GENERAL INFORMATION
Tiberias has been a popular destination for tourists for more than 2,000 years. As early as Roman times, this thriving recreation spa, built around 17 natural mineral hot springs more than 600 feet below sea level, welcomed visitors from every part of the ancient world. Built by Herod Antipas (one of Herod the Great’s three sons who divided up Palestine after their father’s death), the city was named Tiberias in honour of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.
Tiberias sits along the 32-mile shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. The Sea lies roughly 650 feet below sea level and is 14 miles long and 71/2 miles wide at its widest point.
Israelis call the Sea by the biblical name Kinneret
BEACHES
There are numerous beaches on the west side of the Kinnereth, opposite Tiberias proper.
FOOD
There are many good and reasonably priced restaurants in the area, offering a variety of food but particularly fish restaurants.
SIGHTSEEING
Just outside Tiberias is the ancient town of Hamat that boasts the hottest mineral springs in Israel and has not surprisingly become a very popular resort.
On the north eastern shore of Galilee you will find the ancient city of Bethsaida the traditional home of Jesus’ apostles Peter and Andrew.
About six miles north of Tiberias, you can visit Kibbutz Ginosar, the former home of one of Israel’s great statesmen, Yigal Allon.The kibbutz has a museum devoted to Allon’s life and the history of the Galilee region.
At the southern tip of the sea is Degania Aleph, Israel’ s oldest kibbutz founded in 1909.
Two miles north of Tiberias is the agricultural settlement of Migdal.This is near the ancient town where Mary Magdalene was born. Further north is the town of Tabgha one of the many sites in the Galilee where Christians of the early Byzantine period built monasteries, churches, and shrines.
About two miles south is Capernaum the lakeside town where Jesus preached, and his disciples Peter and Andrew lived.
TRANSFERS FROM BEN GURION AIRPORT
Taxis up to seven passengers take approximately 3 hours.
