The Romans infused Caesarea with a foreign allure when Herod built the magnificent city that served as the regional capital for almost 700 years. Two thousand years later, the New York Times recognized this charm, calling it “Pompeii on the sea” and ranking it among the ten recommended tourist sites in the world for 2020.
Located on the Mediterranean Coast, right between Haifa and Tel Aviv, is the historical Roman city of Caesarea. As a site with tremendous archaeological findings, fascinating stories, and peaceful beaches, a visit to Caesarea is a great experience for history and sea lovers alike.
The history of Caesarea
The city was first established as a small Phoenician anchorage. In 90 BC, the Hasmonean kingdom conquered and annexed the small Town. In 31 BC, after winning the Battle of Actium, the Roman Emperor Augustus gave the settlement, along with the entire coastline of the Land of Israel, as a gift to Herod.
Between the years 10-22 BC, Herod established a port of enormous dimensions in Caesarea. The port served as an operational, logistical, and economic transportation solution from Acre City. In addition to building the port, Herod immensely developed the small town, carefully planning and constructing it according to Roman architectural principles. He named the city Caesarea after Emperor Augustus and filled it with temples, magnificent public buildings, and amusement facilities in the spirit of Roman culture, including a theater, a hippodrome, and more.
Caesarea was indeed built magnificently, as is very easy to see during a tour of its antiquities. During the RoDuring the Roman period, Caesarea was the largest city in the country and the seat of the Roman commissioner and garrison. It was inhabited by a mixed population of Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, with conflicts often breaking out between them. One of these conflicts, in 66 AD, regarding the right to pass near a synagogue, was the reason for the outbreak of the Great Rebellion. After the revolt and the destruction of the Second Temple, Caesarea became the capital of the Roman province of Judea.
Caesarea also played a major role in the growth of Christianity, as it was a major city in the Byzantine period, with about 100,000 residents. According to some parts of Christianity, the first gentile, Cornelius, was converted to Christianity in Caesarea.
Today, the modern Caesarea is a small town with a population of about 6,000 people.
Best sites to see in Caesarea National Park
I’ve just come back from walking through the ruins of Caesarea, and the first thing I can say is that it really feels like walking inside history. The site itself is very well kept. Everything felt clean, organized, and easy to navigate. The paths are comfortable to walk on, and in several areas I noticed they are even stroller friendly, which makes a big difference for families.
I spent quite a bit of time in the archaeological courtyard with the statues, the area I photographed. Standing there honestly felt like being in an open air museum. Seeing the sculptures up close adds so much depth to the visit. It is not just about massive ruins, but about details that bring the Roman period to life.
The views were stunning the entire time. Wherever I walked, the contrast between the ancient ruins and the blue Mediterranean was right there. I stayed long enough to catch the sunset, and it was absolutely worth it.
I did not attend a performance, but I spoke with people who did, and they all described the Roman theater as an incredible venue. The acoustics, combined with the sea breeze, create a truly electric atmosphere. One thing worth knowing though, today parts of the theater were already closed in the late afternoon because of preparations for an evening show, which disappointed some visitors around me.
During a short walk on an accessible path, you can tour most of the major places to visit in Caesarea National Park. Here are the park’s major attractions.
Roman Theatre Caesarea
The Roman Theatre in Caesarea National Park is one of the best archaeological sites in Israel. This theatre was originally built by King Herod about 2,000 years ago during the Roman Period . It was the first theatre of its kind to be uncovered in Israel and is considered a masterpiece of Roman architecture.
If you look at the top rim of the Amphitheatre, you can see modern lighting fixtures. The theatre has been restored and is still used today for live concerts by top artists, known for its excellent acoustics and the stunning sea breeze.
In the foreground (the grassy area), you can see scattered archaeological remains, such as marble pillars and stone decorations, which serve as an open-air museum.
The Ancient Caesarea Port
King Herod, who arrived in Caesarea in 22 BCE, transformed it into a mighty and magnificent city. Among his achievements, he constructed a massive artificial harbor here, a complex engineering feat that was enormous by ancient standards. Port services and taxation provided the economic foundation to recoup the immense investment in the harbor’s construction, eventually even increasing Herod’s revenues.
The e port included an outer anchorage with a breakwater at a length of about 400 meters, an inner anchorage, and a dock. During the Roman period, the breakwater sank and was destroyed. Years later, during the reign of Emperor Anastasius (491-518 AD), officials renovated the port. After the Arab occupation, authorities neglected and closed the port.
Today the port has undergone a massive renovation, and a variety of restaurants and cafes have opened on the platform. It is highly recommended to sit here and enjoy the local restaurants, which are known for their high-quality fish.
The Hippodrome
In 9 BCE, to mark the completion of the city’s construction, magnificent festivities were held in Caesarea in honor of Emperor Augustus. These celebrations included horse races, wild animal displays, gladiator combat, as well as athletic and musical competitions. The Hippodrome—an arena designed for horse racing—was inaugurated in honor of these events. Years later, the Hippodrome was closed and converted into an amphitheater, which primarily hosted combat between men and between men and beasts.
It was a public amusement facility with about 10,000 seats. The Roman Hippodrome has hosted Athletic competitions, gladiator fights, and horse and chariot races in the spirit of Roman culture. The length of the arena wss more than 250 meters and its width is about 50 meters.
Places to visit near Caesarea’s old city
Caesarea Aqueduct Beach
Ralli Museum
The unique museum located in the heart of modern Caesarea in a beautiful building in Spanish style, is dedicated to contemporary Latin American art pieces, from the collections of Harry Recanati. The museum presents a permanent exhibition and a variety of changing exhibitions.
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 15:00 – 10:30
The entrance is free
Recommended hotels in Caesarea
Dan Caesarea Resort
The Dan Caesarea Resort is this awesome luxurious spot, smack dab on this fancy 18-hole golf course in Caesarea. The rooms are massive and decked out all elegant-like, with killer views of either the ocean or the pool and golf greens. If you’re staying there, you can totally keep yourself entertained with all sorts of activities – tennis, mini golf, or just kick back and chill poolside. The whole place has this super chill, tranquil vibe going on that makes it an A+ getaway from all the stresses of everyday life.
Habostan Caesarea
Talk about the epitome of world-class luxury living – the Habostan Caesarea is where it’s at! This stylish apartment has a balcony with gorgeous garden views, a sleek modern kitchen, and get this – your own private hot tub to soak in and unwind. You can take a dip in the spa’s indoor pool or get your workout on in the fitness room. With barbecue areas and a lovely picnic spot, it’s the ultimate place to relax and have fun outdoors.
Villa Alice Caesarea
The Villa Alice Caesarea
A harmonious blend of modern elegance and old-world charm. The Villa Alica has lush gardens with your very own private pool and hot tub – total tranquility! Inside, you’ve got a fully-loaded kitchen, a cozy living room to kick back in, and a terrace made for al fresco dining. Just minutes from Caesarea National Park, this place is a straight-up luxurious retreat for people looking to get a taste of adventure too.
