Upper Galilee and the Golan
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Upper Galilee and the Golan - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Nimrod's Fortress National Park
The dramatic views of this towering, burly 13th-century fortress, appearing and disappearing behind each curve of the narrow road that leads to it, are part of the treat of a visit to Nimrod's Fortress (Kal'at Namrud), the largest surviving Middle Ages fortress in Israel. The Mamluk warlord al-Malik al-Aziz Othman built it in 1218 to guard the vital route against a possible Crusader reconquest after their 1187 defeat. It changed hands between Muslims and Christians in the succeeding centuries, as both vied for control of the region. The fortress commands superb vistas of the Golan and the Upper Galilee, especially through the frames of its arched windows and the narrow archers' slits in its walls. Nimrod's Fortress is a highlight for kids, with a ladder down to a vaulted cistern, a shadowy spiral staircase, and unexpected nooks and crannies. A path leads up to the fortress's central tower, or keep, where the feudal lord would have lived.
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2. Ancient Katzrin Park
About 2 km (1 mile) east of downtown Katzrin, this attraction is a partially restored 3rd-century Jewish village. The Katzrin synagogue has decorative architectural details, such as a wreath of pomegranates and amphorae in relief on the lintel above the entrance. The complexity of its ornamentation reflects the importance of the city. Built of basalt, the synagogue was used for 400 years until it was partly destroyed, possibly by an earthquake, in AD 749. Two reconstructed buildings, the so-called House of Uzi and House of Rabbi Abun, are attractively decorated with rope baskets, weavings, baking vessels, and pottery (based on remnants of the originals), and lighted with little clay oil lamps.
Rte. 87, 1290000, Israel04-696–2412Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 28, includes Golan Archaeological Museum -
3. Beit Ussishkin Museum
Adjacent to the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, the Beit Ussishkin Museum has interesting exhibits about the flora, fauna, and geology of the Hula Valley, the Golan Heights, and the Jordan River. The audiovisual presentations are concise and informative. The museum is open daily, but you must make an appointment to visit on Friday and Saturday.
Off Rte. 99, 1224500, Israel04-694–1704Sight Details
Rate Includes: NIS 18 -
4. Buza Ice Cream Factory
A variety of workshops are offered at the factory of the budding artisanal Buza Ice Cream chain. The project is an Arab--Jewish partnership between Alaa Sweetat and Adam Ziv, both Galilean locals, and celebrates the produce of the region. It's also worth coming just to savor tastings from the adjacent shop, including cardamom- or chocolate-flavored specialty cones filled with seasonal sorbets and ice creams. Reservations are required for the workshops.
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5. Gamla Nature Reserve
Tour the ruins of an ancient town, look out to the cliffs at Gamla Stream canyon, and see Israel's tallest waterfall (51 meters) from an accessible lookout station at this national park and reserve. There are picturesque streams for nature walks, and varied wildlife to spot, including gazelles and nesting bird colonies. The main story of the camel-shape Gamla (the name comes from gamal, the Hebrew word for "camel") goes back to the year AD 67, when at the beginning of the Great Revolt, Vespasian launched a bloody attack here that ended seven months later, when the 9,000 surviving Jews flung themselves to their deaths in the abyss below the town. The vivid descriptions of the battle, as written by Flavius Josephus in The Jewish War, are engraved in stones along the trail site: "Built against the almost vertical flank, the town seemed to be hung in the air"—exactly the impression visitors still have as they approach the site. Because Gamla was never rebuilt, the relics of the battlefield still eerily match the ancient sources, among them the fortifications, 2,000 "missile stones," and a large number of arrowheads. From a much earlier period (probably the 2nd millennium BC), there are about 200 dolmens scattered in the area—strange basalt structures shaped like the Greek letter pi, probably used for burial. There is an excellent film on the story of Gamla at the Golan Archaeological Museum in Katzrin. The raptor observation station is fun for kids.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Manara Cliff
The Kiryat Shmona–Kibbutz Manara cable car at Manara Cliff gives you a bird's-eye view of the Hula Valley. It has one station midway on the 1,890-yard trip, where the adventurous can step out and do some rappelling and dry sliding (a roller-coaster-like activity) or try the climbing wall. Another option is to ride a mountain bike down or experience the thrill of a 600-foot zipline. If you opt to remain in the cable car, the trip takes eight minutes each way, overlooking cliffs and green hills. At the bottom are a trampoline and other attractions for kids. There is wheelchair access to the cable car and upper station.
Rte. 90, 11019, Israel04-690–5830
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