Israel is a country whose shores are washed by four seas. What seas wash Israel Haifa what sea

Israel is a unique country and not only because of its unusual people. Its territory is washed by the waters of four seas: the Mediterranean, Red, Dead and Galilee. Of course, the last two are actually lakes, but everyone is used to thinking of them as seas.

The largest is the Mediterranean. With it, the country has the largest coastline of 230 kilometers. Here are such famous resort cities as Tel Aviv, Netanya, Haifa, Nahariya. The sea is located in the tropical zone, but due to its gigantic size it creates its own microclimate on the coast. It is called the Mediterranean climate. Characterized by mild winters and hot, dry summers. The average January temperature is 14-16 degrees Celsius. In summer, in August, it can rise to 35-40 degrees Celsius. Since the greatest amount of precipitation falls in winter, the air humidity during this period is increased and amounts to 65-80%. Due to the high concentration of moisture, not all people can tolerate such a climate. Therefore, it is better to relax on the coast in the summer. It starts early here. Already in April, the sea water temperature rises to 20 degrees. And the swimming season lasts until October inclusive.

The recreation area on the Mediterranean coast is equipped with comfort. Clean sandy beaches are equipped with changing rooms, toilets, and areas for active recreation. The variety of attractions will not let you get bored for a minute. You can hide from the scorching sun in comfortable hotels located along the coastline. People with little income can save money by renting an apartment or room for daily rent. For those who want to have a blast, villas and hotels are available for rent. We recommend looking for accommodation on sites such as Booking and Airbnb. So, renting a home at a reasonable price will be much easier. Read more about the beaches of Israel.

Tel Aviv

It is impossible not to mention Tel Aviv if we talk about resort cities near the Mediterranean Sea. This city for many is the heart of Israel and despite the fact that the legal capital is undoubtedly Jerusalem, many consider Tel Aviv to be the de facto capital. This city is the business, cultural and entertainment center of Israel. Magnificent hotels from 3 to 5 stars are located along a 14-kilometer zone of sandy beaches. Life here is in full swing from dusk to dawn. Therefore, Tel Aviv is a resort for young people who have decided to make their vacation unforgettable and unique.

Netanya

Netanya is the historical center of Israel's Mediterranean coast. In the city itself, of course, there are few attractions, but when you go beyond its aisles, you find yourself in a completely different world.

Compared to Tel Aviv, Netanya looks rather modest. There are no luxury five-star hotels or villas. The hotel business is represented by 2-4 star hotels. But in terms of comfort, they are in no way inferior to expensive ones. And the beach area is no worse equipped. The only drawback is the steep bank. Therefore, descent to the sea is carried out using a special elevator. The city's nightlife is also varied and vibrant.

Haifa

The city is located on the slope of a mountain with a breathtaking view of the coastal area. The majority of hotels are built on the mountain, so the journey to the beach will take you a lot of time, unless you are staying at the five-star Leonardo Hotel. He was the only one located at the foot of the mountain. Usually people come to Haifa to take a break from the bustle of big cities and to get medical treatment.

Red sea

The second largest sea, but with the smallest portion of the coastline belonging to the country, is the Red Sea. The climate of the entire sea coast is tropical desert. And only the Israelis were lucky. They can enjoy the mild Mediterranean climate. It's hot here all year round. Even in winter, in the coldest months, December and January, the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees. In summer it can rise to forty - forty-five degrees.

The piece of coastline is so small that only one resort could be located on its territory - Elite. Getting here is quite difficult, since the city is significantly remote from all major cities in Israel. You can get there from the center by bus, but it is best to fly by plane.

But it’s worth going through the inconveniences associated with moving. Thanks to the high temperature for 365 days, unique flora and fauna were formed in the waters of the Red Sea. The coral reefs alone are worth it. Stretching along the entire sea coast, corals have become home to a huge number of amazing fish.

The water here is so clean that standing knee-deep in it, you can calmly watch the sea life boil around you. Small colorful fish swam quickly to escape from voracious predators. A little further away, a sea cucumber slowly crawls along, collecting organic debris from the bottom. To get better acquainted with underwater inhabitants, you can book a scuba dive. There is also the opportunity to learn windsurfing or yachting.

The coastal area of ​​the resort is hidden from the cool winds from the continent. Therefore, due to high temperatures and lack of rain, the intensity of water evaporation increases and, as a result, the concentration of salt in it increases. Now it is about 4.1%, which is higher than in the other seas that make up the World Ocean. Another feature of the Red Sea is that not a single river flows into it.

Dead Sea

What about the Dead Sea, you ask? After all, it is considered the saltiest on earth. That's right. But unlike Red, Dead has no connection with the ocean. It is a lake.

The Dead Sea is the most unique body of water on earth. It is located 430 meters below sea level, that is, at a depth. And from year to year this depth increases by about one meter. This movement of the bottom is due to the fact that the sea is located in a zone of splitting of the earth's crust. The constant movement of tectonic plates causes the sea to “deepen” more and more.

Why does it have such a strange name? The fact is that the sea is located in a hot and dry subtropical zone. Several rivers flow into it, but there is no source of water. Under the scorching sun, moisture from the sea surface evaporates, which leads to a constant increase in salt concentration. Here it is so high that not a single living creature can survive in such waters. Although it is not correct to say that the Dead Sea is completely lifeless. Microscopic living organisms were discovered by scientists in its water. Due to the high concentration of salt, a person can calmly lie on the surface of the water and not drown.

Tourists from all over the world strive to come here. Indeed, thanks to its unique mineralogical composition, the Dead Sea is a source of healing minerals. Salt and mud treatments are practiced along its entire coastline. Along the coastline there are many natural hot springs, next to which sanatoriums and dispensaries specializing in joint and skin diseases have been built.

Another Dead Sea phenomenon - no matter how much you stay in the sun, you will not be able to burn. And all this is due to the concentration of small particles of salt and other minerals in the surface layer of air. They absorb the bulk of harmful ultraviolet radiation. That’s why even the air here is healing. Hotels and resorts in Israel located on the Dead Sea coast are ready to welcome tourists all year round. After all, here you can not only improve your health, but also see unique salt landscapes and visit historical places.

Sea of ​​Galilee

Another unique place is Lake Tiberias, or as it is also called the Sea of ​​Galilee. Its bottom is located in the zone of the same split as the bottom of the Dead Sea. Therefore, Lake Tiberias is also located below sea level at a depth of 213 meters. It is considered the lowest freshwater lake on Earth. Another surprising fact is that the water level in the reservoir constantly fluctuates throughout the year. And this is affected not only by precipitation, but also by water consumption.

In the waters of the sea there is an amazing tropical fish, the Galilean tilapia. Locals often call it “St. Peter’s fish” and serve it in restaurants as an exquisite delicacy, which the Apostle Peter himself once caught with a fishing rod. Many researchers, of course, do not agree with this fact, since this type of fish is not caught with a fishing rod. But the legend attracts tourists.

Tiberias

The most beautiful place on the sea coast is the city of Tiberias. This is one of the holy Jewish cities. Pilgrims from all over the world strive to visit it and more. Along the entire shoreline of the lake there are places associated with the life of Jesus. In the northern part is Capernaum, where according to the Bible Jesus lived. Where the Jordan River flows out of the sea, the city of Yardenit is located - the place of Jesus' baptism. All around are the ruins of ancient churches and monasteries.

In the north of the lake is the agricultural settlement of Ein Gev, through which the border between Israel and Syria once passed. Today the place is famous for its festivals during Passover (Easter week) and unusual agricultural products. All concerts take place outdoors. A little to the north, where the Jordan flows into the sea, there is a natural reserve - Park HaYarden. There are camping sites here.

The entire coast of Lake Tiberias is dotted with both “wild” and civilized beaches. So a tourist with any financial capabilities will find a comfortable place to relax. There are also many hot mineral springs along the coast, which gives everyone the opportunity to improve their health. The resort of Tiberias is considered the most comfortable for treatment. On its territory there are 17 mineral springs and many accessible sanatoriums. In addition, here you can actively relax and go on exciting excursion trips.

In addition to being an important tourist site, the lake is also the main source of fresh water for the entire Jewish people. Due to the hot climate and insufficient rivers, Israelis suffer from a lack of fresh water. In recent years, the lake has become very shallow, as the number of water consumers is constantly growing, and its reserves do not have time to be replenished. Therefore, the government is now informing all residents how much the water level in the lake has changed after the next rains. The sea is also the main source for industrial fishing.

Resorts are one of the attractions of this luxurious state and they are located on the shores of the seas that wash its territory. Seas of Israel amaze with their beauty and diversity. The territory of Israel is washed by four seas: two external ones - the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, as well as two internal ones - the fresh Sea of ​​Galilee and the super-salty Dead Sea.

In the north of Israel there is the Sea of ​​Galilee, which the Israelis also call Lake Kinneret. This is the lowest lake. Its level is 215 meters below the world ocean. The depth of the Sea of ​​Galilee in some places can reach 40 meters, and its area is 170 km². The level of the Sea of ​​Galilee depends on the amount of precipitation that falls during the winter. Since ancient times, the Sea of ​​Galilee has supplied fresh water to several cities located on its shores. Currently, a third of all fresh water used in Israel comes from the Sea of ​​Galilee. There are a lot of fish in its depths. Thanks to the northern climate, this place is covered with green vegetation. The sandy bottom and well-groomed beaches of Lake Kinneret attract many vacationers from all over not only Israel, but also the world. There are many historical and cultural monuments and attractions along the coast.

Israel's next sea is the Mediterranean Sea, which washes the western border of the state, the length of which is 240 km. Most of its beaches have a sandy bottom. In summer the sea can warm up to 26 degrees, and in winter its temperature is 18 degrees. Thanks to the big waves, surfers have chosen its beaches, of which there are a great many along the coast. Cities such as Herzelia, Tel Aviv, Netanya, Haifa, Ashkelon, Ashdod are located on its coast. Many goods enter Israel through the seaport of Haifa. Along the coast there are well-equipped beaches, as well as various shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Which sea in Israel is the saltiest?? Everyone will answer that it is. It is located in the southeast of the state. It is divided by the border between Israel and the state of Jordan. It is located so low that its level is 410 meters below the world ocean. Its length is 67 km and its width is 18 km. Here the atmospheric pressure is higher and the air is rich in oxygen. Due to the high salt content, there are no living organisms in the water of the Dead Sea and it is not possible to drown in the sea. Also in the Dead Sea there are 30% of minerals that have healing properties. The sea water is warm and oily to the touch. The coast is rich in thermal springs and deposits of healing mud, which can also be bought in shops on the coast and taken home. Sunbathing is also very beneficial.

Israel is washed on the southern side by a sea that everyone knows - this.

It covers an area of ​​450 thousand km². In summer, the temperature here can rise to +40C and in winter it is just as warm. The best resorts are located here. The waters of the Red Sea are ideal for diving, as they are crystal clear and rich in extremely beautiful flora and fauna. The most beautiful place in the Red Sea is the northern bay. In some places its depth exceeds 1200 meters. This place is home to a coral reef that is home to a variety of fish. On the shores of the Red Sea there is an underwater observatory where you can observe the coral reef through large windows.

Israel cannot fail to amaze with its diversity. There are 9 climatic zones in the country. There are deserts, mountains, lowlands and forests, there are lakes and seas. Even in winter in Israel you can have a great rest and find a place not only where to swim and dive, but also where you can go skiing.

Of the many attractions in Israel, it is impossible to ignore the magnificent resorts located on four amazing seas. Among other countries in the world, especially such tiny ones as Israel, few others can surprise with such quantity, diversity and beauty of the sea.

Red sea Widely known for its underwater scenery, its beaches are located in the hottest place in the country - the resort town of Eilat. You can relax here all year round, because the average temperature in the cold season is +20 – +25°C, and in the hot season – about +40°C. One of the features of this sea is that rivers do not flow into it, but they tend to carry silt and sand with them, thereby muddying it. It is for this reason that the water of the Red Sea is crystal clear, for which it is loved by admirers of underwater beauty.

The city of Elite is located on the northern bay - one of the most amazing places of this sea. There is a coral reef stretching along the entire coastline, which is home to many species of exotic fish. There are also many corals and rare marine plants of different shapes and colors.

On the shores of the Red Sea there is an underwater observatory and many diving clubs. Traveling on a boat with a transparent bottom, you can appreciate the richness of the underwater world without diving. During a boat trip, it is worth visiting the reef, where a whole family of dolphins lives - cheerful creatures, always ready to play with people.
This fabulous place is surrounded by mountains, which at sunset take on an orange color, which is especially pleasing to the eyes of vacationers.

Dead Sea– the most unique not only in our country, but throughout the world. It is located at the lowest point on Earth - at a level of 410 meters below the world ocean. The sea is surrounded on all sides by picturesque mountains. In this place the air is more saturated with oxygen than anywhere in the world. Atmospheric pressure is also 10-15% higher.

It was called dead due to the high salt content in the water. Although there are absolutely no living organisms in it, natural minerals are collected in large quantities. For example, in a normal sea their concentration is about 5%, and in the Dead Sea it is as much as 30%. The minerals themselves have unique healing properties.
Due to its geographical location, the air temperature here is much higher than in other regions of the country, and the “air cushions” created by nature do not transmit ultraviolet radiation.

The water is constantly warm (except for 2 months of winter) and “thick” to the touch. Due to its high density, it is simply impossible to drown in the Dead Sea. Along the entire coast there are many unique thermal springs and deposits of black healing mud.

In any of the hotels located on the Dead Sea, you can undergo a number of procedures that you will not find anywhere else in the world - these are ordinary procedures, but only using “dead” water and healing mud.

Mediterranean Sea washes the western border of the country. Sandy beaches and warm water await their holidaymakers all year round. Although here, unlike the Red Sea, there is not such an abundance of exotic fish, there is complete freedom for surfers - high waves. On this coast there are a large number of large Israeli cities, such as: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Herzelia, Netanya, Tel Aviv, Haifa. The main historical attractions of Israel are concentrated here.

The Mediterranean coast has the most vibrant nightlife - the best DJs in the country come to the local beach discos. At night it glows with enchanting multi-colored lights from restaurants and cafeterias.

Sea of ​​Galilee(Lake Kinneret) is located in the north of the country, it is known for its crystal clear water. Many centuries ago, several large cities at that time were located on its coast. They took fresh water from this lake. The most famous of them is Tiberias. A large number of Roman buildings have survived to this day. Tiberias has many attractions, which is why it is one of the most visited resorts in Israel.
Today, the Sea of ​​Galilee is the main source of fresh water in its country. It has a sandy bottom and well-groomed beaches. Mostly Israeli residents come here, taking fishing rods and tents with them.

The seas of Israel are so different from each other that choosing the right type of holiday will not be difficult. It is only important to take into account age, interests and health status.

17.06.2017

But since the sandy coastal zone of Haifa stretches for almost two dozen kilometers, there are plenty of beaches on it - official and so-called wild ones. And the one who

19.01.2013

What are the benefits of unique sea salt?

Dead Sea salts contain many different compounds that are considered to be extremely beneficial for nourishing the skin. These include:

Iodine – has bactericidal properties and regulates hormone balance;

Potassium – regulates the water level in cells, and also ensures rapid regeneration of skin tissue;

17.08.2012

But even in those days, people knew about the wealth and healing properties of the Dead Sea minerals. King Solomon, Cleopatra, King Herod and the Queen of Sheba swam in its waters.

17.08.2012

The water in the Ein Gedi pools is rich in numerous minerals that can not only improve general well-being, but also relieve a wide variety of diseases. The air in this place is saturated with bromine vapor, which evaporates as a result of exposure to sunlight on the water.

07.08.2012

True, in my case, my vacation at sea turned out to be ultra-short, but I satisfied my curiosity. A visit to the Dead Sea was one of the programs on an optional excursion to Israel. And the excursion was purchased in Egypt. That is, it turned out to be a trip from Egypt to Israel.

07.08.2012

The history of Israel is very rich. The land of this state is considered sacred among Catholic believers and representatives of Orthodoxy. On this land, where the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea, the sacrament of the Baptism of Jesus Christ took place.

The question of who rightfully belongs to the land occupied by modern Israel still worries both Jews and Arabs, who equally lay claim to this small but key piece of land between the Arabs and the sea. By the way, there are four seas in tiny Israel. At least, this is the story they tell tourists, classifying lakes such as the Kinneret (the Sea of ​​Galilee, familiar to you from the Bible) and the Dead Sea, which is, in fact, a lake, among the seas. And the Israelis themselves like to please their national pride with the fact that their country, measuring 60 by 400 kilometers, has as many as four seas. I am pleased with the fact that during the trip we managed to visit all four Israeli seas. We can say that each of them is unique and worthy of the attention of tourists.

I’ll interrupt the logical chain of reasoning and return to the idea of ​​why Jews were lucky with Israel. There is, perhaps, no such concentration of natural and climatic zones anywhere on the planet. Several hundred kilometers apart there are forests, deserts, mountains, fertile valleys, hills, canyons, fresh lakes and salt seas. This country has huge mineral reserves. There are as many proven oil reserves there as in Saudi Arabia. There are gas, and phosphates, and places of promising diamond mining, and excellent raw materials for the construction industry, but the ruling circles and business of Israel are betting on other sectors of the economy - high-tech, medicine, science and tourism, proving by their example that money for living is the state can earn money without gutting the national raw material cushion. All this in the context of a real military threat from neighboring countries and terrorist colics that are plaguing the country from within.
So, there are four seas in Israel, and we have visited each one, and I would like to briefly talk about each one. So that none of the seas disappoints and is perceived properly, it seems to me necessary to travel around these bodies of water clockwise, starting from the Mediterranean Sea. Agree, how will you perceive the muddy freshwater Lake Kinneret after you look at the fish and corals in the Red Sea. Or why would you care about the water in the Mediterranean Sea, when the Dead Sea is so cosmically weightless and interesting. Of course, all this is subjective, but...
We visited all four seas, and we liked all four.
Mediterranean Sea
All the charm, all the mystery and romance of the Israeli Mediterranean is created by the cities located on its shores. History and modernity are intertwined on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea as much as anywhere else in Israel. From the walls of ancient Acre, founded by the Crusaders, you can see Haifa with its futuristic buildings, universities, shopping centers and the heart of Israel - the port of Haifa.

Most overseas goods are imported into the country through the port of Haifa; through Haifa, Israel communicates with countries throughout the Mediterranean. Here you can feel the fervor of Africa, the subtlety of France, the depth of Italy, the proximity of Turkey and Cyprus. It’s a painfully poetic place, I just want to talk about it, but let’s rush to Jaffa, where several hundred years ago, when the importance of Haifa was not the same as it is today, there was the main port of Israel, which existed in that place for thousands of years. The port was destroyed by successive conquerors.

Napoleon, who razed Jaffa to the ground, also contributed to the destruction of history, so all the buildings in Old Jaffa are nothing more than a remake and a bait for unsuspecting tourists. Therefore, if you want antiquity and the atmosphere of the true Middle Ages, welcome to Acre, 20 minutes by train from Haifa. Historical Acre smells bad, Acre has a terribly dirty beach, Acre is full of Arabs and a lot of Russian speakers. We entered the Old Town so early that there was not a single tourist in it, and the employees of small shops and cafes were just starting their working morning. In Acre, history is famously mixed with the life of local residents. So, in a picturesque courtyard dating back to the 16th century, horses can graze, roosters can run and crow. Laundry is drying nearby, a child’s bicycle lies abandoned in the evening, and muddy, soapy water flows down the gutter. Somewhere upstream, a man in an apron was scrubbing the cobblestone sidewalk at the entrance to a restaurant serving freshly caught fish. Every city on the Mediterranean coast has such a restaurant, and if you go to the sea before dawn, you can meet fishermen returning to the shore with their catch. Early in the morning they will put the fish in baskets to send it to shops, taverns, or immediately sell it to a tourist who came at the crack of dawn to look at the dirty and tired fishermen.

This is what the Mediterranean Sea is like. And then there is Tel Aviv, which I already wrote about last year, there is Caesarea with the ancient Roman hippodrome and amphitheater, for entering which you need to give 40 shekels to the auntie at the entrance. There is a Roman aqueduct in Caesarea, where people are allowed in for free. There are several aqueducts, some are covered with sand, and their antiquity is beyond doubt. There is a city of Bat Yam on the Mediterranean Sea, adjacent to Jaffa from the south.

The city itself is of no interest, with the exception of the excellent embankment, developed a couple of years ago. It seems that the whole city gathers here in the evenings. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, the number of clubs, bars and cafes is off the charts, the view of the sunset sea is stunning.

Israel owns about 200 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline, from the border with Lebanon to the Gaza Strip. A kilometer from the Gaza Strip, in the village of Zikim, is the southernmost beach of the Israeli Mediterranean.

There are no hotels or tourists here, but everything you need for a comfortable and safe holiday is available. There is a lifeguard booth, changing rooms, toilet, shower, foot wash, etc. There are crab holes gaping in the sand, and in the north there are pipes of a gas power plant that burns with millions of lights at night. We spent the night on this beach and immediately swam in the morning. As elsewhere on the Mediterranean, a kilometer from the Gaza Strip, Israelis actively engage in water sports: surfing, windsurfing, paddle boarding.

In a strong wind, many wings with water extreme sports enthusiasts jumping on the waves hang over the water. The Gaza Strip is practically invisible from the beach. Israel deliberately fenced itself off from the Sector with tall trees so that the Gaza forces would not shoot directly at the enemies. After a mortar shell landed on the railway from Gaza, passing trains were protected by thick greenery.
This is the Israeli shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

Kinneret. Sea of ​​Galilee
Israelis treat Lake Kinneret with great trepidation. And not because biblical legends are associated with it (the country doesn’t seem to care about them), but because the water level in the lake determines whether water will flow from the Israelis’ water taps. The Kinneret is the main source of drinking water in Israel.

In recent years, the country has been focusing on the construction of desalination stations in order to relieve the load on the unfortunate lake and somehow protect itself from the vagaries of nature, due to which the water in the lake may fall below the minimum level somewhere in September, and until November - With the December rains, the whole of Israel can live in conditions of severe water conservation. I don’t know if this has actually happened, but such risks exist.
The Kinneret is entirely at the mercy of tourists. For tourists there is everything: hotels, restaurants, campsites, rental of motor boats and motorhomes. Going to the lake, we heard that all the beaches there are paid, and it is impossible to pitch a tent without paying money. A man near the supermarket confirmed this rumor, and we decided to refute it from our own experience, going through the willow grass and reeds to a wild and practically untrodden beach next to the very paid beaches where all civilian tourists relax. How to find this place? In fact, it’s not worth looking for this particular place. You just need to choose any unfenced part of the shore and safely set up a tent. No one has the right to drive you away from there, except, probably, environmental inspectors, if they have suspicions that you are somehow littering the shore and harming the environment.

All beaches in Israel are free, except for those that are rented and specially equipped by non-governmental organizations to extract money from the same tourists. In general, if you can’t wait to visit that very shore, then you need to, moving from the north and before reaching Tiberias, turn at the Nirvana Beach sign towards the lake. The gravel road to Nirvana turns left after 200 meters, and you need to go straight and fight another 100 meters through the reeds to find yourself in the desired place. By the way, nearby, along the shore of the Kinneret, the same Shvil Israel trail runs.

Lake Kinneret is an ordinary Russian lake, with shells, reeds and a muddy bottom. The only difference is that the water temperature in the lake in summer reaches 30 degrees. In September, the water begins to cool, you can feel it when you enter the lake in the morning, and the water at the bottom has not yet had time to warm up after the coolness of the night. By the way, at night in late September - early October it is not at all cold in the Kinneret, as, perhaps, in all of Israel. We traveled with the inside of the tent ventilated and slept without warm clothes, covered with a sheet. It was cool only in Jerusalem (there was a cold snap in those days) and on the Red Sea, where even in summer the night temperature is very different from the day temperature, as is usually the case in the desert.
Many people believe that Kinneret is not the most beautiful lake in the world and is not worth spending time on. A puddle of puddles. I don’t think so and I find the nature of the Sea of ​​Galilee very, very beautiful, especially in the northern part, which forms a huge bowl-shaped valley with hills along the edges. Another thing is that the developed tourism industry of the Kinneret does not contribute to a quiet, measured holiday. On Shabbat, people can race boats here, play loud music and party all night long. That's how it was with us. Club music on Nirvana Beach did not stop until the morning.

And yet, the Kinneret is worth visiting. In Tiberias, it seems to me, there is nothing to do, and we walked right through it, following it to the last city bus stop. The walk was far and strictly uphill. From the top there was an excellent view of the lake and the city of Tiberias itself. On the road from Tiberias to Nazareth, you can see a station for raising and purifying lake water. An interesting and significant building. How much effort is required to ensure an uninterrupted supply of water tens and hundreds of kilometers from its source.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is perhaps the main brand, the main natural attraction of Israel, which has become a place of pilgrimage for sick people from all over the world. People come here for treatment when traditional medicine is powerless. They also go for fun, because there are few such gigantic salt lakes on the planet that you can’t drown in them.

This feeling of cosmic weightlessness attracts young people from Europe and America, Russia and Australia, who at the Dead Sea are almost more likely than those who need the healing properties of water.

This attractiveness and the possibility of seemingly endless pumping of money from the Dead Sea brand has led to the fact that since the end of the 20th century the sea has been rapidly becoming shallower. This is also facilitated by the increased intake of water from the Jordan, the largest river feeding the sea, and barbaric salt, mud and other industrial developments that bring countless amounts of money to the state and private individuals. Things have come to the point that the Dead Sea may not exist in 20-25 years.

These figures were given to us by a ranger working in a national park on the seashore. In the 90s, large businesses came to the sea and began intensive extraction of salt, mud and phosphates. The Dead Sea, which was previously one, is now two bodies of water connected by an isthmus. The northern reservoir is the same Dead Sea as it was 50 and 60 years ago, only there is much less water in it, and the southern reservoir is nothing more than a pool, divided into several parts to slow down the rate of water evaporation. The water level in the Dead Sea drops by 12 centimeters every month.

This trend has led to the formation of underground voids in the North Sea, due to which one of the largest resorts on the shores of the Dead Sea, the Ein Gedi resort, recently closed. This happened after a bus traveling along the northern sea fell into a crater that formed right on the road. It is impossible to determine the location of the voids, so they decided to close the resort in order to avoid human casualties. These voids are clearly visible in the North Sea.
How can a budget tourist survive in the Dead Sea, where the daily price for a hotel room is about to reach outer space? The best place for a homeless tourist to stay at the Dead Sea is a tent. You can pitch a tent anywhere, even on the beach. On the public beach in Ein Bokek, tents are constantly erected, inhabited by both foreigners and Israelis themselves. We did not crowd on the beach and went outside the resort town. On the North Sea we spent the night on a wild beach, not reaching 15 km to Ein Gedi. Few people know about this beach. This beach is a hangout place for all sorts of good informals, cheerful people and real travelers. The good atmosphere, silence and the presence of a fresh natural spring for washing off salt water force you to stay there for a couple of days, although many people get tired of the Dead Sea within a few hours after arrival.
From the unusual: for two days that we were at sea, a group of fighters flew over us at low level. The exercises were not exercises, but the roar was terrible, and many vacationers were, to put it mildly, unhappy.

So, the verdict: business is killing the Dead Sea, your grandchildren will only be able to see the Dead Sea in your photographs, so it is a must visit. It’s worth staying on the sea-lake for a long time only if you have health problems and they need to be corrected. Prices in shops by the sea are one and a half to two times higher than usual, it is better to bring food with you, it is better not to even find out housing prices.
Red sea
The Pearl of Israel, the best and most beautiful of all Israeli seas. The road from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to Eilat, the country's southernmost city, takes three hours. Hitchhiking to Eilat is possible directly from the Dead Sea. In addition, Jerusalem and Eilat are connected by a direct route, along which a bus with the memorable number 444 runs daily and many times a day, on which you can get to that very pearl for 50 shekels (I don’t know).

The crystal clear water of the Red Sea has no less glory than the salty water of the Dead Sea, with the only difference being that the Red Sea attracts not the weak and sick, but the most young and party people. The parties here are different: divers' parties, club party-goers' parties, hippies' parties, rockers' parties and all sorts of other Rastafarians. But we didn’t come to the Red Sea to party! Having landed from the car opposite the famous MAX 3D cinema in one of the corners of the small resort town of Eilat, we headed to the nearest grocery store, and then straight to the sea to spend two days there. We saw the center of Eilat, its dazzlingly beautiful promenades, boutiques and clubs only at a three-kilometer distance and did not try to take a closer look due to complete indifference to the bohemian life of this resort. We were only interested in the sea, the fourth sea of ​​our trip, the same Red Sea that Cousteau and Sienkiewicz talked about in their programs, and Heyerdahl described in the book.

The Red Sea gives Israel access to the Indian Ocean and connects it with Asia, Oceania and America. Japanese and Korean cars enter Israel through Eilat, of which there are countless numbers at the port parking lot. Thousands of them. Getting to the sea in Eilat is not easy. Placing a tent in the center is problematic, but wild tourists found a way out and set up their wild beach in the very south of Israel, a kilometer from the border with Egypt. The road to the wild beach lies through the port and the famous Eilat Oceanarium (109 NIS for entry). We walked, although it was possible to get there by bus for 6 shekels.
This semi-official and not prohibited by the authorities is the only habitat of wild tent tourists in Eilat. There are a lot of tents and tourist trailers here. There is a sink for people (you can sort out the dishes or wash yourself), and there is a toilet and shower on the nearest civilian beach. You can live on this wild beach indefinitely. The shore is rocky, in the water, if you take a mask or glasses, you can look at the corals and fish every day. Visibility underwater is about 30 meters. You can see everything, this is what all scuba divers and snorkelers (those who swim with a mask and snorkel) use, who cannot be lured out of the water in calm, windless weather.

The underwater world of the Red Sea is mesmerizing. What and who is just not under water. Fish of unimaginable colors, sea urchins, corals and other living creatures make a person regret that he was born in this above-water world, and not in that serene and bright underwater world that is open to the gaze of gillless bipedal divers. There is nothing to do without a mask on the Red Sea. We did not know about this and did not stock up on a mask when going to Israel. As it turned out, you can buy a mask right in Eilat, and it doesn’t cost that much - only 50 shekels. Buying a mask determined our daily routine for the entire time we were on the Red Sea: woke up - in the sea - dried out - in the sea - dried out - in the sea...

The water temperature in the Red Sea is lower than in the Mediterranean and does not exceed 27°C in summer. This does not prevent you from spending tens of minutes in the water. A planned vacation program can be ruined by the wind, which quickly raises waves in the Gulf of Eilat and makes swimming with a mask dangerous. It so happened that on the first day we saw plenty of fish, but on the second day a strong wave arose, and during the whole day only a few brave souls entered the sea from the tent city.
The Red Sea is the saltiest sea in the world. There are 41 grams of salt dissolved in a liter of water here, while in the Black Sea there are only 17. The reason is that not a single river flows into the Red Sea (this fact makes the Red Sea completely unique), but with the ocean (more precisely, with the Arabian Sea ), which could dilute sea water, the Red Sea is connected by the narrow Bab-El-Mandeb Strait (26 km wide), due to which more water enters the sea than it comes out, and excess water decreases due to powerful evaporation - up to half a centimeter in a day.
On summer days, the heat in Eilat forces locals to crowd around the air conditioners and not go outside. In autumn, the heat subsides, and even during the day it is quite comfortable outside. The wind becomes a little cool and pleasantly blows the tourist warmed by the sun. The hot climate makes Eilat a year-round resort. The water temperature here in winter does not drop below 21°C. Thanks to this, not only tourists, but also corals survive here in winter. Eilat is the northernmost place in the world where corals live. The same corals can be observed on the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea.

In the evening, the wild beach offers stunning views of Eilat, lit with millions of lights, and the equally vibrant city of Aqaba in Jordan. The cities are located opposite each other. A tall flagpole with the flag of a now friendly Arab country reminds the Israelis of the proximity of their neighbor. Nothing reminds Eilat of Egypt.
These are my brief and fragmentary impressions of all four Israeli seas. Bringing them together on one trip was a good idea, and we are happy that it was realized.

Israel is considered a country of three seas, but the Israelis claim that in fact they have not three, but four seas. Two of them are external seas - the Mediterranean and the Red, and two internal seas - the Dead Sea and the Sea of ​​Galilee, better known as Lake Tiberias or Lake Kinneret. Few countries with a small territory have so many seas, and therefore it is not surprising that hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world arrive at Israeli resorts every year. After all, a holiday in Israel means superbly equipped beaches on the Mediterranean Sea, healthy swimming on the Dead Sea, scuba diving on the Red Sea and an amazing coastline with crystal clear water on the Sea of ​​Galilee.

Mediterranean Sea

The water in the Mediterranean Sea warms up to +30°C in July-August, and the swimming season begins in April and lasts until the end of October. A multi-kilometer chain of golden beaches bathed in bright sunshine with fine, flour-white sand makes it possible to enjoy a fabulous view of the sea from the shore, and thanks to walks on a snow-white yacht, a speedboat or an elegant sailboat, you can see the Holy Land from a completely different angle. On the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea there are such popular and beloved tourist centers as Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Netanya, Caesarea and Haifa. Tourists are provided with comfortable sun loungers, storage cells, comfortable locker rooms, sports grounds, cafeterias, restaurants, nightclubs, and much more. Fans of active recreation will be able to test their strength by going windsurfing, surfing or hang gliding. The bottom on Mediterranean beaches is smooth and flat, without sharp cliffs or ledges. This is especially good for families traveling with small children.

Red sea

The stretch of coastline bordering the Red Sea in Israel is relatively small, but despite this, there is no shortage of tourists on the beaches. The swimming season here lasts all year, with a maximum water temperature of +30°C. The salt content in the waters of the Red Sea is increased and therefore, when swimming, the water holds a person much better than, for example, in the Mediterranean or Black Sea. And due to the fact that no rivers carrying silt and sand flow into the Red Sea, the water here is always clean and clear, which is excellent for diving and snorkeling. The world-famous resort of Eilat, located on the Red Sea coast, attracts divers with its fabulous underwater kingdom, where you can see schools of colorful fish, coral thickets and fascinating vegetation. Eilat is home to the famous underwater observatory, where you can observe rare species of fish through huge glass windows. In addition to scuba diving, the beaches of the Red Sea offer boat trips on comfortable yachts, motor boats or an inflatable banana boat.

Dead Sea

This is the most popular sea in Israel and the most unusual sea in the world. It amazes with its emerald and aquamarine shades, it is located at the lowest point on the planet and contains the highest concentration of salt - 33.7%, while the water in the Dead Sea has a beneficial mineralogical composition, and the local black mud has incredible healing properties. There is not a single living organism in the Dead Sea and the water temperature in it reaches up to +35°C in summer. Due to the high salt content in the Dead Sea, it is impossible to drown, since the water pushes the human body out like a cork. On the Dead Sea coast there are several dozen hotels with luxurious SPA complexes and clinics, but not everyone can afford the procedures in them. Therefore, a one-day visit to a public beach will completely replace a session in the beauty parlor of a SPA complex.

Sea of ​​Galilee

The Sea of ​​Galilee is also called Lake Kinneret or Lake Tiberias. Bathe You can visit here from April to October; in hot weather the water warms up to +27 °C. In ancient times, this lake supplied fresh water to nearby cities, and in modern times the lake is the source of about 1/3 of all water consumed by Israel. Lush vegetation, a flat sandy bottom and excellent beaches with all the infrastructure necessary for tourists - this is a brief description of the resorts of the Sea of ​​Galilee.

Each of the Israeli seas has its own personality, but the love of tourists from all over the world unites them into one concept - the magical resorts of Israel.