The large number of trails in the park make it popular with joggers and cyclists alike. Image: Flickr user RonAlmog

On the outskirts of Tel Aviv lies the beautifully tranquil Yarkon Park (Ganei Yehoshua). What Central Park is to New York, the Yarkon Park is the green lung of Tel Aviv and straddles the Yarkon River in the north of the city.

Aside from the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the neatly groomed lawns abutting the calm river, the Park also has some interesting features.

In the eastern part of the park lie the Rock Garden and the Tropical Garden. The Rock Garden, one of the largest of its kind in the world, gives ample expression to Israel’s geological diversity. Poetic descriptions term the interesting rocks on display in ways such as “a gift from the sea” and “a message from the depths.” Wandering the trails in the 10-acre enclosure you’ll find the rocks interspersed with some 3,500 species of plants, including over six acres of cacti, many of them beautifully flowering. One trail leads to a scenic view of the Yarkon Park’s lake.

Across from the Rock Garden, is the five-acre Tropical Garden where a wooden walkway shaded by towering palm trees takes you too its own tiny lake where swans glide and fish frolic. The rainforest-like micro-climate is the perfect home for the huge variety of orchids and vines you’ll see along the way.

A tranquil break from the bustle of the city. Image: Flickr user EagleXDV

Nearby is a bike-rental center. With the breeze in your hair, take a refreshing ride around the park, or bike over to another of the park’s attractions, Seven Mills, a heritage site that straddles a narrow point of the Yarkon, where historic flour mills that ran on the stream’s power have been restored, and ducks and other water-loving birds abound. On the way, you’ll pass the lakeside paddle-boat rental station.

Ganei Yehoshua is also home to one of Israel’s largest water parks (complete with water slides, a wave pool and a toddlers’ pool), a bird sanctuary and petting zoo.

The Park is also home to Israel's National Rowing Center. Image: Flickr user RonAlmog

If you’re ready to for an active break from the city’s famous galleries and museums and to work off a few calories after eating and drinking well at Tel Aviv’s famous restaurants (and if there are youngsters who have been promised a chance to let off steam), start your Yarkon Park experience at the western part of the park at Sportec, an outdoor center with a 45-foot high climbing wall, whimsically known as “Olympus,” basketball and rollerblading courts (rollerblades and balls are for rent) and trampolines.

For more information, and for opening hours of the attractions, its best to call the park on 03-6422828 or 03-6990307 or visit www.park.co.il.

Relaxing in the park

The Hiriya is a 60 meter high mound of waste. It is the first sight, and smell, many tourists have upon entering Israel, being next to Ben Gurion Airport. Thankfully, the landfill is now closed, and the mound is being converted into the centerpiece of the new Ariel Sharon Park, set to be the largest new urban park built in the last century in the world. Bigger than Central Park in New York, the Ariel Sharon Park is currently open in a limited format, and will be opened in stages until its completion in 2020.

At present the walking and cycling trails, recreational pond, tiny zoo and picnic areas of the western section, Menachem Begin Park, are open, as well as a recycling center for which tours must be booked (for groups only +03-739663)

A green lung

Hiria recycling park is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. On a tour of the park you can see landfill rehabilitation at its best: One facility utilizes biological sub-systems to reduce the weight of municipal waste by more than 90% and produce bio-gas to create electricity, recovering glass and metal in the process. Methane gas recovery from the mound is a means for Hiria to earn part of its development funding (the rest is through contributions and matching government funds); the gas is sold and piped to a nearby textile factory.

This year a recycling plant for tires; another for building material and yet another that turns plant prunings into ground cover that Israelis are encouraged to use instead of water-guzzling grass.

Bike trails

The carefully tended garden near the visitor center is no ordinary flower bed. Aquatic beauties like water lilies, papyrus and other species sprout from a very special mini-wetland: a self-sustaining system that treats sewage with the help of bacteria flourishing on the roots of the plants. The micro-organisms break down toxins in water siphoned off from daily arriving municipal refuse and from the Hiria mound. This process purifies the water, which can then be used for irrigation.

At the visitor center, virtually everything (including the building itself – which was once a huge compost shed) is recycled: Furniture and accessories are made out of tires, cans and bottles, as is a gigantic, colorful ceiling fixture. Even the employees’ kitchen is a treasure-trove of found-object décor.  At lectures and workshops, visitors can learn here from the experts how to change behavior patterns to help protect and rejuvenate the environment.

And for the future

The mega 2,000 acre park will be a green lung in the center of Israel’s densely populated Coastal Plain serving not only the residents of Tel Aviv, but also the many neighboring cities. A proposed 50,000 seat amphitheatre will make the park a venue for concerts on an international scale, whilst the views from the top of the mound, and the ‘inner lung’ which will be created featuring special plants and a lake, will create a site which is more than one of just leisure, but an ecological masterpiece.

Park Website: www.ayalon-park.org.il/Eng

Relax at the beach by Flickr user hassi

Caesarea

Located about half way between Tel Aviv and Haifa, Caesarea has two of Israel’s best beaches, the Harbor Beach, and Aquaduct Beach.

One of Israel’s most unique beaches is at the Caesarea Harbor. This archaelogical site is one of the world’s oldest ports, and inside the cove lies a quaint and well maintained beach – the Harbor Beach. Although an entry fee of 25 NIS fo adult/20 NIS for child is required, this beach has great facilities, including a lifeguard, changing rooms, and an all important bar/cafe. Combine this with a visit to Caesarea’s ancient ruins, for an even more special day.

The Aquaduct Beach might not be in Caesarea’s National Park, but has a stunning location of its own. Located in front of an ancient Aquaduct, the beach is breathtaking although facilites are not as good.

Read more about Caesarea here.

Herzliya

An upscale neighborhood just 20 minutes north of downtown Tel Aviv, Herzliya seems worlds away, and its beaches are extremely popular. Herzliya Beach is a long clean, lifeguarded stretch of beach which runs from the Marina in the South to the area of Nof Yam in the North. The beach gets incredibly crowded in the summer, especially at weekends, however.

Read more about Herzliya here.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv’s 14 mile long stretch of coastline has so many beaches, that we’ve dedicated a whole page to them here.

Hilton Beach is located in the north of the city, and is one of the city’s youngest, trendiest beach, and unofficially the city’s gay beach. Gordon-Frishman beach is right in the center of the city and is packed in the summer as people chill out from their hectic days. The Banana Beach is great for a relaxing evening drink, whilst the Dolphinarium Beach is renowned for its Friday music festivals! And maybe, the most laid back beach in the city, Alma Beach is quieter because it has no lifeguard.

Sea of Galilee

There are lots of open access points to the beaches surrounding the Sea of Galilee, although these are unserviced. If you dont require facilities, the best beach is Tsemach Beach on the eastern shore, where you can also rent basic facilities for a small fee.

View from Ein Gedi Spa at the Dead Sea by Flickr user Baba1948

Dead Sea

Over the past decade, spas have increased dramatically in popularity and as such quality and occurrance in Israel. Whilst the Dead Sea has long-had some spa facilities allowing those wanting to, to take advantage of the ‘healing’ properties of the water and mud, the past ten years has seen, even here, a huge increase in quality.

At the Dead Sea today, most hotels are resort-style hotels, boasting full spa facilities, each more luxurious than the next. The Dead Sea spas are pretty cool in concept, yet are very popular with health tourists, coming for often extended period of times as it is argued that this is needed for full effects.

Mitze Hayamim Spa in the Upper Galilee

Galilee

We at Tourist Israel think that the spas which have sprung up elsewhere across the country, especially in the Galilee, are far cooler, however. Often in quiet and tranquil locations, these are true escapes, yet, as in everything in Israel, are never isolated.

These spas are not really on the international tourist trail at all, often because they are so new, yet are very popular with Israelis, often escaping from Tel Aviv for the weekend. Despite not having international recognician, these spas have a very high standard of treatments, with many of the staff having learnt their Thai Massages or Indian ayurveda from Thailand or India, whilst travelling as is the rite of passage for Israeli’s.

Carmel Forest Spa by Flickr user Ronan_tlv

Three of the Galilee’s most prestigious spas are:

• The Relais and Chateaux Mizpe HaYamim located between Rosh Pina and Safed in the Upper Galilee and said to have not only superb treatments, but also great food in a stunning setting.
• The Vered Hagalil spa is set between the Sea of Galilee and Rosh Pina and was listed in Workman Publishing’s book of 1,000 places to see before you die, and even has horse-back riding on site!
• Not strictly in the Galilee, the Carmel Forest Spa is an international-style spa less Israeli than the other two, but no less luxurious and is set in a nature reserve. This is also significantly closer to Tel Aviv and the Coastal Plain

Swimming with dolphins in Eilat by Flickr user E-nat

Diving

People flock to Eilat just to dive. Coral Beach is the place to dive in Eilat and has been often named one of the best places to dive in the world. With magnificent reefs protected by the National Parks Authority, whether you are an experienced or amateur diver, this is the place to go!

Other watersports

Dont let the title and focus on diving make other watersports seem minor, Eilat is a hub of watersport activity. From surfing to sailing, and everything in between, you can do it in Eilat. One of the most popular beaches is the South Beach. Click here for more on watersports in Israel.

Underwater Observatory

If diving isn’t for you but you still want to see the reefs, Eilat’s Underwater Observatory is the place to go! An underwater marine park, the observatory allows you to see what lies beneath the water without getting wet!

Alternatively, take a glass floored boat out for a couple of hours..

Dolphin Reef

At Eilat’s south beach, the Dolphin Reef, you are able to swim or dive with dolphins, or just see them from the comfort of the land. The reef is not just aimed at tourism though, with the dolphins rescued and protected.

Desert excursion

Being next to the desert, Eilat offers a great opportunity for you to take an excursion into the desert. The Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve has spectacular desert routes, whilst general trails in the area follow ancient trading routes and the Great Rift Valley. You can explore (probably best in more remote areas) with a guide on foot, in a jeep, or even by camel!