Visiting Capernaum, the Town of Jesus in Israel
Visiting Capernaum, the Town of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee
Capernaum, often called the Town of Jesus, is one of the most important Bible sites in northern Israel. This ancient fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee is where Jesus lived for a time, taught in the synagogue, and performed many miracles. Today, visitors can walk among the ruins, step inside the synagogue, and look out over the same shoreline that Jesus and his disciples once gazed upon.
About My Trip to Capernaum, the Town of Jesus
I chose to visit Capernaum, the Town of Jesus, as part of a guided tour. The other stops on my tour were Nazareth and the Yardenit Baptism Site on the Jordan River. This page focuses only on visiting Capernaum, but you can learn more about the other stops on this Israel day trip by clicking the links above.
Practical Information for Visiting Capernaum
Location: Northern shore of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel
Distance: About 150 kilometers from Tel Aviv and 190 kilometers from Jerusalem
Drive time: Around 1.5–2 hours from Tel Aviv and just over 2 hours from Jerusalem, depending on traffic
Site type: Part of Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) National Park
Opening hours: Typically around 8:00 am–4:00 pm (hours can be shorter on Fridays and holiday eves)
Entrance fee: When I visited, entrance was free. Some recent sources mention a small entrance fee or donations, so I recommend checking current information before you go.
Dress code: Modest clothing is recommended, especially when entering churches or religious spaces.
Visiting Capernaum - The Town of Jesus - Table of Contents
- Visiting Capernaum – The Town of Jesus
- How to Get to Capernaum
- Walking Around Capernaum – The Town of Jesus
- The Relics of Capernaum
- The Synagogue at Capernaum
- The Memorial Church of St. Peter
- The Sea of Galilee at Capernaum
- My Thoughts – Is it Worth Visiting Capernaum?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Tours that Visit Capernaum
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
Disclaimer: Buzzin’ Around the World strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information based on our research at the time of publication. We respect all applicable laws and fair use principles. If you believe any information is incorrect or violates regulations, please contact us at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
Affiliate Links and Reviews: We use affiliate links to generate income and may receive a commission at no additional cost to you when you use our links. We strive for honest and transparent reviews, even for products which we receive compensation.
Content Creation: Our content is based on our own travel experiences. All photos are our own unless otherwise stated. We sometimes utilize AI tools to assist with tasks like generating titles, summarizing content, and improving organization.
For more information: For more information, please click HERE to visit our private policy page. We can be reached at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
How to Get to Capernaum - The Town of Jesus
The best way to visit Capernaum, the Town of Jesus is to either rent a car or take a tour. Capernaum is about 150 kilometers from Tel Aviv and 190 kilometers from Jerusalem. By car, the trip to Capernaum usually takes around an hour and a half to two hours from Tel Aviv and just over two hours from Jerusalem, depending on the route and traffic.
Public transportation is also available from most of Israel’s major cities, usually involving a combination of train and bus. However, if you choose this option, you should expect the transportation time to roughly double compared to driving.
For many visitors, the easiest option is a Capernaum day trip that also includes other Sea of Galilee sites. I visited Capernaum as part of a tour that combined Nazareth, Capernaum, and the Yardenit Baptism Site. This was a convenient way to see several important biblical locations in a single day without worrying about driving or parking.
Walking Around Capernaum - The Town of Jesus
Capernaum is known as the town of Jesus. It is mentioned in the New Testament as the place where Jesus lived, taught, and performed many miracles. Jesus chose Capernaum as the base for much of his Galilean ministry. Here, he preached in the synagogue and healed the sick. For Christians, visiting Capernaum, the Town of Jesus allows them to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and imagine what daily life was like in this once-bustling village.
The “Homeless Jesus” Statue
Near the entrance gate to Capernaum, visitors will see a statue often referred to as “Homeless Jesus.” This modern sculpture shows Jesus lying on a bench under a blanket, with only his feet visible and marked by the wounds of crucifixion. The purpose of the statue is to remind visitors that one of Jesus’ missions was to help the poor and marginalized, and that Jesus himself experienced poverty and insecurity.
This statue was created by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz and has been installed in several locations around the world. Seeing it at the entrance to Capernaum sets a reflective tone for the visit.
A Brief History of Capernaum
Capernaum was a thriving town from around the 2nd century BCE to the 11th century CE. Its location along important trade routes and on the shore of the Sea of Galilee helped it grow into a busy fishing and market town during the time of Jesus.
The city of Capernaum was eventually abandoned around the time of the First Crusade and later became buried under sand and debris. It was rediscovered in the 19th century, and archaeological excavations have been ongoing ever since. When you walk through Capernaum today, you are exploring a site that has been carefully uncovered after centuries of being hidden.
As you walk around, you’ll see the ruins of the Byzantine village. These structures were built on top of the earlier Roman village, which existed during the time of Jesus.
Relics and Ruins at Capernaum
On display near the entrance to Capernaum are a number of stone relics that date back to the early centuries of the Common Era. According to our guide, many of these relics came from the 4th-century synagogue and are not directly from the time of Jesus Christ.
The most interesting of these relics is a carved wheeled transport. Some people believe that this carving may represent the Ark of the Covenant, which Christians believe housed God’s Ten Commandments. Our guide explained that although it is possible that this carving is meant to show the Ark of the Covenant, it is more likely that it represents a cart used to transport a copy of the Torah.
Some of the other well-preserved carvings at Capernaum include a menorah and a Star-of-David-shaped symbol, both of which highlight the strong religious life of this ancient Jewish community.
The Synagogue at Capernaum
One of the most impressive structures at the site is the Synagogue at Capernaum, which dates back to the 4th century CE. When you look at the building, you can see a clear change in the stones at the base. The upper walls are built of light-colored limestone, while the foundation is made of smaller, darker basalt stones.
Archaeologists believe that the 4th-century synagogue was built directly on top of a 1st-century synagogue. Those darker stones at the bottom are thought to be the remains of the earlier synagogue where Jesus Christ likely preached and taught.
Visitors are allowed to walk into the interior of the synagogue. The structure has gone through multiple restorations, but standing inside still gives you a strong sense of the scale and importance of this building. The columns, arches, and open courtyard area make it easy to picture worshippers gathering here nearly 1,700 years ago.
Behind the synagogue at Capernaum are the ruins of the ancient Byzantine village. This village was built in the exact same location as the Roman village where Jesus Christ began his ministry and performed miracles.
The Memorial Church of St. Peter in Capernaum
After visiting the 4th-century synagogue at Capernaum, our next stop was the Memorial Church of St. Peter. Archaeologists believe that this modern church may have been built above the home of the Apostle Peter.
The current church was built in the 1990s and stands on pillars above the ruins. It replaced an ancient church from the 5th century CE. That earlier church is believed to have been built over a 1st-century house-church, which some scholars think may have been one of the first Christian churches and possibly Peter’s home.
Below the Memorial Church of St. Peter is the Grotto of St. Peter. It is possible that these remains are those of Peter’s house. The grotto is visible both from the outside of the church and through a glass floor inside the church’s interior. Standing above this spot and looking down at the ruins is a powerful experience for many Christian visitors.
The Sea of Galilee at Capernaum
Our last stop at Capernaum, the Town of Jesus, was the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. During the time of Jesus, Capernaum’s proximity to the Sea of Galilee allowed it to become a fishing village and an important place for trade and travel.
We spent a short amount of time taking in the views across the lake while our guide pointed out the Golan Heights on the opposite shore and explained that beyond them lies the modern border with Syria. He also shared several key Bible stories connected to this area, including Jesus walking on the water and calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Being on the shoreline makes it easier to visualize how these events might have looked in the landscape that surrounds Capernaum today.
My Thoughts - Is it Worth Visiting Capernaum?
One of the questions I have been asked is, “Is Capernaum worth visiting?” I would say that Capernaum is definitely worth visiting. Tourists interested in history, religion, or Bible sites have the chance to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and see many of the same views that Jesus once saw.
For me, a visit to Capernaum was perfectly paired with visiting Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus Christ, and the Yardenit Baptism Site on the Jordan River. I highly recommend a visit to Capernaum and wish I would have had more time to appreciate the unique history of this ancient city on the Sea of Galilee.
Capernaum – Frequently Asked Questions
Is Capernaum worth visiting?
Yes. Capernaum is definitely worth visiting if you are interested in history, Christian sites, or the Bible. You can walk through the ruins of an ancient village, step inside the synagogue, see the Memorial Church of St. Peter, and stand on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus and his disciples once walked.
How do you get to Capernaum from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?
The easiest option is to rent a car or join a day tour. Capernaum is about 150 km from Tel Aviv and 190 km from Jerusalem, and the drive takes roughly 1.5–2 hours from Tel Aviv and just over 2 hours from Jerusalem. There is also public transportation, but it usually takes much longer and often requires transfers.
Is there an entrance fee for Capernaum National Park?
When I visited, entrance to Capernaum was free. Some recent sources mention a small entrance fee or donations, so I recommend checking current information on the Israel Nature and Parks Authority website or with your tour company before you go.
What can you see in Capernaum?
Highlights of Capernaum, the Town of Jesus include:
The 4th-century synagogue built over a 1st-century synagogue
The Memorial Church of St. Peter and the Grotto of St. Peter
The ruins of the Byzantine and Roman villages
The “Homeless Jesus” statue near the entrance
Views of the Sea of Galilee from the shoreline
Tours that Visit Capernaum
One of the best ways to visit Capernaum, the Town of Jesus is to take a guided tour. Many Capernaum tours also visit other sites such as Nazareth, Tiberias, and locations along the Jordan River. This is especially convenient if you are staying in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Tiberias and do not want to rent a car.
Below are two tour options that include Capernaum as part of the itinerary.
Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Affiliate Partner of the Month – Fourthwall
Fourthwall powers our brand-new Buzzin’ Around the World Merch Shop. Pick up a tee, hoodie, or sticker. All profits will help me continue to run this site and deliver great content!
Buzzin Around the World's Merch Shop
Want to Launch Your Own Merch Line?
Scroll to the bottom of our Fourthwall page and tap “Start Your Own Store.” That’s a referral link—if you sign up, Fourthwall rewards me with store credit I can use to buy more gear (at no extra cost to you). We only recommend tools we use and love.
Earn $200 in Travel Rewards with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card is one of the few rewards cards that does not charge an annual fee. Cardholders can earn 1.25 points for every dollar spent while enjoying 0% APR for 15 months.
Currently, Capital One is offering a signup bonus of 20,000 points (worth $200 in travel rewards) when the cardholder spends $500 in the first three months. If you are interested in this card, I would appreciate it if you would sign up with the link below, as I earn a referral bonus of 10,000 points. Those points are worth $100 in travel rewards and will help me continue to bring great content to Buzzin’ Around the World.
Once again, the Capital One VentureOne card is one of the few reward cards without an annual fee and is the perfect card for someone who is just starting to get into the travel points game.