If you read the Gospels, almost everything Jesus and his disciples did happened on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The eastern side? It barely gets a mention.
Why the cold shoulder? It mostly comes down to who lived there. Back then, the eastern shore didn't really have a Jewish presence—it was "gentile territory." Because there weren't Jewish villages there, it wasn't a primary stop on their travels.
The "Pig" Clue There's really only one famous story set in this area: the one where Jesus meets a man possessed by demons. He casts the spirits out of the guy and into a herd of pigs, which then go charging off a cliff into the lake.
Here is the kicker: for people back then, the mention of pigs was a huge giveaway. Since pigs aren't kosher, their presence was a clear sign that this was "foreign" land, outside the traditional Jewish world.
It's a small detail, but it shows how the eastern shore was a world apart from the fishing villages on the other side. We could go way deeper into the theology of that, but for now, it's just a cool bit of context to keep in mind while looking out over the water.
Imagine the perfect spring morning in Israel—the sun is warm but not yet "blasting" you, and the air smells like fresh wildflowers. It's the absolute best time to grab the keys and head to the eastern side of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).
First Stop: Kursi & The Views Start your day at Kursi. It's this massive Byzantine monastery ruin where the vibe is just... super chill. You can walk across ancient mosaics and literally feel the history. But don't stay too long because the drive up the mountain is even better. Make sure to pull over at Mitzpe Nukieb. On a clear day, the view is insane—you see the whole blue "bowl" of the Kinneret stretched out from Tiberias to the Golan Heights. It's one of those "stop and just stare" moments.
The Main Event: Susita (Hippos) Then, you've got the crown jewel: Susita. It's like a ghost city sitting on a hill. They call it the "Pompeii above the lake." You'll walk through the old Roman forum and see giant columns that were knocked down by an earthquake 1,200 years ago and just... stayed there. It's got this wild mix of ancient Roman vibes and old Israeli military outposts.
Trains and Hummus When you head back down, swing by the old Tzemach train station. It's been restored and feels like a movie set from the early 1900s—back when trains ran all the way from Haifa to Damascus.
Finally, once you're officially "toured out," hit up Hummus Eliyahu at the Tzemach junction. Trust me, a warm bowl of creamy hummus with olive oil, fluffy pita, and a solid cup of coffee is the only way to end a trip like this.
Pro tip: Go right now while it's spring. The Golan is bright green, and everything looks like a masterpiece.
