Discover Betzet: Airfield history and banana cultivation

Betzet offers several clearly distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: the history of the moshav, a cycling tour along roads and flat paths, and insights into banana cultivation. The former British airfield is one of the historical points of interest; Betsa Beach is nearby.

History and memorial sites

Betzet was founded in 1949 on the ruins of the village of Bassa, which is identified with ancient Betset. This local history connects the moshav’s founding year with an older historical identification. A monument in the center commemorates moshav residents who fell in Israel’s wars. It stands on a traffic roundabout and is partially accessible.

The remains of a British airfield, including hangars and a runway, are also located in Betzet. The British Mandate authorities built the airfield during the Second World War to prevent an invasion of Palestine by Vichy forces from Lebanon. The airfield is no longer active. Its history and surviving remains give the site its own historical significance, even if you choose Betzet primarily for its outdoor activities.

Cycling tour through Betzet

A family-friendly cycling tour follows the moshav’s roads and flat paths. It also passes through the plantation area and the site of the former British airfield. The ride therefore takes in both the agricultural surroundings and the history of the airfield. These paths and areas help define the character of the tour, making it easy to understand its route in terms of these two themes.

If you are choosing between cycling and a themed guided activity, Betzet offers different options: the cycling tour connects several parts of the moshav, while banana-related activities focus on cultivation and the fruit itself.

Insights into banana cultivation

Idan HaPri offers a guided tour of a banana field, with explanations about cultivation and different varieties. The tour includes tastings of fresh and dried fruit, as well as fruit tea. So the experience is not limited to the plants in the field; it also explores different ways bananas can be processed and enjoyed.

Guided tours and tastings under the title “From the Field to the Plate” are also available for groups and families. The offerings are complemented by workshops on making dried-fruit sushi and energy bars. If you are planning a tour or workshop, check availability directly with the provider.

Betsa Beach nearby

Nearby Betsa Beach is a supervised swimming beach with lifeguards, changing rooms, toilets, and a snack bar. It adds a swimming option close to Betzet’s other activities. The beach and the activities in the moshav are separate places to visit during your stay.

Archaeological sites in the wider Northern District destination

In the wider Northern District destination, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo showcase archaeological remains from different periods. Tel Hazor is a biblical tell with significant remains of a city associated with biblical accounts; visits focus on the Upper City. There you’ll find Solomon’s Gate, with six chambers and two towers dating to the 10th century BCE, as well as the Canaanite palace used by the kings of Hazor in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. The Late Bronze Age palace is considered the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most significant in the Levant. Tel Hazor’s fortifications are considered the finest example of their kind in the area from southern Turkey to the northern Negev.

Tel Hazor’s underground water-collection system is also a significant archaeological feature and an engineering achievement adapted to the geographical conditions. The vertical shaft is 45 meters deep, with steps three meters wide cut into its walls. At Tel Megiddo, meanwhile, the Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional in the number of its temples, the continuity of its cultic activity, and its documented ritual practices. The orthogonal city plan from the Iron Age has few parallels in the Levant.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nir Dawid, Moran, Daliyat Al-Karmel, Kefar Aharon, Yesod Hamaala, Sallama, Gidona, Hukok

For the wider travel overview: Israel.