How to Visit The Mount Of Beatitudes, Israel

Mt Of Beatitudes. Sea of Galilee in the steamy / humid background

When visiting Israel, I highly recommend a tour to the Galilee and especially the Golan Heights. The Mt. Of Beatitudes, where Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) gave His sermon which is called "Sermon On The Mount". The location is not certain although this location fairly close to the church of the same name appears to fit the description. As you can see, in august it is beautiful with Rose of Sharon in bloom and bananas growing.

Things You'll Need

• Map of Israel
• Rental car

Instructions

1. 

   There are many tours that go to the Mt. Of Beatitudes near Capernaum although it is easy to rent a car and tour the locations yourself. When renting a car in Israel, all you need is your U.S. (or Canada) drivers license. An International Drivers Permit (license) is not required (although easy to get and nice to have) as well as your passport.

2. 

   Likely you will be heading to the Mt. Of Beatitudes from Jerusalem. While there are quicker ways to get there, the safest is through the Jordan Valley. From Jerusalem you will want to head towards the Dead Sea. You can find the signs (in English) in the Mt. Scopus area. You will travel though Sea Level and the lowest point on earth and on to Jericho.

3. 

   After passing the Jericho turn offs (you will not be able to take your rental car into Jericho since it is Palestinian controlled and rental cars from Israel are not allowed) you will come to an intersection. This is HWY 90. You will want to take a left - NORTH 90 (right is how you go to the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Massada, and Eilat - SOUTH 90)

4. 

   Continue North on HWY 90 all the way through Tiberias. This will take a couple of hours. You will cross the Jordan River (note how tiny it is - it is dry in the summer) several times. Note the fence on the right - that is the border with Jordan and across the valley is Jordan. This route is the Jordan Valley route. There are several dairies as well as date palm and banana growing kibbutz (farms) in the Jordan Valley.

5. 

   Continue on through Tiberias to the north end of the Sea of Galilee. The size is surprising - it is smaller than Lake Tahoe - and it does not take very long to drive around.

6. 

   Continue around the north end of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and stay on the highway going around the lake. There will be signs for Capernaum as well as for the Mt. Of Beatitudes - signs are in English as well as Hebrew and Aramaic so you won't have to worry about learning Hebrew.

7. 

   Capernaum and the Mt. of Beatitudes is along the Sea of Galilee and is at the foothills of the Golan Heights. I highly recommend a trip up into the Golan Heights and a coffee at Coffee Annan overlooking Syria (and about 37 miles from Damascus)

8. 

   When in Israel, if you like coffee, you MUST have a coffee from Aroma Coffee (chain in Israel) their quality is what ran starbucks out of Israel (Yes, it is THAT good) - plus 100% free Wi-Fi.

Tips & Warnings

• There will likely be security checkpoints through the Jordan Valley. It's a no hassle check.

• I felt safe the entire time I was in Israel. In fact, seeing the children outside playing unsupervised when it's dark reminds me of the old times in the U.S. when children did not have to be watched like hawks. Just stay out of the Palestinian controlled areas and it's safer than many parts of the U.S.

• Although security is great, still keep your eyes open for suspicious activity.

• The Galilee is hot and humid in august (the Golan Heights was cooler and comfortable)