Ashkelon National Park, National park and nature reserve in Southern District, Israel.
Ashkelon National Park is a nature and archaeology park on the Mediterranean coast in southern Israel, where ancient remains meet sandy beaches and native vegetation. The grounds cover several connected areas with marked paths that pass through ruins, dunes, and stretches of coastline.
Ashkelon was one of the most important coastal cities in the region about 4000 years ago and passed through the hands of Canaanites, Philistines, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Crusaders. The Mamluks dismantled it in the 13th century to prevent further conquest, which is why so many layers of history are now visible at ground level.
The ruins in the park show how different peoples used and reshaped the same ground over centuries, from Canaanite temples to Byzantine churches. Visitors can still see walls, columns, and floor patterns that mark this long succession of different communities.
The park is open year-round, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes since some paths cross uneven ground near the ruins. Information panels at the dig sites help make sense of what you see without needing a guided tour.
Archaeologists found one of the oldest known arched structures in the world here, a city gate from around 1850 BCE that is still standing in its original position. Visitors can walk right up to it and see the arch as it was built.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
