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See Roman Ruins at Caesarea National Park, Israel
Caesarea, Israel is a perfect day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for anyone who has an interest in ancient history. At Caesarea National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find the remains of a spectacular Roman port city. These include Roman theaters, a hippodrome, and aqueducts. You can also walk around the walls of a Crusader fortress at another section of the park.
Keep reading for information on how to get there, the history of this noteworthy place, and the best things to see in and around Caesarea National Park.
Where is Caesarea, Israel and How Do You Get There?
Caesarea is located in northwestern Israel by the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
The easiest way to see it in a single day is via a rental car. Driving from Jerusalem to Caesarea is around 86 kilometers (53 miles) and should take you about 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. Driving there from Tel Aviv is even easier; this is around 56 kilometers (35 miles) and should take around 45 minutes to drive.
It’s a long journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea. You’ll probably encounter a great deal of traffic in Jerusalem; getting away from the city is the most challenging part of this day trip. You’ll pass through Tel Aviv en route and hug the coastline up to your destination.
History of Caesarea
Caesarea has a truly rich history, so let’s review a few highlights for context. Originally a Phoenician settlement, it became King Herod’s property in the 1st century BC. Herod and the Romans put Caesarea on the map; Herod built it up in honor of his new patron Augustus Caesar after Caesar vanquished Marc Antony.
Herod oversaw the completion of some massive infrastructure projects. This port city saw an unprecedented effort to build a large-scale artificial harbor under Herod. It took a lot of engineering prowess to build an artificial harbor where none existed before, with vast platforms filled with ash that were sunk to the bottom of the sea. You can’t see much of it today, but there was once a giant temple dedicated to Caesar Augustus and the goddess Roma here.
It was a violent time with a great deal of political intrigue. Herod had his wife and kids killed for plotting against him. Later on, a famous Roman prefect by the name of Pontius Pilate lived here from 26-36 AD. In 58 AD, Paul the Apostle was sent to Caesarea to be tried for instigating a civil disturbance, but he insisted on being heard in Rome instead, and sailed there from Caesarea’s harbor. Caesarea was also the place where the great Jewish revolt began, which led to the Roman-Jewish War of 66-73 AD.
After the Western Roman period, it became a major Byzantine city. Muslim forces conquered Caesarea in the 7th century AD. It later became a stronghold of the Crusaders, who captured it in 1101 AD during the First Crusade. By the late 1100s, Muslim forces under Saladin (Salah ah-Din) recaptured it. It traded hands once again when the forces of the Sixth Crusade took it back, and French King Louis IX augmented its fortifications.
Caesarea was largely deserted for many years following the Mameluke conquest of it under Sultan Baybars in 1265.
Arrival and Entry Tickets
Plan to arrive in Caesarea by mid-to late morning. Parking should be plentiful. It’s a good idea to reserve your entry ticket online. They’re reasonably priced at 39 shekels per adult (that’s about $11). If you didn’t buy a ticket online, you can also buy one at the entrance. Pick up a map and brochure to get oriented and guide your exploration of the site.
The park has two entrances: the first one is North Entrance (the main one), by the Crusader gate. The second South Entrance is near the Roman Theater.
Opening Hours and Crowds
Caesarea National Park is usually open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. during the summer months, closing at 4 p.m. on Fridays. During the winter months, it’s open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., closing at 3 p.m. on Fridays. Opening hours are also shorter right before holidays and on Yom Kippur.
The site gets most crowded on Saturdays and on holidays. You may want to time your visit to avoid those days if you’d like to have more of the site to yourself.
What to See and Do in Caesarea
Visitor Center and Introductory Film
Caesarea is an incredible historic sight with a lot to offer. At the Visitor Center you can watch a short film that focuses on King Herod the Great. After you’ve watched the film, take a look at the Visitor Center’s large display showing how the city and port layout changed under the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and during the modern era.
You can also buy souvenirs here, like pins and postcards, if you’re so inclined.
Take some time to walk along the scenic beachfront promenade.
Herod’s Theater
Proceed through the Roman theater built under Herod between 22 and 10 BC. It could accommodate up to 4,000 spectators. By the 4th century AD, the theater held a large water-filled basin to accommodate nautical games. However, the theater was closed under Christian Byzantines, who were not fans of the theater’s entertainment.
You’ll see a giant pile of marble columns laying off to one side of the theater.
Palace
Much of it has been eroded by time and the sea, but a magnificent palace once stood here. You can still see parts of a hall and rooms that may have been used for dining and bathing, as well as floor mosaics.
Herodian Amphitheater (Hippodrome)
Beyond that is the gigantic 10,000-seat hippodrome (in Latin, circus) that the Romans built for a variety of spectator sports, especially 7-lap chariot races—think of it like an old version of NASCAR. This was where King Herod set up the Actian Games to honor Roman Emperor Augustus. Every four years, the games featured horse and chariot races, gladiator matches, hunting, and other sports.
Walk along the walls of the hippodrome, and you’ll see reconstructions that show what we think the decorative frescoes on the walls once looked like.
Public Bathhouse and Administrative Buildings
In this complex, locals once exercised in a room called a palaestra. Besides bathing, they could also get a shave, haircut, or massage here. This was also a popular meeting place to exchange news and gossip as well as to conduct business.
In the southern part of the bathhouse complex, you’ll find a variety of rooms. The bathhouse used an advanced hypocaust-heated system. Locals would spend time in hot rooms. Soap wasn’t popular then, so they would use oils and unguents on their skin, then take a warm bath followed by a cool bath. You’ll find the remains of ancient latrines in this area too.
Nearby are the Byzantine Governor’s Palace (Praetorium) and the Tax Archive Building, as well as some warehouses and private homes.
Nymphaeum
This was a public fountain and a major monument in its heyday. The Byzantines stopped using the pool and replaced it with another building and a road.
Crusader Walls and Roman Aqueducts
At the northern part of the site, you’ll find the Crusader wall built up during the Seventh Crusade. King Louis IX himself lent a hand in building it. Later on, he held court here in Caesarea, then moved on to Jaffa in 1252. By 1254, he was back in France.
Beyond the Crusader wall are the remains of Roman aqueducts. The series of arches here once delivered water to the city from fresh springs several miles away.
Sadot Yam’s Museum on Caesarea’s Antiquity
If you have time around mid-afternoon, consider visiting Sadot Yam’s Museum on Caesarea’s Antiquity. It’s located in a Jewish kibbutz. The museum’s entry fee is kind of steep at around 40 shekels ($11), but you can see some interesting things in its several rooms and a lot of great late Roman statuary.
One exhibit describes daily life in ancient Roman Caesarea, including visits to the baths, work hours, and diet (the wealthy ordinarily ate four meals per day, commoners ate meat rarely, and meals centered on grains, legumes, fruit, vegetables, and seeds).
Caesarea was a major trading center; the museum includes a variety of storage jugs that once held imported wine, olive oil, and garum (a popular seasoned fish sauce during the Roman era).
Another exhibit showcases a series of oil lamps. There’s also a collection of well-preserved glassware that once contained perfumes, oils, lotions, and makeup.
The bathroom facilities are also good, so be sure to use them before the long drive back to your hotel. The curator might offer you some hot tea or mint water; I’d recommend going with the hot tea.
Then return to wherever you’re staying and get ready for another sightseeing adventure in Israel.
Other Roman Ruins in Israel
If you have more time in the country, you have lots of options for other history-themed day trips featuring Roman remains in Israel.
Think about taking a trip to the remote fortress of Herod at Masada in eastern Israel near the Dead Sea. It’s easy to combine both into a day trip.
In addition, you can visit Beit Shean (Bet She’an), the Roman-Byzantine city in northeastern Israel. This trip pairs nicely with a visit to the Crusader Fortress at Belvoir (also known as Jordan Star National Park) nearby.