Tiberias

From Wikitravel

Tiberias (Hebrew Teveriyah טבריה) is a large town located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee/Lake Kinneret in the north of Israel. The view of the lake from the hills is simply fascinating - so much water, and so blue. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Tiberias received an influx of rabbis who established the city as a center for Jewish learning. Tiberias is one of the Jewish Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Safed. It is a pleasant lakefront resort, and also a good base for visiting the Galilee and Golan (see "Get out" below).

[edit] Get in

There are buses from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nazareth, and other cities. You can also drive to Tiberias, and there are organized tours that come here.

[edit] Get around

Nearly all of Tiberias' attractions are close together and easily manageable on foot.

[edit][add listing] See

• Hamath Tiberias National Park [1] - an ancient synagogue with a beautiful mosaic floor, and a Turkish hammam. About a mile south of the central tourist area - it's worth taking a bus or taxi in summer.
• Old Cemetery with both Jewish and Muslim sections
• Rambam's Tomb - a Jewish pilgrimage site
• The Fish Market
• The Berko Park - the excavations of Roman Tiberias
• St. Peter Church - a medieval crusader church
• The Khan - this used to be Tiberias' central square with a mosque at its centre
• The Antiquities Museum - housed in the Fishermen's Mosque, now under renovation
• The Jewish Court - the site of three 19th Century synagogues at the heart of the old town
• The Scottish Compound - this used to be a small Scottish colony during the 19th century. It now houses a boutique hotel and a church.
• The Citadel - the Turkish citadel was the highest point in the old town. It now houses an art gallery.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Stroll along the promenade and catch a northern breeze
• Visit the City Spa, located within City limits and featuring thermal and sulphur pools
• Take a swim in the lake, but don't urinate in it, because the water from here is being pumped and whisked in underground pipes to central Israel for drinking by humans...
• Visit St. Peters church, this holy church was built in year 1100 and you won't want to miss it!
• Hire a bicycle and go cycling around the Kinneret lake (requires a whole day to complete the approximately 55 km circuit)
• You used to be able to take a boat from Tiberias to Ein Gev on the other side of the sea. But as of July 2009 you can only do this as part of a large group, there is no regular ferry service. The "Kinneret Sailing Company" 04-665-8008 runs the boats.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Old Tveria restaurant in the center is a really 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.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Many cheap hotels can be found across the shore and on the main street. If you do not have a booked reservation, consult any taxi driver (if you want to be ripped off).

• The Scottish House hotel. [2]. An upscale boutique hotel, right at the center and steps from the water. Best hotel in town, with restored British decor and fancy tea time tradition.

• The official H-I hostel, [3]. is located in the center of town, with a price of aprox. 18$ for one person a night.

• Backpacker Hostels in the Sea of Galilee area, [4]

• Prima Hotel (Prima Tiberias Hotel), 1 Elhadif Street, ☎ 04-6791166 (fax: 04-8559939), [5].  edit

• Royal Plaza Hotel, Ganei Menorah Blvd. The Royal Plaza hotel is situated just outside the town of Tiberias. There is a free public beach adjacent to the hotel and the Young Tiberias Spa is within walking distance.  edit

• Tulip Inn Sea of Galilee Hotel (Tulip Inn Sea of Galilee Hotel), ☎ 057-9378348, [6]. checkin: 3:00PM; checkout: 11:00AM. Tulip Inn Sea of Galilee is a pastoral resort village boasting the most tranquil of surroundings, the highest standards of hospitality, and service characterized by warmth and love.  edit

• Ein Gev Holiday Resort, (Ein Gev, on the shores of the lake), ☎ 972-4-6659800, [7]. One of the largest resorts in the area with 166 rooms.  edit

• Rimonim Galei Kinnereth, 1 Eliezer Kaplan St, ☎ +972-4-6728888, [8]. Luxury hotel with spa and private beach.  edit
• Tiberias Hostel, Rabbin Square - Hayarden Street (From the Central Bus Station, go 2 blocks east, downhill toward the Sea of Galilee. The Hostel is located in Rabin Square, on the left above the Bank,across from a large Fountain.), [9]. checkout: 10am. A wonderful owner, breakfast included in the price, five minute walk to the sea and boardwalk, awesome for travelers, 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. 85NIS.  edit

• Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Habanim St., Tiberias 14103, Israel, ☎ 972-4-6713333 (fax: 972-4-6792320), [10]. Luxury hotel  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out

See Sea of Galilee.