Back to the Shoreline
If you’ve already visited Israel’s coastline on your first trip, there is still plenty more to explore on future visits.
If this is your first time, you can check out the “🔗 Israel's Shoreline” page.
🗺️ The Israeli Coastal Plain is home to over 70% of Israel’s population and includes the major cities of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, Haifa, Netanya, Ashdod, and Ashkelon.
The coastal plain stretches from the northern border with Lebanon (Rosh Hanikra) to the southern border with the Gaza Strip.
📜 Throughout the coastal plain, there is easy access to the Mediterranean Sea, which is a sea, not an ocean. The differences lie in the volume and temperature of the water. Even in winter, the water isn’t very cold.
Settlement conditions in the coastal plain have always been highly favorable: fertile soil, high groundwater levels, and excellent transportation access. The international trade route—known as the Via Maris—connected 🔺 Egypt and Mesopotamia 🐫(modern-day Iran and Iraq) and passed through this region.
The coastal plain is divided into several sub-regions, usually into regional councils. The names of these councils are derived from Jewish history and the biblical story of the settlement of the Israelite tribes:
The Tel Aviv metropolitan area is also called the Dan Metropolitan Area, named after the Tribe of Dan (one of Jacob’s 12 sons), who originally settled here but were later pushed northward by the Philistines.
The Asher Regional Council, named after another of Jacob’s sons, lies to the north of Haifa.
Traveling along the coastline is easy with public transportation—trains 🚆
or buses🚍.
🏛️ The Caesarea Aqueduct and Bird Mosaic Floor:
This is a free site featuring an aqueduct that was part of an impressive and sophisticated water system that brought water from the eastern mountains to Caesarea between the 1st and 7th centuries CE.
Please note: if you plan to enter the water here, be aware there is no lifeguard, so swimming is prohibited.
On the way back from the aqueduct, on the left side, there is a large mosaic floor from a wealthy home, known as the Bird Mosaic. It’s worth a short stop.
🌉 The Hanging Bridge in Nesher
One of the longest hanging bridges in Israel, open daily from 6 AM to 7 PM.
Around the bridge you’ll find the Carmel Forests and hiking trails of varying difficulty—a great nature getaway just a short distance from the city.
🌲🌲 Little Switzerland:
Haifa is located on the western slope of Mount Carmel. Behind it lies the Carmel Nature Reserve, recommended for hiking.
The name “Carmel” means “choice vineyard.” The mountain is sacred in Judaism, Christianity, and the Baháʼí Faith.
🥾 We recommend the “Little Switzerland” trail in the Kalach Stream area—an easy 3 km hike.
🔗 Mount Carmel Reserve Info
🤿 Diving in Caesarea Harbor
A unique extreme experience: diving into the sunken harbor built by Herod in the 1st century BCE.
In the modern harbor area, there’s a diving club that provides all necessary equipment and offers a guide if needed—a special underwater historical experience.
🔗 Caesarea Diving
🔗 Caesarea Marine Reserve
🌊 Water Sports in Nahariya:
The coastal city of Nahariya is a great spot for a short water sports experience followed by relaxing at the beach.
There are several types of water sports available. We recommend starting with a turbo boat or speedboat ride, followed by snorkeling.
There are a few centers for water sports—we recommend the Putscher Water Sports Club.
🔗 Putscher Water Sports
🏖️ Other sites to explore:
Achziv Beach
Jump Islands Acre (Islands of Fun - Akko)
Mei Kedem ("Ancient Waters")
🧭 Rosh Hanikra: Where the Mountain Meets the Sea
📍 Northernmost point on Israel’s coastline
🕒 Recommended visit time: ~45 minutes
Rosh Hanikra is a stunning natural site where white limestone cliffs meet the blue Mediterranean Sea. The grottos were naturally carved by the action of waves on the rock over thousands of years, forming a network of sea caves—completely sculpted by nature.
🚠 Getting There:
Access the caves via a small cable car (10 people max, 30-second ride). The walking path through the grottos is circular, so you'll return to the top via the same cable car.
🌊 What You'll See:
Look northward (right) from the sea viewpoint and you’ll spot yellow buoys in the water—marking the maritime border with Lebanon.
The name “Rosh Hanikra” comes from Hebrew and Arabic:
Rosh = “head” or “peak” (like a mountain peak or headland)
Hanikra = “grottos” or “caves”
🪨 Rock Formations:
Watch for black stones embedded in the white cliff walls—these are flint rocks, a metamorphic stone whose exact origin is still unknown. In ancient times, the flintsotnes family used this rock to start fires. 😉
🚉 Historical Railway:
As you exit, you’ll see train tracks on the right—part of the former Beirut–Alexandria railway line, which operated until 1948. Israel blew up the tunnel during the War of Independence to prevent Arab forces from transporting weapons and tanks.
✨ Fun Photo Spot: Take a picture by the sign showing the distance to Beirut or even the “No Photography” sign at the military base gate—both are iconic.
🤿 Bonus Experience:
Scuba dive inside the grottos for an unforgettable underwater adventure:
🔗 Dive the Rosh Hanikra Grottos
🏘️ Zichron Ya’akov: A Town of Charm, History & Wine
Zichron Ya’akov is a charming town worth your time, offering a unique mix of history, culture, and art.
📍 Nestled on the Carmel Ridge, overlooking the Mediterranean
🔗 Official Tourism Website
🕰️ Historical Background:
Founded in 1882 by Jewish immigrants from Romania, Zichron Ya’akov is one of the first seven agricultural colonies established during the First Aliyah (1882–1903). It was named after Baron Edmond de Rothschild’s father, Jacob.
The land was purchased legally and in full from Arab farmers in the village of Zamarin. The early settlers were traditional and religious families from Eastern Europe who came to the Land of Israel for spiritual reasons—not Zionist ones, since the Zionist movement began only in 1897.
🚜 The pioneers dreamed of building a life of independent farming, but were soon met with severe hardships:
Lack of farming experience
Scarcity of water
Harsh and dry weather
They turned to Baron Rothschild in Paris, who was inspired by the idea of Jews returning to their homeland to build a modern society. He began supporting the settlement, but with a condition—his appointed officials would make the decisions. This is where the famous Israeli expression "on the Baron's account" originated, meaning "for free."
🥾 What to See & Do
Your visit will likely include a stroll along the pedestrian Wine Route (Derech HaYayin) and visits to:
👣 Founders’ Monument
⚰️ Old Cemetery
💧 Water Tower
🏛️ First Aliyah Museum
🛍️ Charming boutiques and galleries throughout the pedestrian street
📍 Free parking is available near the Founders’ Monument.
🔗 Explore Zichron’s Attractions
🍷 Wine Tasting Experience
Zichron Ya’akov is famous for its wineries. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample local wines!
🌿 Ramat Hanadiv: Gardens of the Baron
📍 Just outside Zichron Ya’akov
Ramat Hanadiv is the memorial estate and garden complex of Baron Edmond de Rothschild and Baroness Dorothy de Rothschild, who were key supporters of the first settlers in Zichron Ya’akov. The Baron and Baroness chose to be buried here, surrounded by magnificent, meticulously designed gardens.
🌸 Highlights of the Gardens:
🌹 Rose Garden
🌿 Herb Garden
🖐️ Sensory Garden (specially designed for people with disabilities)
🌊 Stunning viewpoint overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
🏞️ Natural areas of the Carmel mountain range
While much of the garden is carefully landscaped, there are also natural sections that reflect the terrain of Mount Carmel.
🔗 Official Site – Gardens & Nature Trails
🥾 Nature Trails & Hiking
Beyond the formal gardens, the surrounding nature park offers numerous scenic hiking trails through the Carmel ridge.
🔗 Explore the Walking Trails
🎥 Visitor Center
At the garden entrance, there is a free visitor center featuring a short film that tells the story and legacy of the Baron and his lasting impact on the region.
🔗 Learn More
