Ashdod Port Park: A Green Oasis in the Middle of an Industrial City
On the southern edge of Ashdod Port, right along the coastline, lies a beautiful public park — a peaceful and charming spot where the city meets the sea. This park has become a favorite place for both locals and tourists: here you can stroll along the stream, watch the birds, and most importantly, enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
One of the highlights is the seaside promenade. The pedestrian pathway leads directly to the water, where a wooden boardwalk stretches along the coast, lined with benches and sunshaded pergolas. From here, visitors can admire breathtaking views of Ashdod Port and the massive container ships waiting their turn to unload.
cities of Israel
Jerusalem
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Wailing Wall, Via Dolorosa, walk along the walls of the Old City, Arab Quarter with market and cafe
Free entrance
You can get there by bus or car on a weekday
Caesaria
Large Archaeological Park with Roman Ruthenian and Gothic walls and church. Ralli Museum including an exhibition of sculptures by Salvador Dali
39 shekels - entrance to the park
It is more convenient to go by car on Saturday
Nazareth
Basilica of the Annunciation and the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Picture gallery of icons of the Virgin Mary source of the Annunciation
It is more convenient to go on a weekday by bus, since parking a car in the city center takes a long time
Zikhron Ya'akov
A pearl of Israeli culture and the history of the first settlers sponsored by the Rothschild family. Walking along the narrow central streets of the city, you can feel the spirit of the 19th century. The center of winemaking.
Dead Sea
SPA day at the LOT hotel, which includes an indoor swimming pool complex with warm water from the Dead Sea, an outdoor freshwater pool with a sunbathing area, a buffet lunch with national dishes
240 shekels per person
You are on the page dedicated to the tourist cities of Israel. This is a land where thousands of years of history are concentrated on a small piece of earth. Many cities are thousands of years old. On this page, you’ll find information about fascinating tourist cities in Israel that are definitely worth a visit.
Israel’s two largest cities — Jerusalem and Tel Aviv — are covered on separate pages.
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Caesarea — an ancient city with ruins from the time of King Herod, a Roman theater, Crusader fortress walls, and a medieval church.
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Herzliya — an upscale resort town with an archaeological park.
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Latrun — home to the Trappist silent monastery, where lively fairs with music and performances are held on Saturdays.
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Daliyat al-Karmel — a Druze town on the slopes of Mount Carmel, famous for its souvenir shops, traditional cuisine served on Shabbat, and unique culture.
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Eilat — a popular resort on the Red Sea, known for its dry climate, impressive aquarium, seaside promenades, and glass-bottom boat tours.
Each of these cities is unique and offers travelers unforgettable experiences. From ancient ruins to scenic beaches, here you will find inspiration for the soul, history, and relaxation. Explore Israel’s amazing cities and plan your journey with our travel guide!
Cities of Israel
Romanesque arched hall of the church
Monument in front of the passenger terminal
Haifa War Cemetery
Haifa
A Resting Place of Soldiers
Near the Mediterranean coast and close to Haifa’s busy port lies the Haifa War Cemetery, a quiet and solemn memorial ground maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Here rest the soldiers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, many of them young men from distant lands who never returned home.
At the heart of the cemetery stands a large stone cross, a symbol of sacrifice and remembrance. Surrounded by neatly kept rows of white gravestones, the cross overlooks the sea, connecting the memory of the fallen with the eternal horizon.
During both world wars, Haifa was a strategic city and gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean. The port and surrounding areas saw military activity, and many soldiers died from battles, wounds, or disease. The cemetery serves as a reminder of Haifa’s role in global conflicts and the human cost of war.
The cemetery is carefully maintained and offers a peaceful space for reflection. Visitors often remark on the contrast between the silence of the graves and the lively movement of the nearby port. It is open to the public, and entry is free.
The Maritime Heart of Haifa
The Haifa Port Passenger Terminal serves as the welcoming gateway for travelers arriving by sea. Located in the heart of the city near the historic German Colony and Mount Carmel, the terminal connects Haifa to the Mediterranean cruise network.
History and Development
Haifa’s port was developed during the British Mandate in the 1930s as a major deep-water harbor. Over the decades, the passenger terminal has expanded to serve not only cargo ships but also cruise liners and ferries, making it one of Israel’s key maritime entry points.
The terminal is equipped to receive international cruise ships, offering customs and immigration services, passenger lounges, and easy transport connections into the city. From here, visitors can quickly access Haifa’s attractions — the Bahá’í Gardens, museums, and the vibrant downtown.
For Haifa, the passenger terminal is more than just infrastructure: it symbolizes the city’s role as a crossroads between East and West, a port of arrival for pilgrims, tourists, and new immigrants throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Practical Information
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Location: Central Haifa, next to the port and railway station.
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Access: Direct connections by train, bus, and taxi.
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Services: Customs, security, and tourist assistance for arriving passengers.
Mountains of Israel and settlements on them
Romanesque arched hall of the church
Entrance to the church, open from 3pm
Trappist Church Fence
A view from the church courtyard, where there are benches and where you can rest
Latrun
Latrun is a region in central Israel that is easy to reach from Netanya, Tel Aviv, or Jerusalem. Here you’ll find a monastery, a biblical site recalling Jesus and His disciples, landmarks tied to Israel’s struggle for independence, and a lively country fair. Let’s start with the most popular attraction.
The Latrun Monastery was founded in 1890 by French Trappist monks, known for their strict order that includes a vow of silence. The name of the order comes from the French abbey La Trappe, and the monks live a life devoted to prayer, labor, and spiritual growth. The monastery sustains itself through the monks’ work, producing fine wines, cheese, brandy, ceramics, and souvenirs.
The monastery church impresses with its Romanesque architecture — massive stone walls, arched windows, and serene inner courtyards.
Every Saturday, the square in front of the monastery comes alive with colorful fairs, attracting both locals and tourists. Visitors can buy farm products (like strawberries and tangerines), artisanal goods, wine, honey, and souvenirs.
Adding to the atmosphere are live performances: drumming ensembles, small theatrical shows with clowns, and acts by local artists with dogs and horses. It’s a wonderful spot for family leisure, combining the spiritual peace of the monastery with the vibrant energy of a festive fair.
Port of Ashdod
Ashdod Port is the largest seaport in Israel and one of the country’s two main ports (the other is Haifa), located on the Mediterranean coast about 40 km south of Tel Aviv. It is a modern and strategically vital hub, playing a key role in Israel’s international trade.
History of the Port
Although the city of Ashdod has been known since biblical times, the modern port was constructed in 1965 to ease the load on Haifa’s port and improve Israel’s maritime logistics. Since then, Ashdod Port has become a crucial link in cargo transport, handling large vessels, container shipments, and oil.
A Modern Hub
Today, Ashdod Port:
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Handles around 60% of Israel’s cargo traffic.
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Receives cruise ships, serving as a maritime gateway for tourists.
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Features state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a container terminal and oil jetty.
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Uses advanced technologies for automated unloading and cargo monitoring.
Unique Aspects
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Near the port lies Tel Ashdod National Park, with remains of the ancient Philistine city.
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The port operates a comprehensive environmental protection system, safeguarding the Mediterranean from pollution.
Ashdod Port is not only an economic powerhouse but also a symbol of Israel’s maritime development and global connectivity.
Scroll the photos to the right - there is a lot of archeology in Israel
Beit Guvrin (near the city of Beit Shemesh). Roman amphitheater, nearby are the ruins of a fortress with a Crusader church, converted by the Mamluks. The site is small. Nearby is a gas station with toilets and a cafe.
Megiddo. An archaeological park in the center of the country, the Megiddo Valley. The ruins of a Canaanite palace and city, located on a hilltop, offering a beautiful view of the entire green Megiddo Valley, known as Armageddon.
Гуляя по 6-ти кило метровой набережной Хайфы в северной ее части можно найти развалины и мозайику византийской деревни Хусифа. Территория огорожена. Весной, в марте и апреле это место покрывают цветы: анемоны, маки, лютики.
