Things to do in Tiberias
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Hammat Tiberias National Park
Israel's spa craze actually has a 2000-year-old history which started at the hot springs of Hammat Tiberias when, during Roman times, they were the focus, if not raison d'être, of a community of 40,000 fervent bathers. Check out the history of the site at the Hammat Tiberias National Park, which features a small museum in what was originally part of a Turkish bathhouse. The main highlight is a synagogue dating from the 3rd to 5th centuries AD, which has a beautiful zodiac mosaic floor.
Much has been made of the mosaic's curious mix of Jewish and pagan symbols, but somehow this seems quite apt in Tiberias, a town that, historically, seems to have been able to reconcile th…
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Tomb of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon
The tomb of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon is the final resting place of the Spanish physician, also known as Maimonides or Rambam, who worked in the court of the Muslim ruler Saladin. This revered rabbi, who died in 1204, was one of 12th-century Egypt's most highly regarded sages. Legend has it that before his death in Cairo, he instructed followers to load his remains onto a camel and bury him wherever the camel expired. The camel was apparently drawn to Tiberias.
Next to Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon's tomb lies Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakkai, the Holy Land's most eminent sage at the time of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem. Ben Zakkai is said to have faked his own death, escaping the ci…
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Tiberias Beaches
Water pollution, lack of water…there's a never ending list of problems facing the Sea of Galilee, but what really seems to aggravate both locals and travellers the most is the illegal privatisation of the beaches. Some stretches of shoreline are now completely fenced off, with owners charging up to ₪120 for a bit of fun in the sun.
Most of the beaches immediately around Tiberias are owned by hotels, which do at least provide facilities such as changing rooms and showers. If you don't like the idea of paying for access, either head for the harbour wall to the south of the Radisson Moriah Plaza Hotel, or leave Tiberias altogether and walk or take a bus further south, be…
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Church & Monastery Of The Apostles
By the water's edge, south of the Radisson Moriah Plaza Hotel lies the Church & Monastery Of The Apostles. This Greek Orthodox complex is on the site of a Byzantine monastery that was destroyed by the Persians in the 7th century. Since then the complex has been rebuilt and destroyed numerous times; the buildings standing today date from the late 19th century but have been restored as recently as 1975.
Three monks live here and they'll usually admit visitors who ring the bell. There are four chapels beyond the pleasant, walled courtyard. One chapel is dedicated to St Peter, one to the disciples, and one to Mary Magdalene; the one in the ancient round tower is dedicated to …
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St Peter's Church
Hidden along the northern promenade it is worth looking out for the lovely Franciscan church built by 12th-century Crusaders. The Muslims converted it into a mosque, and you can make out an area of uneven stone on the southern wall filling in the hole where a mihrab (prayer niche indicating the direction of Mecca) was carved. Later, the Turks used the building as a caravanserai before it was rebuilt as a church in 1870. .
Its two features are the boat-shaped nave, a nod to St Peter's piscatorial profession, and the courtyard built by the Polish soldiers stationed here during WWII.
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Torrance Restaurant
If you're not staying at the Scots Hotel then a meal at the Torrance Restaurant - preferably on the verandah to take in the spectacular views - should be on the list. The menu changes daily and the dishes are filled with fresh Galilee produce such as the ubiquitous St Peter's fish, herbs from the kitchen garden and local cheeses. The impressive cellar has a selection of boutique Galilee wines.
The food is pretty good, but it's the setting, in the original Scots Hospital building, and the chance to have a sticky beak around the rest of the property that is the real attraction.
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Al-Amari Mosque
As out of place as a pin-stripe suited gent at a teenage rave, the dignified little Al-Amari Mosque looks threatened and lost squeezed between some gaudy shops and a brusque concrete supermarket. Built by Daher al-Omar in the mid-18th century, the mosque is one of the very few buildings in Tiberias that predates 1948. It is generally held that its construction was partly paid for by the town's Jewish community, presumably grateful to the sheikh for being permitted to return.
The mosque stands forlornly abandoned, and no one appears to have any plans to utilise its potential.
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Tomb of Meir Ba'al Hanes
One of Judaism's holiest sites is the Tomb of Meir Ba'al Hanes, the 2nd-century rabbi who helped to compile the Mishnah.The tomb is marked by two synagogues: Sephardic, the one on the left with the white dome; and Ashkenazi, with the blue dome. In the courtyard of the Sephardic synagogue is a pillar topped by a large bowl, and four days before the Lag B'Omer holiday a bonfire is lit here on the Pesah Sheni (second Passover).
Crowds of religious Jews visit throughout the year to pray and it is a belief that God will answer the prayers of pilgrims with personal problems.
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Pagoda
Taking the road north out of town it's hard to miss the Pagoda restaurant, so incongruous is the faux-Chinese temple and its glitzy red-and-gold interior, located right on the Sea of Galilee. If you keep kosher, the Chinese-Thai dishes are a step above what usually passes for Asian food elsewhere in the country. If you don't, be prepared for a very Israelised version of things with an unadventurous menu featuring sweet and sour chicken, Pad Thai and sushi. Definitely reserve a table in advance.
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Decks
We recommend a 24-hour crash diet before surrendering to the charcoal grill at this legendary steakhouse, where it really is possible to have five different animals on the table at one time. House favourites are the tender pieces of baby lamb, goose liver and filet mignon, slowly roasted on the hickory grill and served with locally grown vegetables. Desserts such as the crepe flambé with apple and cinnamon are truly gluttonous but worth saving room for.
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Galilee Experience
Jesus, Napolean and the Israeli General Moshe Dayan are all stars of the Galilee Experience, an hourly film in 12 languages, which recounts the historical, political and geographical story of the Galilee. The 'state-of-the-art slide show' is more high school projector job than Hollywood cineplex but it gets a constant stream of visitors to the marina complex which also includes an internet café (₪10 for 30 minutes) and a souvenir shop.
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Guy
There's no view but at least it's an escape from the groups of package tourists that tend to take over the waterfront restaurants. Family-run Guy is popular with locals who dig into a menu which is supposedly Morrocan-inspired but actually runs the gamut from chopped liver to Iraqi kibbeh (burghul - cracked wheat). It's obvious a lot of love goes into the house speciality, a delicious array of stuffed vegetables.
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Karamba's Fish Restaurant
Karamba's Fish Restaurant is another Promenade restaurant that makes a killing from their overpriced fish and meat grills, but there's nothing unpleasant about a table by the water and a taste of the Sea of Galilee speciality - St Peter's fish. It's a bony little fish but has a mild white flesh that even fish-haters seem to like, and is served grilled or fried with a pile of chips and salad.
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Galei Gil
Predictable promenade restaurants such as Galei Gil make an absolute killing with their overpriced fish and meat grills, but there's nothing unpleasant about a table by the water and a taste of the Sea of Galilee speciality - St Peter's fish. It's a bony little fish but has a mild white flesh that even fish-haters seem to like, and is served grilled or fried with a pile of chips and salad.
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Bicycles
As long as you can deal with the heat, getting around Tiberias and the lake by bicycle is ideal. The road by the lake shore is relatively hill-free and many of the sites are close together. Most cyclists do the lake circuit, which can be done in four or five steady hours. Start early (around 07:00) to beat the heat and take plenty of water because there is little shade along the road.
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Tiberias Hot Springs
The old traditions of relaxation and rejuvenation at Hammat Tiberias are maintained by Tiberias Hot Springs. It has both a health centre for people with serious skin conditions and a modern resort centre on the shore of the lake which is great for enjoying a good soak in one of the mineral baths. Treatments such as Swedish massage and mud wraps are also available.
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Papaya
More Thai Island than Tiberias, this slick little beach bar reckons it has the best cocktails in town. Weekly theme nights such as karaoke and salsa get the tiny dance floor shaking, but the best time of day is dusk when you can actually catch not only the bartender's attention, but the great sunset views over the lake.
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Gai Beach Water Park
For a real splash, spend the day at the Gai Beach Water Park which has giant water slides, including the terrifying kamikaze slide (on a 70° angle), and wave-machine-rippled pools. The water park is 1km south of the town centre. Walk or take bus No 5-Aleph (A) from the bus station.
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Yemenite Restaurant
This lively late-night fast-food joint is the place to pull up a plastic chair for your weekly quota of grease. For around ₪20 you can order a malawach, a large flaky-pastry pancake filled with either meat, mushrooms, egg or honey - making a substantial meal.
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Big Ben
Whatever the season, this old-timer continues to attract tourists and locals with its easy-going sports-bar feel. A mix of young and old enjoy cold beers and greasy bar snacks, international football highlights on the big screen, and late night action under the trees.
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Tiberias Excavations
A week long program run by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem assisting archaeologists on digs just south of Tiberias. Volunteers pay around US$350/US$450 per singles/doubles for room and board or around US$100 to camp, which includes lectures and field trips.
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House
Author John Le Carré broke the Sabbath by dining across the road from the Pagoda at the House. The two restaurants are essentially the same but the House is open on Friday nights and Saturday lunch - sans shellfish and pork of course.
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Tomb of Rabbi Akiva
A white dome covers the cave-Tomb of Rabbi Akiva. Born in AD 50, he was one of the great Jewish scholars, and was killed by the Romans for his role in the Bar Kochba Revolt (AD 132-35). Take bus number 4 from Ben Zakkai St to get to the tomb.
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Marina Complex
Home of the Galilee Experience, an hourly film in 12 languages, which recounts the historical, political and geographical story of the Galilee. It also includes an internet café (10NIS for 30 minutes) and a souvenir shop.
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Jama al-Bahr Mosque
Built in 1880 with a special entrance for those arriving by boat. The mosque stands forlornly abandoned, and no one appears to have any plans to utilise its potential.
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