The iconic Rosh Hanikra grottoes, perched at Israel’s northernmost coastal tip along the Lebanese border, have reopened to the public after a year and a half of closure. Once a bustling tourist attraction, the site had been converted into a full military base during the security escalation in the region. Now, the natural beauty returns to center stage.
For months, the waves continued to crash and etch new grooves into the white limestone cliffs, but the sounds of awe and the footsteps of visitors were absent. That changes today Monday, as the Rosh Hanikra site officially welcomes guests once more. "We’ve currently reopened the lower area and will later address the upper cable car zone," said Liat Halevi Cohen, the site's marketing director.
The site suffered damage over the past year and has undergone extensive restoration to bring it back to its former glory. In the initial reopening phase, entry will be through the historic British Mandate-era tunnel rather than the scenic tourist cable car, which remains under refurbishment.
“At its core, the cable car is just the transport—what truly matters are the grottoes themselves, and finally the public can experience them again,” said Halevi Cohen. “This site is an anchor attraction. The Western Galilee needs this magnet to bring crowds back, and we hope it will energize local tourism and encourage other sites to reopen.”
Starting Monday, visitors can once again walk the winding paths through the sea-carved grottoes and witness the striking geological formations shaped over millennia. The coastal promenade has also resumed operations, offering rental electric vehicles and bicycles for leisurely exploration along the sea cliffs and open vistas.
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Adjacent to the site, the Cliff Restaurant—a kosher chef's restaurant—has reopened with special offers to mark the occasion. “The residents are back, and there is a sense of security throughout the area,” Halevi Cohen added. “We plan to launch guided tours along the border so people can see the dramatic change and the IDF presence that has restored safety here.”
Albert Pinchas, CEO of the site, noted that Rosh Hanikra also operates as a tourism hub, offering combined tickets with other attractions across the Western Galilee.