From Tel Aviv to Haifa: Interesting Things to See On the Way
September 14th 2019
After spending some time in modern Tel Aviv it can be easy to forget just how significant the nearby ancient coastline really is. Israel’s central plain has been inhabited for more than five and a half thousand years, through many different eras and civilizations. And you can gain a sense of this history when traveling along Israel’s coastline, from Tel Aviv to Haifa, and beyond.
From the era of the biblical patriarchs to the founding of the modern state in the 20th Century, the sea and coast have been intrinsically interwoven in Israel’s cultural narrative.
As you travel from Tel Aviv to Haifa, here are a few places on the way where you might like to stop for a bit and explore. Many of these places provide insights into this coastline’s fascinating past.
They include
The Alexander River National Park
As well as momentous human history, Israel’s coast also has wonderful biodiversity. The Alexander River National Park is a great place to spot some of the country’s native creatures including distinctive soft-shelled turtles. There are also swamp cats, semi-aquatic rodents known as nutria, and a variety of fish. It’s a lovely place to go hiking and to enjoy a picnic.
The area is also significant for being a secret arrival point for Jewish refugees entering the country despite the British blockade.
Caesarea
The ancient port city of Caesarea is a jewel on the coastline, roughly midway between Tel Aviv and Haifa. The city was built by Herod the Great during the period of Roman rule and served as the region’s major port. Today, the ruins of this great port city offer visitors a glimpse into what life was like at that time.
Situated next to beautiful pristine beaches, the Caesarea National Park contains a number of amazing aqueducts which channeled water from nearby springs into the old city. You’ll also see an ancient Roman theater, a hippodrome, an ancient synagogue, and the remains of the port.
The Atlit Museum of Illegal Immigration
From the early 1920s to independence in 1948, the land that would become the State of Israel was ruled by the British. They kept Jewish immigration to a minimum so as not to upset the Arab population. The majority of Jewish refugees were put into refugee camps, one of which is now the Atlit Museum of Illegal Immigration.
The museum features some of the original huts and a replica transport ship, as well as exhibitions and displays documenting what life was like for the thousands of Jewish men, women, and children who were confined here.
The Ramat HaNadiv Gardens
Just to the south of Zikhron Ya’akov is a stunningly beautiful nature park known as Ramat Hanadiv Gardens. Covering over a thousand aces, the park is the final resting place for Baron Edmond de Rothschild and his wife. Rothschild contributed significant funds to the establishment of the State of Israel.
The grounds are divided into a number of different sections, each with their own unique look, features, and style. They include a memorial garden, a fragrance garden, a cascade garden, and a rose garden, among others. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a picnic and a long walk.
The Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve
Not far from Atlit is the Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve, which is a must-visit if you’re fascinated by ancient human history. The picturesque park contains four caves believed to have been inhabited by humans for over one million years, based on skeletons and other finds discovered. The UNESCO World Heritage Site also provides visitors with wonderful hiking paths as well as insights into the reserve’s ancient past.
