Pulling into Ashdod, you might not expect much from what appears to be a working industrial port on Israel’s Mediterranean coast — but this unassuming gateway sits just 50 kilometres from some of the most historically significant sites on Earth. Whether your bucket list includes ancient holy cities, salt-encrusted sea experiences, or fortress ruins rising from the desert, Ashdod delivers a day ashore that few ports in the world can rival.
Arriving by Ship
Ashdod Port is Israel’s largest commercial seaport, and cruise ships dock at a dedicated passenger terminal that’s functional rather than glamorous. You’ll clear passport control relatively quickly, and you’ll find transport options — taxis, organised tour buses, and private guides — waiting just outside the terminal gates. There’s a small welcome area with basic tourist information, but the port itself isn’t a destination; it’s a launchpad. Given the proximity to world-class sites, most passengers are eager to get moving, and rightly so. Note that security is thorough here, as you’d expect in Israel, so factor in a little extra time when returning to the ship.
Things to Do
Here’s the truth: the greatest attractions near Ashdod aren’t in Ashdod itself — they’re within striking distance of it. Jerusalem, one of humanity’s most sacred and fascinating cities, is roughly an hour’s drive away. Within a single day ashore you can walk the narrow stone lanes of the Old City, stand at the Western Wall, and trace the Via Dolorosa. Pair it with a visit to Bethlehem, and you’ve packed more history into one afternoon than most destinations offer in a week. A combined excursion taking you through both cities is one of the most popular options from the port. 🎟 Book: Ashdod Port Shore Excursion: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Tour from Ashdod Port
If ancient fortresses and natural wonders speak to you more than holy cities, consider heading south to Masada — the dramatic hilltop fortress where Jewish rebels made their legendary last stand against Rome — before floating effortlessly in the hyper-saline Dead Sea. This is one of those bucket-list experiences that genuinely lives up to the hype. 🎟 Book: Ashdod Port Shore Excursion: Masada and the Dead Sea Day Tour from Ashdod Port
For those who want to cover it all, there’s also the option of combining Jerusalem with the Dead Sea in one action-packed shore excursion — perfect if you’ve never visited either. 🎟 Book: Ashdod Shore Excursion: Jerusalem and Dead Sea – for cruise ship guests only Ashdod itself has a pleasant beachfront and the Ashdod Museum of Art if you prefer a slower morning, but most passengers will want to venture further afield.
Local Food
Israeli cuisine is one of the Mediterranean’s most exciting and underappreciated food cultures. If you have time to eat in Ashdod or on the road between sites, look for hummus served the way locals eat it — warm, generous with olive oil, and accompanied by fresh pita rather than crackers. Shakshuka (eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce) makes a brilliant mid-morning meal if you’re out early. Street food stands will offer falafel wrapped in pillowy flatbread with tahini, pickled vegetables, and amba, a tangy mango sauce you’ll want to bring home. In Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market, you can sample everything from Yemenite pastries to Israeli wine — if your tour allows time there.
Don’t leave Israel without trying sabich, a pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, and various condiments. It’s a local obsession and the kind of simple food that somehow tastes better than anything more elaborate.
Shopping
Ashdod’s city centre has modern shopping malls if you need essentials, but the more memorable purchases are made in Jerusalem’s Old City markets. The Arab Souk is a labyrinthine delight of ceramic tiles, olive wood carvings, hand-embroidered textiles, spices, and Dead Sea beauty products. Bargaining is expected in the covered market stalls, so don’t be shy about negotiating. For fixed-price souvenirs — think quality judaica, jewellery, and art prints — the Jewish Quarter has beautiful boutique shops worth browsing. Back in Ashdod, the port area has a small gift shop for last-minute purchases, but selection is limited compared to what you’ll find in the city.
Practical Tips
Israel uses the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), though many tourist-facing businesses accept US dollars or euros. Credit cards are widely accepted in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The summer heat between June and August is intense — carry water, wear a hat, and dress modestly if you’re visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered for all genders). Entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall plaza is free. Pre-booked tours are strongly recommended from Ashdod; the sites are popular, and organised transport removes the logistical headache of navigating independently on a tight ship schedule.
Ashdod may be the port you’ve never heard of, but it’s the gateway to an experience you’ll never forget — a day ashore that casually rewrites your sense of what history means.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Ashdod Israel
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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