Nahriya takes its name from a steam of the Gaaton river ("nahar" in Hebrew means river). The water source has served as a draw for settlement for thousands of years. The city lies on the path of the ancient trade rout called the "Viea Maris". The modern settlement of the town began in 1930, with early Jewish emigrants who envisioned an agricultural based community. The land was bought from a landowner in Beirut by Joseph Levi and partners in 1890, but there were delays until 1930. Nahriya's promenade beach is lined with restaurants and coffee houses for relaxing. Nahariya has an open bathing beaches which run along the promenade. They extend southward towards Acre and have walking and bicycling paths. The beaches are Sokolov beach, Galei Galil, Banana, and Venues.