Herzliya

Herzliya is a city in the centre of Israel, just north of Tel Aviv, and is easily reached from there by car, train or bus. Home to around 100,000 people, it is prosperous - owing to its thriving start-up culture - and also close to a number of beaches. It covers around 21 square kilometres and its western suburbs are home to very wealthy neighbourhoods, where the tree-lined roads are filled with ‘villas’ (spacious homes that are a rarity in Israel).

Yachts in Herzliya Marina. Photo credit: © Evgeny Brizeli

Herzliya and its most wealthy suburb - Herzliya Pituach - is a city in which many diplomats live (it is home to a number of prominent embassies) as well as successful Israeli and international entrepreneurs. It is affluent and pleasant and according to the Israeli Bureau of Statistics, one of the wealthiest cities in Israel. With its pristine beaches, endless amenities and close proximity to Tel Aviv (with no traffic, Tel Aviv can be reached in 20 minutes by car and 15 minutes by train) it is considered to be a desirable location, both for living and holidaying.

Herzliya was founded in 1924, initially as a kind of farming co-operative ‘moshav’ in Hebrew), and named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism.  By 1948, when the state of Israel was founded, its population had reached around 5,000 and in 1960, when it reached 25,000 it was declared to be a city. Today, it is home to football and rugby teams, all kinds of amenities - including excellent restaurants, shopping malls and beaches - and each year hosts the ‘Herzliya Conference’, which brings together business leaders, academics and politicians from across Israel and the globe.

The Mediterranean seashore north of Herzliya, Apollonia National Park. Photo credit: © Dmitry Mishin

Top Herzliya Attractions

Herzliya Marina - Israel’s largest and most prestigious marina, here you’ll see hundreds of vessels moored and - in warm weather - hundreds more out on the Mediterranean. The Marina is a great place to stroll, stop for ice cream or a light bite, do a little shopping or grab dinner as the sun goes down. There are sports bars, live music venues and great views of the water.

Apollonia National Park - Apollonia, also known as Tel Arsuf, is a hidden gem in the area.  A national park, looking out over the Mediterranean Sea, it dates back to Crusader times.  Visitors can explore the fortress inside, along with a moat, furnace and Roman villa, and walk along a coastal trail.  Look out for gazelles, porcupines, red foxes and star lizards and enjoy the lavender bushes and eucalyptus trees.

Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art - Opened in 1975, this building was constructed partly as a memorial building and partly as a museum/cultural centre.  Its focus is on contemporary art produced by young artists, both from Israel and abroad, and it also has a sculpture garden.

Apollonia National Park. Photo credit: © Dmitry Mishin

Kfar Shmaryahu Caves - Samaritans lived in Apollonia/Arsuf as far back as the 5th century and here, in these caves, they buried their dead.  A number of these graves can still be seen today (although there are no skeletons!) and are still preserved in a rather good condition, thanks to the limestone.  A fun hour or two can be had with kids here - there’s also free admission and plenty of parking.

Museum Beit Rishonim - meaning ‘Founder’s House’ in Hebrew, this museum documents the history of Herzliya, from the time it was settled in 1924, onto when it was declared a city in 1960.  An interesting exhibition about the ideology of Zionism and Herzl’s vision of what a Jewish state might look like.

Sidna Ali - the Sidna Ali mosque is located in the old village of Al-Haram, in the northern part of the city.  Inside are vaulted arcades dating back to the 13th-15th century and the tomb of a local saint, Ali Alim.  The mosque is popular as a pilgrimage site with Israeli Arabs from Galilee.

                                       A playground in Herzliya. Photo credit: © Natalia Brizeli

Where to Stay? Best Herzliya Hotels

Popular with tourists year-round, there’s a variety of accommodation in the city and along with no-frills apartments there are also a number of high-end hotels in Herzliya, should you be willing to splash the cash. Here are a few we’d recommend, for a pampering stay:

Ritz Carlton - this luxury hotel has beautiful spacious rooms and elegant bathrooms and is only a 3-4 minute walk from the beach.  The waiters at the poolside area serve free bottled water and the weekend breakfast runs to 12 midday.  Great lobby bar, as well as a spa and their signature restaurant, the ‘Herbert Samuel’.

Dan Accadia - close to the beach, with a large pool, the Dan is elegant yet not ostentatious.  Vegan visitors rave about their food, especially the breakfasts.  The Dan lounge, for members, offers light snacks and drinks.  There’s also a lovely beach patio to eat out on, in the later afternoon.

Publica Isrotel - the rooms are of small size, but thoughtfully designed and elegant.  The infinity pool is beautiful, and the hotel offers colourful and functional workspaces for those arriving with laptops!  Visitors rave about the comfortable beds and gym facilities.

Herods - Comfortable rooms, excellent buffet breakfast and helpful staff make this hotel on the beach a tried and tested favourite.  They offer a free shuttle to the mall and visitors report they are very child-friendly.

Dan Accadia Hotel, Herzliya. Photo credit: © Dan Accadia Herzliya

Okeanos - overlooking the beach, this ‘aparthotel’ is ideal for the business traveller or anyone who likes to keep to their own schedule.  All spaces have fully-equipped kitchens and separate spaces for working, sleeping and living, as well as all the amenities of a modern hotel.  Visitors rave about the pool and Okeanos also offers a 24/7 fitness centre.

NYX - Attractively designed, with an excellent kosher dairy-fish restaurant and cocktail bar area.  As well as a pool and spa, the NYX offers free bikes to its guests. The hotel has a business lounge and their stylish rooms all come with a Nespresso machine. Expensive but worth it!

Daniel - this is an old favourite for many visitors to Israel. Close to the beach and the marina, they offer spacious rooms (many with fridges) and an excellent buffet breakfast.  Visitors often comment on the friendly staff and the well-maintained sauna and jacuzzi facilities.

Sharon - with its large outdoor pool, giving direct access to the beach, free bicycle hire and beautiful views of the Mediterranean, the Sharon comes highly recommended.  Many of the bedrooms have been recently renovated and the breakfast buffer services an astonishing array of food. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya. Photo credit: © The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya

A Day at the Beach - Herzilya’s Finest Stretches

There is a number of spectacular Herzliya beaches, all with powdery white sand and clear water.  Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, a sporty time or some seclusion, there’s something for everyone - and they’re all public, with quite a lot of free parking close to hand, so you don’t have to break the bank.

Hasharon Beach, Herzliya - probably the city’s favourite beach, with lots of facilities, including beach chairs for rent and lots of places to eat nearby.  Popular with those learning to surf, the waters can occasionally be rough here so watch out! 

Acadia Beach, Herzliya - Clean sand, clear waters, good working showers and a lookout make this a great place to spend a day.  Pick shells, borrow a book from the public library van or just sun yourself.  For those looking for an adrenaline rush, there’s also a surf school.

Zvulun Beach, Herzliya - not too noisy and not too crowded, you can take shade here in the mornings from the hotel nearby. In the winter, it's a popular spot for kitesurfing.  The grassy areas are also ideal for picnics.

Marina and Boats Beach, Herzliya - very close to the marina, and with the shopping area and many restaurants nearby, these two interconnecting beaches are always popular and this is the place to go if you want to sail or jet ski.

Apollonia Beach, Herzliya - with its empty stretches of sand and green-coloured water, Apollonia is an incredibly beautiful - and very quiet beach.  Access to it is by clambering over rocks   Great for a long, philosophical stroll or a romantic sunset walk, gaze up at the ancient ruins and lose yourself for a moment.

A girl in Herzliya. Photo by Or Hakim on Unsplash

Free Time - Things to Do in Herzliya:

Shopping - Herzliya has plenty for the shopper, including the Arena and Seven Stars malls.  Branded stores include Tommy Hilfiger, Nine West, Timberland and Nautica. Inside are plenty of eateries as well as activities for kids and some free workshops and shows in the summer.

Water sports - Whether you want to sail, surf or take out a kite, you can do it here. Yachts can be chartered here, there’s a surf school that offers classes year-round and there are plenty of attractions for kids, including surfing in Herzliya.

Israel Day tours from Herzliya - Israel is a compact country, and you can go on day tours around Israel from Herzliya to the most popular destinations like the Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Galilee.  Day tours from Herzliya to various places depart daily and are offered in several languages.

Bars and restaurants in Herzliya:

Sebastian - with its Mediterranean vibe, and delicious dishes that include arancini, chicken liver terrine and salmon with capers, Sebastian isn’t cheap but it’s definitely popular.

Meat Bar - the perfect place for carnivores, specializing in steaks (T-Bone, New York, Porterhouse steaks) and the lamb chops and chicken are popular too.

A girl at Herzliya Beach. Photo by Pauline on Unsplash

Zozobra - serving all kinds of Asian fare, particularly Ramen and curries, you sit at long tables and dishes arrive as soon as they are cooked.  Reasonable prices and tasty food.

Giraffe - if you like sushi, noodles or gyoza, this reasonably priced Asian fusion restaurant is perfect.  Try the Orange Thai curry or the ‘Afghan’ with goose breast.

Meat and Wine - this smart kosher restaurant has lots of South African inspired meat dishes, including steak, duck and goose liver. The upscale atmosphere with a good selection of wines and tasty non-dairy desserts.

Getting to Herzliya

The number 90 bus runs directly from Tel Aviv to Herzliya, beginning at the Carmel Market, through Dizengoff Street and the Namir Road and costs 10 NIS (3 USD) one way. Allow 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Trains also leave regularly from Tel Aviv Savidor, Hashalom and Hahaganah stations and a one-way ticket costs 14 NIS (4,5 USD) and takes approx. 13-18 mins. By car, the journey will take between 20-30 minutes on Route 2 (Namir Road).

If you are interested in visiting Herzliya as part of an organised private tour, we offer a number of day tours.  Also, feel free to call us on (972) 3 542-2000 for more detailed information.