Kiryat Shmona

Kiryat Shmona (Hebrew: קרית שמונה) is Israel's northernmost city, located in the Galilee Panhandle (Finger of Galilee) in the Hula Valley at the foot of the Naftali Mountains. With a population of about 22,000, it is the only city in the Upper Galilee region and serves as the urban center for the surrounding rural communities. Founded in 1949, the city was named for the eight (shmona) people killed defending the nearby Tel Hai settlement in 1920.

Kiryat Shmona has a complex history of conflict due to its proximity to the Lebanese border, but it has also developed as a gateway to the natural attractions of the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights. The climate is warm in summer and can be cold in winter, with occasional snow.

By Plane

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is approximately 170 km south. Take a train to Haifa, then bus to Kiryat Shmona. Haifa Airport (HFA) is about 100 km southwest.

By Train

There is no train station in Kiryat Shmona. The nearest station is Karmiel (about 50 km south), from which buses connect.

By Car / Road

From Haifa: approximately 100 km (1.5 hours) via Route 85 and Route 90. From Tiberias: approximately 65 km (1 hour) via Route 90. From Safed: approximately 30 km (30 min) via Route 89 and Route 90. Bus 503 from Haifa; bus 843/966 from Beit She'an; buses from Tiberias and other northern cities.

The city is spread out. A car is recommended for flexibility. Local buses connect neighborhoods. Taxis are available. The city center is walkable.

• Tel Hai Courtyard (6 km north) — Historic site commemorating the 1920 battle. The roaring lion statue is an iconic Israeli monument.

• Manara Cliff — Cable car and observation point with views into Lebanon and the Hula Valley.

• Hula Valley (10 km west) — Premier birdwatching site during migration seasons.

• Kiryat Shmona Heritage Museum — Local history exhibits.

• Visit the Hula Valley Nature Reserve for birdwatching

• Take the Manara Cliff cable car for panoramic views

• Explore the nearby Golan Heights

• Hike the Naftali Mountains trail along the Lebanese border

• Visit Tel Hai historical site

• Local restaurants serve Middle Eastern and Israeli cuisine
• The city center has falafel, shawarma, and pizza options
• The industrial zone has a few casual dining restaurants

Basic cafés in the city center. Nightlife is very limited.

• Budget: Kibbutz guesthouses in the Hula Valley from ₪300.
• Mid-range: Hotel options in Kiryat Shmona are limited; try nearby kibbutz accommodations.
• Most visitors use Kiryat Shmona as a day-trip base from Tiberias or Safed.

The city has basic shopping centers. The nearby kibbutz shops sell local produce, honey, and crafts.

• Hula Valley Nature Reserve (10 km, 15 min) — Premier birdwatching and nature site
• Safed (30 km, 30 min) — Kabbalah center and artists' colony
• Metula (10 km, 15 min) — Israel's northernmost town
• Banias (Hermon Stream Nature Reserve) (25 km, 30 min) — Waterfalls and archaeological site
• Tel Dan Nature Reserve (20 km, 25 min) — Ancient city ruins and nature trails