A horizon of water and hills, mild winters, a full-service town and quiet villages: the strengths — and the points to be aware of — of the lake region.
The Sea of Galilee — the Kinneret in Hebrew, also known as Lake Tiberias — offers a quality of life rare in Israel: a horizon of water and hills, ever-changing light and a calmer pace than in the centre of the country.
A unique landscape
The lake, Israel’s largest freshwater lake, stretches for some twenty kilometres, between the hills of Galilee to the west and the Golan Heights to the east. From the heights above it, the view takes in the whole lake.
The climate
Lying about 210 metres below sea level, the lake enjoys mild winters and hot summers. Hilltop villages such as Poria Illit benefit from cooler evenings.
Town or village?
- Tiberias: the town, with its waterfront promenade, shops, synagogues and services, all within walking distance. One of the four holy cities of Judaism.
- Poria Illit: a residential village on the ridge overlooking the south-western shore, about ten minutes from Tiberias, prized for its houses with views.
- The villages of Galilee: space, nature and larger plots.
Healthcare and services
Tiberias has schools, shops and public services. The Tzafon Medical Center (known as Poriya), the region’s main hospital, lies between Tiberias and Poria Illit.
Getting around
A car remains essential. Allow about an hour to Haifa and a little under two hours to Tel Aviv or Ben Gurion Airport, depending on traffic.
Points to be aware of
- Summer heat by the water: the property’s orientation and ventilation matter.
- Reliance on the car in the villages.
- A limited supply of houses with open views over the lake: the quality and permanence of the view should be examined well in advance.
A region to discover in person
The best way to find out whether the region suits you is still to spend a few days there, on weekdays as well as at the weekend. We can present the available properties and arrange viewings on site.
