Florin Coffee Cart
Fresh coffee and pastries at the lookout overlooking the view. Active Thu 16:00-23:00 and Fri from 8:00.
CoffeePeduel
Details & Booking
Visibility up to Mt. CarmelTel Aviv and the sea on the horizonGolden hour before sunset
PEDUEL · WESTERN SAMARIA · 350M
The Balcony of the State
A panoramic lookout 350 meters above the coastal plain — from Ashkelon in the south to Mount Carmel in the north. The spot where Ariel Sharon pointed out the width of Israel.
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How close is it?
The Balcony of the State is closer to you than you think.
Did you know it's about a 33-minute drive from Tel Aviv to The Balcony of the State? A short hop from the city center to the region's most stunning viewpoint.
Closer than driving from Tel Aviv to Holon in rush hour.
25
km · straight line
33
min · by car
Direct view over Gush Dan & the Mediterranean · 350m
All of Gush Dan & the Sea Right Before You — Closer Than You Think
Click a city or move the telescope lens across the real lookout photo to see just how close the sea and Tel Aviv really are.
Pick a city or coastal spot:
Mediterranean Coast · Just 24 km
24 km to the seaTel Aviv's Mediterranean shoreline within reach
Tel Aviv, Azrieli & the Sea
Azrieli Towers, Sarona and the Tel Aviv shoreline right in front of you
Elevation above sea level: 350 m · 32.0590°N, 35.0464°EWatch live and see current conditions — free after sign-in
01 — History & Heritage
A Vantage Point Standing at the Head of History
The Balcony of the State is a lookout on the outskirts of the settlement of Peduel in western Samaria, 350 meters above sea level. From it, the entire coastal plain of central Israel unfolds, and on days with good visibility one can identify Ashkelon and Ashdod to the south and Mount Carmel to the north. Its name was given by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (z"l), who used to bring senior figures from Israel and abroad to the point to illustrate how narrow Israel is and how vulnerable the state would be if it gave up western Samaria, which overlooks the entire Gush Dan region.
Location
Outskirts of Peduel, Western Samaria
The lookout is at the western edge of the settlement of Peduel, about a 10-minute drive from Rosh HaAyin — a strategic vantage point toward the coastal plain and Gush Dan.
Elevation
350 meters above sea level
The observation point stands on a hillside shoulder, offering a panoramic view westward — from Ashkelon in the south to Hadera and Mount Carmel in the north.
Who Named It
Ariel Sharon (z"l)
The name "The Balcony of the State" was given by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (z"l), who brought senior figures to the point to illustrate Israel's narrowness in western Samaria.
Visibility Range
From Mount Carmel to Ashkelon
On days with good visibility one can identify Ashkelon and Ashdod to the south, Mount Carmel to the north, and through the viewfinders even the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv.
Dir Qal'a Fortress
6th-century Byzantine monastery
A circular trail of about 1 km leads to the "Dir Qal'a" fortress, described in the late 19th century as "perhaps the most beautiful and best preserved of the ruined monasteries in the Land of Israel".
LAT 32.0590° NLON 35.0464° EELEV 350MBEARING W · 270°
04 — Articles & Features
The Story of the Balcony
Articles, features and guides about the history, nature and heritage of The Balcony of the State and its surroundings.
History
סיפורו של ספסל
הספסל שעליו ישב אריאל שרון והצביע על רוחב הארץ — נקודת התצפית שממנה נמדדת מדינת ישראל.
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History
המרפסת של המדינה — מאריאל שרון עד דונלד טראמפ
כיצד קיבלה נקודת התצפית בפדואל את שמה, ומדוע הפכה לסמל גאוגרפי ולאומי.
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History
מבצר דיר קלעה — המנזר הביזנטי שבעמק
מנזר מרשים מהתקופה הביזנטית, שהוגדר כאחד היפים והשמורים בארץ ישראל.
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Nature
השביל המעגלי: טיול משפחתי בעקבות הנזירים
מסלול הליכה של כקילומטר מהמצפור למבצר דיר קלעה ובחזרה.
Read more02 — Multimedia & UGC
Upload a Story or PhotoThe Balcony's Landscape Gallery
Real views from The Balcony of the State — from Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean to the Dir Qal'a fortress. Share your own perspective from the visit.
From our visitors
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“We arrived toward sunset and the view all the way to Ashkelon took our breath away. The kids still talk about it.”
“We walked the circular trail to Dir Qal'a and back to the lookout. A perfect one-kilometer family hike.”
“The most beautiful view in Israel. We could see the entire coastline and the sea.”
06 — Tourism, Events & Commerce
Events, Coffee & Tours
Everything is planned for your next visit — a coffee cart, guided tours, a wine fair and community festivals.
Guided Tours — Samaria Tourism
Heritage and landscape tours from the balcony and nearby, with licensed guides.
TourHeritage
Details & BookingFestival at The Balcony of the State
Free guided tours, street actors, a kite festival and performances — reviving the route of fortresses.
FestivalFamilies
Details & BookingWine Fair on the Balcony
The region's finest wineries, free tastings and a complimentary wine glass — overlooking the view.
WineEvent
Details & BookingCircular Trail to Dir Qal'a
A family hike of about 1 km to the Byzantine fortress, the monk's cave and back via the quarries.
NatureFamilies
Details & Booking05 — Local Services
Coffee, Events & Accommodation at the Balcony & nearby
Service providers active at The Balcony of the State and the surrounding area — cafés, event halls, accommodation and guided tours.
Accommodation
פנינת השומרון
בית הארחה בראש הר גריזים בהר ברכה, עם 60 חדרי אירוח ל-400 אורחים, אולם אירועים וקייטרינג.
- הר ברכה, שומרון
- 24/7
- Website / Facebook
Café
פלורין עגלת קפה
עגלת קפה פופולרית הפועלת במרפסת של המדינה, ומציעה קפה ומאפים טריים מול הנוף הפנורמי.
- המרפסת של המדינה, פדואל
- חמישי 16:00-23:00, שישי מ-08:00
- Website / Facebook
Event Hall
מרכז סיור ולימוד שומרון
מתחם אירועים המכיל עד 150 מוזמנים, עם דשא גדול ומוצל, מטבח מאובזר ומקררים גדולים. מתאים לאירועים משפחתיים.
- מועצה אזורית שומרון
- בתיאום מראש
- Website / Facebook
Guided Tours
תיירות שומרון
גוף התיירות הרשמי של מועצה אזורית שומרון — סיורים מודרכים, טיולים, אירועים ופסטיבלים ברחבי השומרון ובמרפסת של המדינה.
- מועצה אזורית שומרון
- ימים א'-ה'
- Website / Facebook
08 — Live Events Calendar
Upcoming Events at the Balcony
A live Google Calendar — tours, festivals and perfect hours to visit. Site admins can add events directly to the calendar.
No upcoming events right now.
INSTANT UPDATES · TELEGRAM
Join the Official Lookout Telegram Group
One-click connection to our travelers community — real-time visibility alerts toward Tel Aviv and the sea, golden-hour updates, guided tours, and special events.
- Live visibility alerts — know when the sea & Carmel are crystal clear
- Instant updates on guided tours, events & special sunsets
- Real-time photos and field reports from visitors
Beyond the lookout
The same content for everyone. Interactive tools are free after sign-in.
Without signing in, enjoy a still image, fixed facts, local history and site content. Sign in for the live stream, current conditions, interactive tools and saved conversations — at no cost.
- Watch the live camera and lookout conditions
- Explore the map, panorama and augmented reality
- Ask the AI guide, identify the view and take an audio tour (subject to access)
- Submit photos, videos and stories for review