Happy TravellerWelcome to Nahariya, the northernmost coastal city in Israel. With a population of over 60,000, Nahariya is a vibrant and bustling city with a rich history and a thriving economy. The city takes its name from the stream of Gaaton, which bisects it, and is known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and delicious food. Join us as we explore the many wonders of Nahariya and discover why this city should be on every traveler’s itinerary.
Nahariya has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the Bronze Age. The ruins of a 3,400-year-old Bronze Age citadel were found in the city, serving as an administrative center for mariners who sailed along the Mediterranean coast. During the Byzantine period, a church dedicated to St. Lazarus was excavated, but was destroyed by fire during the Persian invasion in 614. In the 1930s, Nahariya was founded as an agricultural village by German Jewish immigrants who had escaped from Nazi persecution. After facing economic and climatic problems, the residents turned to tourism and the food industry, turning Nahariya into a European-style resort town.
Today, Nahariya is home to some of Israel’s leading entrepreneurs, including the Strauss, Soglowek, and Wertheimer families. The city’s economy is driven by successful private sector industrial enterprises such as the Strauss dairy company, Soglowek meat processing company, and Iscar, the high-precision metalworks and tool-making giant. According to the CBS, as of 2000 there were 17,916 salaried workers in the city and 1,283 were self-employed. The mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker in the city was ILS 5,736, a real growth of 7.0% over the previous year.
One of Nahariya’s main attractions is Sderot Gaaton, the city’s main boulevard that runs east-west from the Coastal Highway junction to the sea. Shaded by towering eucalyptus trees and lined with numerous shops, boutiques, open-air cafes, restaurants, and ice cream parlors, Sderot Gaaton is Nahariya’s central business and entertainment district. The beach area is also a popular attraction, with a public park, a waterfront promenade, two public beaches, several hotels, a small marina, and a lively nightlife in the multitude of beachfront cafes, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Nahariya is easily accessible by car, with Highway 4, the coastal highway, being the main north-south road in the city. Highway 89 starts at the Nahariya Junction in the city, and connects it with the rest of the Upper Galilee and Safed. Nahariya’s public transportation hub is located at the eastern end of Sderot Gaaton, near the intersection with Highway 4, and contains the city’s train station and central bus station. Nahariya’s train station is the northernmost station of the Israel Railways network.
According to the CBS, in 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was 97.3% Jewish and other non-Arabs, without significant Arab population. In 2001 there were 355 immigrants. Nahariya has 22 schools with 7,541 students, which are divided into 15 elementary schools with 4,074 students, and 7 middle and high schools with 3,467 students. In 2001, high school (12th grade) matriculation rate in the city was 56.5%. Nahariya Hospital, located on the outskirts of Nahariya, serves half a million residents of the western Galilee, from Karmiel to the coast.
Nahariya has a rich cultural heritage and is home to many notable people, including former Justice of the Supreme Court of Israel Dalia Dorner, business magnate and industrialist Ofra Strauss, and German-born Israeli entrepreneur, industrialist, and politician Stef Wertheimer. The city is also twinned with several other cities around the world.
In conclusion, Nahariya is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, food, or just relaxing on the beach, Nahariya is the perfect destination. With its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and thriving economy, Nahariya is a city that is sure to leave a lasting impression on every traveler who visits.
