Netanya Beaches: The Complete Guide

Netanya is a city built on a cliff. From above, the Mediterranean stretches as far as you can see; below, fourteen kilometres of golden sand wait for you. Eleven distinct beaches, each with its own character. This guide is the cheat sheet we wish we'd had on our first visit — and the one we now share with every guest at Blue Sea Angels.

The quick answer: which beach for which mood

You want…	Go to
Family beach with everything (lifeguard, food, easy access)	Sironit
Lively city-centre vibe, near restaurants and shops	Herzl
Quiet, almost private, less crowded	Argaman
Surfing, kitesurfing, big breezy space	Poleg
Religious / separated bathing	Sanz (Galei Sanz)
Sunset photos, dramatic cliffs	Amphi / Kontiki
A long beach walk away from town	Beit Yanai (just north)

The beaches, north to south

Blue Beach (Hatchelet)

The northernmost city beach, a favourite for residents who want a lower-key day. Wide sand, lifeguards in season, fewer kiosks and fewer crowds. A good first beach if you're staying north.

Argaman Beach

Tucked next to a military leadership academy, Argaman is one of Netanya's most discreet beaches — narrow, beautiful, well-kept. Locals love it for exactly that reason. Less infrastructure, more peace.

Sironit Beach

If you only have time for one beach, this is it. Sironit sits at the foot of the cliff right below Independence Square and is reached by a free funicular elevator (worth the ride alone). Lifeguards, beach restaurants, soft sand, calm waters — and the easiest access for families with strollers, grandparents or a lot of bags. The "French beach" reputation is real: you'll hear at least three languages within ten metres.

Herzl Beach

Right next to Sironit, this is the central, bustling beach. Beach volleyball, beach bars, music in the evening. Younger crowd, busier at golden hour. Pair it with dinner on the promenade and you have a perfect summer evening.

Amphi Beach

A small, photogenic beach surrounded by high cliffs that act like a natural amphitheatre — hence the name. Stunning at sunset. Less ideal for full beach days because of limited space, but unbeatable for a sunset apéritif.

Kontiki Beach

South of Sironit, slightly more local, slightly less polished. A nice balance: enough services to be comfortable, enough quiet to actually relax.

Sanz Beach (Galei Sanz)

Designed for the religious public, with separated bathing days for men and women and a beautiful descent down to the water. Steps run all the way into the sea. Quiet, dignified, with its own loyal regulars.

Ha'Onot Beach

Smaller, more residential, often described as the "neighbourhood" beach. Locals walking in from the surrounding apartment buildings, a slower rhythm. Worth it if you want to feel like you live here.

Poleg Beach

Far south, wide open and breezy. Surfers, kitesurfers and paddlers love it. There's a reserve and a small estuary nearby for a different feel — wilder and less manicured. Plan to drive or grab a quick taxi from town.

Ga'ash Beach

Technically just south of Netanya, but close enough to count. Larger, regional beach, popular with day-trippers from across the centre of Israel. A good rainy-week alternative when the closer beaches are at half-strength.

Beit Yanai Beach

Just north of Netanya, a short drive away. Wide, much wilder, and home to a beautiful nature reserve at the mouth of Alexander Stream — where you can sometimes spot soft-shelled turtles. This is the day-trip beach.

Practical tips for your beach day

• Lifeguards are seasonal and operate roughly April–October. Pay attention to flag colours.
• Free elevators connect the cliff promenade to the central beaches. Use them — the stairs are no joke after a beach day.
• Sun protection is non-negotiable in summer. The Mediterranean sun is stronger than it feels.
• Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, beaches stay open but kiosks may close earlier — bring water.
• Wifi and charging on the beach is rare. The promenade cafés are your charging stations.

The ultimate Netanya beach setup

The honest secret: Netanya beaches are best when you don't have to make them an event. From the Blue Sea Angels apartment, the closest beach is a five-minute walk down the cliff. That means you can do morning swim, come back for breakfast, head out again for a long lunch, return for a nap, then do the sunset — all without ever ordering a taxi. That rhythm — small trips, repeated — is what makes a beach holiday actually feel like one.

If you're still planning your trip, our 3-day Netanya itinerary shows you how to fit two beaches into a single day without rushing, and our Netanya vs Tel Aviv comparison explains why the Netanya beach experience genuinely beats anything in Tel Aviv.