Israel, Tiberias: description, history, sights and reviews of tourists

The city of Tiberias (in Israel) is located on the south-western shore of the Sea of Galilee, which shakes its beauty. He is the fourth in the list of the most visited tourist centers.

A bit of history

Tiberias is one of the ancient cities in Galilee and is included in the four sacred places for Jews along with Jerusalem, Safed and Hebron. It was founded two thousand years ago by King Herod. According to historical accounts of Tiberias, the ancient name of the city, was erected in 17 BC. E. In the very place of Galilee.

One of the main events in the history of Tiberias is the destruction of the Second Temple and the subsequent expulsion of the Jewish people from Jerusalem. It was at that time here that the spiritual center of the country was formed. In Tiberias there was a meeting of the Sanhedrin, the famous Jerusalem Talmud was completed, there lived many outstanding religious figures of the country and the whole world.

But prosperity did not last long. In the 12th century, the city was almost completely destroyed. It was rebuilt only four centuries later. Today, two important areas of the city are medicine and tourism.

The climate of the area

The weather in Tiberias can be described as extremely soft. It's never cold, the temperature rarely drops to -10 degrees. Most often it keeps at a mark from 0 to +8. In summer the air warms up to +36 degrees.

Tiberias for tourists

Today Tiberias is synonymous with rest. Ancient history is harmoniously combined with modernity. Tourists here are invited to engage in active sports, become healthier, tune in to a romantic mood with one's half, and visit unique sacred places along unique tourist routes.

Attractions Tiberias

In this city there are a lot of interesting places, and there is a wide variety of recreation. But there are mandatory points for any excursion program, where you can visit and yourself.

Here is the main list of what to see in Tiberias (Israel):

• Monastery on the mountain of the Sermon on the Mount. The height of this hill is just over 100 meters. In the early 20th century, there were excavations by monks here, as a result of which parts of the ancient cathedral were discovered. A modern architectural monument was erected only in the 30s of the last century. One of the most beautiful places in the monastery is a small hall, the walls of which are painted with icons, and in the center stands a beautiful throne. The upper part of the cathedral is decorated with colored stained-glass windows, on which the Latin letters are written commandments.
• The town of Capernaum. It is near Tiberias. According to historical information, Capernaum is a city native to many holy apostles. Today it is the national protected area of Israel, where about 500 people live permanently. Tourists here can see the historical monument itself and several monasteries.
• Saint Paul's Cathedral. It is located in the center of Tiberias. The main feature of this place is that the prayer hall and the church altar are made in the form of a boat designed for fishing. On the stained-glass windows decorating the interior of the cathedral, there are also scenes of fishing for Paul.
• Hot Springs. They are located near Tiberias. Tourists here are invited not only to swim and improve their health, but also enjoy a stunning view of the Golaniya hill. In the park opposite the health complex, you can walk and explore the ruins of ancient bathing complexes.
• Mount Barniki. There is a national protected area "Switzerland", which is very popular with tourists. The nature of this park is significantly different from the local area. Wooded thickets, numerous bushes, forests and lakes - all this, rather, resembles a recreation area in any European town. In addition to natural, this offers wonderful views of other attractions of Tiberias (Israel): various monasteries and churches, seascapes, the city itself.
• Hamat-Tiberias National Park. It is located in the southern part of the city. Here you can walk and admire the remains of the oldest synagogue, which was erected somewhere in the 3rd century AD. E. It was destroyed, rebuilt and again destroyed by an earthquake. In addition to architectural monuments in the park there are still about 20 hot springs.
• Scottish hotel-museum. Hotels in Tiberias (Israel) a large number. But only one is an architectural landmark. This is a whole hotel complex, which also houses a restaurant and a swimming pool. The building is more than a hundred years old. Everything is done in the style of the past, and the premises convey the original appearance of the old building.
• The Jewish Court. Only passing through the gate, you can appreciate the beauty and significance of this place. Each building and structure that is inside has its own unique history, which can tell about the life of Jews in the Jordan Valley.
• Falling tower. It is located in a fortress wall near the sea coast. The peculiarity of its structure is a sign of neglect of the building, therefore the tower does not represent a special value for the inhabitants of Tiberias. Near the monument there is a temple, inside of which there is a small interesting exposition.

Active kinds of entertainments

Tiberias is not only a historical center with many attractions.

There is also a lot of entertainment that suits those who do not like to sit still:

• Motor boat and water skiing;
• Diversified water activities;
• Beaches that can be visited all year round;
• Cycling along the shores of the lake;
• Kayaking along the Jordan River;
• Walks and horseback riding.

Other types of leisure activities

The convenient location of the city allows you to travel with excursions to neighboring Galilee and the Golan. Here you can personally touch the important in the history of the country monuments of architecture and learn many interesting things.

Romantic thirsty people are invited to go on an exciting voyage through the Kinneret. Particular charm of a sea walk is given by the fact that it occurs in the moonlight. Also among tourists a wellness complex with hot springs, the temperature of which is 50-60 degrees, is quite popular. They contain a solution of bitter salt and sulfur-hydrogen gas, which has medicinal properties.

Walking through the numerous streets, you can get acquainted with local shops, where a variety of items and souvenirs are sold. Tired of shopping is worth looking into the neighboring restaurants, where they serve fine dishes and desserts.

Reviews of Tiberias (Israel)

Every year tens of thousands of tourists visit Tiberias to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, a kind of national shrines, and also have a good time.

From the reviews of tourists can make a few recommendations that will be useful for future travelers:

• Those who wish to fully enjoy local historical sights are advised to hire a guide. This opens the possibility not only to receive satisfaction from what has been seen, but also to gather a lot of interesting information.
• You should definitely try the restaurants of the local cuisine, prepared from fresh seafood.
• Hot springs are one of the main points, they should be visited regardless of the purpose of the visit to Tiberias.
• To find out all the interesting places, it is worth to rent a car, as well as to make bicycle or horseback riding.
• One of the most picturesque places in Tiberias is the fish market. It works daily, and here you can buy fish and other seafood caught early in the morning.
• For parking near the hotel after eight in the evening you do not need to pay. This helps to save money on traveling by private car.
• The largest concentration of restaurants and shops is located on the main boulevard, leading to the center of Tiberias from the Old Town.

Where to stay in Tiberias?

Hotels in Tiberias (Israel) are the most diverse. There are both five-star hotels with Luxs, as well as budget apartments in youth-style guest houses.

The second most popular, after the Scottish Hotel Museum, is Casa Don Gracia. Here, in addition to the beautiful apartments made in the interior of past centuries, there is a museum dedicated to this lady. This woman is considered a saint by the Jews, since she saved not one hundred from the persecution of the Spanish Inquisition.

Apartments "Gilboa" in Tiberias (Israel) are also quite popular among tourists. They are located 1 km from the Sea of Galilee and within walking distance to local city attractions. At the same time housing prices here are average.

Many hotels offer accommodation in hot mineral springs and various spa treatments.

How to get to the city

Tiberias has a convenient location, and you can reach it from almost all major cities in Israel:

• From Jerusalem the distance is 115 km;
• From Tel Aviv - 103 km;
• From Haifa - only 47 km.

To get to the city and back you can transfer from the hotel, by taxi or by shuttle bus. From Tel Aviv to Tiberias, it will take about two or three hours. So much to get to Jerusalem. It takes about an hour to Haifa. Buses arrive and depart from the central bus station. From there also goes free transport, plying around the Sea of Galilee.