10 Best Hotels in Lower Galilee, Israel

One of Tiberias's better moderately priced hotels, the Astoria is set away from the lake, but there are still views from some of the guest rooms. What it lacks in location, it makes up for in quality. The hotel is comfortable and family run, with furnishings done up in attractive pastels. Large family rooms are available.

This family-run hotel has spacious rooms, most with balconies. A car is an advantage here, but there is frequent public transportation downtown (except on the Sabbath). Rooms have kitchens, so the supermarket across the street is very convenient. 

A cross between a guesthouse and a hostel, this modern limestone and basalt building is wrapped around a courtyard shaded by palm trees. Many rooms, including suites with private balconies, have great views east over the Jordan Valley. All are simply but agreeably furnished. The lobby café is a good spot to enjoy pizzas and sandwiches. Make sure to see the memorable mural humorously depicting life in ancient Beit She'an.

Located on the palm-shaded eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, this complex has everything from waterfront units with sunset-watching patios to spacious apartments with room for the whole family. All have fully equipped kitchenettes, and an on-site market means you can cook your own meals. About a mile north is Kibbutz Ein Gev, which has a fish restaurant, small harbor, and wagon-train ride.

Set in a lovely landscape, this 95-year-old kibbutz has beautiful cabins and suites to meet every need. Choose from the simply appointed standard rooms, family-friendly cabins with lofts and a shared yard, or ultraromantic luxury suites with private gardens and views of Mount Gilboa. Children love the kibbutz playground, the seasonal swimming pool, and petable cows and sheep in the dairy farm. Grown-ups appreciate the museum's permanent collection of Jewish art spanning many cultures and genres.

A 200-year-old mansion in the heart of the Old City, this inn has rooms with soaring ceilings that are perfect for couples or families, especially since some rooms are spacious (some are dorm style). A traditional Arab breakfast is served in the communal dining hall, where you meet a variety of local and international travelers. The inn is the starting point for the popular Jesus Trail hiking trip, organized by the staff. The hotel is difficult to find, so call when you arrive in the city to have the staff pick you up.

Most of the action here is underground, where the adjoining bar, lounge, and dining room add a bit of buzz. Guest rooms are comfortable and well appointed; ask for one on the fourth floor so you'll have a balcony. Service is attentive, as you would expect from a national hotel chain. The location—on Nazareth's main street, very close to Mary's Well—is a limited blessing; this is not a town that comes alive at night.

A riot of greenery, including an inviting bustan (a local-style garden redolent with fragrant herbs), surrounds this inn, which has whirlpools and wooden balconies. Israel and Sarah Shavit make congenial hosts, with the added bonus that he's a licensed tour guide and chef. Four apartments have living rooms, kitchenettes, and bedrooms (one is wheelchair accessible); the fifth has two bedrooms. There's also a dorm-type room for up to 14 people. The rustic environment, 10 minutes from Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, is pleasant, and the dining room, which serves breakfast, transforms into a good-value à la carte restaurant in the evening.

High on the ridge that overlooks Nazareth, this hotel began life as a convent—hence the charming neo-Gothic church still in use on the property today. Renovations transformed the former nuns' cells into comfortably sized guest rooms, and many enjoy some of the city's greatest views. The reception area is furnished with inlaid tables, chairs, and mirrors in the old Damascene style, and the dining room prides itself on its local dishes. The garden and view are perfect for unwinding at sundown.

A restored schoolhouse, this charming boutique hotel in Mary’s Well Square is a perfect place to base your Nazareth visit. It's around the corner from St. Gabriel's Church and a five-minute walk from the old market and popular tourist sites. Sparkling, simply decorated rooms and great service make this a destination many return to time and again.