Sea of Galilee: Day Trips and Tours from Jerusalem

Discover the fascinating historical and religious Christian sites around Galilee on a day tour from Jerusalem. You will visit sites where Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the apostles lived and worked.

Learn to know the places where, according to the New Testament, Jesus performed miracles, such as the multiplication of bread and fish. On your Sea of Galilee day trip, you can also visit the Jordan River with the option of receiving a memorable baptism.

Here's all you need to know about Sea of Galilee, one of the most famous destinations for day trips from Jerusalem.

How to get to the Sea of Galilee from Jerusalem?

The Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) is a warm, freshwater lake, located at the northern end of the Syrian-African Rift Valley.

Sea of Galilee from Jerusalem by public transport

Getting from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee by public transport will require changing lines at least once. Tiberias is the most preferred location for finding a local tour to the nearby historical landmarks.

From Jerusalem, to reach Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, you will have to take a direct line between Jerusalem and Afula (about two hours) and then a bus to Tiberias (one hour).

Sea of Galilee from Jerusalem by taxi

You can also use private taxis, but it’s expensive – such a trip can cost up to NIS800 (US$225) in one direction.

Guided tours to the Sea of Galilee from Jerusalem

A day tour provides you with the advantages of a guided tour with convenient means of transport.

How much does the entrance ticket cost?

Entrance fees to the churches, museums, etc. at the various places around the Sea of Galilee area are included in some tours, but in others only some of these.  

Capernaum entrance fee

• Adult: NIS10 (US$3)

Nazareth Village entrance fee

• Adults: 50 (US$15)
• Seniors and students: NIS40 (US$12)
• Children (aged 5-12): NIS30 (US$9)
• Children under 5: Free

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour?

On your day tour from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee, you will be picked up at your hotel, from where the guided tour sets out early in the morning. You will explore some of the most important holy sites in Israel, traveling along the coast via Tel Aviv to Nazareth.

In Nazareth, you will visit St. Joseph’s Church and the Church of the Annunciation, the largest Roman Catholic church in the Middle East. According to tradition, the church was the scene of the annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

Continue on via Kafr Kanna to view the Mount of Beatitudes and Church of the Multiplication of the bread loaves and fish at Tabgha. Here on the northwest bank of Galilee – also known as Kinneret – you will stop to view the lake. Kinneret is Hebrew for violin, the shape most closely resembling the lake.

You will then visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue of Capernaum, and visit Tiberias on the western shore. You will then go to the Jordan River at Yardenit, where guests are invited to receive a baptismal service. Your return to Jerusalem is along a route with views of Mount Tabor, the site of the transfiguration.

What kinds of tours are available?

Nazareth, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee day trip from Jerusalem

On this full-day guided tour from Jerusalem, you will visit the popular Holy Land sites of Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. The tour starts with Nazareth, described as the childhood home of Jesus.

Along the shore of Galilee, you will visit Capernaum, town of Jesus, and see the Mount of Beatitudes. Lastly, pass by Tiberius and visit Yardenit, on the Jordan River. The tour’s duration is about 12 hours and has a maximum of 40 participants.

Included are transport by air-conditioned coach, professional guide, food and drinks, and admissions tickets.  Pickup/drop-off are available from a few central hotels only.

Nazareth and Sea of Galilee tour from Jerusalem

Explore some of the most important sacred sites in Israel by bus from Jerusalem. The route goes via Tel Aviv to Nazareth, and on to Cana to view the Mount of Beatitudes. You’ll visit Capernaum and the Jordan River at Yardenit, and finally return to Jerusalem past views of Mount Tabor.

The tour provides a professional guide, air-conditioned coach, pickup and drop-off, entry  fees to Capernaum, and food and drinks.

Christian Sea of Galilee, Cana, Magdala and Mount of Beatitudes tour

Experience the Galilee Christian landmarks on this full-day tour from Jerusalem to Galilee. Visit Magdala, the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, and see the remains of an ancient Biblical era fishing village.

Around the northern end of Galilee, you’ll pass the Mount of Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount site. Then follows Cana, mentioned often in the Gospel of John and see the Wedding Church of Cana. With the tour completed, you will be taken back to your hotel.

The tour cost includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle, food and drinks, and insurance. This tour has a maximum of 40 persons.

2-day tour to Sea of Galilee plus Golan Heights

This 2-day trip from Jerusalem explores the northern side of Israel, including Golan Heights, where you can find hot springs, dormant volcanos and the famous Mount Bental.  You will then travel to Nazareth on Day 2 and experience being baptized like Jesus in the Jordan River.

How much does it cost?

These full-day guided tours from Jerusalem that will take you to Nazareth, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River cost from US$100 per two adults to about US$120 per two adults.

The 2-day tour that includes Golan Heights costs around US$340 per two adults and includes a tour guide, overnight accommodation, transportation and breakfast.

What will you see on a Sea of Galilee day trip from Jerusalem?

The tour gets underway to Mt. Precipice before arriving in Nazareth in the Galilee region, which was the home of Mary and the childhood home of Jesus, based on the New Testament.

Here you will visit some of Nazareth’s key religious sites, including the Church of Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary. You will also visit the historical site of the Church of St Joseph, believed to stand on the site of Joseph’s carpentry workshop.

The route goes along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and passes by the historical city of Kfar Cana, and you will see the Mount of Beatitudes. In the Kfar Nahum National Park, you can explore Capernaum, home of the Church of the Multiplication.

You will pass by Tiberias before arriving in Yardenit on the Jordan River, the sacred baptism site. If you wish, you can partake in the customary Christian baptism ceremony on the Jordan River.

Returning from here, your route passes Mount Tabor, known in Christian folklore as the Mount of Transfiguration, before the trip finishes back in Jerusalem.

When is the best time to visit the Sea of Galilee?

The best time to visit the Sea of Galilee is spring (March, April and May) or autumn (October and November) with temperatures still around 20 degrees Celsius. Temperatures are usually higher around the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee.

September and October, however, are the busiest months in the Jewish calendar. The temperature of peak summer months (July and August), are over 30 degrees Celsius and closer to 40 degrees Celsius at Galilee.

Are there any tours to the Sea of Galilee from other cities in Israel?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Israel:

• Day Trips to Sea Galilee from Tel Aviv

Travel tips

• These tours are not suitable for children under the age of 5.
• Bring comfortable shoes.
• Sun hat and sunscreen.
• Wear modest dress for holy sites.