Ashdod

Ashdod is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, halfway between Tel Aviv and Gaza. One of Israel's two industrial ports is here. It is Israel's busiest port, with 60% of all imports and exports passing through it.

Understand
Ashdod has a long history, and was inhabited in the times of the Bible by the Philistines. When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites, they brought it here before being forced to return it. However, few traces remains nowadays of the ancient city.

Modern Ashdod is known for its diverse population, with each wave of Jewish immigration represented. Jews from former Soviet Union make up roughly a third of the city's 235,000 residents. Ashdod is also home to large numbers of Moroccan, Georgian and Ethiopian Jews, along with recent arrivals from France and Argentina. It also has the third largest charedi (ultra-Orthodox) population in Israel, after Jerusalem and Bnei Brak.

Ashdod is on the meeting point of the yellow sand dunes from the south, the green lowland from the east (including the small Lachish river), and the blue Mediterranean Sea from the west. Therefore you can find a surprising diversity of natural sights in one city.

The city is a young one, re-founded 50 years ago and grown dramatically during the last two decades. It is well planned and maintained, and its beaches and south regions are very beautiful. It regularly finds itself in highest places in rankings of the most beautiful and well-designed cities in Israel.

By bus
Buses run to Ashdod from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheva, and other places. Most routes begin/end at the, which is centrally located and has a shopping mall.

By boat
Ashdod port's main business is freight, with a large container-handling facility, but it's also a frequent port of call for cruise ships, giving closer access for trips to Jerusalem than does Haifa. There are no ferries to Ashdod. Private small craft from abroad should make for Ashkelon marina ten miles south, calling ahead before entering Israeli waters to arrange immigration and customs clearance.

Get around
By bus, taxi ("moneet" in Hebrew), or minibus ("moneet sherut").

Buses
There is a bus system of 22 urban bus lines that serve all quarters of the city. Most of the lines have frequency of between 15 and 30 minutes. The urban lines in Ashdod are operated by "Electra Afikim".


 * 1: A circular express line from Ashdod Ad Halom Railway Station via Begin blvd. and the Central Bus Station. This line has frequency of 30 minutes.
 * 2/2א: From Ashdod Port to Quarter Tet Vav via Quarter Alef, Quarter Bet, Quarter Daled, Central Bus Station and Quater Yod Alef. This line has frequency of between 15 and 30 minutes.
 * 3: From Ashdod Port to Yud Gimel Quarters via quarters Alef, Bet, Gimel, Vav, Het and Yud. This line operates in rush hour only.
 * 4/4א: From Ashdod Central Bus Station to Ashdid Ad Halom Railway Station via HaKirya Quarter, Chords Beach and Quarters Daled, Alef, Beth, Gimel, Zyin, Vav and Het. This line has a very cumbersome route and has frequency of 15 minutes.
 * 5:
 * 7/7א:
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 * 10: An express line from the Light Industrial Area to Quarter Tet Vav via Herzl blvd. and the Central Bus Station. This line has frequency of 15 minutes.
 * 11:
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 * 17/17א: A suburban line from Ashdod Central Bus Station to Gan Yavne via Jerusalem blvd. and Ashdod Ad Halom Railway Station. This line has frequency of every 60 minutes.
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 * 27: A suburban line from Ashdod Central Bus Station to nearby towns of Gan Yavne and Bnei Ayish via Quarters Daled, Alef and Bet, Jerusalem blvd. and Ashdod Ad Halom Railway Station. This line has frequency of every 60 minutes.
 * 29:
 * 33/33א:
 * 34:
 * 35/35א: This line serves the Haredi areas of the city. From Ashdod Ad Halom Railway Station to the Light Industrial Area via Quarters Het, Zyin, Vav and Gimel. This line has frequency of 15 minutes.

Bikes
Ashdod has a very developed system of bike routes and flat terrain, so renting a bike would be an ideal option for bike lovers. Keep in mind that it can be very hot in summer.

Yango ridesharing service is available.

See




Do




There is horse riding, 4X4 rental, and the city marina provides yacht/cruise services.

The MonArt centre is a performing arts center which has different art schools, studios and events.

Buy


Ashdod has about five big shopping malls and two markets.

On Wednesday there is a clothes and farmers market near Lido beach, however it primarily caters toward the local population and is less suitable for tourists.

There is a large souvenir store downtown on Rogozin street. It sells local stamps and postcards, water from Jordan river, soil from Jerusalem, and various other things.

Eat
A lot of restaurants, especially along the beach. Cheap snack meal starts from about ₪15. A full meal in a mid-level restaurant will be around ₪40-100.

Drink
Although you'll find plenty places to drink, and a decent variety of pubs and clubs, Ashdod nightlife serves mostly the locals.

Sleep
There are two hotels near the northern beach area. Prices around ₪250-300 per day for one person, meals not included. There is a big hotel near the south beach.