Essentials
- City
- Netanya, Central District, Israel
- Population
- Approx. 230,000
- Internet Speed
- 95 Mbps average, Fiber optics widely available via Bezeq or Partner
- Currency & Banking
- 1 ILS ≈ 0.27 USD, 1 USD ≈ 3.65 ILS. ATMs widely available on Herzl Street
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though many locals use Tami4 filters for taste
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/H sockets (Type H is unique to Israel but accepts Type C)
- SIM Card
- Partner, Cellcom, or Hot Mobile. Available at Netanya City Center for approx. ₪50
- Banking for Expats
- Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim. High usage of digital wallets like Apple Pay and Bit
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels and high-end rentals. Average 1-bedroom: ₪4,500 - ₪6,500/month
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards and contactless payments accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Apartments for Rent in Netanya'
- Budget Accommodation
- Netanya Hostel (near Independence Square). Approx. ₪180 per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Independence Square (Kikar HaAtzma'ut) for proximity to beaches and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ir Yamim or Agamim for modern infrastructure, malls, and quieter workspaces
Culture and Attractions
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and street performers at Independence Square in summer
- Street Art
- Graffiti murals in the industrial zone and around the central market
- Cooking Classes
- Local workshops at '4Chef' in the Poleg area
- Art Galleries
- The Cliff Gallery (Gallery Al HaTzuk) on the promenade
- Historic Buildings
- The Intercontinental (historical hotel structure)
- Local Heritage
- Strong French-Jewish and North African influence reflected in local dining
- Must-See Landmarks
- Independence Square (Interactive fountains) and the Netanya Promenade
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Museum of Yemenite Jewish Heritage
- Historical Sites
- Victory Monument (Red Army memorial) overlooking the Mediterranean
- Religious Sites
- Central Synagogue on McDonald Street
- Annual Events
- Netanya International Sand Sculpture Festival (Summer)
- Cultural Districts
- The 'French' Quarter near the beach hotels
- Theater Venues
- Netanya Cultural Center (Heichal HaTarbut)
- Local Markets
- Netanya Shuk (Market Street)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Iris Nature Reserve (blooming Feb-March) south of the city
- National Parks Nearby
- Caesarea National Park (20 mins drive north). Entry approx. ₪39
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Promenade Coastal Path (stretches nearly the entire city coastline)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at the end of Nitza Boulevard
- Birdwatching Locations
- Winter Pond Park (Agam HaHoref)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated areas at the far south end of Poleg Beach
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Israel Post (Doar Israel) and UPS Israel
- Tech Repair Services
- iDigital (Apple Authorized) in Ir Yamim Mall
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at Winter Pond Park
- Language Classes
- Ulpan Akiva (Hebrew immersion)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Mediatheque Netanya (Main branch)
- Community Centers
- Matnas Poleg/Ir Yamim
- Gaming Lounges
- Hype Gaming Lounge (Nearby in Tel Aviv/Herzliya)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Israel (Social card clubs only)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₪32,000 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = ₪1,120,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₪26,000 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = ₪910,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₪30,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₪1,800,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₪24,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₪1,440,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₪28,000 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = ₪2,380,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₪22,500 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = ₪1,912,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 23% standard rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 25% - 30%
- Tax System
- Personal income based on residency (center of life test)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 50% (including 3% surtax on high earners)
- VAT
- 17% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to passive income of foreign companies controlled by residents
- Property Tax
- Arnona (Municipal tax), paid bi-monthly based on square footage
- Property Transaction Tax
- Purchase Tax (Mas Rechisha) ranging from 0% to 10% based on value and residency status
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 10-year tax holiday on foreign income for 'New Olim' (immigrants)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Rooms (by Shlomo Sixt) in the Poleg Industrial Zone. Approx. ₪1,200/month for a hot desk
- Best Cafe for Work
- Landwer Cafe on the Promenade. Great views, reliable Wi-Fi, and outdoor seating
- Networking Events
- Netanya Tech Meetups (often held in Poleg) and events at the Netanya Hub
- Social Events for Expats
- English-speaking mixers at The Irish Village (Piano Center, Ir Yamim)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gett (formerly GetTaxi) is the primary service; Uber is limited to licensed taxis
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bird and Wind electric scooters operate via mobile apps throughout the city
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sironit Beach (glass elevator access) or Poleg Beach for a younger vibe
- Top Regional Airline
- Arkia and Israir (flying from Ben Gurion or Ramon)
- Top International Airline
- EL AL (National carrier) and major hubs like Delta, United, and Lufthansa
- Highway Access
- Direct access to Highway 2 (Coastal Highway), Netanya North and South interchanges
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Netanya Railway Station (Central) or Netanya Sapir (South/Poleg)
- Public Transport Passes
- Rav-Kav card or Moovit/Pango apps for integrated bus and train payments
- Regional Travel
- Train to Tel Aviv takes 25-35 minutes (approx. ₪18 per trip)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Laniado Hospital (Kiryat Sanz neighborhood)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Netanya (Herzl St). Drop-in classes approx. ₪70
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Holmes Place Ir Yamim or Profit (Budget-friendly) in the City Center
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room (Ha'atzma'ut Square). Approx. ₪40 per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt (most popular) and 10bis
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Netanya-style Fricassee (Tunisian sandwich) at Fricassee Zehava
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pesto (Italian) or Hummus Eliyahu. Wide variety of vegan sushi available
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelateria Siciliana on the Promenade. Approx ₪20 per scoop
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Netanya Shuk (Open-air market) on Friday mornings for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- KSP (electronics), Terminal X (fashion), and Amazon.com (free shipping on $49+)
- Grocery Delivery
- Shufersal Online or Rami Levy App
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Independence Square and the Piano Center in Ir Yamim
- Local Brewery
- Jem’s Beer Factory (located nearby in Ra'anana or Netanya industrial zones)
- Wine Bars
- Wine & Friends (Ir Yamim Piano Center)
- Street Food Stalls
- Falafel Moussa on Herzl Street. Iconic local spot
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mojo (Asian Fusion) in the Poleg Area