Tiberias, Israel: travel guide
Lakeside promenade, hot springs and holy tombs on the Sea of Galilee
A lakeside town on the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), a base for Christian pilgrimage sites around the lake, Jewish holy tombs, hot springs and water sports.
About Tiberias
Tiberias is a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, known in Hebrew as the Kinneret. It is one of Judaism's four holy cities, and it makes a handy base for exploring the sites around the lake.
The lakeside promenade is the place for fish dinners and a stroll at sunset, and the old town has holy tombs of rabbis and scholars. Nearby, Christian pilgrimage sites such as Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes are an easy drive, and you can swim or take a boat out on the lake, or relax in thermal waters.
Tiberias suits pilgrims and families looking for a quiet lakeside stay. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit Tiberias, as summers can be very hot.
- Country
- Israel
- Currency
- ILS
- Time zone
- Asia/Jerusalem
Last updated
Top places to visit in Tiberias
Tomb of Maimonides (Rambam)
Jewish holy tomb · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The hilltop grave of the great medieval Jewish sage and physician Maimonides (the Rambam), one of the most-visited Jewish pilgrimage tombs in Israel.
Hammat Tiberias National Park
Hot springs & antiquities · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₪28 (≈ ₹870)
Hot mineral springs on the lake's edge with a fine Roman-era synagogue mosaic of the zodiac, spa pools and the remains of ancient bathhouses.
Arbel National Park
Cliff & national park · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry ₪28 (≈ ₹870)
A dramatic cliff above the northwest shore with cave fortresses and one of the best panoramas over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights.
Yardenit Baptismal Site
Baptism site · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A landscaped spot where the Jordan River leaves the Sea of Galilee, a popular place for Christian pilgrims to be baptised or renew baptismal vows.
Mount of Beatitudes
Christian holy site · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A hill above the northern shore of the lake, the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount, with an octagonal church in tranquil gardens overlooking the Kinneret.
Tabgha – Church of the Multiplication
Christian holy site · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene Benedictine church on the lakeshore over the traditional site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, famous for its early Byzantine floor mosaics.
Capernaum (Kfar Nahum)
Archaeological & Christian site · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₪15 (≈ ₹470)
The lakeside town where the Gospels place much of Jesus's Galilean ministry, with a white limestone synagogue, the "House of Peter" and a modern memorial church.
Ancient Galilee Boat (Yigal Alon Museum)
Archaeology museum · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry ₪25 (≈ ₹780)
At Kibbutz Ginosar, a museum displaying the "Jesus Boat", a 2,000-year-old wooden fishing boat recovered from the Sea of Galilee.
Sea of Galilee Promenade
Lakefront · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Tiberias's lakefront boardwalk along the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), with restaurants, boat docks and swimming spots on Israel's largest freshwater lake.
Things to do
- Sea of Galilee Boat Cruise Boat · 1 h · from ILS 70 per person
- Christian Galilee Sites Day Tour Day Trip · 6 h · from ILS 300 per person
- Mount Arbel Cliff Hike Hiking · 3 h · from ILS 120 per person
- Hammat Tiberias Hot Springs Spa Spa · 2 h · from ILS 150 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sea of Galilee Christian Sites 8 h · from ILS 340
Where to stay in Tiberias
- City Center & Promenade about ILS 700 per night
Central Tiberias along the Kinneret waterfront, close to restaurants, boat docks and the promenade.
Hotels
- The Scots Hotel 5-star · ILS 1,500 to ILS 2,900 per night
- Rimonim Galei Kinnereth 5-star · ILS 1,300 to ILS 2,600 per night
- Leonardo Plaza Tiberias 4-star · ILS 700 to ILS 1,300 per night
- Tiberias Hostel 2-star · ILS 180 to ILS 420 per night
Where to eat
- Decks Grill, Mediterranean, Israeli · about ILS 210 per person
- Galei Gil Seafood, Mediterranean, Israeli · about ILS 130 per person
- Guy Restaurant Moroccan, Israeli, Mediterranean · about ILS 100 per person
- Little Tiberias Mediterranean, International, Seafood · about ILS 140 per person
Getting to Tiberias
Nearest airport: Haifa (HFA), about 46 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Boat
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Israel
Frequently asked questions about Tiberias
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Tiberias?
- The highest-rated places in our Tiberias guide are Tomb of Maimonides (Rambam), Arbel National Park, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha – Church of the Multiplication, Ancient Galilee Boat (Yigal Alon Museum).
- Where should I stay in Tiberias?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tiberias: City Center & Promenade.
- How do I get around Tiberias?
- Ways to get around Tiberias covered in our guide: Boat, City bus, Taxi, Walking.