The Rosh Pina Airport is also known as the Mahanayim Airport due to its proximity to Mahanayim, located in Rosh Pinna, near the Safed-Hatzor-Rosh Pina Industrial Park. The airport is located 10 miles from Safed, 18 miles from Tiberias, and 19 miles from Kiryat Shmona. This is the closest airport to Nazareth.

There are buses (#823 and #826) from Tel Aviv New Central Bus station that travel directly to Nazareth. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.

Bus #331 from Haifa’s Merkaz Hashmona station operates daily and the journey takes around an hour to reach the city.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options to reach the city. There are several rental car companies at the airport. There may be some taxis available but the price of the journey could get quite expensive.

There are train services in Israel, TransIsrael company offers Light Rail between Haifa and Nazareth, it serves the northern population and connects communities across the Galilee and Haifa metropolitan area. The service combines urban and inter-urban public transportation covering a total length of 25.5 miles and includes 20 stations connecting the two cities.

The route starts in Haifa at the Merkazit HaMifratz station, it is the largest transportation hub in the country and includes trains, city and intercity buses, BRT vehicles, and cable cars, the final stop in Nazareth.

The Nazareth Railway station is located in Nazareth, Tamil Nadu. There are some taxis and a bus station nearby.

The Nazareth Bus station is located on Paulus ha-Shishi Street. There may be some taxis outside the station. Intercity buses stop along Pope Paul VI Street near Bank Hapoalim.

There are bus connections to Nazareth from all major cities in Israel. The main bus company is Egged and they operate services from 6 am until 6 pm. Nazareth Municipal Buses feature one or two-digit numbers and travel up the steep hill to the Salesian and Nazareth Illit neighborhoods.

Public transportation in Nazareth is made up of mostly buses, however, the traffic in the city is heavy especially during the hours of 9 am until noon and noon until 6 pm, making it difficult to get around during the day. The streets are cramped and crazy with traffic, the roads in the city are not very well signposted or well maintained, and parking is nearly impossible.

Having a car in the city is not one of the best ideas due to hectic, heavy traffic and lack of parking. The city can be covered on foot and there are some bus services and taxis available. There are some paid parking lots in the center of the city, and some of Iksal Street 9 as well as others. There are some great surroundings outside the city that are worth visiting and a car will be needed for that.

There are several taxi companies in the city and shared sherut services which are usually yellow minivans that travel along the same path as city buses. Shared sherut services allow passengers to hop on and hop off anywhere along the route. Taxis can normally be found outside of the main stations, tourist attractions, and called and ordered over the phone.

The main part of the city is walkable with many attractions, shops, and restaurants within walking distance. There are several walking tours offered in the city that will connect visitors to some of the main attractions. There are also some hiking opportunities including up the edge of the plateau that overlooks Jezreel Valley via Mount Tabor. Travelers flock to Nazareth to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and there are several walking tours offered along the routes Jesus would have taken as he crisscrossed the Galilee on foot from Nazareth to Zippori, Kana, and down to the Sea of Galilee.

Nazareth is a very safe destination for tourists with crimes against visitors being very rare. There are few other cities anywhere in the world that feel safer, there is plenty of police presence around town, especially in frequently visited tourist sights and attractions. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas especially on board public transport, don’t exchange money in the Change Bureaus, always use Banks. Keep your valuables close, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t wander around alone at night. If you rent a car be sure to take extra precautions and lock your vehicle and remove any valuables.

There are many shopping opportunities available in Nazareth including authentic souqs that extend up the hill from the Church of the Annunciation. The Old City has a famous souq selling traditional Arabic produce, a great experience for visitors. The Old market can be found along 6152 and the nearby streets, this is a great place to shop and eat. The Elbabour Galilee Mill on Al-Bishara Street 41 is the best place in the city to shop for fresh oils and spices, the shop has been around for over 100 years and originally opened as a flour mill. The Christmas markets in Nazareth are a big hit with stalls selling Arabic food, souvenirs, and more.

The official language spoken in Nazareth is Arabic. Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants, and many locals speak Italian. We recommend you get a good English-Arabic guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Nazareth features a Mediterranean climate with very hot summers and cool wet winters with occasional snowfall. The climate is usually dry with a very short rainy season, for the most part, it is hot and humid. April to May and September to October are said to be the best time to visit the city with warm, dry weather.

The currency of Israel is the Israeli Shekel (NIS or ILS). You will need to exchange your currency for the Israeli Shekel, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus.

There are many great restaurants in the city offering all kinds of different cuisine options including Arab cuisine and other varieties. Visitors can enjoy a full gastronomic experience and the renowned and delicious local tradition of welcoming diners. There are many restaurants found along Pope Paul VI Street and Casa Nova Street in Nazareth near the basilica. Some specialties to try in the city include Katayef, a traditional pancake filled with nuts or goat cheese, and a sweet sauce on top. There is an old traditional falafel shop that is popular and delicious. Shawarma is another popular dish, and meze is an Arabic salad, grilled meats are fresh and featured and most menus along with fresh pita bread. There are many bakeries selling delicious traditional baklava, other deserts, and Turkish coffee.

There are several options for nightlife in the city of Nazareth with wine, beer, and liquor available in Christian areas. There are some trendy places nestled around Church square and behind Mary’s Well which is the focal point in the city, especially at night. Al Bayat “The House” is a popular establishment with lots of drinks on the menu as well as an extensive menu of international fusion cuisine. The House has a lovely outdoor patio and has the local Palestinian beer “Taybeh” on tap with complimentary peanuts and pretzels as well as live music some nights.

In case of an emergency dial 100 for police, 101 for an ambulance, 102 for fire.

Hospitals:

Nazareth Hospital EMMS tel. 972-4-602-8888