Ashdod, Israel – a resort village on the Mediterranean coast, located three dozen kilometers from Tel Aviv. The settlement is included in the list of the oldest Israeli cities – already several millennia ago, the first human settlements appeared on the territory of the modern settlement. By the way, the name of the city has not changed since then. Already in the modern time period, port workers lived in Ashdod, gradually the number of residents increased and he was given the status of a city. It happened in 1968.
Today, Ashdod is the largest seaport that accepts cargo ships. From a tourist point of view, the city is notable for beaches, which are rightfully considered the cleanest and most suitable for recreation. What is more remarkable is the sixth largest resort city in Israel, what sights here you can see, how to get from Tel Aviv – about this, as well as much more, read the review.
Photo: Ashdod city
Ashdod – description, useful facts
The city of Ashdod in Israel is built on picturesque hills, included in the galaxy of the most ancient settlements in the state and the world. The resort area is slightly more than 47 km2, the number of inhabitants is 240 thousand. If you look at the map of Israel, Ashdod can be found in the south of the country, three dozen kilometers from Tel Aviv. Today it is one of the largest ports of the state and a pilgrimage center for millions of believers.
Interesting fact! About 60% of goods imported by sea pass through the port.
Interesting facts about the city:
- The first settlement on the territory of Ashdod appeared in the 17th century BC. – there are official documents about this;
- in the Bible the name of the settlement occurs 17 times;
- in different historical times, Ashdod was inhabited by the Philistines, Byzantines, Arabs, even crusaders;
- the modern resort appeared in the mid-20th century, and the status of the city the settlement received in 1968;
- the development of the village was carried out on the basis of the approved plan, the main points of which were related to the development of roads and transport links, air purification.
Interesting fact! The construction project was approved by the Minister of Finance in May 1956. In late autumn, the first immigrants from Morocco arrived in Ashdod. They were involved in construction work.
The history of the city of Ashdod in dates:
- 1958 – the power plant was commissioned;
- 1959 – the settlement received the official status of a local council;
- 1961 – a seaport is built;
- 1963 – the construction of the seaport is completed;
- 1965 – the seaport received the first ship from Sweden;
- 1968 – assigned city status;
- 1989 – The process of returning the Jews to their historical homeland is started.
Good to know! In the city there are no difficulties with parking, there are no traffic jams, and in 2009 large transport interchanges were built.
When locals talk about the climate and weather conditions in the city, they joke – in the summer precipitation in the form of rockets is possible. The fact is that Ashdod is located near the Gaza Strip, several times a year the village and its environs are subjected to rocket attacks, but not a single missile reaches its target, since the Iron Dome, which reflects the shelling, was built near the city.
Another interesting fact related to Ashdod in Israel is that the city has non-residential or dead areas. The French massively buy real estate in the city, but do not live in it.
Photo: Ashdod, Israel
Ashdod landmarks in Israel
Ashdod is a well-groomed and beautiful resort city. Snow-white buildings of different architecture were built in the central part. Old streets are intertwined with wide, modern avenues. At first glance, it might seem that apart from beach relaxation in Ashdod, there is nothing worthy of attention, but the sea, port city boasts ancient sights, shopping centers, and restaurants with exquisite Mediterranean cuisine. First of all, once in the city, take a walk along the promenade and admire the beautiful yachts. For them, a special artificial bay was built in the city, with a capacity of up to 1,500 ships.
This attraction of Ashdod cannot be called popular and very visited. Probably, for this reason, the authorities do not pay due attention to the care and restoration of the fortress, which is located a few kilometers from the harbor. In local dialect, the name sounds – Castellum Beroar. The attraction dates back to the 8th century and was built as a port defensive structure. The inattentive and even somewhat indifferent attitude of the authorities towards the ruins is understandable, because in Israel there are a lot of attractions, so close attention is paid primarily to European and Christian sites, but not to Arab ones.
Interesting fact! It is surprising that some parts of the fortress survived to this day. The fact is that they built it from shell rock and soft rock.
It is interesting to visit the ruins of the fortress at different times of the year, but, according to local tour guides, when the oslinik blooms and daffodils bloom, the fortress is transformed. Visiting sights can be combined with relaxing on the beach – sparsely populated and clean.
It is noteworthy that in the process of destruction under the influence of wind, sun and rain it became noticeable that the attraction is a stratification of various cultures, religions and eras.
Good to know! Swimming here in the sea is dangerous because the remains of the fortress are located under water. It’s dangerous to swim here at low tide.
According to one legend, on the top of the hill is the grave of the prophet Jonah. Thus, the hill is not only a landmark of Ashdod, but also a place of pilgrimage. In addition, the hill is a kind of viewing platform, which offers a wonderful view not only of the city, but also of the neighboring settlements – Palmachim and Ashkelon. There is Jonah Hill on the Lahish River, namely on the north bank.
Nearby is the Nahal Lahish Nature Reserve, different animals live here, you can even feed them at certain hours. And near the reserve there is a restaurant serving national dishes.
Interesting Facts:
- hill height – 57 meters – this is the highest point of the city;
- to the left of the hill is a lighthouse;
- excursions to the ruins are possible only in daylight;
- You can buy a sightseeing tour in the small settlement of Lakhish or in a travel agency directly in Ashdod.
Good to know! You can admire the hill during a boat trip, from the sea side the view of the attraction is especially attractive.
It is this quarter that locals call the heart of the city. Here is the “White House” or the municipality, the cultural center of Ashdod, modern business centers, and a bus station. A statue of liberty is installed in the square, from the top of which a laser beam rushes into the sky. A little to the east is another bright attraction – the sculpture of the Sail, which is originally illuminated in the dark.
The park is a fully state project, implemented in 1991. Located in the northern part of the resort, near the port. The park is named the same as the river separating the port from the park area. The river has been known since biblical times and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The park is green, well-groomed, many fruit trees – date palm trees, mulberry.
Photo: Ashdod city, Israel
There are two ways to enter the park:
- from the west, if you move from the sea to the right, along the port;
- along Herzel Street, heading for the port.
A feature of the park – it is sparsely populated four days a week – from Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday in Israel, a weekend and then locals walk in the park.
Good to know! You can get to the park for free, at the entrance there is information about the attraction.
People come to the park just for a walk, look at the animals, have a picnic with barbecue. To see animals, right at the entrance you need to turn right, zebras, buffalos, antelopes and argali, raccoons, fallow deer and ostriches live here. Despite the fact that feeding animals is forbidden, as there are appropriate signs, many visitors bring fresh vegetables with them.
The park has many sculptures installed along the pedestrian zone 2.5 km long. Given the considerable length of the park, management took care of the comfort of vacationers – along the paths are benches and awnings that protect from heat. You can drink from the fountain with drinking water – they are also enough in the park. There is a paintball area, a lot of attractions are seasonal entertainment. You can play paintball in the winter, and ride the rides in the summer. Children ride ponies and horses.
The park is fully adapted for tourists of different ages and with different preferences. Fans of measured relaxation will like boat rides, the company will be able to cook kebabs on specially equipped barbecue facilities, bicycle paths are equipped for outdoor activities. Be sure to bring a camera with you, because the park has a very beautiful nature, and in sunny weather, proud fallow deer and funny ostriches come out to take pictures of themselves.
The flea market in Ashdod is a huge accumulation of Soviet rarities. A great advantage of the attraction is that it is located next to the Mediterranean Sea. But the disadvantages include the way the flea market in Ashdod works – one day a week, on Wednesdays. If a religious or state holiday falls on Wednesday, the bazaar is closed.
There is a landmark in the oldest part of the city – in Aleph. The market extends from Rogozin Street and all the way to the Mediterranean coast. The vast majority of merchants come from the Soviet Union, only a small percentage of sellers are Arabs. If you want to go back in time, the best way is to visit the flea market. There are a lot of dishes, books, souvenirs, old telephones, nesting dolls, lighters, sewing machines, jewelry, toys. There are sellers-collectors from whom you can buy coins or badges.
Ashdod beaches
If you characterize the beaches of Ashdod, you get the following: clean, suitable for relaxation, spacious. Indeed, even at the peak of the tourist season, there will always be a secluded place on the shore, there are awnings for the disabled – asphalt paths lead to them, also laid to the sea. A sand filter machine regularly drives along the shore. That is why it is clean, small and soft. In addition, free toilets and showers are installed everywhere, even ashtrays for smoking tourists are provided. It should be noted that the order and cleanliness on all beaches is supported by a large number of municipal employees.
Good to know! The beach season in Ashdod begins in April, ends in October. After the beaches are closed, lifeguards do not work on the towers.
There are seven official beaches in Ashdod:
- Gandhi or Kshatot
- Yod Alef
- Lido
- Mei Ami
- Oranim
- Separate beach for people with different religious beliefs, as well as for women and men;
- Riviera.
The beaches are separate and do not flow one into another. Each has a flag of a certain color that signals the state of the sea and indicates whether it is possible to swim. By the way, rescuers strictly monitor compliance with the rules and indicate to tourists if they violate them.
Flags come in three colors:
- white – the sea is calm, you can sunbathe and swim;
- red – the sea is restless, you can swim, but swimming is forbidden far, the danger level is medium;
- black – entering the sea is prohibited.
Each beach has parking facilities and a place to park your bike.
Interesting fact! Ashdod beaches are a favorite place for admirers of surfing and sailing. The fact is that there are almost always waves at sea.
The most popular beaches are Mei Ami and Lido. There are restaurants, shops with beach accessories on the shore. For youth recreation in Ashdod in Israel, Kshatot beach is more suitable, and for family – Oranim. Most beaches work on a schedule: from 8-00 to 19-00.
Cost of holidays in Ashdod
The resort city of Ashdod offers tourists a wide selection of hotels from budget to luxury. Most apartments are built right on the seashore. The cost of living varies depending on the location of the hotel and status.
- The minimum cost in a double 4-star hotel is $ 100 (in summer).
- For a night in a 5-star hotel you have to pay from $ 160.
- Accommodation in a budget guesthouse – $ 70.
Restaurants and cafes in the city are also plentiful; feel free to order Mediterranean cuisine. The average cost of a dinner with beer is about $ 8. Also in the city is a wide selection of establishments with a Russian menu.
Weather and climate
Ashdod is located in a zone with a Mediterranean climate, so the summers are hot and dry, and the winters are wet and warm. The humidity is high throughout the year. The rainy season begins in November and lasts through March. It is during this period that the annual rainfall is 510 mm.
Good to know! In summer, the air warms up to + 32 ° C, on rare days it is sultry up to + 35 ° C. In winter, it is not colder than + 10 ° C, only sometimes the thermometer column drops to + 5 ° C.
Thus, the best time to travel with a view to relaxing on the beaches is best to choose the period from May to early autumn, and for excursions and walks the period from April to May or autumn is more suitable. Be prepared for the fact that in the summer for all three months not a single drop of rain may fall. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen with you. But on a trip in the fall you need to take an umbrella and a raincoat.
How to get to Ashdod from the airport in Tel Aviv
The distance between the settlements is only 40 km, depending on personal preferences, tourists can choose the best mode of transport.
This is the most convenient way. Flight 50 departs directly from the terminal at the airport. After 12 minutes arrives at Tel Aviv Haganah Station. Here you need to transfer to flight number 41, which follows to Ashdod. The total fare is from 6 to 10 euros. Trains leave every hour.
Three times a day, bus number 330 departs from the airport. It can be reached in Ashdod in 1.5 hours. Direct flight, ticket price about 3 euros.
You can also order a taxi. The trip will cost from 65 to 80 euros, duration – 34 minutes. If you arrive in Tel Aviv at night or travel with children, it makes sense to book a transfer. In this case, a driver with a sign will meet you at the airport and bring you directly to the hotel.
Travel enthusiasts will be able to rent a car at the airport. The road to Ashdod takes only 34 minutes to fill the tank, you have to buy 4 liters of gasoline (about 5.5 euros).
Ashdod, Israel is a city with a southern climate and hospitality. Come and see for yourself.
