Keeping the Kids Happy in Netanya This Summer

Summer in Netanya Is Built for Families

July and August in Netanya run on a rhythm that overseas families tend to love. The days are long and hot, the Mediterranean is warm enough for even the most reluctant swimmers, and the city fills up with Israeli families and diaspora visitors who've made this their annual pilgrimage. If you're staying in Ir Yamim or anywhere along the northern coastline, you're already in the right place.

The key is knowing where to go beyond the sand. Netanya has a genuinely good range of activities for children of different ages, and once you know the local rhythm, the days fill themselves.

The Beach, Done Properly

Choosing the Right Stretch of Coast

Not all of Netanya's beaches are the same. The Ir Yamim beach, right at the foot of the neighbourhood, is calm and well-maintained, with lifeguards on duty through the summer season. It tends to be a little quieter than the central beaches near the promenade, which suits families with younger kids who need space to spread out.

The Poleg beach, a short drive north, is popular with teenagers because of the surf school that operates there. Lessons run most mornings, and a two-hour beginner session costs roughly 150 to 200 shekels per child. It's a proper activity, not just splashing around.

The Promenade and the Cliffs

The clifftop promenade above the central beach is worth a morning walk with the kids. There are playgrounds dotted along it, ice-cream kiosks that open early, and the glass elevators down to the sand are a novelty that never seems to get old, even on the fifth visit. Early mornings before ten are genuinely pleasant before the heat peaks.

Activities That Get Them Away From the Screen

Gan Hamelech and the City's Green Spaces

Gan Hamelech, Netanya's central park, has a small petting zoo and paddling areas that work well for children under ten. It's not a theme park, but it's free, shaded in parts, and a good option for a late afternoon when the beach feels like too much effort.

Bowling, Trampolining, and Indoor Escapes

When the midday heat makes outdoor activities impractical, Netanya's commercial centres fill the gap. There's a bowling alley in the Ir Yamim commercial zone that's popular with local families on Friday afternoons. Trampoline parks and escape rooms have opened in the city over the past few years, and they're genuinely well run. A two-hour session at a trampoline park typically costs around 60 to 80 shekels per child.

Day Trips Worth the Drive

Netanya sits in a convenient spot for day trips. Caesarea is forty minutes south and the Roman ruins there hold most children's attention better than you'd expect. The water park at Poleg (open seasonally) is a reliable crowd-pleaser for ages six and up. And if your kids are old enough for a proper hike, the Iris Reserve at Ramat Hanadiv near Zichron Yaakov is beautiful in the early morning.

Practical Things to Know Before You Go

Most paid attractions in Israel accept credit cards, but smaller beach kiosks and some playground vendors are cash only. Keep a few hundred shekels on hand. Shabbat (Friday sundown to Saturday night) affects opening hours significantly. Shops and some attractions close, but the beaches and promenade stay busy, and many restaurants in Ir Yamim remain open.

Sun protection is not optional here. UV levels in July are serious, and the combination of reflected light off the water and white apartment buildings catches people off guard. Hats, factor 50, and a break between noon and four are standard practice for families who've done this before.

Making the Most of Your Time Here

If you're visiting family who own in Ir Yamim, or if you're renting for the summer yourself, you'll quickly see why so many Anglo families keep coming back. The neighbourhood is genuinely walkable to the beach, the commercial strip has everything you need, and the sense of community among overseas owners is real.

At Seaview Properties, we've been working with overseas buyers and owners in Ir Yamim and across Netanya for years. We know which apartments have the best sea views for morning coffee, which buildings have the most reliable management, and how to make a summer stay feel like home rather than a hotel. If you're thinking about making the visit permanent, or you want your property looked after properly between trips, come and talk to us. No pressure, just a conversation with people who know this place well.