Today, Ashkelon's main attractions are its sandy beaches, seaside national park,
and well-known archaeological sites. With intensive development of the seaside
resort area, upbeat marketing efforts, and ongoing construction of a municipal
marina, Ashkelon is none-too-subtly aiming to recover its past greatness, this time
as an upscale resort community.
I? getting there and getting around_
Buses: Central Bus Station on Ben-Gurion Blvd. about a 30min. walk
from the beach. Information booth and bulletin board in Hebrew and English. To: Be'er
Sheva (#363 and 364, lhr. every 45min.-lh:45am-8:05pm, NIS23.50); Jerusa-
lem (#437, lVihr. every 45min.-lh:50am-7:15pm, N1S22.50); Tel Aviv (#300,
301, and 311; VAhr.; every 15-30mi:20am-9pm; NIS18.20-21.50).
Glron
Local Transportation: Local bus #5 goes to Zephania Sq. in the heart of the Afridar
neighborhood and to the midrahov in the Migdal area, stopping in between at the cen-
tral bus station. Catch it on the Ben-Gurion (front) side of the station for Migdal, or on
the right side of the station for Afridar (every 12-20min„ NIS4). Bus #6 (also bus #13
July-Aug.) goes to the National Park and shoreline (NIS4).
Taxis: Moniot Ha-Merkaz , across Ben-Gurion Blvd. from the central bus
station. Sherut to Tel Aviv (NIS16) and Be'er Sheva (NIS20).
fj gl orientation and practical information
Tourist Office: . In the City Hall, behind the bus station. Walk down the
alley between the bus station and the Giron Mall to Ha-Gvurah St. turn a left, and con-
tinue halfway down the shopping center on the right. A Hebrew sign and flags fly in
front but the entrance is on the right. Assistance with travel to Israel's most tounsted
destinations and free brochures and maps for Ashkelon. Ask about tours to local sights
and activities. Open Su-Th 8am-lpm and 4-6pm.
Currency Exchange: Bank Ha-Poalim , one block past the City Hall. ATMs
accept NYCE, Cirrus, and major credit cards. Open Su, Tu, and W 8:30am-l:15pm, M
and Th 8:30am-lpm and 4-6:30pm, F and holiday eves 8:15am-12:30pm. The post
office in Migdal on the midrahov has good rates with no commission.
ASHKELON фрШ «18 7
Emergency: First Aid: , at the corner of Ha-Nassi
and Eli Cohen St. From the tourist office continue on Ha-Gvurah, and bear right.
Pharmacy: Super-Pharm . In the kenyon Giron, the shopping mall by the
bus station. Open Su-F 8:30am-llpm, Sa lOam-midnight.
Post Office: . Behind the building with the town hall, near the kenyon Giron.
Su-Th 8am-2:30pm, F 8am-noon.
fiffl accommodations and camping_
Cheap accommodations are lacking in Ashkelon; Tel Aviv is a Ш-hour bus ride,
making this an easy daytrip. Camping is normally available at the Park Leumi Ash-
kelon (Ashkelon National Park; Those with tents can settle on one
of the grassy areas for free. There are bathrooms, but no showers. As of late, most
campsites are being used by foreign workers. Call before your visit to see if any
are available to tourists. Entrance to the park is free by foot, NIS15 by car. The
snack bar and beach-side restaurants in the park are convenient and relatively
inexpensive (steak, shishlik, or hamburger in a pita NIS15-25). Camping on the
beach adjacent to the city is dangerous and not recommended. Tent-campers
within the park are also advised that there is no guard on duty from 8pm until 7am.
Though not quite in the budget range, Samson's Gardens has spacious, clean, and
incredibly comfortable rooms. Located in Afridar, the hotel can be reached from
the bus station on local bus #4, which stops on the right side of the main bus sta-
tion. Ask to be let off at "Ganeh Shamshon" and look for the blue and red Hebrew
sign on the main street. From where the bus lets off on Derom Africa, walk up Zon-
abend St. to Hatamar St. The cozy villas are tucked away in the colorful gardens.