Northern District, Lower Galilee · Israel
A freshwater lake ringed by hills, where the Gospels place the calling of the disciples, the Sermon on the Mount and several of Jesus's miracles.
The Sea of Galilee, known in Hebrew as the Kinneret, is a freshwater lake of about 166 square kilometres, nearly 210 metres below sea level. It is Israel's largest freshwater lake and its main source of drinking water, and it is fed by the Jordan River, which flows in from the north and out to the south, eventually ending in the Dead Sea.
For Christians, the lake is the scene of much of the Gospel narrative. According to the Gospels, Jesus taught, healed and performed miracles on its shores, called his first disciples from among the local fishermen, and calmed a storm on the water. Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes are the principal pilgrimage sites, and they sit within a few kilometres of each other on the northern shore.
The lake also has a Jewish significance. Tiberias, on its western shore, was one of the four holy cities of Judaism and a centre of the compilation of the Talmud, and its hot springs have drawn visitors since Roman times. Today the area is a popular holiday destination for Israelis, with beaches, campsites and kibbutz guesthouses around the shore.
Why visit
The Galilee is one of the places where the biblical landscape survives most obviously, and it is also a beautiful, relaxed place in its own right.
Capernaum, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes and the Primacy of Peter chapel are all within a short drive of each other, so a single morning covers them.
You can swim, take a boat across the water, cycle the shore or simply sit by the beach, and the scenery is peaceful and green.
Roman and Byzantine synagogues, Crusader castles and Ottoman fortresses stand alongside the Gospel sites, and the surrounding area is rich in archaeology.
The Hamat Tiberias hot springs, the tombs of Maimonides and other rabbis, and the town's promenade give the lakeside a distinct character.
Nazareth, Safed, Beit She'an and the Golan are all within an hour, so the lake makes a natural base.
Main attractions
The Gospel sites are on the north-west shore. Tiberias, the hot springs and the Jordan are to the west and south.
A fishing village where, according to the Gospels, Jesus lived and taught. Excavations show a 4th- or 5th-century white limestone synagogue built over an earlier basalt one, and a Franciscan-run octagonal church on the traditional site of Peter's house.
Tip Go early, when it is quiet, and dress modestly. The site is run by the Franciscans and has a small entrance fee.
The traditional site of the feeding of the five thousand, with a Benedictine church built over a 5th-century Byzantine church that has a famous mosaic of a basket of loaves flanked by two fish.
Tip The mosaic is near the altar. Be quiet, as it is a working church.
A hillside where tradition places the Sermon on the Mount, with an octagonal Italian-built church and gardens that overlook the lake. The setting is calm and the view is superb.
Tip Modest dress is required. The gardens are lovely in spring.
A small chapel on the shore, built on a rock said to be where Jesus, after the resurrection, appeared to his disciples and told Peter to feed his sheep. Steps lead down to the water.
Tip It is quiet in the early morning.
A town founded around 20 CE and a centre of Jewish learning for centuries. It has a lakeside promenade, ancient synagogues, the tomb of Maimonides and the Hamat Tiberias hot springs.
Tip Visit the promenade in the evening, and check opening hours on Shabbat, when many businesses close.
A site on the Jordan River, just south of the lake, where pilgrims are baptised or renew their baptismal vows. It is a landscaped riverbank with changing rooms and shops.
Tip It is popular with groups, so go early. The site also claims a link to the baptism of Jesus, a tradition that is also held for sites in Jordan and the West Bank.
Things to do
The lake is a place for a slow pace, and it is at its best when you build the day around the water.
Wooden 'Jesus boats' and modern pleasure boats run from Tiberias and Ein Gev, and often include a short service or a song for Christian groups.
Tip Book in the morning for the calmest water.
Several public and hotel beaches, such as Kinneret Beach and Ein Gev, are open in summer. The water is warm, and calm on most days.
Tip Check for lifeguards and warning flags. The lake can be windy in the afternoon.
The Kinneret Trail runs around the lake for about 60 km, with marked stretches that suit walkers and cyclists.
Tip Go in spring or autumn. It is hot from June to September.
Natural hot mineral springs in Tiberias have been used since Roman times, with a modern spa and the remains of an ancient synagogue with a mosaic floor.
Tip Check the current opening times and the separate rules for men and women.
North of the lake, the Hula Nature Reserve is one of the world's great bird-migration routes, with cranes and pelicans in their thousands from October to March.
Tip Go at dawn or dusk.
All are within an hour's drive, so the lake works as a base for a broader northern trip.
Tip Start with the lake in the morning and add one other site in the afternoon.
Local food
Food around the lake is simple and local, with the lake's own fish as the highlight.
A tilapia from the lake, served whole, fried or grilled, usually with salads, chips and pita. It is the signature dish of the shore.
Where to try it Fish restaurants along the Tiberias shore and at Ein Gev.
A spread of chopped salads, tahini, labneh, olives and fresh bread, served with most meals.
Where to try it Restaurants in Tiberias and the Arab villages around the lake.
The reliable Israeli staple, good in the towns around the lake.
Where to try it Stalls in Tiberias and Capernaum.
The Galilee has a growing wine industry, and small wineries in the hills above the lake offer tastings.
Where to try it Wineries in the Upper Galilee and Golan.
Bananas, dates and citrus grow around the lake, and stalls sell them by the road.
Where to try it Roadside stands and kibbutz shops.
Kunafa, baklava and other pastries from Arab villages around the lake.
Where to try it Sweet shops in Tiberias and nearby villages.
Accommodation
The lakeside has a wide range of places to stay, from kibbutz guesthouses to pilgrim hospices and hotels. Book early for holidays and Christian pilgrimage seasons.
Transport
The lake is about two hours from Tel Aviv and 90 minutes from Jerusalem, and it is easiest to visit by car.
A car or a taxi is the practical way to link the sites around the lake.
When to go
The lake is below sea level, so it is warm for much of the year and very hot in summer. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, and winter is mild and green.
Green hills, wildflowers and warm, comfortable days. Easter brings pilgrims.
Very hot and humid, often over 35°C. It is a beach and swimming season, but sightseeing is tiring.
Warm, quiet and clear. The lake is still warm, and the bird migration begins in the Hula Valley.
Mild, sometimes rainy, and green. It is a good time for sightseeing and the hot springs, and prices are lower.
Worth planning around: Midday in July and August, and the busiest pilgrim weeks around Easter and Christmas if you want quiet.
Itinerary
The Gospel sites on the first day, and the lake, Tiberias and Yardenit on the second. Assumes a car and a base in Tiberias or on the north shore.
Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes.
The town, the water and the river.
Travel tips
The lake is peaceful, and a few tips help you enjoy it.
FAQ
One day covers Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. Two days let you add Tiberias, a boat trip and Yardenit at a relaxed pace.
No, it is a freshwater lake, about 21 km long and 13 km wide, though the Hebrew name Kinneret and the biblical name Sea of Galilee both use the word 'sea'.
Yes. There are public and hotel beaches with lifeguards during the summer. The water is warm and the lake can be windy in the afternoon.
March to May and September to November. Spring has green hills and mild weather, and autumn is warm and quiet. Summer is very hot.
The lake is a popular destination and usually calm, but it lies close to the northern border with Lebanon and the Golan Heights. Check your government's current advice before you travel.
Yes, though it is a long day of about four to five hours of driving. Staying overnight lets you see the sites without rushing.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Sea of Galilee, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Northern District, Lower Galilee, Israel
A lively Arab town with major Christian pilgrimage sites, an old-city market and some of the best food in the north.
Don't miss The Basilica of the Annunciation, the largest church in the Middle East, built over the traditional site of Mary's home.
Explore Destination — NazarethNorthern District, Upper Galilee, Israel
The highest city in Israel, a place of pilgrimage for Jewish mystical study, with an artists' quarter, cooler summers and views over the Galilee.
Don't miss The Old Jewish Quarter's lanes, with their ancient synagogues, blue doors and views towards Mount Meron.
Explore Destination — Safed (Tzfat)Northern District, Jezreel and Beit She'an valleys, Israel
Two of the country's best archaeological sites, both close to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: a UNESCO-listed tell of biblical significance, and one of the great Roman cities of the Decapolis.
Don't miss Beit She'an's Cardo, a Roman colonnaded street that runs uphill to a temple, with an intact theatre beside it.
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