Surprising Tiberias: An Urban Vacation Rich in Attractions and Tourist Experiences
Tiberias? Yes, definitely Tiberias... In days when the longing to bathe in the Sea of Galilee grows, Tiberias offers a refreshing and surprising alternative. The city, which many know mainly for the lake, is revealed as a destination rich in history, culture, culinary delights, and entertainment, inviting travelers and the general public to discover a fascinating destination that will enrich any vacation.
One of the special places in the city is the Dona Gracia Museum, located inside the Dona Gracia Hotel—a concept hotel bearing her name on HaPerachim Street. This is a living museum, the only one of its kind in the world, designed with inspiration from the 16th century and simulating the palace of Lady Hanna Nasi—known as Dona Gracia, a powerful woman who cared for the Jews of the world. Visitors to the site, which opens by appointment, enjoy an independent tour accompanied by an app and dive into the Renaissance period.
This is a paradise for Instagram and TikTok enthusiasts, who can choose from over a hundred period costumes adapted for every age to stage photos that will boost their feed. The museum is open daily, including Saturdays, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and the entry fee is only 20 NIS per person.
Not far from there, on the Yigal Allon Promenade at the 'Madid' Plaza, operates the Tiberium—one of the most spectacular and well-known projects in the city. It is a colorful and unique audiovisual water show on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, reminiscent of world-famous shows like the one in Barcelona, and it takes place daily at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM—free of charge.
Antiquity and healing enthusiasts will find great interest in Hammat Tiberias National Park, where the city's hot springs flow and where one of the most magnificent mosaics of ancient synagogues in Israel is displayed. The site includes a beautifully preserved 18th-century Turkish bath, an exciting audiovisual presentation on Tiberias's days of glory as the seat of the Sanhedrin and the Jerusalem Talmud, and of course, experiential wading pools of spring water with healing properties. The entire path is accessible, activities take place until 9:00 PM, and on certain days, a mosaic workshop is held there at a nominal cost.
Right nearby, the Hamei Tiberias spa and resort also operates, offering a complete complex of thermo-mineral baths originating at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius straight from the earth, alongside a toddler pool, a semi-Olympic pool, a restaurant area, and a gym.
Wine lovers can visit the Berenice Boutique Winery, located on Yohanan Ben Zakkai Street inside an old, restored building from the beginning of the century, situated just minutes from the Sea of Galilee. The visit includes a meeting with the house winemaker, Gidi Bat, a tour of the winery cellars, and tastings alongside fascinating stories about Princess Berenice, the Roman period, the origins of the Amsellem-Alhadif families, and more. On Thursdays and Fridays, wine and cheese sessions are held at the site.
Another recommended stop for travelers is the Maimonides Heritage Center on Hakham Aboulafia Street, housed in a preserved basalt building that presents the life story of Maimonides and his connections with various Jewish communities. Alongside rotating exhibitions and installations, the center displays rare manuscripts and printed editions, including a Torah scroll written in Iraq on deer skin about 250 years ago.
Additionally, you can enjoy a cruise on the first electric wooden boat in Israel, the "Korazin", operated by Francis Eco Sailing, which departs from the Hof Ron Hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee by appointment.
Families and young people are also invited to visit the Tiberias Skatepark on Or HaChaim Street, a free public park for extreme sports enthusiasts overlooking the Sea of Galilee, allowing children to burn off energy while parents rest and enjoy an unparalleled view.
A visit to the city should be concluded with a culinary experience at the Tiberias Municipal Market, which offers a colorful atmosphere of fresh, high-quality produce. Particularly notable is the Fishermen's Market at the corner of HaPerachim and HaYarkon streets, where fresh fish caught by the city's fishermen in the morning are offered, alongside exotic spices from around the world. You can also dine at the Little Tiberias restaurant, Avi's Restaurant, and more.
Additionally, there is the BORA BORA Boutique Beach—an authorized beach that is one of the most stylish and beautiful in the country, with palm and bamboo trees providing a lush, natural look. You can find delicious food and a Polynesian-style bar there with a promising cocktail selection that gives you an ultimate feeling of being abroad, along with organized locker rooms and plenty of style.
And of course, one cannot visit Tiberias without stopping at the legendary Lido Beach—the beating heart of Tiberias's shoreline. Even today, it remains a tourism hub featuring leading restaurants like Pagoda and Decks, a water sports complex, and many more surprises that connect the past with the future, including meeting locals and guests bathing in the Sea of Galilee.
