Nahariya - what you need to know about a city in northern Israel

Nahariya, Israel is a small, provincial town in northern Israel, located near the northern border. Local residents say so about their city - when, Jerusalem, prays, Tel Aviv makes money, Nahariya sunbathes. This is true, because many tourists come here to relax on the beach or take a course of healing and rejuvenating procedures.

There are not so many attractions in the city, but they still exist - the embankment, the crusader castle, caves, and the Holocaust museum. You can also go diving in Nahariya.

Interesting fact! The resort in Israel began to develop relatively recently - only in the 30s. last century. At this time, the local population, which was mainly engaged in agriculture, lost ground to the Arabs, since their products were much cheaper. The main source of income was tourism.

Photo: Nahariya, Israel

Tourist information about the city of Nahariya

The city of Nahariya is a northern resort located on the Mediterranean coast in Israel, the distance to the border with Lebanon is 9 km. The name of the settlement comes from the word "nahar" - so in Hebrew sounds the river. This refers to the Gaaton River, which flows in the village.

In the past, an Arab family owned the territory, in 1934 it was bought by private individuals who founded a farm here. The city of Nahariya is February 10, 1935, when two families from Germany came and settled here.

Nahariya is on the list of the most beautiful resorts in northern Israel. It offers tourists comfortable beaches, a rich underwater world. There are excellent conditions for snorkeling, diving, surfing, you can visit the sauna, relax in the pool. Achziv Nature Park is very popular, in its place there used to be a port.

Note! For lovers of diving, near the city, the ship Nitzan, built in the middle of the 20th century in Germany, is flooded.

Sights of Nahariya

Of course, the northern part of Israel is not as rich in sights as the central part of the country, but there is also something to see and see. Of course, it is best to start exploring the city with a walk along the promenade, where you can feel the spirit of the resort.

This is a typical resort promenade with a beach on one side and a number of cafes and restaurants on the other. Walking along the promenade, you can admire the moored yachts, the ramming waves of waves and the beautiful Mediterranean blue. There was a place for fishermen, whose constant companions are cats, they patiently wait for their prey.

There is a breakwater on the embankment, pet owners, cyclists, athletes are sent in one direction, and admirers of leisurely walks in the other direction. Along the promenade there are flower beds, benches and even sports areas with exercise machines.

In Hebrew, the name of the attraction means - the beginning of the grottoes. A natural formation is located near Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, a little north of Nahariya.

The picturesque cave was formed naturally, as a result of leaching of the rock from Mount Rosh HaNikra.

Interesting fact! A tunnel formed in the mountain, according to legend, soldiers were digging it under the command of Alexander the Great.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a tunnel was built and paved in it for the passage of the British army. After two decades, a railway was equipped in the tunnel. Connecting Palestine and Lebanon. After 6 years, the tunnel was blown up by units of Haganah.

Today, for travelers to the grotto, a 400-meter gallery was pierced. To go down from the top to the grottoes, it is best to use the cable car, which consists of two wagons with a capacity of up to 15 passengers. By the way, the cars descend at an angle of 60 degrees and this is the coolest descent in the world.

Good to know! Today, Rosh HaNikra is a nature reserve protected by the state.

Locals warn tourists - the grottoes periodically floods with water, especially when the sea is raging. It is necessary to wait until the water subsides, and only then go on. It is believed that it is in the Rosh ha Nikra grottoes that mountains and the sea meet, this is their love story. And here also live cute rock rabbits who like to bask in the sun and take pictures.

If you are tired of relaxing on the beach, you can visit Ahziv. The beaches of the national park are considered the most romantic in the world. Here, the absolute harmony of man and nature is felt. The attraction is rocky bays and picturesque lagoons. In addition, there are natural and artificial pools filled with sea water. In the deep, adults bathe, and in the shallow - children.

In addition to a beach holiday in the park, the ruins of a fortress built by the crusaders are open to visit and admire the green lawns. The park has a rich underwater world - sea anemones, octopuses, sea urchins and turtles live here.

Ahziv used to be a port city ruled by King Tyr. The main source of income is the production of purple paint from snails that were collected on shore. Later, the Byzantines built a fortified settlement on this site.

On a note! Today, the ruins of the fortress are preserved in the park, which the monarch Baldwin III presented as a gift to Knight Humbert. At the end of the 13th century, the fortress was conquered by Sultan Beibaras.

Along with the fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Ahziv disappeared, and an Arab settlement appeared in its place. In the mid-20th century, Arabs were forced to leave their home as a result of the Arab-Israeli war. From the old settlement there was a small museum complex - a mosque and the headman's house.

Practical information:

• the cost of visiting - 33 shekels for adults, 20 shekels for children;
• work schedule: from April to June, in September and October - from 8-00 to 17-00, in July and August - from 8-00 to 19-00;
• how to get there - drive along highway 4 in the north direction from the city for 5 minutes.

Beaches in Nahariya

"Galei Galil" is the official beach in the city in Israel, which is recognized as one of the cleanest and most beautiful in the country. City officials look after him throughout the year. Entrance to the beach is free. In the warm season, a complex of pools works on the shore, rest is paid, tickets are sold at the box office near the entrance. The complex consists of a sloping pool, a nursery and a pool for babies. There are tables for visitors nearby. Also at the entrance there are canopies installed on the lawns, where you can enjoy relaxing in the shade.

Other services:

• solarium;
• changing cabins;
• showers;
• toilets;
• rescue towers;
• restaurants

On a note! Galei Galil - this is a bulk beach, considered the best in Nahariya. Nearby, archaeological excavations of an ancient fortress dating back to 2200 BC are underway.

Another picturesque beach in the northern city of Israel is Ahziv. It is part of a national park, consists of several lagoons. Due to the shallow depth, the water warms up quickly. There are no waves here, so families with children often come here. The beach is paid - the entrance costs 30 shekels.

Good to know! From Achziv Beach, divers begin exploring the depths of the sea near Nahariya.

The north coast is suitable for diving and snorkeling. At a depth, you can admire the picturesque underwater landscapes, cliffs and grottoes, at an arm's length to see the rich underwater world. You can go diving and snorkeling in Nahariya all year round - the water temperature varies from +17 to +30 degrees.

Holidays in Nahariya

This is not to say that the city has a huge selection of hotels, the best, traditionally presented in the center and near the sea. In addition to hotels, there are also comfortable guest houses, you can rent a villa or apartment.

Good to know! A few kilometers from the center, renting an apartment will cost several times cheaper.

A double room in a middle-class hotel with amenities will cost from 315 shekels. Accommodation in an elite hotel will cost from 900 shekels a day. For such an amount you will be offered a room with a view of the sea landscape, a jacuzzi, a balcony.

As for culinary traditions, the influence of Arabian, Mediterranean cuisines is traced in Nahariya. The restaurants offer a large selection of meat, fish dishes, rice, couscous, a variety of sauces, spices. A wide selection of first courses, desserts, hummus is common. You can also choose pizza, vegetable salads, seafood dishes.

Good to know! Coffee houses are common in Nahariya. In addition to a fragrant drink, pastries and cakes are served here. The city has a large selection of fast food restaurants.

The cost of a full meal in the restaurant will cost from 70 to 200 shekels. But a snack in a budget cafe will cost much cheaper - from 20 to 40 shekels per dish.Find out RATES or book any accommodation using this form

Weather and climate. When is it better to come

Weather in Nahariya in Israel is influenced by the sea. The climate throughout the year is mild, with a high level of humidity. In summer, the air warms up to + 30- + 35 degrees, in winter, as a rule, it is never colder than +15 degrees. Water temperature in summer is +30, in winter - +17.

The main problem in the winter is a strong wind and frequent rains, so you need to take rainproof and waterproof clothing on your trip, always an umbrella. Locals usually get a windbreaker and sneakers in the winter months. However, in the winter, roses and many more varied vegetation bloom in the city.

Good to know! In Nahariya, there is no central heating in the houses, so when booking a hotel room, specify how the room is heated.

In spring, you can already take on a trip traditional clothing - shorts, T-shirts, slippers. The only thing that can overshadow the trip is the Sharavs - a hot wind from the desert.

In the summer it is hot and dry, there is no rain, so you can not do without sunscreen and headgear.

Autumn, especially the first half, is perhaps the best time to travel to Nahariya. The season of festivals, holidays begins, the weather is quite mild, you can swim until winter.

How to get from Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv)

There is a direct railway line from the airport to Nahariya. On the official website of the Israeli railway, you can pick up a suitable date and time of departure, book a ticket. The cost of a full one-way ticket will cost 48.50 shekels. You can also purchase a ticket for a different number of trips.

To Nahariya once a week on Thursdays buses leave from the central bus station located in Jaffa. The journey takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The most expensive and at the same time the most comfortable way is a taxi or a transfer. The trip will cost from 450 to 700 shekels.
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Interesting Facts

1. The land where the city is located was bought by the famous engineer - Joseph Levy, who later became an outstanding farmer. In 1934, the state issued permission to establish the city.
2. According to one version, the settlement was named after the Gaaton River, which flows through the city. However, there is another version - Nahariya comes from the name of the small Arab village of Al-Nahariya.
3. Initially, the city was created according to the agricultural model, but there were not enough funds, and local residents began to open hotels, guest houses and earn money from tourists.
4. About 53 thousand people live in Nahariya.
5. Today, Nahariya is the capital of western Galilee, such a decision was made, since the city plays a central role in the life of the entire region.

6. The inhabitants of Nahariya love sports - there is a basketball club in the city, three football teams, water sports associations, as well as an aircraft club.
7. Bus traffic is developed in Nahariya, as an alternative to a bus, sherut minibuses ply around the city. For travel, it is best to purchase a Rav-Kav card; the document is sold at railway stations and bus stations.
8. Parking in the city is paid, with the exception of parking at restaurants and hotels.
9. You can rent a bike or bike, pay by credit card in the machine, if you do not return the transport in a timely manner, a large fine will be charged automatically from the card.

Nahariya, Israel is a small, hospitable town in northern Israel. Comfortable beaches and fascinating sights await you.

Watch the video: Nahariya - Volker's Israel Travel Ideas (May 2024).