As one of northern Israel’s most popular visitor destinations, Tiberias does not disappoint when it comes to attractions and activities suitable for family visitors and those who enjoy immersing themselves in the natural environment. A variety of parks are on offer, with the Gan HaShlosha National Park among the favourites. For the largest collection of Australian plants and animals outside of Australia itself, be sure to visit the excellent Gan Garoo Park.

Gan Garoo Park
This beautifully landscaped park is an ideal family day-out destination, with younger visitors especially, who are certain to enjoy its animals residents. The four-acre park features a large collection of animals indigenous to Australia, including flying foxes, wallabies, emus, and kookaburras. The kangaroo collection is particularly impressive, with 45 specimens covering seven different varieties. There are also Australian plants in the park, including more than 38 kinds of eucalyptus trees. 
Phone: +972 4 6488060

Gamla Nature Reserve
The ideal destination for enjoying a pleasant stroll or a spot of hiking, the Gamla Nature Reserve is a relatively large greenbelt area on the edge of the ancient town of Gamla, close to Tiberias. Walk among the almond trees and the Judas trees and if you’re lucky, you might spot a fox, a boar, a gazelle or a porcupine along the way.

Gan HaShlosha National Park
Situated close to Beit She'an and reachable easily from Tiberias by hire car, Gan HaShlosha is a favourite destination with locals and visitors alike since the section of the Amal River that cuts through it offers temperatures of around 28°C all year. The natural pool in which the river water collects is a popular spot for swimming, but the river itself is calm enough for paddling too. Back on dry land there are picnic tables, a museum and a children’s playground. 
Phone: +972 4 658 6219; www.parks.org.il/ParksENG/company_card.php3?CNumber=421650  

Jordan Park
Another of Tiberias’s pleasant nature areas, Jordan Park, or Park Ha’Yarden as it is otherwise known, is the ideal place for families and independent visitors alike to enjoy a picnic or a leisurely walk. The Jordan River cuts through the park and is great for cooling down on days when the mercury climbs to the top end of the scale.

Sailing on the Sea of Galilee
One of the most popular summer activities in Tiberias is taking a cruise on a ‘Jesus boat’ on the Sea of Galilee. The vessels used are based on the design of an ancient boat found in 1986 that is though to date back to the time of Christ, hence the endearing name. Tours usually last around an hour and take in some of the sea’s most attractive sights, including Genesaret, Tabgha and the Bay of Sermon.

Yehudiya Nature Reserve
This pleasant natural park is a favourite with locals for its easy hiking opportunities along the banks of the Zavitan River. Routes are clearly marked and there’s even a small guidebook available at the park’s entrance. Highlights of the walks include the natural pools with their unusual hexagonal rock formations that resulted from lava flow many years ago.

Religious sites dominate Tiberias’s cultural attractions to some extent, but you needn’t be religious to appreciate them, as they are all historically significant also. The Greek Orthodox Monastery and St Peter’s Monastery are both eye-catchers and sure to please architecture enthusiasts, while the Dona Gracia Museum and Municipal Museum are crammed with interesting artefacts and exhibits and will appeal to museum lovers.

Dona Gracia Museum
A cross between a museum and a hotel, this interesting visitor centre tells the story of Portuguese-born Beatrice de Luna, the lady who made use of her inherited affluence to rescue hundreds of Jewish refugees from the perils of the Spanish Inquisition. 
Phone: +972 4 6700930; www.donagracia.com/DonaGracia/DonaHouse/english/donagratzia.htm

Greek Orthodox Monastery
A religious building of one description or another has stood on the site of the Greek Orthodox Monastery since the 200s AD century, although the present building dates to 1862. The monastery lies south of the Municipal Museum and presents an architectural style typical of 19th-century Greek religious structures.

Mount of Beatitudes
Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount was allegedly delivered on this hill, on which an Italian convent now stands. Domestic and overseas pilgrims alike consider this holy site one of Israel’s most important. If you’re not religiously inclined, you can still appreciate the beauty of the convent with its splendid central dome.

Municipal Museum
Located a short walk south of Tiberias’s monastery and housed in a former 19th-century mosque, the Municipal Museum is the town’s chief centre for the study of the history of the area. The museum’s collection features an interesting selection of archaeological artefacts found in digs in the town and its surrounds.

St Peter’s Monastery
Close to the lakeside promenade and a short distance southeast of the Crusader Castle, St Peter’s Monastery is a structure that was erected in the late 1800s. Franciscan in design, the monastery offers highlights such as its magnificent cloister and an apse shaped like the bow of a ship, the latter feature intended as a tribute to the boat of St Peter the fisherman.

Israeli cuisine is a mix of Middle Eastern influences with those of the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. As a result of these different styles coming together, the local dishes are diverse and mouth-wateringly tasty, making dining out in Tiberias a great experience.

Few visitors leave the country without sampling the likes of the delicious hummus (chickpea dip) and falafel (deep fried chickpea dumplings) and most visitors in fact find that once they have tried these local favourites, they can’t get enough of both. For real enthusiasts, the falafel complex close to the town’s fish market is a must.

The town’s downtown area is among best places to head for eating out. Here you’ll find an excellent selection of eateries that includes both traditional Israeli and international venues. Popular establishments serving local cuisine include Little Tiberias, Café Amaer and Café Shemesh, all situated on the main street. For Chinese and East Asian cuisine, the Sahara restaurant in the same area is well worth trying. Also worth visiting for its restaurant selection is the boardwalk area.

The town’s shopping scene is a mixed bag, with both traditional markets and a shopping centre with modern stores selling popular branded goods. The town does not have any specific goods that it’s famous for producing. However, visitors will find the typical selection of Israeli clothing, handicrafts and artworks that are available in most of the country’s big cities.

Head for the large open-air market, central to the town, if you want to find fresh produce or locally made edible delicacies, while the boardwalk is arguably home to the best purveyors of souvenirs.