A Mediterranean coastal city with 12 kilometers of sandy beaches, growing from a 1934 agricultural settlement into Israel's third-largest urban center.
Netanya sits along Israel's Mediterranean coast, 30 kilometers north of Tel Aviv. Walk on the seaside promenade to watch paragliders soar above the cliffs, spot rare purple irises in the Poleg Nature Reserve, or learn about diamond cutting at local workshops. The city's 14-kilometer coastline includes eight beaches with clear water and golden sand, while new glass-and-steel skyscrapers line the shore.
Beaches and Activities
Eight Mediterranean beaches stretch along Netanya's 14-kilometer coastline. At Poleg Beach, you'll find indoor changing rooms, hot water showers, exercise equipment, and designated areas for beach football and volleyball. The coastal cliffs create strong offshore breezes that make Netanya Israel's main paragliding spot. You can take paragliding lessons from several certified schools near Sironit Beach, with tandem flights starting at 400 ILS. Morning hours between 8-11 AM typically have the best wind conditions for flying.
Natural Areas
Walk through the Poleg Nature Reserve on marked trails ranging from 1 to 3 kilometers. The reserve's sandy paths lead to observation points where you might spot gazelles, porcupines, and local bird species. In the Irises Dora Rainpool Nature Park, you can see the iris atropurpurea, a purple flower that grows only in Israel's coastal plain. The best time to see these flowers is between February and March, when hundreds of them bloom simultaneously.
Modern City Development
Eight new skyscrapers are rising in Netanya, with six buildings exceeding 30 stories. The city's development plans through 2035 include a new marina, additional piers, and expanded office spaces. These projects will add 3,000 residential units, mainly along the southern coastline.
Getting Around
Buses 601 and 602 run every 15 minutes between the city center and the beach area. The main railway station connects to Tel Aviv (30 minutes) and Haifa (45 minutes), with trains departing every 30 minutes. Service taxis (sherut) operate on fixed routes throughout the city. From Netanya, you can reach Jerusalem in one hour and Caesarea in 20 minutes.
Diamond Industry
Most of Israel's diamond cutting and polishing happens in Netanya's workshops, while trading occurs at the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan. The industry began when Belgian diamond workers immigrated before and during World War II. Today, these workshops process diamonds that make up Israel's main export to the United States. You can learn about the diamond cutting process at several workshops that open to visitors by appointment.
