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City in northern Israel
Photo: Almog, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Tiberias (Hebrew Teveriyah טבריה) is a large resort town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.
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In the hilly upper neighborhood of Tiberias. It's about a 2-km uphill walk from the city center, so you may prefer to take local bus 6 instead, which runs every 20 minutes.
Not the Biblical Rachel. This Rachel is the wife of Rabbi Akiva, who is buried in a different part of town.
Maimonides
This revered rabbi, who died in 1204, was one of 12th-century Egypt's most highly regarded sages, while working as a doctor in the court of the Muslim ruler Saladin. Legend has it that before his death in Cairo, he instructed followers to load his remains onto a camel and bury him wherever the camel expired. The camel was apparently drawn to Tiberias. Next to the grave is the Maimonides Heritage Center museum. Also buried here is Rabban Yohanan Ben Zakkai, the leading rabbi at the time of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem. Ben Zakkai is said to have faked his own death, escaping the city hidden in a coffin, and then prophesizing that the Roman general Vespasian would become the new Caesar. When the prophecy came true, Ben Zakkai was granted one wish by the new leader; a Jewish learning centre for him and students.
This 2nd-century rabbi, who helped to compile the Mishnah, is buried here. The tomb is marked by two synagogues: Sephardic (on the left with the white dome) and Ashkenazic (with the blue dome). In the courtyard of the Sephardic synagogue is a pillar topped by a large bowl, and four days before the Lag B'Omer holiday a bonfire is lit here on the Pesah Sheni (second Passover) holiday. Crowds of religious Jews visit throughout the year to pray, and it is a belief that God will answer the prayers of pilgrims with personal problems.
Housed in the Fishermen's Mosque, now under renovation.
Dona Gracia Nasi was a wealthy 16th-century Jewish woman. In 1558, the Ottoman Empire granted her control of the Tiberias region in exchange for an increase in tax revenue. She began to rebuild the abandoned villages in the area, hoping that Jewish refugees would be able to settle there. However, she died not too long afterwards in 1569. She is seen as an early predecessor of the Zionist movement, and all the more notable because female leaders were rare at the time. This museum is dedicated to her story. There is also a hotel located next to the museum, if you need a place to stay.
This used to be Tiberias' central square, with a mosque at its centre.
The Citadel
The Turkish citadel was the highest point in the old town. It now houses an art gallery.
Hidden along the northern promenade, it is worth looking out for the lovely Franciscan church built by 12th-century Crusaders. The Muslims converted it into a mosque, and you can make out an area of uneven stone on the southern wall filling in the hole where a mihrab (prayer niche indicating the direction of Mecca) was carved. Later, the Turks used the building as a caravanserai before it was rebuilt as a church in 1870.
This was a small Scottish colony during the 19th century. It now houses a boutique hotel and a church.
As out of place as a pin-stripe suited gent at a teenage rave, the dignified little mosque looks threatened and lost squeezed between some gaudy shops and a brusque concrete supermarket. Built by Daher al-Omar in the mid-18th century, the mosque is one of the very few buildings in Tiberias that predates 1948. It is generally held that its construction was partly paid for by the town's Jewish community, presumably grateful to the sheikh for being permitted to return.
With Jewish and Muslim sections.
Khirbet Qasra Atabraa
Contains ruins from the Roman (1st century) and Arab (11th century) periods, as well as a playground for kids.
Contains ruins from the Roman (1st century) and Arab (11th century) periods, as well as a playground for kids.
Israel's spa craze actually has a 2000-year-old history which started at the hot springs of Hammat Tiberias when, during Roman times, they were the focus, if not raison d'être, of a community of 40,000 fervent bathers. Check out the history of the site at the Hammat Tiberias National Park, which features a small museum in what was part of a Turkish bathhouse. The main highlight is a synagogue dating from the 3rd to 5th centuries AD, which has a beautiful zodiac mosaic floor. Much has been made of the mosaic's curious mix of Jewish and pagan symbols, but somehow this seems quite apt in Tiberias, a town that, historically, seems to have been able to reconcile the spiritual with the more earthly. The fame of Hammat Tiberias was such that in AD 110 the Emperor Trajan had a coin struck dedicated to the springs - with the image of Hygeia, the goddess of health, shown sitting on a rock, enjoying the water. The springs were also mentioned by Al-Idris, an Arab writer who lived during the Crusades, and were recommended by the Jewish sage Rambam to his patients.
Showing water level and shape of the Sea of Galilee.
The site of three 19th-century synagogues at the heart of the old town.
A water park which floats on the Sea of Galilee. Check that it is open before coming (probably closed in winter).
Tiberias Hostel offers private spa tours to the hot springs south of the lake. The trip goes to some unofficial springs, not the public ones with entry fee. This tour includes beer and goes when there are at least three people.
Great little restaurant. They also have inexpensive shawarma and falafel in pita bread.
A very well known and famous restaurant in Tiberias. The place known for its delicious meats and its fresh fish from the Sea of Galilee.
This is really a gourmet institution with reasonable prices (much cheaper than comparable restaurants in Tel Aviv). Try their filet mignon or Beef Strogonoff! An old British pub ambiance with outdoor terrace.
A wonderful owner, breakfast included in the price, five-minute walk to the sea and boardwalk, clean. Great price for all that you get. Two computers available for use with internet and video chat capabilities: no charge for usage; TV with cable, bathrooms in each dorm of four beds. Member of ILH.
Very poor hostel, many complaints on various websites. You will not want to stay here, but just in case Tiberias Hostel is full.
Not really a hostel. A homely atmosphere, the hostel includes 10 rooms, each one with a bathroom, shower, TV & air conditioner. There are also 2 guest kitchens, a large lounge, a balcony, WiFi & laundry service. In addition, David, the owner, will happily offer you guidance and suggestions for tours in the area over a steaming cup of herbal tea or a cool glass of water. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful.
Emilys & Aviv Hotels Tiberias
The rich stories of our hotels began a few decades ago, and is intertwined in the story of Tiberias. Our hotels are the realization of the vision of one very special woman, Emily. whose biggest wish was to bring as many people from around the world as possible to the shores of her lovable Kinneret (The Sea Of Galilee), and make them feel at home, while enjoying the famous Tiberian hospitality.
Emily, the founding mother of the hotels and the head of the loving family behind them, endowed amongst her loved ones the love of humanity and hospitality. therefore, when you’ll enter our gates by all that makes our hotels your home on the shores of the sea of Galilee. make no mistake - this is a hotel like no other: a hotel that makes you feel like you came home.
Kinar Galilee Hotel and Holiday Resort is located on the shores of the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee.
1 Gdud Barak
An upscale boutique hotel, right at the center and steps from the water. Restored British decor and fancy tea time tradition.
2 km south of central Tiberias, on the main road. There is a free public beach adjacent to the hotel and the Young Tiberias Spa is in walking distance.
Luxury hotel with spa and private beach.
Luxury hotel.
The hotel is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
The only mall in Tiberias.
There are intercity and local buses from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nazareth, and other cities, which depart from and arrive at the Central Bus Station.
Read in the guideMost of Tiberias' attractions are easily walkable. For most of the others, you can take a bus (from the central station) north or south along the Sea of Galilee coast.
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Articles and travel topics about Tiberias and Israel.
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