The Galilee, in the north of Israel, offers a relaxing experience surrounded with green mountains, wineries and fresh air. Here are some recommended spots to visit
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The Galilee contains many important Christian attractions as it is the site of many of the stories in the New Testament. Alongside these religious sites are historical cities such as Tiberias, Acre and Safed, which contain archeological sites and provide for a wonderful day trip. Don’t miss out on visiting one of those magical cities.
For those of you who are seeking to spend some time in nature, the Galilee offers beautiful reserves, parks and relaxation spots. On the mountainsides you can find an array of wineries and vineyards. It is full of well maintained trails which you can bike or hike. If you are seeking adventure, you can pick from rafting, paragliding, skiing, and more.
Kfar Nahum (Capernaum)
Kfar Nahum is home to a few churches, a national park and the Tayelet HaBsora (Gospel Promenade). In the northwest of Kfar Nahum you can find the Church of the Twelve Apostles, which is a Greek Orthodox Church on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is an elegant structure built in 1931 that features pink domes and frescoes. According to Christian tradition, this is the place where Jesus chose his twelve Apostles. The Church of St. Peter’s House is another of Kfar Nahum’s churches located inside the Kfar Nahum National Park. This is a Catholic church built in the 1980s that pays homage to the ancient churches that had existed there in the past.
Tiberias
Tiberias is one of the cities in the Galilee that is sacred to Judaism and Christianity. It contains numerous churches, among them the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, which is named after an event in the New Testament in which Jesus performed the miracle of feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Tiberias is also home to the Tomb or Rabbi Hiyya, who was a Jewish Rabbinic sage of the Tannaim known for his unique style of teaching Torah, which involved the students teaching each other. Another of Tiberias’ numerous attractions is the Tiberias Hot Springs which contains ancient natural springs, pools, and Turkish baths.
Golan Heights
The Golan Heights is located in the northern tip of Israel. It is a scenic mountainous region with nature reserves, views, and historic archeological sites. Among the beautiful nature reserves in the Golan Heights is Gamla, a place where eagles nest. The Golan Heights is also home to Mount Hermon, Israel’s tallest peak where you can ski in the winter and bike or hike in the summer.
Old Acre (Akko)
The coastal city of Acre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a fascinating historic legacy. In the ancient walled city you will find remnants from the city’s past, traces of the civilizations that had previously inhabited it, and the remarkable structures they had built. The old castles, citadel, churches, mosques, and synagogues make Acre one of the county’s most unique and memorable tourist destinations. Among Acre’s many other attractions are its vibrant Oriental markets, scenic beaches, port, and annual festivals.
Walls of ancient Akko at night
Safed (Tzfat)
Tzfat is one of Israel’s four holy cities, and was once the center of Kabbala. Now it is still an ancient city of mysticism and spirituality, with many artists living there. Its mountaintop setting provides beautiful scenic views of the Galilee and fresh mountain air. Wandering through its charming narrow alleyways, stone houses, and colorful synagogues you will find the artists’ ateliers and shops.
Beit She’an National Park (Scythopolis)
This is an interesting archaeological site where Roman ruins are preserved in a national park. Here you will see the ruins of ancient bathhouses, an amphitheater and impressive columns. Visitors will get a glimpse of how people lived in the past. At night the park presents a multimedia projection that brings the ruins to life.
Arbel Cliffs
This cliff is a great place to climb with amazing scenic views of the Sea of Galilee. There are many trails that you can hike to get to the cliffs, and those that don’t like hiking have the option to drive up Mount Arbel and then hike for just a few minutes.
Alma Cave Tour
Take a tour of the dark and winding Alma caves for some fun and adventure. The caves tours include rappelling, rope swinging, rock climbing and spelunking in the dark cave with headlamps. This is attraction also offers different tracks for those who don’t want to do extreme sports such as rappelling.
Useful Tips
- When visiting the Galilee’s religious sites, it is recommended to check the opening hours and entrance requirements
- National park sites generally close at 5 P.M. in the summer, 4 P.M. in the winter, and even earlier on Friday and holiday eves
- Many of the North of Israel’s beautiful spots are not so easily accessible by bus or trains, so it is recommended to rent a car
- If you don’t feel like biking and renting a car is not an option, you can hop on the free “Around the Sea of Galilee” bus line, which runs from Tiberias to all of the Sea of Galilee beaches
