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Voykit pocket guide · Israel
Ashkelon
אַשְׁקְלוֹן
Spend a day in Ashkelon (6‑8 h): national park, beach, historic sites; stay overnight only for extra beach time.
Ashkelon is a coastal city about 50 km south of Tel Aviv with a mix of archaeological sites, a national park and clean beaches. A single day covers the main attractions; longer stays are only for beach relaxation.
- Country
- Israel
- Local name
- אַשְׁקְלוֹן
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov (check)
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (heat) and periods of rocket alerts (check)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ILS
- Money
- Cards work nearly everywhere; see Insurance & payments above for the insurance point that matters more.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₪150–250 excl. bed · Mid ₪250–400 excl. bed · High ₪400+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Ambulance 101 · Fire 102
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ₪5–8 |
| Bus ride | ₪4 |
| Taxi (city centre) | ₪20–23 |
| Beach entry (public) | Free |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TLV · Ben Gurion International
- ≈50 km (31 mi) north, 40 min by bus≈31 mi (50 km) north, 40 min by bus
Typical fares
- Bus Ashkelon central → beach
- ≈ ₪4 per ride
- Taxi city centre → beach
- ₪20–23, negotiate
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Local Dan BaDarom buses (≈₪4 per ride) run until midnight; taxis negotiate ₪20‑23; the city is walkable in <2 h; rideshare (Yango) available.
See and do
Known for
- Ashkelon National Park
- Ancient Philistine ruins
- Marina and beaches
- Maqam al‑Nabi Hussein
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tel Aviv | Bus from Ashkelon central station, about 40 min, then walk to city centre | ≈ 1 h total |
| Ashdod | Bus northbound, about 20 min, stop at Ashdod central station | ≈ 45 min |
| Yad Mordechai | Bus line 9 southbound to Yad Mordechai stop, ~15 min | ≈ 30 min |
| Gaza border crossing | Bus line 9 south to the border stop, ~30 min | ≈ 1 h |
Sleep
- Holiday Inn Ashkelon
- Cliff‑side, 4‑star, close to beach and marina
- Dan Gardens Mediterranean Hotel
- Garden setting on the shore
- Samson Gardens
- 3‑star, budget option
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | סליחהsliḥa |
| Thank you | תודהtoda |
| How much is it? | כמה זה עולה?kama ze oleh? |
| Where is the beach? | איפה החוף?eifo ha‑hof? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Rocket alerts from Gaza can affect safety; check current security status.
- Bus service ends around midnight; plan return accordingly.
- Beach crowds peak in summer; bring water and sun protection.
Generally safe for tourists; stay informed about security alerts from Gaza and follow local guidance.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ashkelon yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Ashkelon National Park
- Ancient Philistine ruins
- Marina and beaches
- Maqam al‑Nabi Hussein
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Ashkelon, revision 5333594 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5333594
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ashkelon). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.