Visitors
Visiting Ashkelon: start here
Ashkelon is a seaside city about 50 minutes south of Tel Aviv by train, with 12 km of coast, a national park around the ancient city and a working marina. Most sights sit along the shore between the national park in the south and Barnea in the north, and the old Migdal quarter and its market are a short ride inland.
Visitors
Start here
8 steps, in the order most people take them.
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Start at Tel Ashkelon National Park
See the Canaanite arched gate (about 1850 BCE), the ramparts, medieval walls and the park beach. Winter hours are 08:00-16:00 (stay until 18:00); adults 31 NIS, children 16 NIS. The Roman basilica is temporarily closed for safety.
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Walk the seafront
The promenade runs past the marina and the Mamluk tomb of Sheikh Awad. In 2026 lifeguards stay on duty until 10 November at Bar Kochva North, Delila South and the separate beach; swim only at a staffed beach.
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Use the free self-guided routes
The municipal tourism page has walking and driving route brochures and an English 'along the seafront' route.
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See old Migdal and the Khan
The Khan museum, in the former great mosque of Majdal, tells the story of modern Ashkelon; the Migdal pedestrian street and the municipal market (about 350 stalls, Mondays and Thursdays) are nearby.
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Come by train
Ashkelon station has direct trains to Tel Aviv and Be'er Sheva. New free car parks at the station opened in October 2026 (about 820 spaces when finished).
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Plan around Shabbat
Check candle-lighting times for Ashkelon on Hebcal. Buses and trains do not run on Shabbat; the national park is open daily.
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Catch a show
The Culture Hall (Heichal HaTarbut) publishes its programme with dates, including children's shows at 17:30 and some performances in Russian.
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Take a day trip inland
Tel Lachish and Beit Guvrin national parks are within about 45 km; INPA recommends booking a visit slot in advance.
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Guides
Read next
- Where to stay in AshkelonThe seafront hotels, guest rooms and camping options in and near Ashkelon, which areas suit short-term rentals, and Shabbat practicalities.
- Getting around AshkelonTrains, intercity buses, Rav-Kav, parking with the resident permit and what stops on Shabbat.
- Holidays in Ashkelon: Hanukkah, Pesach and the late bathing seasonLocal holiday material: the Hanukkah events on the Migdal pedestrian street and at the Culture Hall, Pesach services from the Religious Council and the extended 2026 bathing season.
Good to know
Bathing is allowed only at declared beaches during lifeguard hours. Bring cash or a card for the national park entry. Parking along the beach is paid for non-residents (7.40 NIS an hour).
Community groups
Where people talk
- Ashkelon Municipality Telegram channelTelegram · Ashkelon Municipality
- Ashkelon Municipality WhatsApp channelWhatsApp · Ashkelon Municipality
- Ashkelon Municipality on FacebookFacebook · Ashkelon Municipality
From our network
Good people I work with
A few organisations from the Consult With Ari network whose work reaches people in Ashkelon.
These are not paid listings, and they are separate from the checked directory.
Source
- parks.org.il (opens in a new tab)
- ashkelon.muni.gov.il (opens in a new tab)
- ashkelon.muni.gov.il (opens in a new tab)
- ashkelon.muni.gov.il (opens in a new tab)
- hebcal.com (opens in a new tab)
- htash.co.il (opens in a new tab)
- parks.org.il (opens in a new tab)
- ashkelon.muni.gov.il (opens in a new tab)
This page was written for Ashkelon from the sources above.
