Caesarea

Impressive architecture, great beaches, and romantic vibes, in the charming old town of Caesarea, the ancient, luxurious Roman city.
Ceasaria Old City, Norhtern Israel

Caesarea: An old Roman city by the beach

Built during the Roman rule, more than 2,000 years ago, the magnificent city of Caesarea features numerous attractions and sites to see. With a large amphitheater, impressive walls, and countless stories from the past, with the eternal sound of the crashing waves in the background, Caesarea is truly a site to marvel at.
The theater, sea view, Caesarea
Diving in Caesarea
Bird mosaic in Caesarea park

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 port

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

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.

The Theater

Herod built the theater, which remained active for hundreds of years. It had two stands and contained about 4,000 seats.

At the end of the Byzantine period, the site became a citadel, which was abandoned after the Arab conquest. This theater is the earliest one discovered in Israel.

The theater, Caesarea

The Ancient Caesarea Port

In the days of his rule over Caesarea, Herod has built a large port that 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 Ancient Caesarea Port

The Hippodrome

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 is more than 250 meters and its width is about 50 meters.

The Hippodrome, Caesarea

Places to visit near Caesarea’s old city

Caesarea Aqueduct Beach

One of the most impressive beaches near Caesarea is the Arches Beach, also known as Hama Beach or Aqueduct Beach’ named after the ancient aqueduct that stands in its center. Located one kilometer north of the port of Caesarea and west of the city, this beach is a popular spot for residents and visitors. The ancient aqueduct, which supplied water to Caesarea from natural springs about ten kilometers away, was a marvel of engineering, carried on thousands of stone arches. It provided water for both public use, such as fountains and baths, and private consumption. A facility called Kastelum distributed the water, unique in Israel with only one other in Banias.

The Caesarea Water Aqueduct includes several systems built throughout different periods: the Herodian high aqueduct, the Hadrian aqueduct, the Byzantine low aqueduct, and an open canal from the Crusader period. Today, Arches Beach offers a beautiful view, with plans for a boardwalk connecting to the ancient synagogue in the port.

A visit at the beach

During your visit – you can access the beach by private car with on-site parking. The best time to visit is from April to October, when lifeguards are on duty, ensuring a pleasant and safe experience. During this season, amenities such as a buffet, showers, toilets, and shaded areas are available.

The beach is open from April to October, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with lifeguards on duty and facilities accessible to the disabled and strollers. Enjoy the comfortable weather, which makes it perfect for both a tour and a swim.

Arches Beach is conveniently located near various attractions in Caesarea:

  • Port of Caesarea: One kilometer south of the beach, this ancient port features the port vaults and the Temple of Augustus. Visit the visitor center to learn about the city’s history. We highly recommend a visit to the Limani restaurant, where they serve fresh seafood straight from the sea to the plate.
  • Caesarea Golf Club: The prestigious golf club in Caesarea, established in 1960 by the Baron Rothschild family, is the only international golf club in Israel. The club hosts many local, international, and professional tournaments with participants from all over the world. In 2010, the Caesarea Golf Club entered the prestigious list of the 1000 best courses in the world in a magazine published by the Rolex company. The club is semi-private and, in addition to hundreds of regular members, also opens its doors to guests.
  • Spa:In the heart of the lawns of the Caesarea Golf Club, a beautiful and well-designed boutique spa provides an unforgettable experience to its visitors. The spa offers a calm and soothing atmosphere along with a variety of liberating treatments and pampering facilities. The unique nature of the spa is reflected in its diverse range of massages and treatment packages, which include classic Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Ayurveda, edge massage, Chinese physiotherapy, and hot treatments combined with hot stones or hot bamboo sticks. All treatments are performed by qualified and experienced therapists.With every spa treatment order, you can enjoy all the different spa facilities. Relax in the lounge that offers a variety of treats, unwind in the dry sauna, receive a “traditional casa” treatment in the luxurious hammam, and combine your visit with a quality breakfast at the golf spa.

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

Once one of the most important and beautiful cities in the Land of Israel, Caesarea is now a magical place, offering a rare combination of quality of life, heritage, antiquities, a romantic beach, a business park, an international golf club, vibrant community life, and a unique port that is an international tourist gem.

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.

Opening hours

Summertime – every day except Friday: 8:00-17:00. Fridays and holidays: 8:00-16:00.

Wintertime – every day except Friday: 8:00-16:00. Fridays and holidays: 8:00-15:00.

Parking and transportation

There is a spacious, free parking lot just outside Caesarea National Park

Accessibility arrangements

  • All sites inside Caesarea National Park are wheelchair-accessible.

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