The Most Beautiful Sunrise and Sunset Spots in Mitzpe Ramon: The Guide to Golden Hour over the Makhtesh

There are two hours in the day when Makhtesh Ramon looks like another planet: the first hour of sunrise and the last hour before sunset. Because Mitzpe Ramon sits on a cliff edge about 900 metres up, the angle of the sun at those hours paints the Makhtesh's limestone, sand and basalt in deep shades of gold, orange, red and purple that change from minute to minute.

Whether you are a morning person who gets up with a thermos for the sunrise, or you would rather open the evening with a sunset facing the cliff, here are the most beautiful lookouts in Mitzpe Ramon and what to do right after.

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1. Where Are the Most Beautiful Sunsets and Sunrises on the Cliff?

The whole cliff line of Mitzpe Ramon overlooks the Makhtesh, which makes it a perfect natural grandstand for both sunrise and sunset:

• Mount Gamel lookout: An iconic lookout hill shaped like a crouching camel. From the summit there is a view over both the depths of the Makhtesh and the whole town, a perfect spot for sunset.
• The cliff promenade and the Visitors Center terrace: The well-kept path that starts at the Ilan Ramon Visitors Center and runs along the cliff edge. Beyond the open view, at sunrise and sunset there is an excellent chance of meeting the ibex of Mitzpe Ramon here as they wander along the cliff line.
• The Desert Sculpture Park, Albert Promenade and Sunrise Cloud-Waterfalls: A quiet, spacious stretch of cliff east of the Visitors Center, dotted with stone sculptures facing the Makhtesh — an excellent choice for a quiet, intimate corner at sunrise or sunset (see also our guide to a romantic couples' getaway in Mitzpe Ramon). For something truly special, join a sunrise "cloud-waterfall" lookout tour on the cliff rim with The Scorpion Man of Mitzpe Ramon, a camel trek with Ben Midbar, or a golden-hour smartphone photography session with Sivan Peres – Desert Photography Workshops.

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2. After Sunrise: Where to Open the Morning with Coffee and a Pastry

Got up for sunrise on the cliff? Right on the cliff edge and a short drive away in the Spice Route Quarter, hot coffee and fresh pastries await:

• Cliffside coffee and warm pastries from the quarter's ovens: Right on the cliff promenade you can stop at Kiosk Cafe Ramona and Little Ramona for coffee, pastries and sandwiches facing the view. In the Spice Route Quarter, Lasha serves sourdough breads and savoury and sweet bakes straight from the oven, while Man Desert Patisserie (home to the Sansana boutique) turns out flaky croissants and fine patisserie.
• A relaxed morning sit: For quality coffee and breakfast, pop into Cafe Gina, HaRova Café, UMA, Café TZIN or Backstage Art Cafe.

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3. After Sunset: Wine, Beer, Food and Shows in Town and the Spice Route Quarter

The moment the sun drops below the cliff line and it starts to get dark (and cooler!), everyone moves from the cliff into the Spice Route Quarter and Town Center to start the evening:

• Opening the evening with wine or beer:
• Midbar Wine and Kerem Shezaf: At Midbar Wine enjoy an intimate wine bar showcasing boutique wines from the Negev and across Israel alongside cheese platters and live music (and before sunset you can also visit the natural-wine winery Kerem Shezaf just outside town).
• HaBerech Pub and Rehem and HaHavit: At HaBerech Pub and its performance hall Rehem sit over draft beer and comfort food and stay for a live show or DJ set, or head to HaHavit (The Barrel) (open since 1987) for a wide draft beer selection in a neighbourhood pub setting.
• A good dinner and stargazing: Hungry after sunset? A table at BOTZ Restaurant, Café TZIN, Sumsumyia, Paco ve Nany pizzeria or cliffside Ramona Kosher Restaurant will close the evening properly — and from there you can continue to a telescope stargazing session in the crater with Final Frontier Astronomy (Ori Kochavim), Tzlil Midbar or Starry Nights.

What is on in Mitzpe tonight, right after sunset? When you are sitting facing the view on the cliff and wondering where to go next, open Meetzpe: you'll find Mitzpe Ramon's live shows, bars, restaurants and evening events there, and can check opening hours.

Heading up for a lookout in Mitzpe Ramon? Open Meetzpe now and see what awaits you in town after sunrise or sunset.