Tiberias is a lakeside city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Kinneret, about 150 km north-east of Tel Aviv. Egged buses from Tel Aviv Central Bus Station take about 2 hours 15 minutes and cost roughly 45-60 ILS each way; line numbers should be confirmed on egged.co.il. A rental car takes a similar time. There is no train and no public service on Shabbat, and the long journey makes an overnight stay worth considering.
The city was founded around 20 CE and became a centre of Jewish learning after the second century, and it is one of Judaism's four holy cities. The Tiberias Promenade runs along the lakefront with restaurants, cafes and boat departures. Sights include the tombs of Maimonides and Rabbi Akiva, the ancient Roman and Crusader walls and the Hammat Tiberias National Park with its mosaic floor and hot springs heritage. Around the lake, visitors can reach Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes and Kinneret beaches by car or tour. The lake itself offers swimming at designated beaches.
A workable day plan takes the early bus to arrive by about 10:00AM, strolls along the promenade and visits the old town sights, then eats St Peter's fish, a local tilapia, at a lakeside restaurant. The afternoon is left for a swim at a Kinneret beach or a boat ride, with a late-afternoon bus south. Since travel eats about 4.5 hours, a day trip leaves limited time for the surrounding Christian sites, and visitors wishing to see Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes should stay overnight or join an organised tour.
The best months are March to May and October to November. Summer in the Jordan Valley is very hot, often exceeding 38 degrees Celsius. The promenade is free, and lakeside beach entry costs about 20-40 ILS. Sunscreen and water are important.
| Distance | 150 km north-east |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 2 hours 15 minutes by bus |
| Getting there | Egged bus from Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to Tiberias (about 2.25 hours, 45-60 ILS (approx $15-20) each way; confirm lines on egged.co.il); no service on Shabbat |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Tiberias Promenade, Tiberias, Israel |
How to get there
- Mode
- Egged bus
- Cost
- 45-60 ILS (approx $15-20)
- Frequency
- Several departures a day; none on Shabbat
- Mode
- Rental car
- Cost
- 200-350 ILS (approx $66-115) per day plus fuel
- Frequency
- On demand
Location
Tiberias Promenade, Tiberias, Israel
32.7959, 35.5300 View on map
Highlights
- Tiberias Promenade on the Sea of Galilee
- St Peter's fish at a lakeside restaurant
- Tomb of Maimonides and the old city sights
- Swimming at a Kinneret beach
Tips for visiting
- Take the earliest bus to maximise time at the lake.
- Consider an overnight stay to include Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes.
- Swim only at supervised beaches.
- Avoid midday summer heat by resting in shaded restaurants.
- No buses run on Shabbat; confirm the return times before the trip.
When to visit
March-May and October-November are best. Summer is very hot, so visit in the morning and evening.
Accessibility
The promenade is flat and mostly accessible. Some old town sites and beaches have steps, and accessibility varies by venue.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the bus to Tiberias take?
The bus from Tel Aviv Central Bus Station takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. A one-way fare costs roughly 45-60 ILS.
Is Tiberias worth a day trip?
It is possible but tiring, since travel takes about 4.5 hours return. An overnight stay allows time for lakeside sites.
What is St Peter's fish?
It is a local tilapia served whole at lakeside restaurants in Tiberias. It is a traditional dish of the Sea of Galilee.