Northern Israel Travel Guide: Galilee, Golan and Beyond

Summer 2025 in Israel - Part 3

The north is the area in Israel that has been inaccessible for a while. Now, as the region begins to reopen and families return, the air is filled with both relief and resilience. Farmers are tending to their fields again, local cafés are reopening, and the roads are once more dotted with travelers rediscovering this breathtaking part of Israel.

The north is made up of large open spaces, the most stunning views, natural beauty, rolling hills, wineries, and historic sites, religious landmarks,

just to name a few things that make it so special. It is also home to complete ancient villages, modern towns, and the most beautiful landscapes you can see in all of Israel. The hiking trails here are endless, the water excursions are just amazing, and that’s without even mentioning the Sea of Galilee—and all of its glory. 

Life in the north has always moved at a gentler pace, shaped by agriculture, community, and deep ties to the land. It’s almost like this is the place where you can see huge open views, and you just breathe differently—you automatically relax just by looking out in front of you. 

Driving up to the North:

The idea was to cover as much land and have as much fun as possible, so drive up one way and back the other.

The Jordan Valley is actually the lowest valley on earth! It goes from 212 meters below sea level, starting at the Sea of Galilee,  to the Dead Sea, which is 400 meters below sea level.

This is a huge agricultural area. The date trees seen while driving through are just amazing. We also spotted many technologically advanced greenhouses. Make sure to look out the window when driving through here!

Caffe Rotem
This restaurant is set high up on a mountain top in the Jordan Valley. It seems like a hidden gem, until you can’t even find parking. At the entrance to this restaurant, you will find a massive line out the door, with tons of people waiting. The food is delicious, the ambiance is amazing, and the view is spectacular.

Emek Hamaayanot

Also known as the Valley of Springs, is a beautiful region in northern Israel, situated near Beit She'an.

Here you will find several springs, streams, and lush green landscapes—those are the 3 things that define the true character of this area. 

Gan Hashlosha,

otherwise known as Sachne, is one of the most popular nature sites in Israel, and with that comes heavy crowds. You will find numerous green areas perfect for picnicking, as well as warm, natural springs that feed pools that are always 82°F (28°C). These spring-fed pools feed into gently cascading falls, including small splash pools and a natural “Jacuzzi” effect just below the waterfalls. This is another one of those places that can only be found in Israel- it is unique to the terrain, unique to the area, and tons of fun for the kids.

Hamaapalim Halevanim

This is not to be confused with “Hamaapal Halavan” in the Golan.

These are manmade waterfalls, but it doesn’t take away from how beautiful it is. In Israel, whether it's man-made or natural is irrelevant; the main factor is that you can cool off in the water.

This is an easy, shallow trail, with rushing waters—super fun for kids—and again, we don’t have anything similar to this in Miami.

The Golan

Home to waterfalls, volcanic soil, amazing hikes, all with a rugged background—

from a distance, you can see the Sea of Galilee. Home to many archeological ruins, cliffs, fresh fruits you can pick yourself, and gorgeous, dramatic views, we took advantage of it all. 

Fun Fact: You can even ski here in winter!

Ein Keshatot

Our visit to this national heritage site was nothing short of captivating. Nestled within its grounds is a synagogue that dates back to the 6th century. After nearly a decade of meticulous 3D laser scanning and digital documentation, the synagogue has been reconstructed, stone by stone. Unlike the remnants of mosaic ruins found elsewhere, here you have the unique opportunity to step inside the structure of the synagogue itself. The entire reconstruction process took around 15 years, underscoring the commitment to preserving such historical treasures. This site is strategically located near an important trade route that once connected villages from the Golan Heights to the Jordan Valley and the Galilee region. As you explore, you’ll also encounter a spring and the remnants of an aqueduct that once supplied water to the town, adding to the rich history that surrounds this site.

Fun Fact: One quarter of all ancient synagogues in Israel are located in the Golan—about 30 synagogues have been found, dating back to the Roman and Byzantine times.

Dura Coffee Cart
When driving through Israel, you always have to keep your eyes peeled—this is how we stumbled upon this beautiful coffee cart located inside a greenhouse in the small moshav of Nov. I saw a handwritten poster with an arrow leading me to the coffee cart. Food trucks/ coffee carts have been popping up as the new cool and trendy dining option all over Israel.

Eucalyptus tree on the way…

Besides keeping your eyes peeled for hand-written posters, I also recommend you look for this sign with an eye.   

This indicates a lookout point or viewing area. The radiating lines represent the field of vision or a scenic viewpoint. You’ll find them at or near places called מצפה (Mitzpeh), which is Hebrew for "lookout." You might also see it on trails or natural areas offering a panoramic view. 

This sign is how we stumbled upon the opportunities to climb tall eucalyptus trees, soak our feet in a shallow spring, and avoid running into hundreds of people with the same idea.

The Black Waterfall of Nahal Elal

Located in the southern Golan area, you can hike down a mountain to see the waterfall and then climb back up. We saw blackberries, figs, and pomegranates along the way. The waterfall is formed from black basalt rock, similar to the one we saw incorporated into Castel’s work at his museum. It’s a steep hike, but so rewarding once you get there. 

The Galilee

I believe that the most beautiful area in all of Israel is the Galilee- filled with green rolling hills, lots of farmland, vineyards , stunning landscapes, and within it the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee- the largest freshwater lake in Israel. It also holds a lot of spiritual significance and important history. It’s like Israel’s little slice of Italy. The pace of life here is just slower- and you can feel the calm immediately.

Kinneret Boat Ride

The Sea of Galilee is the lowest freshwater lake on earth and provides water to most of the country. This is a great place for water activities, especially since the water is warm and so beautiful. 

Pagoda
This restaurant is reminiscent of my childhood—I have been eating here for as long as I can remember. 

The Dishon ATV Tour

When visiting Israel, I always recommend an ATV tour. Each one has its own flair, making it unique in its own way. On this specific ride, we visited  Keren Naftali- a beautiful lookout point where you can see the Hermon (the most northernmost peak mountain of the Golan), the wind turbines of the Golan, the Hula Valley, Shmurat Hahula, and Agamon Hahula, all from a super high standpoint. The wind turbines of Ramat Hagolan and the view are just out of this world. The terrains here change from views as high as an airplane (550 meters high to be exact), to greenery, to rugged rocky cliffs.

The Western North/Upper Western Galilee

This is the area where we connected the western Galilee with the coastline of Israel—and eventually to the southern part of the north.

Keshet Cave

This was a bucket list item for me for a very long time. You can just walk and see the view, and even that would be worthwhile, but you can also rappel down and then hike up, which is not for the faint of heart. 

This isn’t actually a cave; it’s more of a natural arch or bridge. The views are spectacular and you can see the green of the Galil, up to the Golan. The hike itself makes it all worthwhile and makes you appreciate the natural beauty of Israel as well. 

Tosha Bakery
This delicious bakery is only about 20 minutes from there, serving high-quality pastries, sandwiches, and all mixed with unique flavors. Local, organic, fresh, in a cozy setting—a perfect place to stop in.

The only issue I have with the north…

is that there is so much to see here that instead of crossing things off my list, I ended up just wanting to see it all. I keep wanting to discover more, and spend more time here. 

It’s interesting to note a juxtaposition that exists in Israel: 

1- It's new to me, but has been around for over 1000 years.

2- It's new to me, but these same methods (think art, wine making, farming, candle making, etc) have been used for over 1000 years. 

As summer came to a close, I was left with a deeper sense of connection, one that will always be strengthened every time I visit. I was also left with the excitement of the next time, knowing Israel will always have more to discover, experience, taste, and savor. 

As a travel planner, part of why I do what I do is to give people the gift of time. Time to experience, time to relax, time to be present and enjoy the ride—all instead of spending time working out the logistics. 

I always try to take time to recharge, reset, and just go out and explore. There is so much to see all around us—you just have to dig a little deeper, and drive a little further—and so many unexpected places and experiences open up. 

Well, this wraps up our Israel Summer Travel Guide! If you haven’t checked out Parts 1 & 2 of our journey, you can read them here for even more Israel travel tips and hidden gems.

Planning a trip?

Check out my Globe Thrivers profile

We’ve partnered with Globe Thrivers — a smart travel platform that helps you turn inspiration into real plans. You can explore our past itineraries, save places you love, and use AI to build your own trip.

Once you’ve started your plan, I’ll step in to help customize it, book everything, and make sure it’s all synced in one easy-to-access spot. Let’s start planning your next adventure!

Is this still a bit too overwhelming?

Piecing small cute places together is “Camp Lisa's” specialty. Customizing the stops along the way or creating an itinerary just for you is what Camp Lisa’s all about.

Want more?

Follow me on

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE