Kikar Altalena

Just before the square at the end of Oved Ben-Ami Street, it is recommended to park on the side and continue walking to it. The large square in front of you is Kikar Altalena, named after the ship (Altalena), which was scuttled shortly after the establishment of the country, becoming one of the dramatic (and perhaps traumatic) events in the history of Israel.

Within a short walk, or more precisely – a few minutes’ stroll, southeast of the square, you will find HaDiyona HaGedolah.

The unique and impressive Diyona, visible from a distance, has the largest sand dune in Israel. You can reach it from here, but since there is no signage or directions, it is recommended to be patient and wait until you reach the next point on the route. The travel time from there to HaDiyona does increase significantly (about two hours), but the route itself is marked and offers more attractions.
When facing BIG FASHION, to which you will arrive at the end of the route and the southern exit from the city, turn right onto Moshe Sneh Street. Drive slowly, as a short distance after the turn, you will need to turn right towards Park HaShikmim, located at the northeast end of Park HaCholot.

The first point on the route is located south of the parking lot. After a few minutes of walking, you will reach the orchard, a remnant of the agricultural land that once existed here. In this sandy hollow, wild grapevines, pomegranate trees, fig trees, mulberries, and other fruit trees grow. After the trees were planted, they were watered for only one year, and since then, they have thrived thanks to rainwater and the high water table. At the edge of the orchard, you can also see large white poplar trees where you can rest in their shade.

Cross the orchard and climb the dunes, following the trail, westward. The route goes up and down between sand hills covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation. Now you will arrive at the highlight of the park: HaDiyona HaGedolah. From the southern section, climb carefully to its peak. HaDiyona HaGedolah, from the solitary remnants of the wandering sands of the coastal plain, is the largest sand dune in Israel and unique in the Middle East. Its length is about 250 meters, and the height of the steep slope is about 35 meters. The shape of the dune, which continues to move and wander at a rate of about one meter per year, resembles a saharan dune, due to the prevailing southwest winds here for most of the year. From the top of the dune, you can enjoy the vast golden expanses and the southern neighborhoods of the city. It’s time to take off your shoes and allow yourself to momentarily return to childhood and roll down the slope with enjoyment.

After a brief rest from the rolling, shake off the sand from your clothes and return to the parking lot. You can complete the route with a shopping experience unlike any other in the country, usually encountered only abroad.

Turn right onto Moshe Sneh Street, and in the square, turn left. On your left is the entrance to the parking lot of BIG FASHION, the giant complex.

The route ahead, beginning with a culinary tour of the legendary market in the B’ Quarter, passes through the historic park where the Egyptian forces were defeated in the War of Independence. It includes visits to battle and memorial heritage sites and impressive parks, providing a taste of both authentic and modern Ashdod.

Start your day at the municipal market, the oldest in the city, Shuk Merkaz B’,

located in the commercial center at the heart of the B’ Quarter, one of the city’s first neighborhoods.
Before entering the market itself, you can cross the car park to its northern side.

There lies Gan HaLochamim (Park of the Fighters).

The park underwent renovation and upgrade in 2014 and includes, among other things, a well-equipped playground for children, fitness facilities, ping-pong tables, and many seating areas. Within the park grounds, you will also find the municipal library.

In the old market stalls, you can find fresh vegetables and fruits of all kinds, high-quality meat products, freshly baked goods just out of the oven, sweets from all around, and a variety of colors, flavors, and scents that will surround you from every direction. The market’s diversity is also reflected in the various languages spoken here: Hebrew, Russian, French, Arabic, and Moroccan. As in any market, it is recommended to haggle for prices before making a purchase. The calm and peaceful atmosphere, the surrounding shops, and the unique photography exhibition “Treasures in Market B” create an interesting and inspiring shopping experience.

Ben Gurion Park

Now, after you’ve equipped yourself with a basket full of goodies, you can continue to the next point on the route. Head south on Yosefthal Street and turn left onto Rambam Street. At the end of the street, at the T-junction, you will see Ben Gurion Park, one of the largest and most splendid parks in Ashdod. In the park, which earned the nickname “Police Park” due to the police station located within it, you’ll find spacious lawns, numerous seating areas, a barbecue area, playgrounds for children, and more. The city’s peace court and the municipal stadium are also located here.

Monument for the Fallen in the Battle for the Liberation of Ashdod

Turn left at the junction onto President Weizman Boulevard and then left again onto Yitzhak Rabin Boulevard. To your left, you will see the Monument for the Fallen in the Battle for the Liberation of Ashdod (Tashach Monument), which commemorates the 11 soldiers of the Sukariya battles and the 53 soldiers of the Givati Brigade who fell in the battles for Ashdod during the War of Independence.

From Rabi Shimon Ben Shetach Street, turn left onto Moshe Sneh Street and then right to Park Hasheita Hammalbinah (Elta Park).

The large and dense grove is home to many Acacia albida trees and ancient tamarisk trees, some of which serve as a remnant of the historic tree-lined road (Via Maris) that once ran along the “Old Sea Road” between Jaffa and Gaza (see in the chapter “Geographic, Topographic, and Architectural Structure”).
As you exit the park, turn left onto Moshe Sneh Street, make a sharp right at the first opportunity, and continue south on Moshe Sneh Street. About 300 meters after the turn, you’ll see the impressive and unique Orot Chayim and Moshe Synagogue, considered one of the most beautiful synagogues in the country (see the “Selichot Tour: Among Ashdod’s Special Synagogues”).

Continue on the road and turn left at the first intersection, onto the narrow path leading to Gan Ad Halom

which commemorates the soldiers who fell here during the War of Independence, while blocking the advance of the Egyptian forces to the center of the country. This is the northernmost point reached by the Egyptian army during the war, hence the name “Ad Halom” (until here).
Upon entering the park, turn left and park your car near the impressive obelisk, the symbol of the Egyptian Memorial. The Memorial to the Fallen Egyptian Soldiers, established in 1989 as part of the peace agreements with Egypt (Camp David), is dedicated to the memory of the Egyptian soldiers who fell in the battles of Ashdod during the War of Independence (another obelisk was placed in front of the Yoav Fortress). The memorial, made of red granite stone, features inscriptions in Arabic, English, Hebrew, and hieroglyphics.
Now, proceed (it’s recommended to walk, but you can also drive) about 500 meters north-east towards the memorial for the Givati fighters and the Ad Halom Bridge. A short walk will take you to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Ad Halom Bridge, which has been restored, and also the channel of Nahal Lachish.

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From here, retrace your steps, return to the car.

If you have at least three more hours until sunset, on your way to the next point on the route, you can visit Gan Avner Goren, in Quarter 13, named after the first mayor of Ashdod.

From here, you can return to the commercial center of the neighborhood and stock up on food and drinks for the next stop on the route: Parque HaHolot VeHaDiyona HaGedolah. Drive north on David HaMelech Street and at Kikar Ma’ay 1945 (or its alternative name: Kikar HaNitzachon), turn right onto Sderot Oved Ben-Ami. Pay attention to the Veterans Monument in the heart of the square, dedicated to the memory of World War II veterans (“veterans”) and marking Victory Day over Nazi Germany.

Kikar Altalena

Just before the square at the end of Sderot Oved Ben-Ami, it is recommended to park on the side and continue on foot. The large square in front of you is Kikar Altalena, named after the ship (Altalena) that sank here, shortly after the establishment of the state, and became one of the dramatic (and perhaps traumatic) events in the history of Israel.

A short walk, or more accurately, a climb, a few minutes southeast of the square, is HaDiyona HaGedolah.

The unique and impressive Diuna, which can be seen from a distance, is the largest sand dune in Israel. You can reach it from here, but since there are no signs or directions, it is recommended to be patient and wait until you reach the next point on the route. The travel time from here to Diuna has indeed increased significantly (about two hours), but the route itself is marked and provides more attractions.
In front of you is BIG FASHION. At the end of the route, and also the southern exit from the city, turn right onto Moshe Sneh Street. Drive slowly because shortly after the turn, you will need to turn right towards Parque HaShikmim, located at the northeastern edge of Parque HaHolot.

The first point on the route is south of the parking lot. After a few minutes’ walk, you will reach the grove, a relic of the agriculture that was once here. In this sandy hollow, wild grapevines, pomegranates, fig trees, mulberries, and other fruit trees grow. After planting, the trees were watered for only one year, and since then, they have thrived thanks to rainwater and the high water table. At the edge of the grove, you can also see large white snail shells, where you can rest in the shade.

Cross the grove and climb the sand dunes with the path to the west. The route goes up and down between the sand hills covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation. You will now reach the highlight of the park: HaDiyuna HaGedolah. From the southern part, climb carefully to its peak. HaDiyuna HaGedolah, from the isolated sand dunes of the coastal plain, is the largest dune in Israel and unique in the eastern Mediterranean. Its length is about 250 meters, and its steep sandy slope is about 35 meters long. Its shape, which continues to move and wander at a rate of about a meter per year, is similar to the shape of a crescent, due to the southwest wind that blows here most of the year. From the top of HaDiyuna, you can enjoy the view of the vast golden spaces and the southern neighborhoods of the city. It’s time to take off your shoes and let yourself roll down the dune for a moment of fun.

After a light rest from playing in the sand, shake off all the sand from your clothes, and return to the parking lot. You can complete the route with a shopping experience that is unique to this place, usually only encountered abroad.

Turn right onto Moshe Sneh Street, and on the square, turn left. On your left is the entrance to the parking lot of BIG FASHION, the huge complex.

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