Tiberias (Hebrew Teveriyah טבריה) is a large resort town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.

Understand

Tiberias was founded as a Roman city sometime between 20 CE and 44 CE, and named for the emperor Tiberius. It became an important regional center, so much so that the Sea of Galilee was sometimes called the "Sea of Tiberias". During the 3rd century it became the center of Jewish scholarship in Israel, and the "Jerusalem Talmud" was in fact composed in Tiberias. From the 8th to 10th century, Tiberias was home to the Jewish Masoretes who recorded the definitive text, vowels, and pronunciation of the Bible which are used to this day. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Tiberias became an important center for Torah study again, and was regarded as one of the Jewish Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Safed.

Tiberias is now a small city focused on tourism. What most characterizes Tiberias is the lake, which presents its blue expanse from great viewpoints in the hills.

Get in

There are intercity and local buses from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nazareth, and other cities, which depart from and arrive at the 1 Central Bus Station. They usually make additional stops at certain points in the city too, ask your accommodation. Local buses, e.g. to Nazareth, are cheaper but take slightly longer.

From Jenin (and consequently Nablus and Ramallah) you can take a shared taxi (sherut/serviis) or hitch-hike to the border north (₪5-15 depending on the start) and cross on foot. Afterwards a taxi to Afula is ₪40-50. Alternatively, you can take bus 52 from the roundabout after the border into Afula (₪7.40). And from Afula take another regular bus (30, 442, 541, 840) to Tiberias (≈₪10).

Get around

Most of Tiberias' attractions are easily walkable. For most of the others, you can take a bus (from the central station) north or south along the Sea of Galilee coast.

Bus lines 5 and 15 stops at most tourist attractions, most hotels, and Big Fashion Danilof Mall.

Bus lines 37 and 39 travel from Tiberias to Poriya Hospital which located 3km south to Tiberias

See

Tombs

Tomb of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon (Rambam)

• 1 Tomb of Rabbi Akiva. In the hilly upper neighborhood of Tiberias. It's about a 2-km uphill walk from the city center, so you may prefer to take local bus 6 instead, which runs every 20 minutes. 
• 2 Tomb of Rachel  
• 3 Tomb of the Rambam  
• 4 Tomb of Meir Ba'al Hanes  

Museums

• The Antiquities Museum. Housed in the Fishermen's Mosque, now under renovation. 
• 5 Dona Gracia Museum, HaPrachim 3, ☏ +972 4 672 8900. Dona Gracia Nasi was a wealthy 16th-century Jewish woman. In 1558, the Ottoman Empire granted her control of the Tiberias region in exchange for an increase in tax revenue. She began to rebuild the abandoned villages in the area, hoping that Jewish refugees would be able to settle there. However, she died not too long afterwards in 1569. She is seen as an early predecessor of the Zionist movement, and all the more notable because female leaders were rare at the time. This museum is dedicated to her story. There is also a hotel located next to the museum, if you need a place to stay. (updated Mar 2017)

Others

• 6 The Khan. This used to be Tiberias' central square, with a mosque at its centre. 
• 7 Tiberias Castle/Fortress  
• 8 St Peter's Church  
• 9 The Scottish Compound  
• 10 Al-Amari Mosque  
• 11 Old Cemetery  
• 12 Roman theater  
• 13 Berko Archaeological Park (far south of the city). Contains ruins from the Roman (1st century) and Arab (11th century) periods, as well as a playground for kids. 

Tiberias hot springs

• 14 Hamath Tiberias National Park  
• 15 Sea of Galilee fountain-statue. Showing water level and shape of the Sea of Galilee. 
• The Jewish Court. The site of three 19th-century synagogues at the heart of the old town. 

Do

• Stroll along the promenade and catch a northern breeze
• Visit the City Spa, located within City limits and featuring thermal and sulfur pools
• Take a swim in the lake.
• Hire a bicycle and go cycling around the Kinneret lake (requires a whole day to complete the approximately 55-km circuit)
• There is no regular ferry service from Tiberias to Ein Gev on the other side of the sea, but you may be able to charter a boat as part of a large group. The "Kinneret Sailing Company" 04-665-8008 runs the boats.
• 1 Aqua Kef (Ganim beach). A water park which floats on the Sea of Galilee. Check that it is open before coming (probably closed in winter). 
• Private Hot Springs Tour. Tiberias Hostel offers private spa tours to the hot springs south of the lake. The trip goes to some unofficial springs, not the public ones with entry fee. This tour includes beer and goes when there are at least three people. ₪50 pP. 

Buy

• 1 Fish market. 
• 2 The promenade. 
• 3 Big Fashion Danilof Mall, 1 Yehuda HaLevi street. The only mall in Tiberias. 

Eat

• 1 Shawarma & Falafel (Right at the corner, 70 m northwest of Tiberias Hostel). Great little restaurant. They also have inexpensive shawarma and falafel in pita bread. ₪25 for a big plate with Falafel, Hummus and endless Salad. 
• 2 Avi's Restaurant, Ha kishon street (in front of Leonardo Club Hotel). 11:00-23:00. A very well known and famous restaurant in Tiberias. The place known for its delicious meats and its fresh fish from the Sea of Galilee. 
• 3 Old Tveria restaurant (in the center). This is really a 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. 

Sleep

Tiberias Hotel Strip

Many cheap hotels can be found along 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).

Budget

• 1 Tiberias Hostel, Rabin Square - Hayarden Street (from the Central Bus Station, go 2 blocks east, downhill toward the Sea of Galilee; the hostel is in Rabin Square, on the left above the Bank, across from a large fountain). Check-out: 10:00. A wonderful owner, breakfast included in the price, five-minute walk to the sea and boardwalk, 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. Member of ILH. Dorm bed ₪70-85 (5% discount if you book with them directly). 
• 2 Aviv Hostel, Hagalil Street 66, ☏ +972 4-672-0007. Very poor hostel, many complaints on various websites. You will not want to stay here, but just in case Tiberias Hostel is full. ₪90. 

Mid range

• 3 David Hostel, Rachel Street, ☏ +972 54-447-1022, [email protected]. Not really a hostel. A homely atmosphere, the hostel includes 10 rooms, each one with a bathroom, shower, TV & air conditioner. There are also 2 guest kitchens, a large lounge, a balcony, WiFi & laundry service. In addition, David, the owner, will happily offer you guidance and suggestions for tours in the area over a steaming cup of herbal tea or a cool glass of water. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful. ₪240. 
• 4 Golan Hotel Tiberias, Ahad Ha'am 61, ☏ +972 4-6711555, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. (updated Aug 2023)
• 5 Emilys & Aviv Hotels (Emilys & Aviv Hotels Tiberias), Sderot Eliezer Kaplan 1, Tiberias, ☏ +97246647500, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. The rich stories of our hotels began a few decades ago, and is intertwined in the story of Tiberias. Our hotels are the realization of the vision of one very special woman, Emily. whose biggest wish was to bring as many people from around the world as possible to the shores of her lovable Kinneret (The Sea Of Galilee), and make them feel at home, while enjoying the famous Tiberian hospitality.
  Emily, the founding mother of the hotels and the head of the loving family behind them, endowed amongst her loved ones the love of humanity and hospitality. therefore, when you’ll enter our gates by all that makes our hotels your home on the shores of the sea of Galilee. make no mistake - this is a hotel like no other: a hotel that makes you feel like you came home. (updated Aug 2023)
• 6 Kinar Galilee Hotel, North Eastern bank of the Sea of Galilee, Zip Code 12490, ☏ +972-4-6738822, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Kinar Galilee Hotel and Holiday Resort is located on the shores of the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee. (updated Nov 2023)

Splurge

• 7 Scottish House hotel (1 Gdud Barak). An upscale boutique hotel, right at the center and steps from the water. Restored British decor and fancy tea time tradition. 
• Prima Hotel, 1 Elhadif Street, ☏ +972 4-6791166, fax: +972 4-8559939. 
• 8 Royal Plaza Hotel, Ganei Menorah Blvd. content 2 km south of central Tiberias, on the main road. There is a free public beach adjacent to the hotel and the Young Tiberias Spa is in walking distance. 
• 9 Rimonim Galei Kinnereth, 1 Eliezer Kaplan St, ☏ +972 4-6728888. Luxury hotel with spa and private beach. 
• 10 Leonardo Plaza Hotel, Habanim St., ☏ +972 4-6713333, fax: +972 4-6792320. Luxury hotel. 
• 11 Hotel Galei Kinneret, 1 Eliezer Kaplan Street, Tiberias, ☏ +972-4-670-7070, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. The hotel is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (updated Nov 2023)

Go next

• The Sea of Galilee offers interesting destinations, easily reachable from Tiberias, including the famous and beautiful churches about 12 km northeast, and Arbel mountain northwest.
• Golan Heights is just across the lake.
• Nazareth – The largest Arab city in Israel and best known as the home of Joseph and Mary.
• Jenin – Its name means The spring of gardens. Read above on how to accomplish the trip there.
• Jericho – One of the oldest settlements in the world and the Middle East, and a great starting point for nearby Kalya Beach at the Dead Sea. Going south, stop at Belvoir Castle for a great view across the fertile Jordan valley.
• Jerusalem – Besides the Dead Sea, a central focus for most people coming to this region.

Routes through Tiberias

Eilat ← Belvoir Castle ←

S  N

→ Qiryat Shemona → Metula