Netanya (Hebrew: נְתַנְיָה, lit., “gift of God”) is a city in the Northern Central District of Israel. It is located 30 km north of Tel Aviv, and 56 km south of Haifa. Netanya was named in honor of Nathan Straus, a prominent Jewish American merchant and philanthropist in the early twentieth century. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), at the end of 2009 the city had a total population of 183,200. An additional 150,000 people live in the local and regional councils within 10 kilometres (6 miles) if Netanya which serves as a regional center for them. The city mayor is Miriam Feirberg. The city is expected to reach a population of 350,000 by 2020.

The city currently has a modest but growing skyline, with several of the tallest buildings in Israel located there. The city’s growth is evident by the 2011 announcement of eight new skyscrapers to be built. In the coming years, the city’s skyline will continue to alter as dozens of skyscrapers are in the planning stages, many of them along the shore.

The city is also known for a large immigrant population (mostly from the former Soviet Union, France, and Ethiopia) along with a notably large population of immigrants from the UK, USA, and Canada.

Netanya is being planned as a major tourist hub much like Tel-Aviv. The city’s coastline will become an “Israeli Riviera”, with multiple development projects planned for the city’s shore. Among the projects planned is a residential and hotel area of 2,062 housing units and 1,100 hotel rooms to attract more residents to the city, expand hotel development, and increase the iris reserve areas, as well as the number of gardens, and green spaces.

Planning a visit?

City Center is highly recommended as they have bazaar there which is popularly known for its food, enticing aromas and colorful stalls. There’s also an authentic market where you can buy almost anything from clothes, jewelry, shoes and lots more. It opens every week in the industrial area.

Nethanya is located by the seaside, hence has 14 kilometres the most beautiful beaches you have ever visited in Israel with vacation and sports facilities available for everyone. You’ll also find many interesting sites. The Diamond Center Museum has exhibitions put up of diamonds, along with a miniature diamons mine so you can see how a mine looks. For people who love nature, the southern part of the city, has plenty of nature reserves, including the popular Irises Reserve where you can find the rare purple color Irises flowers, which blossoms in February and March.

When you visit Netanya, you’ll find a lot of hotels, coffee shops, guesthouses, restaurants, shopping centers, galleries, entertainment spots and fashion boutiques. The hotels are up to date and most of them get a great view of the Mediterranean Sea. Hotels have all the facilities available from room service, A/C, TV, Internet access, swimming pools and
more. There are different festivals and events held all year round, making this place lively and fun, and with the help of Nethanya travel guide your trip will be even more exciting.

Reading Practice

Here’s a short introduction to Netanya in Hebrew. How much of it can you understand?

נְתַנְיָה היא עיר במחוז המרכז, בשרון, השמינית באוכלוסייתה בערי מדינת ישראל. נתניה נקראת גם “בירת השרון”, על שום היותה העיר הגדולה ביותר באזור השרון; וכן “עיר היהלומים”, בשל תעשיית היהלומים המפותחת שהתקיימה בה בעבר. העיר קרויה על שם נתן שטראוס.

נתניה שוכנת במישור החוף לחופי הים התיכון על אדמת כורכר, חוף הים מאופיין בצוקי כורכר גבוהים לאורך כל רצועת החוף של העיר.

Video – City landmark reopens with a splash

City of Netanya Website: Available in Hebrew and English

Official Tourism Website: English and Hebrew