Holy Land tour Tel Aviv: Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River

Mount Tabor rises 575 meters above the valley floor, and the Church of the Transfiguration sits at the top.

A private guided tour from Tel Aviv to the major New Testament sites in northern Israel: Nazareth's Church of the Annunciation, Mount Tabor's Church of the Transfiguration, the Sea of Galilee's miracle locations including Magdala and Capernaum, and the Jordan River baptismal pools at Yardenit. Your guide is a government-licensed Israeli who speaks English or Spanish, pickup is from your hotel, and all entrance fees are included. The day runs 8 to 11 hours depending on stops and whether you choose to be baptized in the Jordan.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Basilica of the Annunciation30m
2. Sea of Galilee2h

Explore Nazareth and Sea of Galilee

• Meet guide and start tour
• Visit Nazareth city
• Explore Church of the Annunciation
• Climb Mount Tabor
• Visit Church of the Transfiguration
• Tour Sea of Galilee area
• Visit Mount of Beatitudes
• See Capernaum village
• Visit Church of the Multiplication
• Explore Magdala
• Visit Yardenit Jordan River baptismal site
• Visit Duc In Altum center
• Return to pickup point

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya or Netanya, then heads north into Galilee. Nazareth is the first major stop: a city that began as a small Jewish village 2,000 years ago and became a stronghold of Christianity in the Byzantine period. You'll visit the Church of the Annunciation, the largest Roman Catholic church in the Middle East, built in the 1960s over what Catholic tradition holds to be the site of the Virgin Mary's house, where the angel Gabriel announced she would bear Jesus.

From Nazareth, the route climbs Mount Tabor, which dominates the Jezreel Valley and is believed to be the site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus was transfigured and spoke with Moses and Elijah. The Church of the Transfiguration, a Franciscan church on the summit, marks this event. The Sea of Galilee comes next, and the stops here cluster around the episodes of Jesus' life: the Mount of Beatitudes where he delivered the Sermon on the Mount; Capernaum, where he based himself during his ministry and called the fishermen disciples; the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, marking the miracle of the loaves and fish; and Magdala on the shore, hometown of Mary Magdalene and a crossroads of Jewish and Christian history.

The final stop is Yardenit on the Jordan River, the baptismal site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and considered the third most holy site in the Holy Land. The site has 12 separate baptismal pools for different groups. If you choose to be baptized, you'll wear special white robes (rentable or purchasable on site) over a swimsuit, and the facilities include change rooms, showers and toilets. The return transfer takes you back to your pickup point, completing the day.

What’s included

• Your tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• entrance fees to the Church of the Annunciation, Mount Tabor, and all other sites on the itinerary.
• a government-licensed Israeli guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• and return transfer from your hotel or requested pickup point.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Compass Travel Israel

Is this one for you?Choose the English-language option if that is your primary language, or Spanish if you prefer to hear the history and theology in Spanish. The private format means the guide adjusts the pace and stops to your interests, and you're not waiting for a larger group to move between sites.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth?

The Church of the Annunciation is the largest Roman Catholic church in the Middle East, built in the 1960s over the site where Catholic tradition holds the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce she would bear Jesus. It stands in Nazareth, the first major stop on the tour.

Can I be baptized in the Jordan River at Yardenit?

Yes, baptism is optional at Yardenit. You wear special white robes (rented or purchased on site) over a swimsuit, and the site provides 12 separate baptismal pools and full change facilities with showers and toilets for your convenience.

How many hours does this tour take?

The tour runs 8 to 11 hours depending on which stops you visit and whether you choose to be baptized. Your guide will adjust the pace based on your interests.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport, entrance fees to all sites on the itinerary, return transfer to your pickup point, and a government-licensed Israeli guide who speaks either English or Spanish. Food and drinks are not included.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is from your hotel lobby in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya or Netanya, or from any other location you request. The driver will meet you there and return you to the same point at the end of the day.

What is Mount Tabor and why is it on this tour?

Mount Tabor rises 575 meters above the Jezreel Valley and is believed to be the site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus was transfigured and spoke with Moses and Elijah. The Church of the Transfiguration on its summit marks this event from the Gospels.