Sea of Galilee region
Cities
- – Largest city in the region and convenient starting point for trips to the Sea of Galilee and the Golan heights, with its various archaeological remains.
Understand
Get in
Get around
See
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phone: +972 4-693-4982An old Talmudic town overlooking the Sea of Galilee, featuring the remains of a lovely basalt synagogue. The nearby Jewish settlement to the west has the same name.
ChurchesSometimes considers as the top three Christian sites; Capernaum, Tabgha and Mount of Beatitudes can be found about 12 km north of Tiberias and close to each other.
CapharnaumThe house of Peter and a marvelous ancient Roman synagogue.
Church & Monastery of the ApostlesA Greek Orthodox complex on the site of a Byzantine monastery that was destroyed by the Persians in the 7th century. Since then the complex has been rebuilt and destroyed numerous times; the buildings standing today date from the late 19th century but have been restored as recently as 1975. Three monks live here and they'll usually admit visitors who ring the bell. There are four chapels beyond the pleasant, walled courtyard. One chapel is dedicated to St Peter, one to the disciples, and one to Mary Magdalene; the one in the ancient round tower is dedicated to St Nicholas.
The Beatitude Monastery & Mountain
Eremos CaveGreat view of the lake. And a good place for an evening drink-out and BBQ in a small group.
Church of the Multiplication at TabghaThe Primacy Church and a church retelling the Gospel account of the miracle of Jesus Feeding the Multitude.
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Peter's Primacy Church
Tel KinnarotAncient tel.
Hurvat MinnimRemains of a palace from the Umayyad period (8th century). North of Genossar.
GinosarSite of Jesus Boat Museum.
Arbel mountainA magnificent viewpoint over the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding areas. A steep trail leads from the peak to the Sea of Galilee. A castle dating to the Roman period is nestled in the cliff, partway down the trail. Beautiful, but not for those scared of heights.
Kinneret CemeteryOverlooking the See of Galilee. A number of early Zionist leaders and pioneers are buried here, including Berl Katznelson.
Tel Beit YerahAncient tel.
Jordan River Baptismal SiteChristian site not to be missed. The baptismal site described in the Gospels is a few miles away in Jordan though. Bring swim wear and a robe if you plan on having a baptism in the river. An excellent restaurant is on premises: "Tmarim" fuses French cooking techniques with local ingredients.
Degania AlefThe first Kibbutz. It houses Gordon House which is a regional museum of nature and prehistory.
Museum of Yarmukan CultureA small museum documenting the Levant's most prominent Neolithic culture. Located in Kibbutz Sha`ar Hagolan.
Hamat GaderThe hot springs here have been a tourist magnet since Roman times. Current attractions include Israel's largest spa complex, Roman ruins, a large crocodile and alligator farm, and a water park. Hamat Gader very close to the Jordan border (but is perfectly safe). The Roman city of Gadara is in Jordan (see Irbid), in the hills above Hamat Gader; there is no access between the two. As a mnemonic, Hamat Gader is where you can see 'gators.
Do
Rob Roy - Jordan river kayakingKayaking and other water activities on the Jordan River.
Eat
Sleep
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phone: +972 52-371-5687address: Giv'at Yo'avStaying in a outdoor yurt. Grumpy owner and sheets are extra. But seems to be a good (family) experience staying. Member of ILH.
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phone: +972 4-6659800One of the largest resorts in the area with 166 rooms.
Go next
- Golan Heights (northeast) – A flat plateau made out of volcanic basalt, with streams cutting through the plateau, forming deep valleys and occasional waterfalls. Looks and feels very different from the rest of Israel.
- Upper Galilee and Lower Galilee (west) – Valleys and high mountains including the famous Nazareth.
- Jezreel Valley and Beth Shean Valley (southwest) – Famous for Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) National Park and Mount Gilboa overlooking it.