The city of Tiberias, Israel, is famed as an ideal vacation destination and tourist attraction. But it’s not just in recent years that Tiberias has become known as a wonderful place to visit.
Herod Antipas founded the city in 17-22 C.E. and named it after his patron, the Roman Emperor Tiberius. In the second through tenth centuries, Tiberias was the largest Jewish city in the Galilee, the Jewish people’s political and religious hub, as well as the center of Jewish spiritual creativity.
Every year thousands of people travel to Tiberias in order to experience its fabulous resort-like attractions. Here you’ll find more than 30 hotels, everything from luxury hotels to quaint bed-and-breakfasts and youth hostels. Many of the hotels are located right on the beach, as in many popular resort towns.
Tiberias is situated on the shores of Lake Kineret, and is Israel’s lowest city, located at 656 feet below sea level.
One of the factors that makes Tiberias so attractive to visitors is its wide range of activities. Vacationers can enjoy participating in extreme water sports, visiting a family-friendly water park, cruising on a boat into a colorful sunset, or strolling on the romantic lakeside promenade. The promenade includes a variety of souvenir shops and restaurants, the latter of which are famous for serving up fresh fish pulled straight from the lake.
The fishing industry is highly developed here, and every morning you’ll see fishing boats heading out onto the lake, then later returning brimming with fish, which are then sold at the local fish market.
Tiberias is well known for its delicious food, and in addition to plenty of fresh seafood you’ll also find a popular falafel market where street peddlers vie to become the best, and most popular, falafel spot.
In addition, you’ll find four great kosher restaurants in the area: Choc Dee Thai Noodles Bar (meat), Decks (meat), Kibbutz Lavi (meat, dairy, pareve), and Pagoda (meat). My personal favorite is Pagoda, where the food is delectable, the portions are huge, and the view is glorious.
One of the area’s most well-known attractions is Habat Tiberias National Park, a site which has been known for its therapeutic and healing capabilities for over 2,000 years. In the park you will find 17 hot springs, whose waters are filled with approximately 100 naturally healing and beneficial minerals.
Now when I say “hot,” I really mean hot. The waters of the springs are naturally about 140 degrees Fahrenheit! Many visitors enjoy the hot water springs at the renowned Tiberias Springs Spa. The spa offers many luxurious and relaxing treatments that utilize the benefits of the thermo springs, and also offers a beautiful view of Lake Kineret.
Tiberias is an ideal place to visit at any time of year and during any season. With a variety of activities available that cover every interest from adventure sports to rest and relaxation, Tiberias has a little something for everyone.
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