Green, lush, and dense with farms and vineyards, Galilee encompasses much of northern Israel—including the biblical Sea of Galilee, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed city of Acre, and the Baha’i shrines of Haifa. Christians and Jews alike will find plenty of things to do in Galilee, including two of Judaism’s four holy cities, Safed and Tiberias. Christians flock to lus Capernaum, Magdala, and Tabgha, and to Jesus’ hometown Nazareth, Yardenit, where some believe he was baptized. But you don’t need to be religious to enjoy the region’s cheese, wine, and fresh produce.
Northern Israel has a mellower, more Mediterranean climate than the Red Sea coast, but the July-August summer peak and the Christmas boom bring large crowds to Galilee hot spots. Late spring (mid-March through May) and early fall (September through mid-November) are generally the sweet spots, but watch out for the Sukkot and Passover school breaks: Sukkot usually falls in late September or early October, and Passover usually falls in April or late March.
Coastal Haifa and Acre have rail connections, but there’s currently no train service in the Sea of Galilee area. Regular bus services link important cities and towns such as Tiberias, Safed, and Nazareth, but reaching smaller spots like Capernaum on public transit is time-consuming. To tick off Galilee’s New Testament sites, vineyards, and lakeside beaches, join a tour to cover more attractions in less time.
Nestled in the hills of Galilee, the Goats with the Wind restaurant offers delicious dairy and organic produce in palm huts during summer and by an open fire in winter. The founders keep a large herd of goats and produce organic cheeses inspired by Italian and French originals—not to mention making their own red wine. You can live on the farm, volunteering work in exchange for food and board—although the minimum commitment is one month.
