The city of Herzliya (Israel) has a very favorable location: on the Mediterranean coast, just 12 km from Tel Aviv. This close proximity is one of the reasons why Herzliya is known as the”rich sister of Tel Aviv.”
The founding year of Herzliya is considered to be 1924, when the Lancet family settled on the abandoned but fertile lands of the Sharon Valley. Very soon, 7 more families began to settle in this area, and in a couple of months about 500 people already lived here. In 1960, Herzliya officially became a city.
Modern Herzliya covers an area of about 24 km2, and its population is almost 94,000 people. Thanks to numerous IT companies located here, Herzliya is the second largest financial city in the country.
The most interesting urban area is Pituach (“millionaire’s village”, “Silicon Valley” of Israel) – the most prestigious and expensive residential area in Israel. Pituach is the second and main reason why Herzliya has become the ” rich sister of Tel Aviv.”
In the tourist part of the resort, located on the sea coast, you can find everything you need for a rich and comfortable stay: luxury hotels, yacht clubs, excellent beaches.
The city of Herzliya in Israel, a photo of which you will find on this site, is a great place where you can improve your health, have a good rest on the seashore, and actively spend time exploring various attractions. Everyone likes to relax here: fans of active pastime, couples with children, elderly people, romantic couples.
Beach holidays in Herzliya
In summer, the city of Herzliya in Israel pleases its guests with sunny weather (the air temperature is about +30 °C), very warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and the luxurious sand of perfectly equipped beaches.
The coast in Herzliya is quite high, so for descending to the sea and ascending from it, in addition to stairs and paths, 2 modern elevators are provided. They are open from 6: 00 to 24: 00.
Herzliya has 7 municipal beaches (their total length is 6 km), admission to which is absolutely free. For recreation, everything is very well equipped there. Comfortable toilets are installed every 100 m. There are closed rooms where you can change clothes and take a shower (separately for men and women). Closer to the shore is a communal shower, where you can wash off the salt water. In addition, there are taps so that you can wash the sand off your feet, and there are comfortable benches next to them. Sun beds, umbrellas and towels are available for rent everywhere.
Waiters constantly walk around the entire territory, offering vacationers drinks and food. Here you can order breakfast and lunch directly to the sunbed.
The entrance to the water is gentle, the bottom is good, sandy. Sometimes there are strong waves, literally knocking down and dozens of meters away from the place of entry into the water.
I am glad that there are rescuers. They work from early morning until 18: 00 – that’s when it starts to get dark, so the beach is formally open until that time.
Free parking is available along the entire coastline. Despite the fact that it is quite spacious, finding an empty parking space can be difficult, especially during the season and holidays. Then you have to look for a suitable place in the nearest streets of the city, and from there go to the sea.
Most popular beaches
Among all the beaches of Herzliya, Akkadia is particularly popular. As tourists and residents of Herzliya say, Akkadia is probably the best place to relax in the entire Mediterranean Sea. It is very wide, with a gradually increasing depth to the breakwaters, but it is not very convenient to walk far to the north along the water due to the fact that small pebbles replace the sand. There are several surf schools, you can work out with a trainer and rent the necessary equipment. A luxury yacht club is located very close to Akkadia.
Ha Nechim beach is also good. It is perfectly prepared for a comfortable stay for people with reduced mobility.
Ha Sharon and Zvulun beaches are particularly popular with the urban population.
Ha Nifrad beach is notable for being chosen by Orthodox Jews. Both men and women can visit it, but only on different, strictly stipulated days of the week.
Attractions in Herzliya
The Israeli authorities spend quite large sums on the development of the city, including archaeological excavations, the maintenance of various cultural sites, and ensuring the preservation of historical and natural attractions.
What can you do in Herzliya besides swimming in the sea? What interesting sights can you see here?
Herzliya Harbour
The marina is one of the most significant attractions in Herzliya and Israel, as it is the largest seaport in the Middle East. There are about 800 berths for vessels of different sizes, and anyone can rent a yacht with or without a captain and go to sea. In summer, Herzliya Marina is not only a marina for yachts, but also a place for walking by the sea, hosting concerts and sporting events. There are places to relax: cafes, restaurants, shops, children’s water slides. On weekends, the marina hosts a fair (it is considered a local attraction in itself), where you can buy interesting souvenirs.
Yacht harbor address: St. Shell 1, Herzliya 46552, Israel.
Museum of Modern Art
4 Habanim Street, Herzliya, Israel-this address is home to the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art, another landmark of the resort city.
Every year, the museum organizes 4 temporary exhibitions, each of which includes 50 individual exhibitions united by one theme. During these events, works by contemporary artists from Israel and other countries are shown.
The exhibitions feature works of various genres and techniques: painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance, video art. Sculptures are mostly displayed on the territory adjacent to the museum building, right in the open air.
An entrance ticket to the museum costs NIS 30, and you can visit this attraction at this time.:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – from 10: 00 to 14: 00;
- Tuesday and Thursday – from 16: 00 to 20: 00.
Herzliya City Park
This landmark appeared in 2002. Then the local authorities spent a lot of money on the transformation of an abandoned wasteland, and as a result, Herzliya Park appeared. Beautiful, well-groomed, comfortable, it has become a favorite holiday destination for citizens and visiting tourists. Everyone will find something to do here:
- For fans of a sporty lifestyle, there is a playground with a variety of exercise equipment. There is also a beautiful 1 km long rubber-covered track for running or walking. A scoreboard is installed next to the track, which shows the temperature and time – after each completed lap, you can see the time it took to overcome 1 km.
- For children of different ages, there is a huge playground with various swings, slides, mazes, bungee jumping. Tip for moms: While dads are watching the kids play, you can go shopping at the 7 Stars shopping center located across the street.
- Luxurious lawns and sun umbrellas are the perfect place for those who want to lie on the grass.
- For picnic lovers, there is a special area with tables and barbecue facilities. There are also some good cafes.
- Benches among the greenery and on the shore of the lake, where frogs often sing, are perfect for romantics.
- For those who come to walk their four-legged friend, a special playground is provided.
- The outdoor stage and amphitheater are places where concerts and dance lessons are often held.
This ecological landmark is located almost in the center of Herzliya. The park is bounded on the east by Yosef Nebo Street, on the south by Ben Zion Michaeli Boulevard, on the west by Ayalon Highway, and on the north by Menachem Begin Boulevard. Exact address: Near the Seven Stars Shopping Center, Herzliya, Israel.
Apollonia National Park
To the north of the city, on the Mediterranean coast, is Apollonia National Park, also known as Arsuf Park.
Once there was an ancient city on this site, now only the ruins of the Crusader citadel (built in 1241-1265) remain. At the entrance to the territory there is another ancient attraction: a furnace that the Byzantines used for firing glass and clay products.
The views from here are more impressive than the ancient buildings. Apollonia Park is located on a cliff, from the top of which you can see the sea, old Jaffa, Caesarea.
The territory of the park is small and well planned. There are paths that are suitable for both prams and wheelchairs. Toilets, benches for relaxation and picnic tables are installed, and there is drinking water. There is a spacious parking lot in front of the entrance.
This natural attraction is open to the public all days of the week: from Monday to Friday from 8: 00 to 16: 00, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8: 00 to 17: 00. It is better to come here early and on weekdays, because from about 11: 00, especially on weekends, crowds of people gather.
Entrance fee is 22 shekels (about $ 5) for an adult, 19 shekels for students and 9 shekels for children.
Opening hours and entrance fees were updated in December 2018. You can always find out about any further changes on the official website of Apollonia National Park: www.parks.org.il/en/
How much will a holiday in Herzliya cost?
Herzliya is a fashionable resort in Israel, where vacationers are provided with a variety of high-level services. It is clear that such comfort is not cheap. You should keep this in mind when planning your stay here: what kind of accommodation to rent, where to eat, relax on free beaches or visit paid attractions.
Accommodation
In total, there are about 700 hotel buildings in Herzliya, most of which are located on the embankment. Hotels of the 4* and 5* levels in this city of Israel are much more than budget housing (although the concept of “budget” for such a luxury resort is relative).
Several famous 5* hotels in Herzliya:
- Dan Accadia Hotel is located right on the beach and offers 208 stylish rooms. You can rent a double room for a day in high season for the following money: standard-from 487 €, Garden room – from 686 €.
- Herods Herzliya Hotel is located on the seafront. Accommodation in a double room in summer will cost from 320 to 1136 € per night.
- The Ritz-Carlton is located in the marina district, above the Arena shopping center. This hotel is a kind of urban attraction, the main feature of which is the rooftop pool, which offers stunning views of the city and the water expanses. A superior double room in June costs € 483 per night, while executive suites (most of them) start at €679.
Of the more budget-friendly options, they are in demand:
- Sharon Hotel Herzliya is located in the city, within walking distance from the beach. Classic double room in summer costs from 149€, superior – from 160€, deluxe-from 183€.
- Okeanos on the Beach Apartment Hotel. Studio apartments for two people in high season cost 164€ per night, the same room with sea view-186 €, classic apartments-from 203€.
- Benjamin Herzliya Business Hotel is located in the heart of the city’s shopping district. Here you can rent a double room for 155-180€ per night.
Food
There are as many cafes and restaurants in Herzliya as hotels. You can eat well in a mid-level restaurant for$ 14-17, a three-course lunch for two will cost about$50-60. You can have a snack at a fast food restaurant for$12-15.
How to get to Herzliya
Foreign tourists who want to relax in this Israeli resort usually fly to Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv), and from there they go to Herzliya by train, bus or taxi.
- There is a bus stop in front of Exits 21 and 23 of Terminal 3. Take Shuttle No. 5 to the Airport City station, where buses leave for Haifa – any of them will do.
- The railway station at Ben Gurion Airport is located on the lower floor (S) of Terminal 3. At Nat-bg, take train 50 to Haganah Station in Tel Aviv. Then there are two options – train and bus, but the train is much more convenient, since the transfer is at the same station: train number 90, which goes directly to Herzliya.
- A taxi from the airport will cost about 45-55 € – such a trip is quite justified if several people are traveling.
As for the trip “Tel Aviv-Herzliya” (Israel), the best option is the train number 90, following from Haganah station.