A Tour of Tzfat's Old City - Gal Klil Tour Guide

A Tour of Tzfat’s Old City

Tour Overview:

Duration

8 Hours

Guidance

Certified Guide

Accessibility

Not accessible

Difficulty

Medium

The name of the city of Safed is associated with mystery and secrets, and not without reason. In the 16th century, magical Safed became an important center of Kabbalah. Esteemed figures such as Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, Rabbi Chaim Vital, Rabbi Shmuel Vital, Rabbi Yosef Caro, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, and Rabbi Moshe Cordoviro all lived and worked in Safed during the 16th to 18th centuries.

Safed retains much of its mystical charm, with an enduring allure that continues to attract those drawn to Kabbalah. The city is home to artists and creators who express Kabbalistic theories through their art, as well as diverse communities belonging to various streams of Judaism. Join me for a walk through the magical alleys and historic fortress of Safed. Together, we will meet local residents, explore the city’s unique history during the War of Independence, and delve into its enchanting atmosphere.

Tour Highlights

Hotel Pick-Up

Begin your day with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. From there we travel north toward the mystical city of Safed (Tzfat), located high in the mountains of the Upper Galilee. Along the way we discuss the region’s landscape and the unique place Safed holds in the spiritual and cultural history of Israel.

Tzfat Old City Tour

Upon arrival we explore the winding streets of the Old City of Tzfat, one of the four holy cities in Jewish tradition and a historic center of Kabbalah. We visit the Citadel of Tzfat, offering panoramic views over the Galilee, and continue to important synagogues including the ARI Synagogue, closely associated with the teachings of Rabbi Isaac Luria. We also visit the beautifully decorated Abuhav Synagogue and the Yosef Caro Synagogue, named after the author of the Shulchan Aruch. The visit includes the HaMeiri House Museum, which preserves the story of the Jewish community of Safed through the centuries.

The Market and Candle Shop

We continue through the charming artists’ quarter and the small local market, where shops offer handmade crafts, Judaica, and local specialties. A highlight is a visit to one of Safed’s famous candle workshops, known for its colorful and artistic candles created using traditional techniques.

Meeting a Local Artist

During the tour we visit the studio of a local Safed artist. In the gallery we discover artworks inspired by the spiritual atmosphere of the city and hear how the ideas of Kabbalah influence contemporary artistic expression in Tzfat. This personal meeting offers a unique glimpse into the creative life of the city today.

Return to Hotel

At the end of the day we begin the drive back to your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. The tour concludes after a day exploring the spiritual heritage, art, and history of the unique mountain city of Safed.

Essential Information

Hotel pick up
Dress code:
Modest
What should I bring:
Food and water for the day
Hat
Comfortable\water shoes
Change of cloths (for water trips)

Tour Gallery

What our clients say

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 101 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jennifer S 
 
 
 
 Verified Gal klil review We had an amazing time with Gal! She was so good with the kids and knowledgeable and very relaxed energy which we appreciated.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ashley D 
 
 
 
 Verified Unforgettable Gal is incredibly educated about Israel and the history this country has. She made sure all of us understood what was being said and she was responsive to any clarifying questions anyone had about the subject matter. We really lucked out with Gal as our guide. If you have the opportunity to take a tour with Gal, 1000% do it!!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Eden R 
 
 
 
 Verified Virginia Colleges – Birthright Our group was incredibly fortunate to have Gal as our guide! She showed us Israel in a way that only a local could, sharing personal stories and experiences while thoughtfully tailoring her approach to our group’s level of knowledge. Our trip was very informative – Gal is deeply knowledgeable about the history of the country, and she shared that knowledge with genuine passion. I came away with a greater appreciation for my culture and the land of Israel. Gal played a key role in making this trip such a success, and I would recommend her to any group planning a trip to Israel.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tiltan S 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Guide, Wonderful Experience Gal was an amazing tour guide! She was incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, and she truly made the experience special
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Emily S 
 
 
 
 Verified Birthright Winter ‘25-‘26 I was lucky enough to experience Israel for the first time with fellow students on a Hillel Birthright trip. Gal exceeded my expectations as a tour guide. She is the perfect mix of funny, educational, passionate, understanding, and open. Gal’s love of Israel shines through and she truly cares about making your experience an incredible one. Forever grateful for this trip and for getting the best tour guide ever.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Zach 
 
 
 
 Verified JMU Birthright Experience I went on a birthright trip from late December into early January and Gal was our tour guide! She gracefully gave swift and accurate remarks regarding every city and destination we went to through out this experience. Some of her feats included recounting 2,000 years of Jerusalem history in under 2 minutes and crafting an incredibly engaging story about the tribulations on Masada. Gal truly exemplified safety first and made sure everyone’s questions were answered. If you have the chance I would highly recommend booking her for your next visit to Israel!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dara R 
 
 
 
 Verified Bus 90 BR! Gal made the birthright experience so much more personal and eye opening than I could ever imagine. I really appreciated everything she had to say in every place we went. She made me feel safe to ask questions and dive into this experience head first. I will never forget her or this trip!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   261shaie 
 
 
 
 Verified An incredible trip that taught me so much more about our history! Wow what an INCREDIBLE trip and a lot of that had to do with our time spent with Gal! We thank you so much for being an amazing guide during our trip and educating us further on the history of Masada (never knew about king Herod!) , the kotel/old city history and the dead sea. I only knew so much as an American Jew visiting Israel but experiencing important parts with a guide that became a friend is HIGHLY recommended. will absolutely recommend Gal as a guide not only here but also to friends going to Israel. THANK YOU SO MUCH GAL!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   hailey w 
 
 
 
 Verified Birthright Gal was my tour guide for my birthright trip. I loved this trip so much. This was not my first time having an Israel trip with a tour guide, and Gal absolutely exceeded my expectations and previous experiences. Gal is AMAZING at explaining stories and making them personable and entertaining. I am so lucky to have had Gal as my tour guide. I would recommend her to anyone.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Матвей Т 
 
 
 
 Verified Great Group Experience She was our guide at a Taglit trip and it was great! Really enjoyed her knowledge of different cities across Israel. Highly recommend for group trips

Additional Information:

Tours are covered by third-party insurance and do not include personal insurance.
Sites and tastings on the tour are subject to the tour guide’s decision and may change.

Cancellation Policy:

Our cancellation policy is designed with your convenience in mind.

Pivate tours:
Up to one week before the tour, you can cancel free of charge, with the reservation fee returned minus the processing fee – less than one week before the tour date – 50% of the total price of the tour. Less than 72 hours before the tour date – nonrefundable.

Public tours:

Up to 72 hours before the tour, you can cancel free of charge, with the reservation fee returned minus the processing fee. Less than 72 hours before the tour date – nonrefundable.

Cancellation without fees:
In case of unforeseen circumstances (natural causes, governmental or societal actions or infrastructure failures), no fee will be paid, and the reservation fee will be returned to the customer.

Please note that all open group tours are subject to a minimum number of participants. We make every effort to operate our scheduled tours and avoid cancellations whenever possible. However, if the minimum number of participants is not met, the tour may be cancelled. In such cases, participants will be notified no later than 72 hours before the scheduled departure, and any payments made will be refunded in full.