The 12th biggest city of Israel, Bat Yam means ‘Mermaid’ in Hebrew. Most of its population consists of Jewish people who migrated from the old Soviet countries.
The foundation of Bat Yam, which is located by the Mediterranean in the south of Tel Aviv, the white city of the country, dates back to 1926s. Having developed as the summer resort and the housing suburb of Tel Aviv, the city took its name in 1936. Importance is also given to the beverage industry of the city, which is the center of the press sector in Israel today.
Almost 10 months of the year are sunny in Bat Yam, a calming city with its silence and serenity away from the metropolitan chaos. It is mentioned as the peaceful port of Tel Aviv located at a distance of 15 minutes to cover because it is equipped in every sence together with its clean beaches, colorful market filled with fresh food booths and cultural centers. Brilliant sandy beaches constitute the most fascinating side of the city and you can perform many water activities from windsurfing to sailing, from canoeing to snorkeling. You can do paragliding and play beach volleyball. Art is valued in the city, where you will meet a lot of beautiful sculptures along the walking path by the sea. The city is home to significant art venues such as the Bat Yam Contemporary Art Museum hosting international exhibitions, Havayedda Experimental Science Center, Moby Sculpture Collection and theater and performance centers are also quite popular here. You also find large shopping malls in Bat Yam where activities like the Street Theater Festival, which is open to participation from abroad, and City Landscape Fairs are held. Yarkon and Tel Afek Parks form the green areas where you can listen to the silence of the city and take rest with a green view.
The closest airport you can land on during your trips to Bat Yam by air is Ben Gurion Airport for domestic and international flights in Tel Aviv. You can reach the city center of Bat Yam from the airport, which is 24 kilometers away, by taking buses, shuttles or taxis.