Israel city of Netanya. Israel - Netanya: what to see, where to go? Climate in Netanya
Located in the subtropics on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Netanya in Israel is a wonderful place to relax. The flow of tourists here does not dry out almost all year round. If you are attracted by the uniqueness of this country and you intend to spend a vacation on its territory, we advise you to stay in the most beautiful place - the city of Netanya.
Stretching for almost 11 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast, the city is one of the largest resorts in the country. Sheltering behind the mountain range from the cold mainland winds, it turns into a paradise where you can relax at any time of the year. Indeed, in the winter, from November to March, the air temperature does not fall below 18 °C, and in the summer, from April to October, it rises to 27 °C.
The history of the city’s existence dates back only to the 20s of the last century. Although settlements on its territory arose in ancient times. The founding date of the resort is February 18, 1929. The city arose as an agricultural settlement created by immigrants from Eastern European countries. Gradually developing, it receives the status of a major center of the diamond industry. In the 50s of the 20th century, they decided to develop a tourism business here. This turned out to be a profitable and profitable business. Today it is a thriving resort town with magnificent scenery.
Where to go in Netanya
What can a tourist see when visiting this wonderful place? First of all, it is the sea. On the coastline of the city there are nine clean beaches with all amenities: changing rooms, showers, toilets. Anyone who gets tired of lying on the hot sand can freely play basketball or volleyball. Special areas are equipped for this purpose.
Fans of active recreation have the opportunity to windsurf, sail, fish, or admire the surrounding scenery by flying over the city on a hang glider. Those who wish can learn the basics of horse riding. Those who like to create architectural creations or visit museums will also find something to keep themselves busy.
Although Netanya is a young city with modern architecture, once you step outside its borders, you will be immersed in the atmosphere of ancient centuries. Not far from the resort, excavations are underway in a Palestinian village where the Um Khaled fortress is located - the remains of a defensive structure erected by the crusaders. On its territory you can see caves, wells, and water tanks. Walking through the ruins and contemplating the remains of an ancient civilization, you seem to be transported to that era and become part of the settlement.
Caesarea National Park
Another attraction is Caesarea National Park, which is the center of an ancient Palestinian city that once went under water. It is located just north of Netanya and is the most unique place on earth. What is his secret? The highlight of this area is that the excursion consists of two parts: aboveground and underground, or rather underwater. This is a driver's paradise. A sunken port with warehouses, docks and even ships, which now rest on the seabed, opens before their eyes. A walk along the above-ground part of the park can be no less exciting. The stadium, amphitheater, city baths, remains of ancient streets - all this demonstrates the greatness of this ancient city.
While walking through the park, don’t miss the Palace on the Reef. It is located on a small cape and was the residence of King Herod. The palace is the embodiment of ancient Roman architecture at the peak of its development. Powerful columns supported its vault, and the remains of mosaics can be seen on the floor. There was a swimming pool in the center.
The National Park regularly hosts archaeological exhibitions and street theater performances that will immerse you in the city's ancient Roman era. Those who don't want to climb through the ruins can take a virtual tour of the Palestinian city.
Beit Hagdudim Museum
Those interested in various weapons should visit the Beit Hagdudim Museum. It is dedicated to the Jewish military units that defended Israel during the First World War. The museum displays bladed and artillery weapons of that era, soldiers' uniforms and their military equipment, maps that mark important battles, newspaper clippings with notes about turning points of the war, flags, awards and award sheets, and other important documents.
Walking around the city is also very interesting. You will be able to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of everyday life of local residents. Don't be afraid to get lost. In a city where approximately 19% are from post-Soviet countries, there is always someone who can tell you the way. You can satisfy your appetite during a walk in cafes or restaurants located on the embankment and not far from the central square. They have a wide range of dishes, and the prices are quite affordable. The names of the dishes on the menu are written in both Hebrew and English. There are also Russian-language establishments.
Young people will not be bored in Netanya either. Bars, restaurants, clubs are open here until the last customer. You can also dance in the open air near the square, where various cultural and entertainment events take place. There is an opportunity to play bowling or billiards, ride a jeep or drive a go-kart. Water from healing springs located nearby will help you get back to normal after a night of festivities.
Utopia Park
But we advise absolutely everyone to visit Utopia Park. This is truly a heavenly place on Earth. On an area of four hectares, orchids grow, various tropical plants, some of which are even predatory, exotic animals run around, and the reservoirs are full of strange fish. In the center of the park there is a musical fountain surrounded by small hills. The landscapes and clean air here are so charming that many Israelis dream of having a wedding here. The park will be interesting for visitors of any age. For women, there is a flower shop where you can buy orchids and other strange plants, and everything necessary for growing them, as well as garden figurines. Meanwhile, men with children can visit the mini-zoo and admire exotic animals.
And finally, let’s say a few more words about hotels in Netanya. A tourist with any financial capabilities will be able to find a comfortable place to stay for the night with all the amenities. And it doesn’t matter whether your hotel is three- or five-star. All of them are located close to the beaches. If you decide to stay in the city for just a couple of days, you can also rent a room or apartment. The price is approximately the same as a room in a three-star hotel. The main thing to remember: when moving around the city, keep in mind that transport here stops moving on Friday afternoon and resumes on Saturday evening, after sunset. At this time, and even at night, taxi drivers charge higher fares.
The Israeli resort of Netanya is located on the Mediterranean coast, 30 km from Tel Aviv and 50 km from Haifa. Jerusalem can be reached in about an hour by bus.
This is a resort town unique in its location and history. The history of Netanya began at the beginning of the 20th century. The name of the city is given in honor of the famous businessman and philanthropist Nathan Strauss, who did many good deeds for the Jewish people. Netanya is well known for its affordable hotels, vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches with clean, soft sand.
Climate and weather of Netanya
Netanya is a year-round resort. You can comfortably swim in the Mediterranean Sea as early as April, but the beaches are open all year round.
The tourist season begins in mid-May and lasts until October.
Beaches and sea of Netanya
The main feature of Netanya's beaches is that they are located under the cliff on which the city stands. The height ranges from 15 to 40 meters. You can comfortably go down to the beaches by elevator, which is installed on the Main Embankment. The elevator has 2 cabins, each accommodating 60 people.
The beach strip stretches for 13 km. The sand here is clean, golden in color, and very soft. All beaches are free. The beaches have changing cabins, lifeguard towers, showers, drinking water fountains, toilets, and sports grounds where you can play basketball or volleyball.
The beach strip is divided into 9 sections, the most popular of which are Sironit and Herzl. Sironit beach is quite quiet, protected by breakwaters. In the evenings there are discos on the beach, and yoga classes at sunset. Herzl Beach is more crowded and perfect for outdoor activities. Fishing is popular on Bull Bay Beach, and Tsanz Beach is specially created for religious people. Activities on the beaches of Netanya include paragliding, yachting, parasailing, and windsurfing.
Things to do in Netanya
Although the city cannot boast of a thousand-year history, Netanya has its own set of attractions. Firstly, these are museums with very interesting exhibitions. Visit the Museum of Archeology, the cultural city center, the museums of Beit Hagdudim, Pninat Shivtea Israel.
A walk along the embankment is one of the favorite pastimes for vacationers in Netanya. There are many cafes and restaurants, bars where discos are held until the morning. Open-air concerts take place in the squares. For sports lovers, there are tennis courts, bowling alleys, and fitness centers. One of the highlights of Netanya is the riding school, where you can get acquainted with horses and ride around the area.
Utopia Park is a magnificent tropical forest where blooming orchids and exotic butterflies flutter all year round. The park is huge, part of it is under a roof, and part of it is open air. “Utopia” has many amazing corners with waterfalls, skillfully trimmed bushes, labyrinths, and hills. There is a living corner.
As a souvenir from Netanya, you can take away a real treasure - jewelry with diamonds. Netanya is a major Israeli diamond cutting center. The city has many jewelry stores where you can buy earrings, rings, bracelets and other diamond jewelry at competitive prices.
Netanya is a city in Israel located on the Mediterranean coast. The city is the largest resort on the country's coast, and its length along the sea and the length of the beach area exceeds all other resort cities in Israel, including the famous Tel Aviv.
History of the city of Netanya
The founding date of the city of Netanya is considered to be February 18, 1929, when immigrants from Eastern Europe founded an agricultural settlement on the territory of the modern city. The city of Netanya received its name thanks to the Zionist figure and philanthropist Nathan Strauss, who invested in the founding and development of the settlement, which later turned into a beautiful resort town.
In the 20s of the 20th century, members of the Bnei Binyamin organization, under the leadership of Oved Ben-Ami, founded a settlement on the seashore, and in 1928 bought a plot of land. Initially, the residents of the settlement were engaged in agriculture - they grew citrus fruits, but later they acquired another field of activity, namely, diamond cutting. In the 40s, the city became a large and significant center for diamond processing and sales, which had a positive impact on its development.
During wartime, ships carrying Jewish refugees fleeing the horrors of the Holocaust landed in Netanya, and in 1948 the population of the moshav exceeded 10 thousand people, which gave it the right to be called a city. A little later, the city of Netanya included nearby settlements. In the 80s, the population was replenished with numerous emigrants from Russia and the CIS countries, and currently the number of immigrants from Russia exceeds 40 thousand people. In general, the population of Netanya currently exceeds 190 thousand people.
If we talk about the beach holiday in Netanya, the beginning of its active development can be considered the 50s of the 20th century, when the city’s mild climate, picturesque landscapes and a huge number of beaches provided the city with enormous popularity among both Israelis and foreigners.
Weather in Netanya - climate features
This is one of the factors that attracts a large number of tourists to the city. Due to the powerful mountain range and the city's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Netanya in the country of Israel has a subtropical climate, mild and pleasant. The beach season lasts throughout the whole year, but the most comfortable period begins in April - the sea temperature at this time is about +22 degrees and ends in November. In summer, the average air temperature fluctuates between +27-30 degrees, and the coldest month of the year is January, which does not get colder than +15-18 degrees.
During the beach season, Netanya is very hot and dry, with most of the rainfall occurring in the winter months, from November to March. The average annual humidity in the city is about 70%, and increases slightly in the summer, while in winter the air is drier.
How to get to Netanya?
The city of Netanya, a map of which is available on any tourist portal, is located very well, just 53 kilometers from the international airport in Tel Aviv. In addition, Netanya in Israel is located 56 km from Haifa airport, which has a positive effect on tourist flows.
For everyone who travels by car to Israel, Netanya provides the opportunity to travel comfortably along the most important highway and the routes that intersect it. National Highway No. 2 runs through the city and has a large number of branches on the way from Tel Aviv to Haifa. A little to the east lies national highway No. 4, which connects the north and south of the country, and, like No. 2, has a large number of routes branching off from it to different settlements in Israel.
At the Netanya central bus station you can buy tickets to other cities in the country from four transport companies. For everyone who is attracted to Netanya and Israel, the map will help you quickly find the desired route, and the famous Netanya Interchange will delight guests of the country with the comfort of premises equipped with the latest technology.
Beach holiday in Netanya
Netanya, reviews of which necessarily touch on the topic of beach holidays, has 13.5 kilometers of the most beautiful sunbathing and swimming areas in the country. Netanya's golden beaches stretch from north to south, and the high cliff above them provides an excellent vantage point to view the vast waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
There are eight beaches in Netanya, starting from Poleg and ending at Blue Bay. All beaches are well equipped - comfortable changing cabins, showers, sun loungers, water fountains.
Poleg, located in the Ramat Poleg area, has the most convenient approach to the beach - the cliff ends at this point and tourists can easily walk to the water. On the famous beach there is a lifeguard station, a gourmet restaurant, and kiosks with a variety of products.
Tourists can also rent watercraft, such as motor boats, buggies and speedboats, and in the summer beach sports tournaments are held here. For everyone who is interested in an interesting beach holiday and Netanya, tourist reviews claim that fun night parties and discos are held on Poleg beach.
Also famous is Argaman Beach, which can be reached by walking along Ben Ami Boulevard. The beach also has a lifeguard station, a restaurant and sports grounds. The advantage of the beach is free parking.
Zanz Beach is surrounded by a fence and has a kiosk with kosher goods. This is a separate beach for religious holidaymakers, which is rarely visited by foreign tourists. The Netanya city map also includes Amphi Beach, which is located below the Amphitheater, a 1,200-seat concert hall, not far from the hotel. There is a marine sports center on the beach called “The Color of Blue”, where tourists can rent swimming equipment and receive detailed instructions. Children from summer camps often relax on this beach.
Herzl Beach is an extension of Herzl Street and Independence Square and includes a playground, restaurants and beach chair and umbrella rentals. Fans of youth recreation, fiery dancing and socializing visit Onot Beach, which has a restaurant and dance bar.
The central beach of Netanya - Sironit, is located under the main promenade, which a map of Netanya in Russian will help you find. You can go down to this beach from the embankment or by a special high-speed elevator. The main beach of Netanya is protected by two breakwaters, which provides a quiet and cozy atmosphere in the bay. Sports competitions, numerous parties - all this is present on the beach, which opens at dawn throughout the year and attracts a huge number of tourists.
Sights of Netanya
Israel and Netanya, reviews of which are numerous and positive, include not only a beach holiday, but also sightseeing. Photos about Netanya are posted on popular portals, and the Palace on the Reef, located in Caesarea Park, is always published. These are the remains of a magnificent structure dating back to Israel's Byzantine period.
Also, Netanya in the country of Israel in the photo necessarily highlights other parts of Caesarea Park, located on the seashore, for example, the Byzantine square, the ancient Herodian amphitheater, the ancient street system and the bathhouse.
More modern attractions are the Beit Hagdudim, Pninat Shivtei Israel, and the Museum of Archeology, Nature and Arts. It will be interesting to visit the Um Khaled fortress, the local history museum and the unique parrot farm in Kfar Hes. For tourists interested in culture, Netanya can offer a visit to the Municipal Gallery, the cultural center and the Yemeni Folklore Center. Netanya is represented on the Internet, as well as videos of folk dances, and tourists are always offered to watch concerts of famous groups.
In terms of entertainment, Netanya boasts the Shfayim Water Park with an area of 10 hectares. The park consists of a water part, a car park and a paintball complex.
Netanya Hotels – High Level of Service
Some tourists prefer to rent for the duration of their vacation, but the majority still use the services of numerous hotels, especially since by renting you can spend much more money.
In the city you can find three, four and five-star hotels to suit every taste - from the most modest and economical to the most luxurious. For example, you can book a room in the luxurious five-star Island Suites hotel on the seafront with spacious apartments, swimming pools, a restaurant and a fitness club. The hotel is located next to Sironit beach and includes an abundance of services.
At the same time, you can choose more economical options, for example, Metropol Grand or Residence Beach - three-star hotels with excellent service. Almost all hotels are located in close proximity to the beach, so tourists have the opportunity to save money on accommodation and not waste time on the road to the beach.
Netanya is a charming and picturesque resort city that houses noble people. It lies in the heart of the Sharon Valley in Israel and can rightfully be called the pearl of the Mediterranean. Formed in the first half of the last century, today Netanya is a wonderful holiday destination, arousing great interest among tourists all year round. Due to its young age, the city does not have ancient architectural monuments, but in return it is ready to please its guests with a mild climate, elegant boulevards, magnificent and extremely cozy parks and, most importantly, will give you an unforgettable beach holiday away from the everyday bustle of noisy cities, enjoying hot sun and salty waters of the warm sea.
The best ways to get to Netanya
The resort city of Netanya, unfortunately, does not have its own airport, and the nearest ones are in the cities of Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion and Sde Dov), as well as Haifa. Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport is probably considered the most convenient; it is located 14 km from the city. You can get from this airport to Netanya in the following ways:
- By train.
The platform is located on the lower level of the third terminal. Trains depart around the clock on Sunday-Thursday, on Friday from 24h. until 15:00, on Saturday - 20:40-23:10. Trains start every 20-90 minutes, the duration of the interval depends on the individual time of day. Thus, during the daytime, the intervals between departures are reduced to 20 minutes, later gradually increasing to 90 minutes. The fare is 14.5 ILS ($4). In Tel Aviv, you need to change at the Haganah or University stations for a train in the direction of Netanya. The cost of the road is 16 ILS ($4.5).
- By bus.
A convenient alternative to the train is buses from Ben Gurion Airport. Egged routes depart every 15 minutes, from 5 p.m. morning until 10 o'clock evenings. Departure is made from the platform of the third terminal on level 2. To get to Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, take bus No. 475, fare 16 ILS ($4.5). Then you should change to buses No. 600, 602 or 605 to Netanya. The cost of the road is from 10 ILS ($2.8). All buses arrive at the Netanya central bus station in the heart of the city.
- By taxi.
Those who appreciate comfortable travel can use taxi services. The parking lot is located right next to the international terminal. The fare is 250 ILS ($71).
Weather and climate in Netanya
Netanya is located in the zone of influence of a subtropical climate, which is characterized by the absence of clear boundaries between spring and autumn. Only two seasons are noticeable here - hot summer and cool winter with lots of rainfall. The winter period starts in October, intensifies in December and loses ground in March. The average temperature of the coolest month of January is +10..+18C. In summer it is hot and quite dry, precipitation is extremely rare. The average July temperature is +30C, water +28C. The most comfortable time to visit Netanya is considered to be March-May or October-November. In early spring the weather is sometimes changeable, but by the middle of the season it stabilizes. The daytime temperature does not exceed +23C and there is practically no precipitation. The transition period from summer to winter, the so-called autumn, is characterized by moderately warm weather +23..+27C.
What to see in Netanya
The city of Netanya is a fairly young Israeli city, the foundation of which dates back to the first half of the 20th century, namely 1928-28. That is why you are unlikely to find ancient architectural structures here, but in the vicinity is the ancient city of Caesarea, which has remained in excellent condition to this day. The architectural compositions of local streets, baths, as well as the royal amphitheater and palace have been well preserved. Here it is worth visiting the ruins of the magnificent Palace on the Reef. In the village of Um Khaled you can also see fragments of an excavated Crusader fortress, references to which date back to the 12th century, as well as burial caves, wells, reservoirs and various towers. You can make traditional ones.
Within the city limits, you can visit the ancient Shone Alohat synagogue, which is located near Independence Square. Also include in your excursion route the amphitheater on the Shaked embankment and the Palace of Culture, where musical events are often held. You can learn about local history at the Beit HaBer Museum. Among the other most significant museums is the Museum of the History of Agricultural Mechanization, where you can learn many interesting facts about agricultural machinery. At the First Aliyah Museum in a village called Zichron Yaakov, you can see exhibitions dedicated to immigrants of the 19th and 20th centuries. In the Jewish Legion Museum you can get acquainted with the activities of the Jewish volunteer detachment since the First World War.
Want to please your eyes? Then we bring to your attention the natural attractions of the region. In the southern part of the city lies the beautiful Shlulit HaHoref nature reserve, which contains a large reservoir and hundred-year-old eucalyptus trees. To the east lies the Oak Grove, like an oasis in the middle of modern high-rise buildings. If you love flowers, be sure to visit the Shmurat Harusim Iris Reserve, as well as Hasharon Park and Utopia Orchid Park.
Beaches and entertainment in Netanya
Lovers of quality beach holidays will be delighted with the local beaches.
Fans of active pastime should turn their attention to Poleg Beach. There are grounds for various sports here. By the way, sporting events are often held here, and in the evenings, especially during the tourist season, fun discos are held.
Not far from the amphitheater lies Amphi Beach, where there is a sea sports center where vacationers can rent swimming equipment and hire an instructor.
Walking along Ben Ami Boulevard you can reach Argaman Beach. The central beach of Sironit is divided into two parts: one part A is famous for sports entertainment, and the second part B is equipped with special water suppressors, which makes the sea here the calmest. For strict adherents of religious traditions, there is Zanz Beach - separate recreation areas for women and men. In addition, kosher goods are sold here.
Prices in stores and local restaurants
Netanya is a typical Israeli city where people love to eat tasty and hearty food. Local catering establishments offer dishes from different nations of the world; they are found here at every step. The cost of a hearty lunch or dinner in local restaurants (for example, Le Bifteck) will be 75-110 ILS = 21-31 $, three-course business lunches cost on average approximately 59 ILS = 16 $. A traditional dish - St. Peter's fish can be enjoyed for 58 ILS = $16 at the Minigolf restaurant. All conditions for a romantic dinner are presented in the Tulip restaurant; the cost of dinner here is 200 ILS = $57 (fish dish, wine, snacks). There are several establishments of Middle Eastern cuisine in the city, the cost of snacks is from 18 ILS=5$, meat dishes from 40 ILS=11$, fish dishes - from 60 ILS=17$.
When visiting Netanya, you will certainly not refuse to stroll through the local shops. In large retail outlets, prices are strictly fixed, so you are unlikely to be able to negotiate a discount. The biggest discounts occur on the holidays of Passover (March-April) and Sukkot (September-October). Discounts during peak sales sometimes reach up to 50%. Remember - all tourists have the opportunity to return VAT if the cost of the goods is at least 400 ILS=113$.