A Guide to Visiting Capernaum in Israel
Here is our travel guide on visiting the Capernaum (Capharnaum or Kfar Nahum National Park) in Israel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Includes helpful tips on what to see and do while there, how to get, entrance fee, or opening hours.
Driving around the Sea of Galilee is one of the best things to do while in Northern Israel.
The scenic drive offers spectacular views of the lake and several biblical and historical sites that are waiting to be explored.
Once a small fishing village, Capernaum, located directly on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, is one of the top attractions you can visit there.
And if you're interested in the life of Jesus, then Capernaum is a place you shouldn't miss.
According to tradition, this major pilgrim destination used to be the center of Jesus' public ministry.
It's also a place where he spent a significant part of his life after leaving Nazareth, a site where he worshiped and taught, performed many of his miracles, or chose his apostles.
And we have a feeling that this might be one of those less-visited places that you should incorporate in your Israel itinerary.
Why is that? Because Capernaum is a lovely stop whether you come here for religion, history, nature or the views.
Or just because the Sea of Galilee is the lowest freshwater lake in the world.
So here's everything you should know about Capernaum before you go.
Things to Know Before You Go
Before we dive into the practical aspect of planning the trip, we need to introduce Capernaum first.
We have to admit that we've heard for the first time about this site not until we started creating our travel itinerary.
Admittedly, that was the case of many important Biblical sites in the Galilee region.
Sometimes we've heard the names somewhere, but visiting the sites in this area will help you connect the dots.
Moreover, we don't have to emphasize that it's also important to come here with an open mind if you're not a religious person, but that's the case of many sites in the Holy Land.
Nevertheless, Capernaum is believed to be the hometown of Jesus and the center of his many activities.
So why is Capernaum a significant Biblical site? Capernaum is often mentioned in the Gospels, and the local synagogue was the first place where he preached.
You might have also heard about Jesus and his miracles, so note that Galilee is the area where he did most of them.
So what miracles did Jesus do in Capernaum? Jesus performed several miracles during the years of his public ministry, such as healing Peter's mother, exorcism, or healing the paralytic.
By the way, the sea of Galilee is also a place where Jesus walked on water.
While we were not as successful as Jesus in this regard, it was still nice to dip our feet after a whole day of walking and driving into this freshwater lake.
And if you're wondering which house was Jesus's, then he didn't own a house here but lived with a family (probably Peter's) or his apostles.
So why did Jesus eventually leave Capernaum? It seems that the locals didn't really embrace the teachings of Jesus, so he cursed them according to Matthew and left.
After leaving Capernaum behind, he eventually reached Jerusalem, where he met his end.
Once you get to Jerusalem, don't forget to visit the Church of the Sepulchre and walk the Via Dolorosa to follow in his footsteps.
What to See and Do
Capernaum is divided into three sections, with two churches and a small national park.
The church in the west (home to Peter's House and the Ancient Synagogue) is managed by Franciscans, and the other one in the middle is run by Greek Orthodox.
The Kfar Nahum National Park is at the east, and that's also where you can find a pier if you're interested in taking a boat tour.
While arguably there is not much to see and do as in some other tourist sites such as Masada, Capernaum is one of Israel's top Christian Pilgrimage destinations.
It's also one of the best places to visit while driving around the Sea of Galilee.
Ancient Synagogue
While it might be a bit confusing, the synagogue you see in Capernaum today is not the original one.
Also known as the White Synagogue due to the imported limestone blocks from a distant quarry, the Capernaum's Synagogue was built probably in the 4th or 5th century CE.
The Jerusalem-oriented synagogue had a prayer hall, courtyard, porch, a side-room, and beautifully decorated columns.
However, the remains of a basalt wall were found under this structure.
It might suggest, according to archaeologists, that an earlier synagogue could stand there during the life of Jesus.
And it could be the one that's mentioned in the Gospels and visited by Jesus.
Ancient Dwellings
Archaeologists found dwellings made from basalt stones on this site, and you can see their outlines of the first-century streets and houses to this day.
The homes in the residential area were modest as the fisherman village was probably quite poor.
Peter's House
Gospels say that Peter's House in Capernaum was located near the ancient synagogue, which is today part of the Franciscan monastery.
A modern pilgrimage church was built in 1990 over the remains of 1st BCE to 4th century CE residential structures, one of them is believed to be Peter's House.
Even more, an octagonal church decorated with a colorful mosaic floor was built over the remains during the Byzantine period in the 5th century.
The most interesting part of the modern-day church is the glass floor in the middle revealing the excavated structures beneath the building.
If you want to see more Roman and Byzantine ruins in Galilee, don't forget to visit Beit Shean National Park and Tzipori National Park.
Church of the Holy Apostles
This Greek-Orthodox church has typical Greek architecture with red domes and yellow walls and is located roughly between the park and the synagogue.
Unlike the Greek-Orthodox Monastery on Mount Tabor, this one is open to the public.
The interior was renovated, and the colorful paintings are worth seeing. As the name suggests, this church was built to commemorate the twelve apostles of Jesus.
Unfortunately, it was closed on the day of our visit.
Kfar Nahum National Park
Once you're tired of the history, you can visit the adjacent Kfar Nahum National Park, which is in the east of the churches and archaeological sites.
This area in the national park complements the historical sites whether you want to walk along the shore and soak in the views or take a boat ride.
Some migratory birds and interesting flora can be seen in the area.
Jesus Trail
Capernaum is a fairly small site that can be easily explored on foot in an hour or two.
Some avid hikers might find the lack of walking unsatisfactory and search for a more active way to explore this site and the surrounding area.
Jesus Trail that connects Nazareth and Capernaum is a 65-kilometer trek in Galilee that follows the footsteps of Jesus and some important biblical events.
The trail also visits Horns of Hattin, the alleged location where Saladin defeated the Crusaders in 1187.
Mount of Beatitudes, a place where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, is also on the itinerary.
Opening Hours
Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) National Park is usually open from 8 AM to 4 PM from Saturday to Thursday and 8 AM to 3 PM on Fridays.
As with almost every religious site in Israel, it's better to double-check the opening hours of each site a few days before you go.
While the country is very accessible, there are some things you should know before visiting Israel, and this is one of them.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Capernaum is 10 NIS ($3), and we couldn't use our Israel Pass here.
Still, it's very affordable to enter the site, even if you travel around Israel on a budget.
How to Get There
Capernaum is located on the northern shore of Lake Galilee, about sixteen kilometers from Tiberias.
While it's possible to get to Capernaum by public transport from pretty much anywhere in Galilee, it's better to rent a car to get there.
The reasoning behind this is very straightforward. Firstly, driving in Israel is very easy.
More importantly, Capernaum is not the only place worth visiting in this area, and having a car will allow you to drive around the lake and visit other sites time-efficiently.
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Car
As mentioned above, getting from Tiberias to Capernaum is a matter of only minutes (about twenty, to be precise).
Nazareth is a bit farther to the west, but you should still be able to cover those 50 kilometers between those two places in less than an hour.
Of course, depending on the current traffic, because Nazareth is known for annoying traffic jams.
Safed is less than 30 kilometers northwest of Capernaum, so be prepared to spend about half an hour on the road.
There are two main routes from Haifa to Capernaum, so take the one that's currently faster according to your GPS navigation.
Tel Aviv is 150 kilometers southwest of Capernaum, so it takes about two hours to get there. The distance between Jerusalem and Capernaum is 200 kilometers and clocks it in at around two and half hours.
You can rent a car in Israel pretty much in every larger town or city, and it's usually a very safe and straightforward process.
Here you can find the best deals on rental cars in Israel.
Bus
Bus 52 goes from Tiberias to Capernaum and stops at Capernaum Junction (Kfar Nakhum), which is directly in front of the entrance to the national park.
Bus 541, which runs between Afula and Kiryat Shmona via Tiberias, also stops near the Capernaum.
Be prepared that even though this bus stops at the Capernaum Junction as well, it's, in reality, a different stop about three kilometers west of the site.
Therefore, you need to walk from there to Capernaum along the road for about thirty to forty minutes.
If you're arriving in Capernaum from Nazareth by bus, you need to get to Tiberias first and then catch the bus 52 from there.
Taxi
As the Capernaum is close to Tiberias, you can consider taking a taxi to get there. It's more expensive than other options, but it might be feasible if you travel in a group.
Tour
One of the most significant advantages of an organized trip is that you're accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.
Therefore, you will have an opportunity not only to explore this area when short on time but also learn more about each site.
Here you can reserve the Galilee Tour from Jerusalem or the Galilee Tour from Tel Aviv.
Needless to say, both include Capernaum and many other popular sites in this area.
Where to Stay
Sea of Galilee is a top tourist destination in Israel which means that there is no shortage of accommodation in this area.
Tiberias offers the largest selection of hotels in this area, so that's where we decided to stay.
Unfortunately, the budget hotels are pretty expensive for what they offer, and it's not that easy to find an inexpensive place with good reviews.
On the bright side, if budget is not an issue, you can find some luxury resorts offering top-notch service.
Also, Tiberias is a popular holiday destination for locals, so it's better to reserve your room in advance to avoid high prices, especially in the peak season.
Budget | Tiberias Hostel - Located in the heart of Tiberias, Tiberias Hostel offers clean, air-conditioned private rooms and dormitories, free WiFi, a roof terrace, and great value for money.
Mid-range | Europa 1917 - Set in a beautiful historical building, Europa 1917 is a wonderful place to spend a night in Tiberias. This hotel offers refurbished air-conditioned rooms, free on-site parking, and a central location.
Luxury | Scots Hotel - One of the best hotels in Tiberias, Scots Hotel is a former hospital that offers luxurious accommodation today. Rooms are spacious, air-conditioned, and have an excellent restaurant and facilities.
When to Go
We believe that the best time to visit Capernaum is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Actually, we arrived during the sunset, and the site was stunning.
In summer, the weather in Galillee is too hot, and exploring the sites in the middle of the day can be pretty exhausting.
We would probably avoid arriving in Israel in the summer altogether, as other areas such as the Dead Sea or the Negev Desert will also be unbearably hot.
Arguably the springs and autumns are the best time to visit Israel, and the same advice applies to the Galilee region where Capernaum is located.
Winters in Galilee are mild, but some days can be colder than you might expect. Having an extra layer or two with you will solve this issue.
What to Pack
The Galilee region receives high temperatures, so make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Bring plenty of water with you, and refill your water bottle at every opportunity.
Also, make sure to wear modest clothing when visiting the religious sites in Capernaum. Cover your shoulders and wear pants or a long skirt.
Don't forget to wear a hat and use sunscreen when spending time in the sun.
Staying Safe
The Galilee area is safe to visit and the sites that are located within it. We felt very safe in Capernaum and other places we visited in this area and never had any issues while getting around.
However, staying safe in Israel requires some extra effort from your side, so make sure to read our article on this topic.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Capernaum Worth Visiting?
Capernaum is a fascinating place to see, and it really depends on your preferences whether it's worth visiting or not.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth. But Capernaum was the first place where Jesus lived as an adult after he was rejected in Nazareth.
It was a home base for his Galilean ministry and a place where he did most of his miracles.
You can notice a mosaic sign at the entrance gate that says "Capharnaum, The Town of Jesus," which illustrates this point.
And even though some hard-proof archaeological evidence of his presence here is still lacking, many people believe that this is the place.
If you've arrived in Israel for religious purposes or just love history in general, then Capernaum shouldn't be missing on your Israel itinerary.
Even if Bible or Jesus is not your thing, then Capernaum is a nice stop when road tripping the Sea of Galilee area.
And lastly, how often do you walk where Jesus walked?
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
