Mitzpe Ramon with Kids and Families: Attractions, Nature, Workshops and Food
Planning a family holiday in Mitzpe Ramon? The complete guide to attractions with kids: the Ilan Ramon Visitors Center, Hai Ramon, ibex, craft workshops in the Spice Route Quarter and family-friendly food.
Meetzpe Editorial7 min read
Mitzpe Ramon is one of the best destinations in Israel for a family holiday with children of all ages. Unlike loud, crowded city attractions, here the kids get a rare mix: wild nature within touching distance, wildlife roaming free, inspiring visitor centres, hands-on craft workshops, and a calm atmosphere that the parents genuinely enjoy too.
So you can plan a family holiday that flows easily from morning to evening, here is the complete guide to Mitzpe Ramon with kids.
1. Nature, Space, Farms and Animals: The Attractions Kids Love Most
In Mitzpe Ramon you don't drive for hours to reach the attractions; most of them sit right on the cliff edge or within minutes of town:
- Ilan Ramon Visitors Center: Right on the cliff edge, offering an experiential, child-friendly tour that links the life story and space mission of Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, to the formation of Makhtesh Ramon.
- Hai Ramon and meeting the ibex on the promenade: Next to the Visitors Center is Hai Ramon, a desert zoo where children meet the small animals of the desert up close (snakes, rodents, birds of prey and porcupines). Right outside, along the cliff promenade, you will meet the Nubian ibex roaming free (read our golden rules for meeting the ibex safely).
- The Alpaca Farm, Noam Farm and Camel Treks: At the Alpaca Farm children can hand-feed alpacas and hear the farm's story; at Noam Farm (Chavat Noam BaMidbar) (north of Mitzpe Ramon) families enjoy agricultural tours and seasonal self-picking; and with Ben Midbar you can head out on an authentic camel ride and Bedouin hospitality experience.
- The Scorpion Man of Mitzpe Ramon and the Coloured Sands: A family favorite! The Scorpion Man leads night safaris with UV flashlights to spot glowing scorpions in the dark, alongside daytime activities sifting naturally coloured crater sands into souvenir bottles.
- Family Off-Road Trips, Rappelling and Stargazing: A short drive down into the Makhtesh brings you to the HaMinsara trail and the coloured sands site. For families looking for a guided adventure — 4x4 tours, cliff rappelling on the crater rim (check the minimum age with the operator) or telescope stargazing — local operators include Alen Desert Tours (Negevland), Desert Time (Zman Midbar), Noam Outdoors, Ramon Desert Tours and Razer Ramon, as well as astronomy guides Final Frontier Astronomy (Ori Kochavim), Tzlil Midbar and Starry Nights.
2. Craft Workshops, Circus Arts and Activities in the Spice Route Quarter
After the nature outing, the Spice Route Quarter gives children and parents the chance to step into local artists' studios and make a real souvenir of the holiday:
- UMA – Walk-In Open Art Studio: A welcoming cafe and open art studio stocked with craft materials where families can drop in and create together without advance booking.
- Clay, Local Earth and Stone Workshops: At Osnat Raichman Ceramics & Maya Clay families can book pottery and clay sessions; at Eztrubal kids and adults sculpt with local earth and colourful natural clays; and at HaKuk BaEven visitors carve desert stone.
- Puppetry, Masks, Circus Arts and Nature Crafts: At Capelluto – Desert Tailor families make theatrical glove and sock puppets; at HEADZ – Hadar Bardugo kids design masks and artistic crowns; Omania and Living Art (Omanut Chaim) run nature-craft and painting sessions; and Class Circus hosts circus and acrobatics workshops and shows.
- Cinema, Theatre and Music: At Backstage Art Cafe kids and grown-ups alike love the cinematic installation, and during school holidays and weekends family shows and activities take place at Peima and Zuzima.
Looking for an activity or a workshop open to children today? During school holidays, weekends and festivals, Mitzpe Ramon fills with family events. Open Meetzpe and see workshops, shows and activities on in town today.
3. Where to Eat with Kids in Mitzpe Ramon
Across the Town Center, the cliff promenade and the spacious courtyards of the Spice Route Quarter you will find plenty of family-friendly places to eat:
- Breakfasts, Pastries and Ice Cream Facing the Crater: At Lasha you will find focaccias, breads and hot bakes from the oven, and at Man Desert Patisserie flaky croissants and sweet pastries. For a relaxed courtyard coffee stop try Cafe Gina or HaRova Café, and right on the cliff promenade Kiosk Cafe Ramona and Little Ramona serve sandwiches, pastries and ice cream (open on Saturdays too).
- Pizza, Hummus and Family Lunch or Dinner: In the Town Center kids love the stone-oven pizzas at Paco ve Nany, warm fresh hummus at Hummus Yona, or a meal at HaHavit (The Barrel). At Sumsumyia a generous Mediterranean menu (grilled meats and vegan dishes) suits the whole family; on the cliff edge Ramona Kosher Restaurant serves full meals facing the view; and in the Spice Route Quarter you can sit at Café TZIN, BOTZ Restaurant, HaKatze or in the evening at HaBerech Pub.
Heading up to Mitzpe Ramon with the family? Open Meetzpe now and discover workshops, events and places waiting for you and the kids in town.