The route in the heart of the city passes through its municipal and cultural center, passing by several of its prominent landmarks, continues to the museum considered unique in the world, and the flagship project of the city, offering a wealth of attractions for all types of visitors, and concludes at the marina, one of the most beautiful and largest in Israel.

The first point on the route, Ilan Ramon Square

, is located on Menachem Begin Boulevard – a major transportation artery in the city that stretches from the interchange in the east, the southern entrance of Ashdod, to the western Blue Marina. Most of the city’s residents identify the square by its former name: “City Square,” or by its nicknames “Kiryat Square,” “Macht Square,” or “Shafitz Square,” rather than its official name, which was given in 2010 in memory of the Israeli astronaut who perished in the Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003.
From here, you can continue on foot to the end of the route. However, it is important to note that this is not a circular route, so at the endpoint, you will need to take a bus back to the square or allow extra time for the return walk. The following directions are for enthusiastic walkers, but you can certainly reach each site along the route by car. There is also a good middle-ground option: drive to the City Parking Lot, located at the center of the route, and walk from there to all the points.

From the square, head west on Menachem Begin Boulevard, lined with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

At the intersection with Herzl Street, you will see City Mall on your right. This is the northern City Park, featuring lawns, seating areas, and playgrounds for children.

To your left is the Southern City Park, also known as “Gan Hakiryah.” This is one of about 300 playgrounds scattered throughout Ashdod.

Continue walking on Menachem Begin Boulevard. Shortly after City Mall (and within its bounds) is the city’s Central Bus Station. Buses from all parts of the country arrive here. Right after the station, to your right, is City Garden, with a selection of businesses, restaurants, and cafes. Continue and cross the Golani Brigade Street.

In front of you stretches the city’s Culture Center.

In this part of the Kiryah neighborhood (also known as the “City Quarter”), you will find the heart of the city, where most of its public, cultural, and commercial institutions are concentrated. To your right stands the impressive building of Ashdod Municipality. At the entrance of the building stands the stone sculpture “Twelve Tribes” by the artist Edward Dolkart, created according to the biblical description of the 12 precious stones of the High Priest’s breastplate. This is just one of about 300 sculptures scattered throughout the city.

To the left of the Municipality Building, you will see the glass pyramid of the Monart Center for the Arts

, a multi-disciplinary cultural center housing the Municipal Conservatory, the Ballet School and Dance Center, the Opera, local repertory companies, and municipal orchestras.

And also the Ashdod Art Museum, which is highly regarded nationally and internationally.

The central building, with its glass roof, erected in the 1990s, was designed by the architect Moshe Lopatin, who is responsible for many well-known buildings in the country, including Ashdod itself (see “Canada House” in the “Along the Sea” route: Nostalgia, History, and Spice Scent).

Before the museum in the center was inaugurated, it underwent a series of architectural changes led by architects Rafi Segal, Eyal Weizman, and Manuel Herz. The exhibition spaces were designed in the spirit of the rectangular structures of warehouses at the port and became the distinctive symbol of the innovative museum, which opened to visitors in 2003.

To the west of the museum and adjacent to it is Yad LeBanim House,

which hosts many cultural events, from plays and stand-up comedy to Hebrew song evenings and entertainment shows, to municipal events and official ceremonies. In the upper gallery of the building, rotating exhibitions of local and regional artists are displayed.
8. From Yad LeBanim House, you can descend to The Mishkan for the Performing Arts Ashdod Square, inaugurated in 2012 and quickly became one of the city’s symbols due to its unique design, resembling a large wave or a Leviathan rising from the sea.

As you exit from the Cultural Center, continue west on Menachem Begin Boulevard. In front of you is Kikar Kehilat Yehudei Saloniki (The Square of the Interpreters), more commonly known as “Mifrasim Square“.

The square, commemorating Ashdod as a seaside city, features a prominent sculpture. The sculpture, a product of the impressive work of artist Israel Hadani, soars to a height of 15 meters and is made of rusted and painted steel, depicting interpreters rowing on the water.
Turn right at the square onto Moshe Dayan Street and continue walking north. On your right, you will once again see the modern structure of The Mishkan for the Performing Arts. Further on, at the intersection with Banim Street, to your right, you’ll notice an impressive bronze sculpture. This is “Samson the Hero,” a creation by artist Baruch Wind, dedicated to the memory of Holocaust and Israel’s war heroes. Keep walking straight on Moshe Dayan Street, and on your left, you will soon see the complex of one of the large projects established in the city, which you will reach further along the route: Ashdod Sea Park.

After about two hundred meters, you will reach the Twin Towers Park,

to your right, and a promenade dedicated to the memory of those killed in the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, including four Israelis: Alona Avraham (a city resident), Shai Levinhar from Neve Monosson, Danny Levin from Jerusalem, and Hagi Shapira from Tel Aviv.

To the left of the monument stands

Tehilat Zion Synagogue

, built by David Ben Menachem, the legendary mohel (circumciser) of Ashdod.

The Museum of Philistine Culture, named after Korin Maman

Now, cross the park in the heart of the pastoral neighborhood of Quarter D, with a children’s playground to your right, and continue until the end. Go up the stairs on the right, and you’ll reach the Ship Street. Keep going straight, and after about fifty meters, turn right onto the path leading toThe Museum of Philistine Culture, named after Korin Maman.

As you exit the museum, turn right, and then right again, following the signs to the Community Center of Quarter D. The tranquil alley connects with the Divers Street. Cross the street and continue straight to Jerusalem Boulevard. Turn right, and ahead of you, at the end of the street, you can see the stairs leading to the next point on the route:

Ashdod Sea Park

, spreading over an area of about 200 dunams (approximately 50 acres) between the heart of the city and the blue marina. The park can easily provide you with a full day of activities. Depending on the time available to you and your remaining energy, you can decide whether to conclude the route here or continue to

the Blue Marina.

To reach the marina, cross the park and exit through Gate No. 6, towards the sea and the Sea Sports and Education Center, located to the left of the marina, the third largest in Israel. The modern yacht marina offers 550 anchoring spots and is part of a unique tourism and leisure complex that includes restaurants and cafes, among other amenities. Unlike other marinas in the country, you can wander freely within the area of the Blue Marina.