Hostels in Tiberias, Israel

Tiberias is the biggest town on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and a popular holiday destination among the Israelis and the foreigners alike. The town has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, with plenty of shops, eateries, and hostels for all budgets.

There are a few affordable hostels in Tiberias. As the town center is compact enough to be crisscrossed on foot, all the hostels can easily be reached by a five to fifteen minute walk from the Tiberias bus station. The streets to look out for are HaYarden with the Rabin Square attached to its left (head towards the beach once you leave the bus station) and HaGalil (turn right off the HaYarden at the crossroads opposite the Rabin Square).

Although at the first sight Tiberias might appear as yet another tacky mainstream resort, it is at the same time very special. Firstly, the town is almost 2000 years old and served as a resort in ancient Roman times. Secondly, Tiberias is just next door to numerous Christian and Jewish religious pilgrimage sites.

The town boasts a free public Music Beach (many other beaches on the coasts of Sea of Galilee are paid), a boardwalk, and a few historical sites. In the evenings you might catch a music and lights fountain show – check for details with the front desk at your hostel. You can also inquire about a free tourist train going around the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Tiberias is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area. Once you’ve had enough of sunbathing and swimming in the holy lake - on the waters of which, according to the story, Jesus has walked in his earthly life – you may start making day trips to places like Nazareth, or go hiking around the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

To get around the area you may make use of the local buses, walk, or rent a bicycle. The total distance around the shores of the Sea of Galilee comes to about 50-60 kilometres and is easily covered by a day’s cycle or a 2-3 day hike.