You can find a list of the “best beaches in Israel” on many websites. As you come to expect from “Israel by Foot”, our angle is different. We give you the best beaches in Israel that are also natural gems.
You will not find a Bar or Beach beds for hire. But you will find magical picnic spots and scenic beach strips perfect for a sunset walk.
All the spots described are great destinations all year round. In the summer you have the advantage of a swimming opportunity, however, from October-May you will avoid the crowds and enjoy great tranquility.
Dor Habonim Beach reserve – Our first choice – The most scenic beach in Israel.
Gaash Beach – The best beach for nature lovers near Tel Aviv.
Gador beach reserve – The best option if you are limited in time.
Rosh Hanikra Beach reserve – The best option up north.
Palmachim beach reserve – The best option down south.
- If you plan to walk, DO NOT wear flip-flops. Wear closed sandals or walking shoes. Some of the walks are over rocky and rough terrain.
- What is the best time of day to visit?
May-October: Very early in the morning or just before sunset. During the day it is very hot with almost no shade.
November-April: Any time of day
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Dor Habonim beach reserve – The finest coastal strip in Israel:
Location: Dor Habonim Beach Parking
This 4 Km strip stretches between the Habonim and Dor beaches. It is regarded as the most scenic beach area in Israel. It is also very diverse. Within this short distance, you can visit magical small coves, an archaeological site, a shipwreck, and the famous “Blue cave”. Go to our Dor Hike page for full details about this amazing area and a detailed hiking map.
Additional Recommendations in the area:
- Stroll the historic area of Zichron Yaakov. pleasant streets with a large variety of coffee shops and restaurants.
- Lodging: Smadar Inn
- Visit Ramat Hanadiv Park: There are two main attractions to the park. The 1st is the memorial garden, which is a planted garden with pleasant paved boardwalks and a variety of plants and flowers. The 2nd is the Natural Park, which has several attractive hiking trails. The best one takes you to the “Carmel Mountain Nose”, where there is a beautiful view of the Mediterranean sea.
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Gaash Beach (Hof Hasharon beach reserve) – The best option near Tel Aviv:
Location: Gaash Beach Parking
This 3 Km strip between the Wingate institute and Kibbutz Gaash is characterized by a tall limestone cliff that drops to the sea leaving a narrow strip of sand, in some sections just a few meters wide. You can take the red marked footpath that start at the Northwestern corner of Kibbutz Gaash and follows the top of the cliff with great non-stop sea views. Return along the stand strip near the water. Go to our Gaash Beach Hike page for a full description and a detailed hiking map.
Additional Recommendations in the area:
- SPA: Relaxation in the natural hot springs water of the Gaash Bathes and Spa (“Hamei Gaash”)
- Lodging: “Tiferet By the Sea”, a Beach Apartment with sea views.
- Shopping: Variety of shops in the Shefaim Shopping Mall
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Gador beach reserve – The best option when you are limited in time:
Location: Gador Beach Parking
One of the best beaches in Israel for nature lovers!! within a short strip of just one kilometer, you have it all. Two scenic coves, tall cliffs, and a great view-point. From the parking spot walk down to the famous “Chinese Bay” (The bay got its strange nickname when in 1940 a group of Jewish immigrants from Europe landed on the bay following a 2 years stop-over in Shanghai.) From the bay climb up to get a great panoramic view of the Mediterranean from Tel-Gador just above the bay to the north. Picnic according to your preference near the water at the bay, or with the view on the top of the hill.
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Rosh Hanikra Beach reserve – The best option up North
Location: Rosh Hanikra Beach Parking
This is a short one-kilometer coastal strip that starts at the bottom of the Rosh-Hanikra cliff. The strip is characterized by a rugged wind-swept rocky surface that drops directly into the water (without any sandy strip). This is not an area for swimming. Take good walking shoes and walk on the edge of the rocks, near the water. If you want to combine it with a swim, 200 m to the south is the Betzet beach that has all the regular facilities.
Additional Recommendations in the area:
- just above the beach, you can also visit the Rosh Hanikra Grottoes. At the border of Israel and Lebanon, the white cliff drops right into the sea. The sea penetrates rock with beautiful caves.
- Near the entrance to the site, there is a nice restaurant on the top of the cliff with fine sea-views.
- “Homa Ve Migdal” (translates to “Tower and Stockade”), was a trick used by the Zionist settlers of Israel in the 1930s. The establishment of new Jewish settlements was legally restricted by the British authorities. In this method, a settlement was built overnight with a wall and a watchtower. Visit the Kibbutz Hanita Musem to learn more about this important period in Israel’s history.
- Dinning: The Gas station Dor Ziv Bridge
- . It might look surprising to get a recommendation to eat in a Gas station. However, in this case, you should try it. 5 minutes’ drive from the beach, at the gas station, you will find one next to the other 3 simple but great restaurant.
Humus Eliyahu – A famous Israeli humus establishment.
Pizza Bar Fornetto – High-quality Pizza that will make you feel like you are in Italy.
Tuk Tuki Cafe – Sandwich bar with tasty sandwiches and great coffee.
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Palmachim beach reserve – The best option down South.
Location: Palmachim Beach Parking
