Ashdod

Understand

Ashdod has a long history, and was inhabited in the times of the Bible by the Philistines. When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites, they brought it here before being forced to return it. However, few traces remains nowadays of the ancient city.

Modern Ashdod is known for its diverse population, with each wave of Jewish immigration represented. Jews from former Soviet Union make up roughly a third of the city's 235,000 residents. Ashdod is also home to large numbers of Moroccan, Georgian and Ethiopian Jews, along with recent arrivals from France and Argentina. It also has the third largest charedi (ultra-Orthodox) population in Israel, after Jerusalem and Bnei Brak.

Ashdod is on the meeting point of the yellow sand dunes from the south, the green lowland from the east (including the small Lachish river), and the blue Mediterranean Sea from the west. Therefore you can find a surprising diversity of natural sights in one city.

The city is a young one, re-founded 50 years ago and grown dramatically during the last two decades. It is well planned and maintained, and its beaches and south regions are very beautiful. It regularly finds itself in highest places in rankings of the most beautiful and well-designed cities in Israel.

Get around

By bus, taxi ("moneet" in Hebrew), or minibus ("moneet sherut").

See

250px|thumb|Ashdod Yam medieval fortress

Do

300px|thumb|The Great Dune of Ashdod

There is horse riding, 4X4 rental, and the city marina provides yacht/cruise services.

The MonArt centre is a performing arts center which has different art schools, studios and events.

Buy

220px|thumb|The "Lev Ashdod" mall

Ashdod has about five big shopping malls and two markets.

On Wednesday there is a clothes and farmers market near Lido beach, however it primarily caters toward the local population and is less suitable for tourists.

There is a large souvenir store downtown on Rogozin street. It sells local stamps and postcards, water from Jordan river, soil from Jerusalem, and various other things.

Eat

A lot of restaurants, especially along the beach. Cheap snack meal starts from about ₪15. A full meal in a mid-level restaurant will be around ₪40-100.

Drink

Although you'll find plenty of places to drink, and a decent variety of pubs and clubs, Ashdod nightlife serves mostly the locals.

Sleep

There are two hotels near the northern beach area. Prices around ₪250-300 per day for one person, meals not included. There is a big hotel near the south beach.