The Mediterranean port city of Ashkelon is one of the oldest inhabited cities on earth. It comes as no surprise, then, that this charming Israeli urban center is the location of a major and ongoing archeological effort. In ancient times the largest port city in the land of Canaan, Ashkelon has since been host to Philistine, Phoenician, Iranian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, and Christian civilizations. Digs have produced artifacts and ruins from many eras and cultures. Despite its location only 12 miles (19km) north of the Gaza Strip, the city has avoided much of the regional conflict.
Ashkelon is a short trip by car or bus from both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and buses run regularly between the cities. Local buses in Ashkelon make it easy to get around without a car, though driving is also easy and parking at destination sites is ample. Hotels in Ashkelon are available at a range of prices. There are quality Ashkelon hotels on the beach and around the city center. Book your hotel and look for competitive rates using EasyToBook.com. The Ashkelon National Park is the site of the excavated ancient city as well as a Roman forum that serves as a display area for some of the great many artifacts that have been discovered here. Other attractions in the park include the Crusader Harbor, Turkish Well, Amphitheater, and Byzantine Church. The old Arab town of Migdal, in the northeast part of Ashkelon, hosts the Ashkelon Museum, a pedestrian shopping street, and numerous street food vendors.