Captivating pools and beaches at Achziv National Park
Is there any reason to go so far north, a few kilometers from the Lebanese border, just for a swim in the Mediterranean? Achziv is a captivating national park on the coast that is wonderful for families with children, and may be one of the most popular national parks in the country. There is not a large expanse of beach, but three small beaches adjoining two large natural and man-made seawater pools that are protected from waves. Camping is available not far from the sea.
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​Admission: This is a site of the Israel Parks and Nature Authority. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to Thursday, and Friday and holiday eves 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park closes 1 hour earlier in the winter. Entry to the camping area is from noon, and exit is at noon the next day. Entry is based on available space and it is advised to come on early on holidays and Saturday. Admission is 40 NIS for adults, 25 NIS for children and 20 NIS for seniors. Camping is 76 NIS for adults and 58 NIS for children. Their phone number is 04 982 3263. This is their website.
Directions: Enter “Achziv” into Waze and click on “Achziv National Park.”
Public transport: Enter into Moovit “Achziv National Park.” There are moderately frequent buses from Nahariya, from the rail station, to the park.
The two pools from above the beach
FACILITIES
A café with seating overlooking the sea sells hot and cold drinks, snack foods and pizzas. There are 3 small beaches, two of which have a large covering for shade. One of these beaches needs footwear to reach because of rocks, as does its adjoining pool. The shallow pool does not need foot wear. This pool is not deep enough for adult swimming, being no deeper that up to an adult male’s waist. The pools are supervised by a lifeguard. The far pool needs foot ware to enter and is deeper beyond the delineated supervised area. There are restrooms and showers. There is a rocky premonitory that can be explored and used for fishing. There are small pools on the premonitory and children can have their own private pool for hydraulic engineering. There are plenty of shaded picnic benches on the lawn.
Campers have use of a large expanse of lawn with picnic benches. Trollies are available to help campers unload their supplies.
Overlooking the sea from the cafetaria
Playing in the pools on the premonitory
Some history about Achziv
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Achziv has a rich history dating back to the 18th century BCE. It was a significant Canaanite port city and is mentioned in the Bible as a town not captured by the tribe of Asher (Judges 1:31). The Phoenicians later developed it into an important commercial hub. Archaeological excavations have uncovered remnants from various periods, including the Middle Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Some of the stone ruins, including parts of fortifications and walls, date to the Crusader period when Achziv was a small fortified settlement. Several standing stone structures, such as houses and storage buildings, were built during the Ottoman era, likely on or near ancient foundations. There are abandoned buildings from the Arab village of Az-Zeeb, which existed until 1948.
Nearby places of interest
Rosh Hanikra Beach Nature Reserve is a narrow strip of protected coastal land that connects Achziv to Rosh Hanikra. Rosh Hanikra National Park is the area at the northernmost tip of Israel's coastline, with its famous white chalk cliffs and sea grottoes. One can walk and drive between them.