Spending A Day In Tzfat: Israels Magical Northern City

Tzfat is known as the city of Kabbalah and art. The creative people who live in the city are attracted by its quaint cobblestone streets and air of mysticism that the city holds. If you stroll down the narrow alleyways of the old part of the city, you will discover artist galleries, medieval synagogues and small guest houses. The fresh mountain air and turquoise skies provide artists with exactly the inspiration that they need.

Tzfat is an ancient city with a history dating back thousands of years. So for the curious souls out there, pay a visit to the cemetery where you will find the graves of well-known rabbis in Jewish history. If walking amongst the deceased is not for you, try finding the Citadel at the top of the city whose ruins date back to the time of the Crusades. Some other historical sites include the Red Mosque from the time of the Ottoman Empire and the old Turkish headquarters of Tzfat, now used as a community center. For a piece of modern history, you can find a model of the Davidka – a weapon used by Jewish defenders in the War of Independence in 1948 – and the ‘staircase to heaven’, a long staircase that was used by the British to separate the city in two quarters for Arabs and Jews pre-1948.

Of course, the city of Tzfat has some great eateries to visit after all that walking. Pay a visit to the Yashfe Winery to get yourself into a merry mood! And an absolute must for all visitors to Tzfat is the Hameiri Cheese Factory. Their Persian recipes date back to the 1800s. Grab a loaf of fresh artisan bread and some cheese to enjoy a relaxing picnic. A great place to sit is a special not-so-well-known place known as Steven’s Garden, where you can take in the majestic views of the Galilee.

After a tasty lunch, it’s time to shop! Enjoy Gallery Street where you will find an array of art shops, galleries, and tourist souvenirs! Every Wednesday, Tzfat hosts a Shuk/Middle Eastern market that sells pretty much everything, from clothes to ready-made food and much more! Some other great places to explore are the Tzfat candle shop, Eliezer’s Book Shop and The Tree of Life Shtender – locals will point you in the right direction. If you want to go off the beaten trail, just try wandering around the streets – who knows what you may find.

Tzfat is a city where the spiritual meets physical – where East meets West. You will have your breath taken away from the dizzying heights of the majestic mountains that surround the city and become enchanted by the magical charm and veiled mysticism of this holy place!
By Sacha Gorelik

Sacha loves yoga, being outdoors, exploring new places, meeting creative people and doing a bit of crafty stuff herself. She is also the founder of The Sabra Patch blog, an online marketplace for Israeli handmade products, with a focus on culture and the creative makers behind the products. You can follow the Sabra Patch on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for inspiration!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.