The Kinneret: What To Do At This Ancient, Wonderful Lake!

Most likely you’ve heard many interesting facts about the Kinneret, Israel’s former most important water source. As you might know, due to many reasons that also involved the change of water paths by neighboring countries, this breathtaking lake has been losing a significant amount of water every year.

Therefore, every time it rains in Israel, and especially up north, there are only smiles on the faces of the citizens, making them forget about the horrible traffic jams that appear after the first 3 drops of rain.

In this article, we’d like to show you a few interesting and historical facts about the Kinneret, and also give you some tips of things you can do whenever you decide to visit this lovely location again. Are you ready? Be prepared to be transported to Israel, and if you are already here, be ready to travel up north without even leaving your desk or your chair.

Interesting facts about the Sea of the Galilee, you might not have known

Here we give you 4 interesting facts about the Kinneret. If you have some other facts to share with us, you are more than מוזמן to לכתוב your knowledge in the comments below. For now, we leave you with these 4 facts.

Where the water comes from

The Sea of the Galilee (yes, also called “The Kinneret”) is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake in the world. This wonderful, family-friendly lake is fed partly by underground springs, but its main source is the Jordan River which flows through it from north to south.

The 6 names of the Kinneret

This famous lake has more than 6 names. Many of them are mentioned both in the Torah and in the New Testament. Even though there is an argument over whether to define it as a ‘lake’ or a ‘sea’, people still love this place, instead of fighting over how to name it. The six names of the Kinneret are: Lake or Sea of Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret, Sea of Ginosar, Sea of Galilee, Sea of Tiberias, and Sea of Minya.

Historical and ancient background of the Sea of Galilee

According to Wikipedia, The Sea of Galilee lies on the ancient Via Maris, which linked Egypt with the northern empires. The Greeks, Hasmoneans, and Romans founded flourishing towns and settlements on the land-locked lake including Hippos and Tiberias (the big city right by this lovely lake).

The well-known Flavius Josephus was so impressed by the area that he wrote, “One may call this place the ambition of Nature“; he also reported a thriving fishing industry at this time, with 230 boats regularly working on the lake.

You might be highly surprised, but it was actually in this region of Israel that the Jerusalem Talmud was compiled. Yes, near the Kinneret.

One of Israel’s most important water sources

Israel’s National Water Carrier, completed in 1964, transports water from the lake to the center of Israel, and in the past supplied most of the country’s drinking water. Today, the Kinneret supplies nearly 10% of Israel’s drinking water needs.

What to do in the Kinneret: Where to eat, where to go…

We know that one of the best parts of traveling up north in Israel is to be quiet, relax, and enjoy the phenomenal sound of the water both at sunrise and sunset. Besides the activities we propose below, you can check out these other activities to do in Israel with young children, if the plan is to travel with your entire family.

Anyways, there are many things you can do, and a few restaurants you cannot miss. If you are looking for nice food, or for a nurturing cultural event, we have a few tips for you…

Beit Gabriel, the cultural heart of the area

Very near Ein Gev, and just a few meters away from the lake itself, you will find Beit Gabriel, a lovely cultural center. Here you’ll find art exhibitions, theater plays, and even movies to watch in their “Cinematech” area. It is a great, quiet place that is totally worth a visit. Check out their schedule before going there, so you don’t miss anything or expect an exhibition that might have already ended.

The Fish Restaurant and the Ein Gev Harbor

If you are looking for a bunch of activities to do with your little ones, this is your place. Lots of water activities during both the winter and summer, great food, lots of workshops and the possibility to live the kibbutz experience from the inside. Don’t miss the famous Fish Restaurant that is located in this area, try the unique Kinneret Fish and discover new gourmet experiences you won’t regret.

Marinado: The go-to place for meat lovers!

Attention meat lovers! Go to Marinado. Don’t you dare miss this restaurant and its dozens of delicious meals. This lovely place also has an attached store to buy gadgets for your house and your kitchen that you might really like. But the flavor of their meat pieces is just unforgettable.

Learn some Hebrew and live the ultimate Israel experience…

No matter what you decide to do up north, or even if you decide to go south instead, everything will look funnier, easier, and brighter. Start out by joining one of our live online Hebrew courses. You’ll meet amazing instructors and phenomenal classmates. Start today, we’re sure you’re going to learn a lot, and enjoy the conversations with the Israelis you’ll meet on your next visit to Israel.