Day Tour:
Exploring the Ministry of Jesus: A Day Around the Sea of Galilee
Step away from the noise of modern life and into the landscape that shaped the message of Jesus. Around the shimmering shores of the Sea of Galilee — Israel’s largest freshwater lake — nearly 70% of Jesus’ ministry unfolded. This one-day journey invites you to explore the hills, villages, and waters where the teachings of love, mercy, and healing first took root.
Tour Description
Your Day Around the Sea of Galilee
Begin the day at Mount Arbel, a towering cliff that offers a sweeping view of the entire Galilean basin. From here, you can see nearly every site mentioned in the Gospels — from Magdala and Capernaum to the hills where Jesus withdrew to pray.
Descending into the valley, you’ll visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. The excavations here are stunning: a beautifully preserved 1st-century synagogue, likely visited by Jesus himself, along with ritual baths and a peaceful modern chapel that invites quiet reflection.
Next, step into Capernaum, often referred to in the Gospels as Jesus’ "own city". Walk among the basalt ruins of the ancient village, including the foundations of a synagogue where Jesus taught and a house believed to have belonged to Peter. This was a center of miracles: here, the paralytic walked, the centurion’s servant was healed, and faith was kindled in many hearts.
Nearby is Tabgha, the traditional site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The serene Church of the Multiplication features a famous 5th-century mosaic showing a basket with loaves and two fish — a symbol of divine abundance from humble beginnings.
Then, make your way to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered His most famous teaching: the Sermon on the Mount. The quiet hillside still overlooks the lake, offering space for contemplation beneath the olive trees. The chapel here, built by Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi, is shaped in eight sides to reflect the eight beatitudes.
No visit to the Galilee is complete without a moment on the water. You’ll board a wooden boat modeled after ancient fishing vessels, gliding across the lake’s surface as Scripture comes to life. Reflect on the moment Jesus calmed the storm, walked on these very waters and called fishermen to become fishers of men.
Tour Highlights
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Mount Arbel – Panoramic view of the Galilee; traditional site of the Great CommissionMount Arbel – Panoramic view of the Galilee; traditional site of the Great Commission
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Magdala – First-century synagogue and Mary Magdalene’s hometownMagdala – First-century synagogue and Mary Magdalene’s hometown
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Capernaum – Jesus’ Galilean home base; site of teachings and miraclesCapernaum – Jesus’ Galilean home base; site of teachings and miracles
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Tabgha – Site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes; ancient mosaicTabgha – Site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes; ancient mosaic
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Mount of Beatitudes – Peaceful hillside where the Sermon on the Mount was deliveredMount of Beatitudes – Peaceful hillside where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered
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Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee – Spiritual and scenic experience connecting to Gospel storiesBoat Ride on the Sea of Galilee – Spiritual and scenic experience connecting to Gospel stories