42 Best Sights in Upper Galilee and the Golan, Israel

One of the most stunning parts of Israel, this reserve contains gushing waterfalls, dense foliage along riverbanks, and the remains of a temple dedicated to the god Pan. There are two entrances, each with a parking lot: the sign for the first reads "Banias Waterfall," and the other is 1 km (½ mile) farther along the same road and is marked "Banias."

The Banias Spring emerges at the foot of mostly limestone Mount Hermon, just where it meets the basalt layers of the Golan Heights. The most popular short route in the reserve is up to the Banias Cave, via the path that crosses the spring. Excavations have revealed five niches hewed out of the rock to the right of the cave; these are what remain of Hellenistic and Roman temples, depicted in interesting artist renderings. Three of the niches bear inscriptions in Greek, mentioning Pan, the lover of tunes; Echo, the mountain nymph; and Galerius, one of Pan's priests. All early references to the cave identify it as the source of the spring, but earthquakes over the years have changed the landscape, and the water now emerges at the foot of the cave rather than from within it.

The reserve offers three interconnected hiking trails—ask for the English-language trail map and advice at the cashier's booth. One, which passes a Crusader gate, walls, and moat, takes about 45 minutes. The second, also about 45 minutes, explores the magnificent 1,613-square-foot palace complex dating to the 1st century AD and the reign of Herod's grandson, Agrippa II, on top of which are the ruins of what is thought to have been the marketplace of the day: a string of single chambers along a well-preserved section of wall might well have been shops. The third is a 90-minute trail leading past the Officers' Pool, built by the Syrians, and a water-operated flour mill, to the thundering 33-meter-high Banias Waterfall. The trails are spiced with the pungent aroma of mint and figs, and studded with blackberry bushes. If time is short, you may prefer to take a brief walk to the falls, return to your car, then drive on to the second entrance to see the caves and the spring where the Hermon Stream originates. The cost of admission covers entry to both sites.

If you're ready for a real hiking challenge and can have a car waiting at the other end, a long, very steep trail leads from the parking lot at the Banias Nature Reserve through the oak and thorny broom forest up to Nimrod's Fortress, a 40- to 60-minute climb.

Come for the wine, stay for the delicious tapas, and find yourself hours later still at Lotem for the good company, live music, and valley views. At this organic winery, a tour and tasting includes learning about organic grapes in Israel and about why the winery plays music to the barrels and bottles 24/7. The winemaker, Jonathan, can also whip up some of the region's tastiest ceviche, fish kebabs, and salads to balance the elegant red blends. The restaurant is open on the weekends and tasting tours are possible throughout the week with advance reservations. The winery is 45 minutes by car south of Mount Meron.

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.

An Australian-trained winemaker named Tal Pelter aspired to bring his modern oenology training and methodology to the Israeli market. Starting with a yearly release of 4,000 bottles and rapidly increasing production to more than 100,000 bottles, Pelter is now one of Israel's most beloved wineries. In addition Pelter makes cognac, arak, and brandy, which he offers as part of the intimate winery tours; both wine and cognac pair nicely with his wife's homemade goat cheese—also available for purchase.

This wildlife sanctuary is hard to beat for sheer natural beauty, and it also contains Tel Dan, an important archaeological site; allow an hour or two for a visit. A river, the Dan Stream, surges through it, and lacy trees provide shade. A host of small mammals lives here—many partial to water, such as the otter and the mongoose—as well as the biblical coney, also known as the hyrax. Tel Dan is home to Israel's largest rodent, the nocturnal Indian crested porcupine, and its smallest predator, the marbled polecat. The reserve has several hiking trails, and a raised wooden walkway is wheelchair accessible.

Dan was a majestic city in biblical times. According to Genesis, Abraham came here to rescue his nephew Lot and, five centuries later, Joshua led the Israelites through the area to victory. Fine ruins from several epochs lie here. Among them are the 9th-century BC city gate and the cultic site where King Jeroboam set up a golden calf to rival the Jerusalem Temple. Just inside the city gate is the platform for a throne, where the city's king pronounced judgment. One of the site's most extraordinary finds is an arched gateway dating from the 18th-century BC Canaanite period, more than a millennium earlier than scholars had previously thought.

This spacious Sephardic synagogue is named for a 14th-century Spanish scribe whose Torah scrolls found their way here with the Spanish Jewish exiles 200 years later. A look around reveals several differences between this synagogue and its Ashkenazi counterparts: for example, the walls are painted the lively blue typical of Sephardic tradition, and the benches run along the walls instead of in rows (so that no man turns his back on his neighbor).

Every detail is loaded with significance. There are three arks—for the three forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (the one on the right is said to be the Abuhav original)—and 10 windows in the dome, referring to the Commandments. The charmingly naive illustrations on the squinches (supports) include a depiction of the Dome of the Rock (referring to the destruction of the Second Temple) and pomegranate trees, whose seed-filled fruit symbolizes the 613 Torah Commandments. The original building was destroyed in the 1837 earthquake, but locals swear that the southern wall—in which the Abuhav Torah scroll is set—was spared.

For a bit of history head to Ahuzat Dobrovin, near the entrance to the Hula Lake Nature Reserve. The Dobrovin family, Russian immigrants who moved here in 1909, once owned this reconstructed farmhouse. The property was eventually donated to the Jewish National Fund and opened to the public in 1986. An exhibit in the former family home highlights the old days of the Hula Valley, and a short video provides context. A pleasant garden surrounds the property.

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.

Set in the city's old Arab Quarter, the Artists' Colony was established in 1951 by six Israeli artists who saw the promise hidden in Tzfat's war-torn condition. For them, the old buildings, the fertile landscape, and the cool mountain air fused into the magic ingredients of creativity. Others soon followed until, at its peak, the colony was home to more than 50 artists, some of whom exhibit internationally. Many galleries host workshops as well as exhibits, and many are open only in the spring and summer, from about 10 am to 6 pm.

A family business in every sense, father and son work together harvesting grapes at the Assaf Winery. The wines feature seven varieties that are harvested separately—and by hand—to maintain strict control over every cluster. A visit to the family's "wine village" can also include lunch at daughter Adi's adjacent restaurant. Call to make a reservation to visit.

In summer, the stream that gives this nature reserve its name slows to a trickle because the water is channeled away to irrigate crops. In winter, though, the water gushes, becoming a beautiful backdrop for hiking trips. Two trails meander through the reserve; the shorter one, taking about half an hour, begins and ends in the lower parking lot and goes to Tanur (Oven) Falls, the most famous of the reserve's four waterfalls. The longer one, taking 1½ hours, begins in the upper parking lot and leads downstream.

This winery sells 5,000 bottles of its kosher wine, made using traditional methods, each year. The grapes—mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay—are grown in basalt soil 3,280 feet above sea level. The wines' distinctive flavor comes from being aged in French oak barrels. Owner Ofer Bahat is happy to divulge information and tastings can be arranged in advance.

The interior of this ancient house of worship, which resembles that of other Galilean synagogues of the Talmudic period (3rd to 8th centuries AD), is less well preserved than the impressive exterior. Rows of pillars in the prayer hall apparently served as supports for the ceiling, and the building may have had a second story. A section of the facade's lintel, now in the Louvre in Paris, contains the Hebrew inscription "May there be peace in this place, and in all the places of Israel. This lintel was made by Jose the Levite. Blessings upon his works. Shalom." Allow at least an hour to wander around or bring a picnic and enjoy it on one of the tables.

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.

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. 

Tucked among art galleries, the charming Caro Synagogue appears quite run-down, but it is considered one of the Old City's most interesting destinations by those who feel a deep spiritual connection to the great scholar who lent it his name. Rabbi Yosef Caro arrived in Tzfat in 1535 and led its Jewish community for many years. He is the author of Shulchan Aruch, the code of law that remains a foundation of Jewish religious interpretation to the present day, and this synagogue is said to have been his private study hall. It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1837 and rebuilt in the mid-19th century. If you ask, the attendant might open the ark containing the Torah scrolls, one of which is at least 400 years old. A glass-faced cabinet at the back of the synagogue is the geniza, where damaged scrolls or prayer books are stored (because they carry the name of God, they cannot be destroyed). The turquoise paint here—considered the "color of heaven"—is believed to help keep away the evil eye.

In Talmudic times, hilltop bonfires here served as a beacon to surrounding communities, heralding the beginning of the lunar month, the basis for the Jewish calendar. In the 12th century, the Crusaders grasped the strategic value of this setting and built the Citadel. The Muslim sultan Baybars conquered it in 1266, leaving only the scattered pieces you see today.

The Jewish settlement outside the Citadel's walls grew and prospered during and after the Crusader era, becoming a center of Kabbalah studies. When the departing British Mandate forces left the town's strategic positions to the Arab forces, the remains of the Citadel again became a battleground between Jews and Arabs.

Producing more than 15 blends and varietals in a yearly production of one million bottles, this is one of Israel's largest wineries. The tour in the modern, well-designed visitor center begins with an overview map of the six Upper Galilee vineyards, continues with a look at the modern press and stainless-steel storage tanks, and then moves to the tasting room for a sampling of whites, a rosé, and reds. End the tour on the balcony with its panoramic view of vineyards and hills.

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.

An important stop in a tour of the Artists' Colony, the works inside this large space are a representative sample of the work of Tzfat's artists, ranging from oils and watercolors to silkscreens and sculptures, in traditional and avant-garde styles. The permission of the Muslim authorities was required to organize the exhibition, as it is housed in the old mosque, easily identified from afar by its minaret. The Artists' Colony has recognized the growing presence of artists from the former Soviet Union, and the adjacent building holds the Immigrant Artists' Exhibition. In either facility, if any works catch your fancy, just ask directions to the artist's gallery for a more in-depth look at his or her work.

This museum has a fascinating collection of animal bones, stones, and artifacts that put the region into historical and geographical perspective. Among the exhibits is a Bronze Age dwelling reconstructed from materials excavated nearby. Don't miss the moving film on the last stand at Gamla, the "Masada of the North," during the Jews' Great Revolt against Rome in AD 66. The museum reveals how it was rediscovered by archaeologists 1,900 years later.

This winery caught the world's attention with its award-winning Yarden, Gamla, and Golan labels. The area's volcanic soil, cold winters, and cool summers, together with state-of-the-art wine making, have proven a recipe for success. The shop sells the full line of wines, including the Katzrin Chardonnay, the Yarden Gewürtztraminer, and the Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as sophisticated accessories for the oenophile. Call in advance about a tour of the winery and a tasting; the winery offers a number of options.

The large number of monuments to fallen soldiers in the Golan is a reminder of the region's strategic importance—and the price paid to secure it. Among the easily accessible sites, where pre-1967 Syrian bunkers give a gunner's-eye view of the valley below, is the Golani Lookout, known in Arabic as Tel Faher, in the northern Golan. Here you can explore the trenches and bunkers that now stand silent.

This Ashkenazi synagogue has associations going back to the 16th century. It's named for a rabbi who left an indelible mark on Judaism: Isaac Luria, known to all as the Ari, Hebrew for "lion" and an acronym for Adoneinu Rabbeinu Itzhak ("our master and teacher Isaac"). In his mere three years in Tzfat, he evolved his own system of the Kabbalah, which drew a huge following that would influence Jewish teaching the world over. Even more astounding is that he died in his thirties; it is generally said that one should not even consider study of the Kabbalah before the age of 40, when one reaches the requisite level of intellectual and emotional maturity.

The pale colors of this tiny Ashkenazi synagogue contrast sharply with its olive-wood Holy Ark, a dazzlingly carved tour de force with two tiers of spiral columns and vibrant plant reliefs. The Sephardic Ari Synagogue, where the rabbi prayed, is farther down the quarter, by the cemetery. The oldest of Tzfat's synagogues, this 16th-century structure has especially fine carved wooden doors.

Unveiled in 1886, this public park was created at the request of philanthropist Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Olive and almond trees and fragrant herbs like rosemary are planted in terraces on the hillside so that you can enjoy shade and a tree-framed view of the valley below.

This centuries-old three-story stone building, at the northern end of Keren Ha'yesod Street, houses a historical museum that offers great insight into the daily life of Jews in Tzfat over the past 200 years. Textiles, tableware, and Judaica-like ornate menorahs are displayed with notations in Hebrew and English. Guided tours are available by appointment.

More than 390 avian species flock to the Hula Lake during the migration season (fall and spring), and some remain here for the winter or to nest, which makes this nature preserve a prime spot for bird-watching. The park offers an 8.5-km (5.2-mile) trail with bird-watching huts along the way. Bicycles and golf carts are available for rent. The tractor-drawn safari wagon allows visitors to see otherwise restricted sections of the park. Sunrise and night tours are available for 85 shekels, as are private guides for 350 shekels. Note that this is different from the Hula Nature Reserve (www.parks.org.il).

"Defenders' Square" was once the social and economic heart of the Old Jewish Quarter. A sign points to a two-story house that served as the command post of the neighborhood's defense in 1948—hence the plaza's name.

Part of Tzfat's charm is its setting, on the slope of a hill. This ma'alot, or stairway, which extends from Yerushalayim Street to Keren HaYesod Street, forms the boundary between the Old Jewish Quarter and the Artists' Colony. It is named for Tzfat freedom fighters executed by the British during the Mandate.

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.