This is a freshwater lake in Israel known to be the place of about 90% of Jesus’ personal life and ministry. The Jordan River flows into this lake and the actual body of water is a lake, even though it’s called a sea. This is one of the most powerful experiences you can have in Israel when you visit.
How to Get There
The Sea of Galilee is about 3 hours north of Jerusalem city, and 40 minutes east of Nazareth city. Since this location is several hours outside of the city, the public bus transit is much more complicated to take out of the city. Private drivers are available in Israel but are very expensive and cost around $300 to go 200km anywhere. With those kinds of
Transportation
Rent a Car-
Cars can be rented for around $300 a week. The cost of gas in Israel is about $8 a gallon. The mileage and gas add up, but this is a good option if you’re splitting the price with several people.
Private Driver-
If needed to, you could at least get a private driver to take you 3 hours north to Nazareth. There are a lot of tour groups that leave from Nazareth. This is a good option if you can find a tour group you like leaving from Jerusalem.
Group Tour
There are group tours to see the Sea of Galilee, which easier on the budget and much simpler than driving yourself. One of the best tours takes you to the Sea of Galilee tour and Golan heights through Abraham Tours for $80 per person, which is run
Cost: $80 per person
Time: 7am-5pm (10 hour full day tour), meals not included
- View the stunning Sea of Galilee from the heights of Tiberias
- See the biblical sight of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes
- Visit the ancient fishing village of Capernaum, the town of Jesus
- Walk around the Banias Nature Reserve (Hermon Stream)
- Taste superb wines from one of Israel’s finest boutique wineries
- Scan the horizon from Mount Bental as you overlook the Syrian side of the ceasefire line.
- Take a refreshing swim in the cool waters of the Sea of Galilee from a full facility beach
Boat Tours
Boat tour prices on the Sea of Galilee differ between companies. A reasonable price is between $15 and $25, you shouldn’t pay more. The duration of a boat tour is between 40-60 minutes, unless they declare it differently before the tour. Use these as your foundation when dealing with the tour groups and guides to get a fair deal. Below are the top 3 boat tour companies.
Galilee Sailing
This boat company is in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. They have ancient boats for groups and individuals from 1-400 people. These are the same models and structures of the 2000 year old boats that Jesus would have taken on the Sea. This is one of the top rated of all water sports and boat companies in Galilee on Trip Advisor. The reviews and experiences are very positive. Their facebook with pictures can be found here.
Hours: 7-11:30 pm Sunday-Thursday, Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday 8pm-11:30 pm
Cost: unlisted
Holy Land Sailing
Holy Land Sailing is a smaller boat company out of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. This company has wooden boats built as replicas of the wooden boats that Jesus and his disciples would have sailed in for your tour. They are rated as the number 3 water sports company in Galilee on Trip Advisor. This company has 7 boats that fit 45-150 people. For more
Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm daily
Cost: unlisted
Sea of Galilee Worship Boats
This company has boat tours in Tiberias, Ginosar, Tabgha, and Capernaum offering a lot of different options. Most of the tours leave from Tiberias, so this group is nice because it gives you some
Hours: 8am-dusk daily, sunrise and night times are available if you contact him
Sailing time: 1 hour (most other companies are only 45 minutes)
Cost: unlisted
Contact Details
Daniel Carmel: 972-54-6864247
Office telephone: 972-4-8700773
Office fax: 972-4-6708355
Email: Daniel@seaofgalileeworshipboats.com
Where to stay
Tiberias Hostel: solo travelers & backpackers
If you are a solo traveler or backpacker, then Tiberias Hostel is a great option. It is centrally located, modern, and budget accommodation, and you can walk throughout the city, to the sea, and to get food. They have a cool rooftop hangout area. This place definitely draws a younger crowd and is a hip environment. The rooms and bathrooms are clean and there are bike rentals nearby, and a cheap breakfast you can add. This is the spot to stay if you are a backpacker or young travelers looking to meet other people and enjoy shared living.
For more information and booking at Tiberias Hostel, click here.
Cost: private room $99usd/night, dorms $20-25 USD/night
Shirat Ha-Agam : Couples
We recommend this place for couples because it is a slightly lower-end hotel, but is still super nice and fairly priced while still located in the city center. This place has a beautiful rooftop pool with amazing views. It’s hard to find a pool like this on a budget place in Israel. Shirat Ha-Agam actually has nicer rooms than some of the more expensive
For more information and booking at Shirat Ha-Agam, click here.
Cost: $42USD/night (double room 2 people)
Panorama : budget hotel
For more information and booking at Panorama Hotel, click here.
Cost: $61USD/night double room 2 people
Where to eat
Avi’s Restaurant
Great traditional middle eastern food that is local and fresh. Top rated lamb kabob and homemade falafel. Also known for their steak and so much more. The hospitality and service here is top rated and is the number one restaurant on Trip Advisor in the city.
Hours: 11:30am-11:30 pm daily
Cost: $$-$$$
Little Tiberias
Little Tiberias is a Mediterranean restaurant and steakhouse rated number two on trip advisor. They are known for their sea bass and tender beef filets. This is a more spendy restaurant, in the $30-$40 range for a meal, but it is a quality place. This is not as much a cheaper budget restaurant.
Hours: 12pm-10:30 pm daily
Cost: $$-$$$
Deck’s Restaurant
This is a barbeque restaurant, steak house, and Mediterranean food higher-end restaurant. This place is known for its hummus, lamb chops, filet steak and kosher food.
Hours: 12pm-11pm daily
Cost: $$-$$$
BBB Burgus Burger Bar
This is the best beef burgers and brews in the area making it a great taste of home if you are missing some western food on your trip. They are known for their special spicy ketchup, and the burgers are thick and come with a good portion of fries, tater tots, or other goodies. They also have delicious slider options.
Hours: 12pm-12am daily
Cost: $$-$$$
