Galilee is a historic region in northern Israel, bordering Lebanon. It is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Jezreel Valley to the south, and the Jordan Valley to the east.
Upper (northern) and Lower (southern) Galilee are divided by the Beit HaKerem Valley (“Vineyard of the Lord”), which stretches from west to east—from Akko (Acre) on the Mediterranean coast to near Chorazin. Lower Galilee is separated from Samaria by the Jezreel Valley, one of the most fertile regions in Israel.
The valleys of Lower Galilee run from west to east and have served as key trade routes since ancient times, connecting the Mediterranean coast with the Sea of Galilee and encouraging the growth of cities. Historically, the region could be crossed in just two days.
In the far north, along the Hula Valley toward Lebanon, lies the so-called “Galilean Panhandle.” The coastal strip between Rosh HaNikra and Acre is known as Western Galilee. Upper Galilee is a mountainous region, with its eastern highlands including the highest peaks in Israel, such as Mount Meron (1,208 m), continuing northward into the Naftali Mountains.
The largest cities in Galilee include Akko (Acre), Nahariya, Nazareth, Safed, Karmiel, Afula, and Tiberias. The port city of Haifa serves as the region’s main commercial hub.
Galilee has a well-developed agricultural sector, including livestock farming and the cultivation of olives, apples, pears, avocados, apricots, tobacco, and cotton. Fishing and tourism are also important industries, along with food processing, textiles, woodworking, and metalworking. Since the 1970s, industrial zones such as Tefen, Segev, and Tir’an have developed, along with urban centres in Karmiel, Ma’alot, Safed, Shlomi, and Kiryat Shmona. The region is also known for health tourism, including hot springs and therapeutic muds of the Sea of Galilee, as well as mountain resorts in Safed.
The name “Galilee” comes from the ancient Hebrew root G-L-L, meaning “to roll” or “wave.” It may refer to the region’s rolling landscape, the Hebrew word galil (“district” or “region”), or golah (“exile” or “dispersion”). These interpretations are linked to the biblical name Galil ha-Goyim—“district of nations” or “land of many peoples.”
Galilee is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. King Solomon gave twenty cities of Galilee to Hiram, the ruler of Tyre (1 Kings 9:11). The “Galilee of the Gentiles” is mentioned by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 9:2). By the time of Jesus Christ, Galileans had a distinct dialect compared to the people of Judea, and most of the apostles were Galileans.
Key Galilean towns included Bethsaida (home of Apostles Andrew, Peter, and Philip), Cana, and Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. After the Resurrection, according to the Gospel of Matthew, the apostles were instructed to go to Galilee. By the time of Paul the Apostle, early Christian communities already existed in the region.
Galilee is one of the most beautiful regions of Israel, known for its diverse and contrasting landscapes. From the waters of the Jordan River to the historic and religious centres stretching from Safed to Nazareth, and from Tiberias to Capernaum and Akko, the region offers a remarkable variety of experiences. Visitors can explore nature reserves with scenic views, waterfalls, and rich flora and fauna, as well as archaeological sites such as Beit She’an, the hot springs of Hamat Gader, and ancient mosaics in Sepphoris.
Galilee offers a wide range of travel experiences year-round: sightseeing tours, religious pilgrimages, cultural trips, wellness getaways, and beach holidays. Mountain streams flowing from Upper Galilee feed into the Jordan River, which flows into the Sea of Galilee. After Jerusalem, Galilee is considered one of the richest regions in Israel in terms of attractions.
Western Galilee is often described as a fairy-tale corner of northern Israel, where even on hot days one can feel the coolness of evergreen groves, accompanied by birdsong and the gentle sound of streams. The region is rich in national parks that preserve traces of ancient history.
Galilee is also home to many important Christian holy sites. Places like Capernaum reflect the early period of Christianity, while others—Nazareth, Tabgha, Cana, and Kursi—are associated with the life and miracles of Jesus. Mount Tabor is traditionally identified as the site of the Transfiguration. Many pilgrims visit Yardenit, located at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee, where baptism ceremonies take place and access is adapted for visitors with limited mobility.
The region is also home to numerous mosques built in different periods, including the famous Al-Jazzar Mosque in Akko, commissioned by the Ottoman ruler Jazzar Pasha.
The attractions of Galilee are endless—but this is truly a place that is better seen once than described a hundred times.