Location: Opposite Argaman Beach.
Netanya invites you to enjoy a gorgeous stretch of promenades with an endless view of the Mediterranean coastline.
Along the length of the promenades, you will discover overlooks, sitting areas, active recreation facilities and environmental sculptures crafted by multidisciplinary artist Ruslan Sergeev and installed by landscape architect Zvi Dekel. These sculptures are reminiscent of the modernistic artwork in Barcelona.
If you come close to the edge of the promenade, you will be able to see the Kurkar Ridge, which has undergone transformations over the past few decades because the lower level of the calcareous sandstone, called kurkar, was pushed back by the sea’s waves. This phenomenon has accelerated since the 1970s due to the construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt, which caused a decrease in the amount of sand that drifts along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The kurkar ridges are in danger of disintegrating and drifting back into the sea. For this reason, the Netanya Municipality is leading a national program to preserve the ridges. The program includes the construction of 12 breakwaters along Netanya’s coast. This is an impressive achievement for the city and a precedent that may be adopted by all Israeli beaches where these ridges appear.
So let’s get to know a few of Netanya’s promenades:
The Nitza Promenade is named after Reuven Kligler, who was Netanya’s mayor from 1979 – 1983. This is one of the northernmost promenades of the city. It features sitting areas, playgrounds, grassy expanses and a bike path. Children love climbing on the jungle gym sculptures shaped as animals and charming red-capped mushrooms.
The Maapilim Promenade
This promenade highlights art and sports. The promenade features an entire square dedicated to the arts. At the center is a municipal gallery where exhibitions feature the work of Israel’s finest artists. There are also several private galleries and an enclosed skating arena used by skating fans.
Shaked Promenade
This promenade is famous for its amphitheater with an acoustical shell that seats 1,000. Various different cultural events are held at this amphitheater, providing participants an incredible audio experience and an amazing view of the open sea.
The promenade itself has two restaurants, one of which is surrounded by a small lake with a waterfall and a picturesque wooden bridge. The second restaurant has a unique pagoda rooftop.
Rishonim Promenade
Rishonim Promenade puts special emphasis on architecture and nature. It is located in the center of the city, a natural and open continuation of the pedestrian mall and Independence Square – Netanya’s innovative interactive square. The promenade is known for its nine broad pergolas that incorporate wood and stone. Each pergola has its own unique geometric structure and color. The entire promenade is dotted with cafes and restaurants.
This promenade also includes the beach elevator – a unique social project and tourist attraction. These special elevators allow visitors to comfortably ride from Rishonim Promenade, which is atop a cliff, down to the beach. The elevators have a transparent shaft and can carry 30 passengers at once. The elevators are connected to the promenade with an overhead observation bridge.
Dankner Promenade
Stretching for 320 meters between Carmel Promenade and Rishonim Promenade is Dankner Promenade (alongside Dankner Street). The promenade’s official name is the Beach Front Promenade. It is a boardwalk built atop a cliff, from which visitors can view the indigenous flora of the coastal region. It features sitting areas, gardens, special lighting and outdoor furniture where visitors can lounge and relax.
Carmel Promenade
This promenade extends from Pirchei HaEven Square on Baruch Ram Street to Ir HaShemesh Square. The promenade offers a panoramic view of the ocean, lush greenery and sitting areas. Its construction completed the consecutive sequence of promenades across the city’s popular tourist area.
Matzok Promenade
Matzok Promenade is south of Carmel Hotel and won an award from the Council for a Beautiful Israel. The promenade twists along the length of the cliff, climbing up small ridges of sandstone and revealing secluded nooks overlooking the sea and surrounded by raw, natural cliffs that give the area its glorious ambience. There is also a great playground filled with fun equipment. Next to the promenade is a unique science garden, where children can experiment and understand the laws of nature and physics using hands-on outdoor equipment.
The Southern Promenade
This promenade commemorates director Claude Lanzmann, a French-Jewish director of documentary films, best known for his documentary called Shoah, released in 1985.
It is decorated by environmental sculptures that incorporate recycled materials such as broken ceramics, metal, etc., designed by multidisciplinary artist Ruslan Sergeev. The sculptures are both decorative and functional, used as benches, pergolas and for climbing.
