Tell us the day
Which hotel you're leaving from, what matters most, how many of you, and whether you want a guide.
Galilee · Nazareth · Day trips
The Galilee and Nazareth.
Most people arrive expecting desert and are surprised by the north: green hills, a freshwater lake you can swim in, hilltop towns, and roads that are genuinely beautiful to drive. It is far enough from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem that the day is mostly about how well the driving is organized.
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What's up there
The Sea of Galilee. Freshwater, ringed by hills, and much smaller than people imagine — you can drive around the whole thing in an afternoon. Tiberias sits on the western shore. For Christian visitors the northern shore holds Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Tabgha within a few minutes of each other.
Nazareth. A working Israeli city with the Basilica of the Annunciation at its centre and a genuinely good food scene in the old market. It is busier and less picturesque than most visitors expect, and more interesting for it.
Tzfat. A hilltop town of stone alleys, blue doors, synagogues, and artists' studios — the historic centre of Jewish mysticism. Small enough to walk in an hour and one of the most photographed places in the country.
The Golan. Volcanic plateau, wide views, wineries, and a landscape that looks like nowhere else in Israel. The lookouts over the Galilee are the reward for the drive.
The countryside itself. Between all of the above there are olive groves, vineyards, and empty road. This is the part of the trip people don't plan for and then talk about afterwards.
One day, or two?
Honestly: the north deserves two, and one is what most people have.
In one day, from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, you can do two of the four comfortably — the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth, or Tzfat and a Golan lookout. It is a long day with a lot of driving, and it works if the driving is planned properly and you leave early.
With a night up north, it becomes an entirely different trip. You wake up in it, the driving stops being the main event, and you can add a winery, a boat, or a proper lunch without watching the clock.
We'll tell you which is realistic for your dates. If one day is what you have, we'll help you pick the two things worth doing rather than fitting in four badly.
For Christian visitors
The Sea of Galilee's northern shore, Nazareth, and the sites around them are a central part of many Christian itineraries, and we drive them regularly.
RT Tours coordinates the vehicle, driver and licensed guide around your group’s interests. If you are travelling with clergy or a guide already, we work with them on the visits, timings and meeting points. You can bring the program or ask us to help organize its travel and guiding arrangements.
How it works
We come back with a plan and a written quote
The realistic route for one day or two, the driving order, and where the long transitions sit.
The car is at the door
It can remain with you for the confirmed hours; the vehicle, driver, and waiting scope are written into the quote.
Questions about the north
Can we do the Galilee in a day from Tel Aviv?
Possibly, depending on your hotel, stops, traffic, and pace. We will shape the day around a realistic number of destinations and say when an overnight would be more comfortable.
Can we swim in the Sea of Galilee?
Yes — it's fresh water and there are proper beaches, mostly on the western and northern shores. Bring a towel; not every beach has facilities.
Is Nazareth worth the stop?
If the Basilica or the food market interests you, very much. If you're expecting a preserved historic village, it isn't that — it's a real city.
We're a Christian group. Do you provide a guide?
Yes. We arrange a licensed guide for your group’s interests and language, alongside the vehicle and driver. If you already have clergy or a guide travelling with you, we coordinate the day with them.
How long is the drive?
The starting hotel, stops and traffic determine the driving time. We estimate the route for your date and help decide whether a day trip or an overnight in the north fits better.
Plan the north
Send your date, hotel, party size, and whether you have one day or can stay overnight.