Jerusalem is a hilltop city of about 1 million people in the Judean Mountains, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Its walled Old City holds the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) with the Dome of the Rock, while West Jerusalem offers the Mahane Yehuda market, Israel Museum and Yad Vashem, and East Jerusalem has Palestinian-run neighbourhoods, markets and the Mount of Olives.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Jerusalem.
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- Family-friendly, floating and mud
- showers
- mud pool
- cafe
- lockers
Kalia Beach (Dead Sea)
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the morning, especially in summer, to avoid the strongest heat and fullest car park.
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- Natural springs and quiet
- sulphur pools
- showers
- cafe
- mud
Ein Gedi Beach and Spa
Editor’s tip. Pair the beach with a morning hike in the Ein Gedi reserve and relax here afterwards.
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- Resort strip
- lifeguards
- showers
- hotels nearby
- shade
Ein Bokek Public Beach
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking near the promenade fills up.
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- Lively city beach
- lifeguards
- showers
- restaurants
- sun loungers
Gordon Beach (Tel Aviv)
Editor’s tip. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid Friday and Saturday summer crowds.
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- Popular and social
- lifeguards
- showers
- cafes
- volleyball
Frishman Beach (Tel Aviv)
Editor’s tip. Visit early on weekdays for a quieter beach and easier parking.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Jerusalem’s coast.
How far is Kalia Beach from Jerusalem?
Kalia Beach is about 30 km east of Jerusalem along Route 90, a drive of roughly 45 minutes. Egged buses toward Eilat or Ein Gedi also serve the area.
From the Kalia Beach (Dead Sea) editorial.
Can visitors sink in the Dead Sea at Kalia?
No. The very high salt concentration makes bathers float, so swimming strokes are unnecessary. Visitors should avoid splashing and keep water away from the eyes.
From the Kalia Beach (Dead Sea) editorial.
How do visitors get from Jerusalem to Ein Gedi Beach?
By car it takes about 1.25 hours along Route 90. Egged buses 444 and 486 also stop at Ein Gedi, with a short onward walk or shuttle to the beach.
From the Ein Gedi Beach and Spa editorial.
What are the sulphur pools at Ein Gedi?
They are naturally warm, sulphur-scented pools next to the beach, used for soaking alongside floating in the Dead Sea and applying mud.
From the Ein Gedi Beach and Spa editorial.
How far is Ein Bokek from Jerusalem?
Ein Bokek is about 110 km southeast of Jerusalem, around 1.75 hours by car on Route 90. Egged bus 486 also serves the area.
From the Ein Bokek Public Beach editorial.
Are there lifeguards at Ein Bokek Public Beach?
Yes, lifeguards are on duty during daytime hours, though visitors should confirm seasonal hours locally.
From the Ein Bokek Public Beach editorial.
How do visitors get from Jerusalem to Gordon Beach?
The train from Yitzhak Navon station runs to Tel Aviv HaShalom, then a taxi or bus reaches the promenade. By car the trip takes about an hour.
From the Gordon Beach (Tel Aviv) editorial.
When is the best time to swim at Gordon Beach?
May to October offers warm sea water and lifeguard cover. Visitors should always follow the flag warnings.
From the Gordon Beach (Tel Aviv) editorial.