The top things to do in Herzliya

Known for its pricey real-estate, celebrity residents and groomed beaches, Herzliya is cultural and historical as well

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Sunday September 25 2016

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On the surface, Herzliya is all manicured beaches, taken captive year-round by well-heeled locals who have tasted the good life. Adorned with luxury shopping malls, the Herzliya Marina is often misunderstood as being culturally and historically shallow. But digging deeper, not only does the port city boast a prime sailing and maritime community from its lively marina, which houses over 800 yachts and boats, it is also home to historic, ancient ruins and a stellar contemporary art museum. For even more exceptional sites spanning the country, see our top things to do in Israel, or for art connoisseurs seeking even more modern art outside of Herzliya, check out our top Israeli art galleries.

Insider's guide to Herzliya

Apollonia National Park © Shutterstock

Apollonia National Park and Beach

Attractions
Beaches
Herzliya

Walking along Apollonia beach grants visitors the opportunity to look up at ancient ruins and out at the Mediterranean's crystal clear waters. With upgraded walking paths and stunning coastal cliff views, this beach is a perfect escape just minutes from Tel Aviv. For a family fun day or a romantic sunset stroll, Apollonia National Park is guaranteed to get you living like the kings and queens that used to reign over this ancient gem of a beach

Herzliya Park © Shutterstock

Herzliya Park

Attractions
Parks and gardens

Park Herzliya stretches over 180 acres, offering expansive lawns, a barbeque area, a stage and natural amphitheater, a lake and natural winter pond. Emphasis has been placed on preserving and boosting the natural environment, along with recreation and popular sports. There are walking paths, a 1,200 meter bike path that connects with other biking paths in the area, a mountain bike track, and a dedicated 1 km path for runners. The play facilities, suited to toddlers and older children, represent an architectural design and planning feat that is unique to all of Israel. Attractions include an 8 meter slide, rope bridges, and more.

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Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art

Museums
Art and design
Herzliya

The Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art addresses a multitude of genres, including painting, photography and architecture with a special emphasis on installation and digital media. Four exhibitions are held each year, comprising 50 solos showcasing the work of veteran and up-and-coming artists and their relation to current events.

Sidney Alley Beach

Attractions
Beaches
Herzliya

With an assortment of caves and powder-soft sand as well as a small community of fisherman on the Northern end of the beach, this oasis is a peaceful and romantic getaway in central Israel. Sidney Alley Beach is not only for those looking to relax, the beach provides a prime spot for those looking to fish. If you’re looking for a getaway near all of the action, this beach provides the perfect solution.

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Zappa Herzliya

Music
Music venues
Herzliya

As a part of the Zappa venue family, the Herzliya branch expands Herzliya’s nightlife by hosting live shows. Named after the great Frank Zappa, the venue boasts high quality productions for each of its shows, guaranteeing a great time every single time. In addition to having a stage available for live shows, Zappa is also available for private events and business events. Zappa also has several other locations which include Zappa Tel Aviv, Zappa Jerusalem, and Zappa Haifa. Make sure to check the calendar each month to see what Zappa’s lineup has to offer!

©Shutterstock

Arena Mall

Shopping
Shopping centers
Herzliya

Located at the Herzliya Marina, right by the sea, this mall’s design is inspired by the streets and piazzas of Italy. Take a break from the water and dip into more than 100 shops, including fashion chains, jewelry, sportswear, shoes and much more.

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Hermit House

Attractions
Public spaces
Herzliya

Called the Hermit House, this real-life sandcastle is what happens when you mix a fairytale wonderland with a junkyard. The owner, Nissim Cachlon, has been tunneling deep into the dunes and cliffs surrounding the area since the 70s in order to construct this intriguing and frankly, bizarre home. In addition to creating chambers and passageways through the rock, Cachlon has used recycled materials like tires, bottles, toys and glass in order to add an undeniably quirky aesthetic to his abode.

Via Maris Sailing

Attractions
Ships and boats
Herzliya

Via Maris Sailing School, situated in the Herzylia Marina, is now offering a full-fledged skipper course, teaching students everything they need to know to get their skippers’ licenses – all in English. The course combines practical sailing instruction with theory lessons. For those who don’t have the time to take a full course, you can try it for a day. Via Maris offers three hours sailing on a yacht for up to four participants with an instructor who will teach beginners the ropes. You can also rent yachts for birthdays and other special occasions and there’s even a luxury yacht with a bedroom suite for overnight rental.

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7 Stars Mall

Shopping
Shopping centers
Herzliya

Centrally located at the entrance to Herzliya from the Ayalon Highway and close to the beach, the mall provides the people of the Tel Aviv’s suburban area with a wide array of stores and plenty of tasty eating options. The Seven Star Mall also provides a handful of free workshops and cultural shows for children.

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