Golan Heights

Waterfalls, springs, and snow, in the northeastern edge of Israel. Go off the beaten path in the beautiful Golan Heights, a region with captivating nature, a mix of cultures, and compelling history.
Golan Heights vineyards, Northern Israel

Golan Heights: a paradise for nature lovers.

With numerous dormant volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls and dramatic canyons, the Golan Heights are certainly a boon for nature lovers. With numerous great hiking trails, hot and cold springs, viewpoints, and even snow, they feature a variety of incredible scenery, which can be experienced in a multitude of ways.

Bordered by Sirya to the east, Jordan to the south, Lebanon to the north, and the Sea of Galilee to the west, the volcanic Golan Heights region is one of the most beautiful and unique areas of Israel. As the only region to regularly have snowy winters, and the coldest part of the country, some would say that there is some European vibe in the Golan Heights. With a big Druze population, a visit to the northeastern region is also a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture, sample great food and learn about the history of this area, dating back thousands of years ago.

Now (2025) that calm has returned to northern Israel, it’s more important than ever to support the region’s recovery. By returning to the beautiful Golan Heights—and the north in general—you can help local communities bounce back from the recent conflict. Whether you’re booking a hotel, dining at local restaurants, or exploring family-run wineries, every visit helps rejuvenate the economy and restore livelihoods. Your trip is not just an unforgettable winter getaway; it’s also a powerful way to show solidarity with the people who call the north their home. Come enjoy the serene landscapes, explore the rich history, and be part of something bigger—helping the northern communities thrive once again.

Here, you can find all of the relevant information about your visit to the spectacular Golan Heights.

Best places to visit in the Golan Heights

Nimrod Fortress

The Nimrod Fortress stands at the foot of Mount Hermon as the largest remaining fortress in Israel. Built after Salah al-Din’s death in 1193 AD, the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, the fort showcases its historical significance.

Rising about 760 meters high and surrounded by cliffs, the fortress overlooks one of the most strategic points along the road from the Hula Valley and the Golan Heights toward Syria. Visitors enjoy breathtaking views of the north from every tower in the fortress. Beyond its scenic vistas, a visit to Nimrod Fortress offers a captivating journey into history, uncovering legends of giants, battles, and conquests.

For me, visiting Nimrod Fortress is especially meaningful, because I share its name. Standing within its ancient walls and seeing “Nimrod” etched into the stones resonates deeply, bridging my own identity with a place steeped in centuries of heritage. It’s an emotional experience to walk through a fortress that carries my name, feeling the weight of history and the echo of stories that have traversed the ages.

NImrod's Fortress
NImrod’s Fortress

Gamla Nature Reserve

One of the most popular natural attractions of Israel, featuring the country’s tallest waterfall, at 51 meters/167 feet. The waterfall is easily accessible by a short hike. In addition, Gamla is a great sight for bird-watching, as it used to host of the largest and most diverse roosting and nesting colony in the country for birds of prey, including vultures, hawks, and ospreys. Today, the colony is a bit smaller than before, but there is a very good chance you will get to see a big amount of vultures, as well as other birds, during your visit here. In addition, History lovers will be glad to know that in Gamla, you can see the ruins of the first-ever synagogue, built at the beginning of the first century.

Mount Bental

Mount Bental, which rises to a height of 1,165 meters above sea level, is an impressive dormant volcano that is part of the Golan Heights Volcano Line – a chain of volcanoes spread along the border between Israel and Syria. From the top of the mountain, which can be reached by car, you will enjoy a beautiful 360-degree view, including a look into the interior of Syria, the white buildings of the UN base sitting on the border, and Mount Hermon. At the top of Mount Bental, you can enjoy the view from the popular cafe named Coffee Annan.

Ein Keshatot

A great mix of the two most attractive features of the Golan Heights: history and springs. In Ein Keshatot (Spring of Arches), during the Byzantine period, there was a Jewish village, one of about thirty villages that were in the region at that time. In the excavations conducted at the site, a magnificent synagogue from the sixth century AD was revealed, Tragically, a powerful earthquake destroyed the entire village, including this magnificent synagogue. But thanks to innovative archaeological methods, experts uncovered the site’s remains and made it possible to rebuild the synagogue—an extraordinary achievement!

Using cutting-edge technology, the Ein Keshetot synagogue stands before us today just as it did 1,500 years ago! The structur was built in the 6th century CE (approximately 500 years after the destruction of the Second Temple) and served as the heart of the village—hosting prayers, celebrations, and countless community events.

As in every Jewish village at that time, not only was there a synagogue but also a spring nearby, whose impressive stone arches gave it the name Spring of Arches (or Umm al-Kantir in Arabic). The spring, which flows into several pools and is shaded by mulberry trees, is a real gem of a place to visit. You can sit under the trees, dip your feet in the water and see the breathtaking view of the Golan and Galilee mountains. The route is rather short, about half an hour’s walk. There is also a wheelchair-accessible route to the spring.

Ein Keshetot

Best things to do in the Golan Heights

Go cherry-picking

As the altitude and weather make it possible to grow cherries and wild fruits in the Golan Heights, which you cannot find anywhere else in Israel, the cherry-picking season in early summer, and especially in June, is celebrated here by the beloved Golan Heights Cherry Festival. Along with self-cherry-picking activities in many farms in the region, the festival that takes place on weekends in June includes various performances, tours, and excursions.

Even if you didn’t arrive here at the time of the festival, it is highly recommended to go cherry-picking in the Golan Heights in the summertime. For an amazing and incredibly delicious experience, visit one of the farms offering self-cherry-picking, such as Odem Farm, Levi Farm, and more.

Bathe in springs and natural pools

One of the most popular attractions for locals in the Golan Heights is undoubtedly the abundance of water in the region, This can mostly be experienced by visiting and bathing in some of the dozens of springs, waterfalls, and natural pools of the Golan Heights. Some of the most popular ones include places like Zavitan Fall, Yehudiya Falls, and the Ein Jones Hot Spring, with each offering a distinct and unique experience.

Hike the Golan Trail

At a length of 120 Km/74.5 miles, the Golan Trail traverses the entire Golan Heights from north to south, in a magnificent 7-day trek, considered to be one of the most beautiful treks in Israel. Of course, hiking enthusiasts with a lot of time on their hands can have an amazing time completing the entire trail, but the Golan Trail is also a great option for day or half-day hikes. As the entire trail is divided into 13 parts, each one accessible by car, you can choose any part of the Golan Heights you find interesting, and have a great day hike on the beautiful trail, going through most of the major highlights of the region.

 

Parking and transportation

Parking is easy to find in most of the Golan Heights. While it is possible to get here by bus, it is relatively hard to travel without a car.

Accessibility arrangements

Enjoyed this article? Questions? Feedback? Comment here!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search for posts and destinations

What would you like to find? Search here information and ideas about any location in Israel

Planning your trip to Israel?

Join our exclusive Facebook group for the latest travel tips, real-time updates, travel hacks, and connect with local experts & fellow Israel enthusiasts in our Facebook group