months.

Autumn through spring (most comfortable)
October-April · 10°C to 25°C
Cooler, more pleasant temperatures and lower daytime heat compared with summer-good for visiting the Dead Sea region and nearby sites.
Summer (very hot)
June-August · 30°C to 45°C
Extremely hot and dry; daytime temperatures can be very high, making outdoor activity uncomfortable and potentially unsafe without precautions.
Late spring / Early autumn (shoulder periods)
May, September · 20°C to 35°C
Transitional months offer a balance of warmth and more manageable heat than midsummer-still sunny but more comfortable for outdoor exploration.

Weather & Climate near Sodom

Climate

Sodom's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 11°C to 38°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 91 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
OctoberMayNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
46°
Warmest Month
-3°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 11° - 21° 16° 13 mm some cloud 64% 2.7 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.2h
February Excellent 13° - 22° 17° 10 mm partly cloudy 61% 3.2 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.9h
March Ideal 16° - 25° 20° 10 mm some cloud 57% 3.1 m/s 1.3 high 11.9h
April Ideal 19° - 29° 24° 5 mm some cloud 50% 2.4 m/s 1.8 very high 12.8h
May Ideal 23° - 33° 28° 1 mm mostly sunny 43% 2.7 m/s 2.2 extreme 13.6h
June Ideal 26° - 36° 32° 0 mm clear 42% 3.0 m/s 2.7 extreme 14.0h
July Excellent 28° - 38° 35° 0 mm clear 44% 2.7 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.8h
August Excellent 29° - 38° 36° 0 mm clear 49% 2.5 m/s 2.4 extreme 13.1h
September Ideal 27° - 35° 33° 0 mm clear 52% 2.0 m/s 1.9 very high 12.2h
October Ideal 23° - 32° 28° 1 mm clear 52% 2.0 m/s 1.3 high 11.3h
November Ideal 17° - 27° 22° 7 mm mostly sunny 53% 2.3 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.4h
December Excellent 12° - 22° 17° 13 mm some cloud 59% 2.5 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.0h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Sodom

The area traditionally called Sodom lies on the southern part of Israel’s Dead Sea shore and is reached by road along Highway 90, which runs the length of the western Dead Sea coast. Drive along Route 90 from Arad or from the Jerusalem area (via Route 1 then local roads) to reach Dead Sea access points such as Ein Bokek and nearby sites; regional buses also run along Highway 90 to Dead Sea resorts and settlements - from the roadside parking or bus stop most points of interest are a short walk.

Tips for Visiting Sodom

  • Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the extreme midday heat typical around the Dead Sea area-temperatures and sun exposure can be intense.
  • Use the main north-south Dead Sea road (Route 90) to reach viewpoints and official access points, and park only in designated car parks or marked pull‑ins.
  • If exploring geological features (salt formations, caves or sinkholes), go with a local guide and heed safety warnings-ground can be unstable around some salt cliffs and sinkholes, and access is often restricted for safety reasons.