Nahariya Attractions

1km/0.75mi south of Nahariya is the kibbutz of Evron, founded in 1938 and named after the Old Testament town of Hebron in the territory of the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19,28). Excavations in 1951 revealed traces of Palaeolithic settlement and the mosaic pavement of a fifth century Byzantine church.

15km/9mi northeast of Nahariya is the kibbutz of Hanita, founded in 1938, with a guest-house and a small museum displaying finds from the surrounding area.

10km/6mi southeast of Nahariya is the international Christian settlement of Nes Amim ("Signal to the Nations"), which seeks to promote Christian and Jewish co-operation. It was founded in 1963 by young Christians, mostly from the Netherlands. To reach Nes Amim, leave Nahariya on the coast road to the south and at the turn-off for Shave Zion (on right) take a road on the left which runs via Regba and then bears south for Nes Amim.

3km/2mi south of Nahariya is the village of Shave Zion, a seaside resort with a completely preserved mosaic pavement from an early Christian church. Farther south is the old port of Akko.

Nahariya takes its name from the river (Nahar) Ga'aton, which reaches the Mediterranean here. In the last section of its course before entering the sea it flows down the middle of the town's main street, Sderot Haga'aton, which is lined by eucalyptus trees. On the north side of the street is the Town Hall, in which are the tourist information office and the Municipal Museum (modern painting on fifth floor, archeology on sixth). On the south side of the street are the railroad station and numerous cafes and restaurants. From the west end of the street Hama'apilim Street runs north to the boat landing-stages and the swimming pool. In the uncertain period before Israel became independent in 1948 Nahariya was cut off from its hinterland for many months and could be reached only by boat from Haifa. The Phoenicians built a Harbor here which remained in use into Byzantine and perhaps early Islamic times. On a hill by the beach are remains of a temple of the 15th century B.C. dedicated to the Canaanite fertility goddess Astarte.