Caesarea (Hebrew: Qeysarya, קיסריה) is a small, very well-to-do town and extensive archaeological site on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, located some 50 km north of Tel Aviv and several kms north of Hadera. Population 4,200.

Understand

In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Baron Edmond James de Rothschild purchased much of the land around Caesarea - with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Rothschild family gifted these holdings to the Caesarea Foundation. The Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Development Corporation (called in Hebrew החברה לפיתוח קיסריה אדמונד בנימין דה רוטשילד) remains the operational arm of the Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Foundation.

Caesarea is therefore the only locality in Israel which is managed by a private organization (the Caesarea Development Corporation), rather than a municipal governmental organization. Caesarea is considered one of the most upscale residential developments in Israel. The current Baron de Rothschild still maintains a home in Caesarea, as do many other wealthy and influential individuals and foreign residents.

Beyond the ancient remains, Caesarea is a town devoted to tourists and to luxurious living. Some of Israel’s finest homes are located here and it is also home of Israel’s only 18-hole golf course (designed by the renowned Robert Trent-Jones), a luxury hotel, a vacation village, miles of sandy beaches, and a series of attractive restaurants, galleries and boutiques huddled around the Mediterranean cove. And, of course, visitors marvel at its extraordinary archeological attractions, not least of which is the Roman theatre, where concerts, entertainment extravaganzas and the annual International Opera Festival are held.

Get in

Caesarea National Park is on the coastal road, near the city of Caesarea and Kibbutz Sdot Yam and west of Or Akiva. Take the coastal road or the old Tel Aviv-Haifa highway number 2 to the interchange near the Orot Rabin power station. An alternate route is to drive to the park via Or Akiva.

See

A portion of the Crusader walls and moat still standing today

• Caesarea National Park. Ancient Caesarea Maritima is one of the archaeological treasures of Israel and the Mediterranean. This giant city and port was created 2000 years ago by Herod the Great in honour of the Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. Much of the Roman city remains, including an aqueduct, theatre, and acres of excavated houses, mosaics and palaces. In the 12th century CE, Caesarea was recreated as a massive Crusader fortress, whose moat, balustrades and towers still stand. The ancient and medieval city are preserved within the Caesarea National Park, and the Roman aqueduct can be seen for free on the beach a few kilometers north of the National Park. 

Do

• The International Opera Festival Caesarea

• Caesarea Jazz Festival. 

• Caesarea Golf Club. 

Sleep

Bed and Breakfast

• Grushka B&B and Villa. Located in nearby Binyamina (5 km) 
• Suite-Alma (Located in Neot Golf Resort). Has a swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness room, sauna, squash, mini golf, playground, etc. 

Splurge

• Dan Caesarea Mediterranean Hotel, 30600, Caesarea, ☏ +972 3-5202552. A luxury hotel in a country-estate setting by the sea.