By Marian Lebor and Sally Halon
March 11, 2012, Updated May 30, 2015
Caesarea, named after a Roman emperor, contains some of the most well-preserved and magnificent Roman and Byzantine artifacts, from the aqueduct that provides a dramatic backdrop on the beach to the mosaics dating back 1,400 years.
Photo by Moshe Shai/Flash90
The ancient ruins at Caesarea are just one of the attractions that bring visitors to this beachside resort.
Herod the Great was the master builder behind the artificial harbor and the city around it. In this setting, visitors can enjoy music festivals, museums and art galleries, fine dining and nightlife. During the summer months, colorful kites fill the sky.
Perhaps most famous of all is Caesarea’s Pete Dye-designed 18-hole golf course. But this city by the sea also boasts an all-seasons Underwater Archeological Park with four diving complexes.