Ashkelon

Understand

Ashkelon is one of the oldest cities in Israel and has history that goes back more than 5,000 years. Ashkelon is especially famous for its history as one of ancient Philistines' major cities and in the biblical story of Samson.

The ruins of many civilizations such as the Canaanites and Byzantines are located underneath the city. Many artifacts that have been recovered in archaeological digs are on display around the city. Good samples can be seen in the national park and in Afridar center.

The city has been part of Israel since the 1948 independence war. Since then, the city has become a center for several waves of Jewish immigrants ("olim"). Newcomers from Iraq, Morocco, the ex-USSR and Ethiopia are the majority population. Since most of them came with little or no money, the city's socio-economy status has generally been low. Its seaside location now attracts wealthier populations. But the occasional rockets that have been launched towards Ashkelon from Gaza Strip have put a new damper on its growth. On the south-facing windows of newly constructed apartment buildings, you can see sliding metal covers designed to minimize the damage caused by bombardments.

The beach line in Ashkelon is by far cleaner than the ones in the central region of Israel, and there are a few lovely hotels along it.

Get around

There are 16 local bus lines running every day until midnight and covering most parts of the city. The local bus lines are operated by Dan BaDarom.

The most frequent bus lines are lines 4/4א and 5. The beach and the marina are served by bus lines 3, 6, 18 and in July and August line 9 is operated. Line 8 has a single trip each day each direction as this line is a cemetery service but it stops also at southern parts of the city.

The fare is about ₪4 per ride.

Taxis by agreed fares (negotiable, usually between ₪20-23 anywhere inside Ashkelon) or meter.

You can walk across the entire city in less than 2 hours.

Yango ridesharing service is available.

See

The dunes - in the south, near the southern industrial zone, one can still spot untouched dunes with wild animals.

Do

The coastline has few nice beaches, among them popular Delila and sightseeing Bar Kochva.

Buy

Cosmos area just outside the city on the road to/from Tel Aviv - Something like a scattered shopping mall. It is very close to the train station. Migdal - see above.

Eat

Hanitzahon restaurant at Migdal's walking street - considered to be one of the best in Israel, not cheap. There are many shawarma and falafel vendors, much like anywhere else in Israel. The locals tend to favor Flafel Boaron at Migdal.

Drink

Beer Hole at the Khan in Migdal.

Hanasi 1 - busy bar that attracts many young locals. Located on Ha'nasi st. 1, Afridar center.

Many bars and clubs are located at the Marina area. Tend to be packed during weekends (Thursday to Saturday).

Two bars are working on the beach between the marina and the national park: Hofman and Ananas, they are more active during the summer.

A few clubs are working at Delila beach. There's also a nice but smoky pool house there.