population: 0.14 million

extension: 47.74 square kilometers

Museums

If you're in Ashkelon and interested in visiting museums, you might consider visiting the Ashkelon Museum of Philistine Culture, which focuses on the history and culture of the ancient Philistines who inhabited the area. Alternatively, you could also visit the Barzilai Medical Center Museum, which showcases the history of medicine in Israel.

If you're interested in similar types of museums, you might consider visiting the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, which covers various aspects of Israeli culture and history, or the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, which has exhibits on art, archaeology, and Jewish history.

Food

Some of the most recommended and popular dishes in Ashkelon, as well as throughout Israel, include:

1. Falafel - A deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, typically served with salad, pickles, and tahini sauce.

2. Hummus - A dip or spread made from mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic; often served with pita bread.

3. Shakshuka - A dish comprising eggs poached in a tomato-based sauce with peppers, onions, and spices.

4. Sabich - A sandwich made with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, hummus, tahini, salad, and pickles, all wrapped in pita bread.

5. Shawarma - A Middle Eastern meat preparation where marinated slices of beef, lamb, or chicken are stacked on a spit and roasted slowly, then shaved off into thin slices and served in a pita or laffa bread with a variety of toppings and sauces.

6. Laffa - A type of flatbread that is thicker than pita bread, often served hot and filled with various ingredients such as shawarma or falafel.

7. Bourekas - A savory pastry that typically contains a filling of cheese, potato, spinach, or mushrooms.

8. Malabi - A creamy dessert made from milk or coconut milk, cornstarch, sugar, and rose water, topped with chopped nuts and syrup.

Activities

Certainly! Here are a few fun activities that locals enjoy in Ashkelon:

1. Relaxing on the beaches: Ashkelon has some lovely beaches, including Delilah Beach and Bar Kochba Beach, which are popular spots for swimming, sunbathing, and beach sports.

2. Exploring the national park: Ashkelon National Park is an archaeological site containing the ruins of an ancient city, with highlights including a Roman amphitheater and bathhouse. Locals enjoy exploring the park's historical and natural features.

3. Visiting the marina: Ashkelon Marina is a picturesque spot where locals like to relax, grab a bite to eat, and watch the boats come and go.

4. Shopping at the shuk: The Ashkelon Market ("shuk" in Hebrew) is a bustling street market where locals go to buy fresh produce, spices, clothing, and other goods. It's a vibrant and lively place to experience local culture.

5. Strolling through the parks: Ashkelon has several beautiful parks, such as Givat HaMatsok and the Ashkelon Birdwatching Park, where locals like to take walks, have picnics, and enjoy nature.