Top Things to do in Galilee
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What to do and see in Galilee, Northern District: The Best Ancient Ruins
Discover the best top things to do in Galilee, Israel including Magdala, Susita (Hippos) Nature Reserve and National Park, Megiddo National Park, Kursi National Park, The House and Church of St. Peter, Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) National Park, Tomb of Rabbi Meir, The Ancient Bathhouse, Crusader Fortress Ruins, Tzipori.
Restaurants in Galilee
1. Magdala
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,128 reviews
A unique Holy Land site known as the hometown of Mary Magdalene, located at the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The archaeological site features a complete first century town from the times of Jesus. It is one of Israel´s most recent archaeological discoveries with the best preserved synagogue in the Galilee. Complementary tours of the site are available upon request. The site also features "Duc in Altum" a place for worship and prayer. Magdala is known as a crossroads of Jewish and Christian History, and will soon also feature a guesthouse in opening mid-2018.
Reviewed By RobynDavid_25 - Melbourne, Australia
This is a special place. The small excavation site contextualises the role of Mary Magdalene in the life of Jesus and is complemented by the exquisite modern church nearby, its altar a boat which appears to be sailing on the Sea of Galilee outside the window, with its mast forming a cross above. It is surrounded in the atrium by eight vibrant pillars honouring women of faith. Fr Eamon Kelly is a warm and welcoming presence. We were invited into a private room at the end of our visit where he and volunteer Rosa led the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ to our guide, Eyal Carmel. It was a delightful moment!
2. Susita (Hippos) Nature Reserve and National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By 682ofrab
It was not too difficult to walk the path up to Susita Hippos Mountain. but what an amazing surprise when you enter that ancient Roman Holy City overlooking the sea of galilee. Walking in these Roman Streets you feel as if you are walking back in time. the beautiful Roman houses and streets are made of naturla big stones. There are several Altars and temples for rituals and prayers all made of big marbel pillars with beautiful Roman carvings and art of the time. Lately the archiologist of susita Dr. Michael Eizenberg has discovered a grand Roman Theater there which makes this city of Susita a very important place. I feel this place is very powerful and special and the view from there is absolutely fantastic : you see the entire sea of galilee from there and part of the Golan Heights too. don't miss it.
3. Megiddo National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 410 reviews
This archaeological site of an ancient fortress town has revealed more than 20 layers of ruins, ranging in time from the Neolithic Period (7000 BC) to the end of the Persian Period (332 BC).
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
Also known as Tel (Hill) Megiddo, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is an historically significant ancient location of artifacts & ruins from various cultures, dating back from the Neolithic Period (7th-6th Century BC), through the Kings of Israel, and abandoned under the times of the Persians. Portions of the Canaanite City Gate remain from the Late Bronze Age as the visitor enters onto the Megiddo site, along a pathway winding up through sparse ruins. At the Northern Observation Point, a view overlooking the famous Jezreel Valley reveals the former battlefield below, where major battles occurred in the 15th Century BCE under Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III, later Alexander the Great and more recently in World War I (1918), General Edmund Allenby, who successfully fought the Ottoman Turkish forces here. Napoleon observed at Megiddo that: "All the armies of the world could maneuver their forces on this vast plain". Yes; this is the location of the final "Biblical Battle of Armageddon" and has numerous historic references within the Jewish "Tanakh" & the Christian "Bible". A former trade route that linked Egypt with Mesopotamia, this strategic site overlooks the key pass through the Carmel Mountains. This formerly fortified city used chariots for protection and its horses were sheltered in two stable complexes, whose foundations are now outlined. Most intriguing was our exploration through the protected water system and its tunnel, built under the period of the Israelite Kings, within the former walls of Megiddo. A 10 minute film prior to your tour explains the history of Megiddo and its archeological excavations. A visit to Megiddo is awe-inspiring and should not be missed!
4. Kursi National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By teddy1014 - Brooklyn, United States
Beautiful surrounding as it feels a bit off the beaten path for other Sea of Galilee tours. The ruins is well-preserved, with most of its mosaics intact, and the church still has a bit of its Cupola left. Much fewer tourists in this area
5. The House and Church of St. Peter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
Interesting architectural feat to erect a church above the ruins of the ancient home of St. Peter. Through a glass viewing area in the floor of the church above, the visitor can observe a direct view into the home of St. Peter below. Although the church structure is futuristic in design, it does offer the visitor an interesting perspective. Located within Capernaum, this is a definite must see for the Christian pilgrim while touring The Holy Land.
6. Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 529 reviews
National park and remains of a fishing village from the time of the Second Temple, on a site that was the focus of Jesus’ Galilee ministry.
Reviewed By GreenThumb331 - San Fernando, Philippines
The town of Capernaum is cited in all four gospels to have been the hometown of the tax collector Matthew. Nearby is Bethsaida, the hometown of the apostles Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. It is very likely that Jesus stayed in the house of one of his followers here. He certainly spent time teaching and healing there. One Sabbath, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum and healed a man who was possessed by an unclean spirit. This is also the place where Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion who had asked for his help. Capernaum is also the location of the healing of the paralytic lowered by friends through the roof to reach Jesus. According to the Gospels, Jesus selected this town as the center of his public ministry in Galilee after he left Nazareth. He also formally cursed Capernaum, because of their lack of faith in him as the Messiah. The ruins of Peter’s house and the synagogue are located in this national park. The ruins lay undiscovered until 1838, when a visiting scholar gave this description: “The whole place is desolate and mournful”. Today an ultra-modern Catholic church, perched on eight sturdy pillars, hovers protectively over an excavation site. It is believed to have been the site of Peter’s house, where Jesus would have lodged. Near the church, a partly reconstructed synagogue is believed to have been built on the foundations of the synagogue in which Jesus taught. Erected in the 4th or 5th centuries, this impressive structure with ornately carved decorations is the largest synagogue discovered in Israel. This was an unexpected surreal experience to be able to retrace the steps where Jesus walked.
7. Tomb of Rabbi Meir
8. The Ancient Bathhouse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 70 reviews
9. Crusader Fortress Ruins
10. Tzipori
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
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