Tel Dor National Park

Address: Tel Dor, near Dor Beach (Dor-Habonim Nature Reserve), Hof HaCarmel Regional Council, Israel

Website: https://en.parks.org.il/reserve-park/dor-habonim/

Hours: Daily dawn-dusk

Admission: Free (site in Dor-Habonim reserve; some nearby museums may charge)

Tel Dor is an archaeological tell on Israel’s Mediterranean coast identified with the ancient port city of Dor. The site preserves multi-period remains reflecting its long history as a coastal settlement and port.

Archaeological remains from Bronze Age Canaanite and Phoenician phases through Hellenistic and Roman periods are visible at the site. Visitors can observe the tell’s stratified remains, coastal features associated with the ancient harbour and areas conserved within the nearby national-park setting.

Dor served as a coastal port and settlement across multiple millennia, with evidence for Canaanite, Phoenician, Hellenistic and Roman activity. Excavations and surveys have revealed continuous occupation and maritime installations reflecting its role in Mediterranean trade.

Situated on Israel’s central-northern Mediterranean shore near the modern communities of Zikhron Yaakov and Caesarea, Tel Dor lies on the coastal plain south of Haifa.

• Park and harbour remains: Part of Dor National Park and the modern coastal reserve, with some underwater archaeological remains related to the ancient harbour.

What to See#

• Upper tell (acropolis): Upper tell (acropolis) - contains the major domestic and administrative remains from multiple periods and sits atop the mound visible from the coast.
• Lower town and harbour: Lower town and ancient harbour area - archaeological remains and shoreline features showing Dor’s function as a Mediterranean port across the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Hellenistic periods.
• Hellenistic and Roman remains: Hellenistic and Roman remains - surviving structural foundations and artefacts attest to continuous occupation through Hellenistic, Roman and later periods.

Drive or take a bus to the Dor-Habonim Nature Reserve (park at the main beach car park). The tell is a short walk from the beach-follow the coastal path north from Nahsholim/Dor parking. Nearest larger towns: Zichron Ya’akov (~15 km north) or Haifa (~30 km north). There is limited signage at the site; bring a map or GPS coordinates.

• Park at Dor Beach / Dor-Habonim Nature Reserve (look for the national park parking) and walk north along the shore to reach the tell.
• Bring sun protection; there is little shade on the exposed coastal mound.
• Visit local museums in Haifa or Zichron Ya'akov to see finds from Tel Dor-many Phoenician artifacts were moved to larger institutions.