Hittin
Hittin at a Glance
Costs: $60-120 / day - local guesthouses and modest eateries keep costs down; guided tours or car hire add expenses.
Safety: Generally safe but regionally sensitive - peaceful site but subject to regional security dynamics; check conditions before visiting.
Best Time: March-May, September-November - march-May and September-November offer mild, pleasant weather and clearer skies.
Why Visit Hittin?
Historical significance and sweeping Galilean views draw visitors to this hill where past battles shaped the region. The Horns of Hittin and the site tied to Saladin’s 1187 victory make it a magnet for history buffs; nearby archaeological remains and rolling olive groves add landscape context. Travelers also appreciate short regional excursions to local Druze villages and tasting traditional dishes that reflect Northern Israel’s layered culinary and cultural mix.
Best Things to Do in Hittin
Archaeological Site
Gadara
Ancient Hellenistic city with Roman ruins
Lake
Sea of Galilee
Freshwater lake central to New Testament events
Archaeological Site
Capernaum
Ancient biblical town on Sea of Galilee
Mountain
Mount Tabor
Biblical hill in Israel with pilgrimage significance
Archaeological Site
Tel Megiddo
Ancient archaeological mound with extensive biblical-era ruins
Archaeological Site
Bethsaida
Biblical Galilean site and ancient fishing village ruins
Archaeological Site
Tel Hazor
Archaeological tell of an ancient Canaanite and Israelite city
Mountain
Mount Meron
Highest peak in Israel's Galilee and nature reserve
Hittin Bucket List
Don't Miss
Horns of Hattin (Jebel Hittin) - Walk the volcanic twin peaks historic site where views sweep across Galilean plains.
Hittin archaeological remains - Explore archaeological remains and signs recounting the medieval Battle of Hattin.
Village mosque and market - Visit the village mosque and nearby market to experience local Arab-Galilean culture.
Hidden Gems
Local olive groves trails - Wander quiet tracks through olive groves and terraces dotted around the Hittin slopes.
Hittin lookout points - Find small roadside viewpoints offering intimate vistas of fields, volcanic cones, and villages.
Local family-run bakery - Buy freshly baked flatbreads and sweets from a longstanding family bakery in town.
Day Trips
Sea of Galilee and Tiberias - Short drive to the Sea of Galilee for lakeside sites and Tiberias markets.
Mount Arbel viewpoints - Hike to Mount Arbel for cliff-top panoramas across the Galilean plain and lake.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Hittin
Hittin is best visited in spring or autumn when Mediterranean temperatures are mild and landscapes are vivid after winter rains. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cooler with occasional rain.
Winter
Cool, rainy winters are peaceful and green; archaeological sites are pleasant to explore but some afternoons can be wet.
Summer
Hot, dry, and sunny - perfect for long days outdoors but expect strong sun and limited shade in the countryside.
Spring
Blossoming hills and mild temperatures make spring the most enjoyable time for hiking historic landscapes and avoiding peak heat.
Hittin's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 119 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.2 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 13° - 24° | 19° | 23 mm | some cloud | 61% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Ideal | 17° - 28° | 22° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 53% | 2.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.7h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 31° | 25° | 0 mm | clear | 52% | 2.8 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 14.1h |
| July | Ideal | 22° - 32° | 28° | 0 mm | clear | 55% | 2.5 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.9h |
| August | Ideal | 23° - 32° | 29° | 0 mm | clear | 60% | 2.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Ideal | 21° - 31° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 58% | 2.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 18° - 28° | 23° | 15 mm | mostly sunny | 56% | 2.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.2h |
| November | Excellent | 13° - 23° | 18° | 57 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 1.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 2.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
How to Get to Hittin
How to Get Around Hittin
- Intercity bus (Egged / local operators) -
- Taxi -
- Private car -
- Walking -
- Shared shuttle -
Where to Stay in Hittin
Budget
Hittin / Tiberias vicinity - $30-80/night
Hittin is a small village with few formal hotels. Budget travelers rely on nearby Tiberias or small local guesthouses.
Local guesthouses (nearby villages) - Simple, family-run accommodations.
Small B&Bs (regional listings) - Limited budget options in Hittin itself.
Mid-Range
Tiberias / Sea of Galilee - $80-160/night
Mid-range hotels are concentrated in Tiberias or on the lake-easier to find and well-suited for day trips to Hittin.
The Scots Hotel (near Tiberias) - Historic hotel with views of the Sea of Galilee.
Mid-range hotels in Tiberias (various) - Comfortable choices 20-30 minutes away.
Luxury
Sea of Galilee / Golan Heights - $180+/night
No luxury hotels in Hittin village; top-tier resorts are located around the Sea of Galilee and in the Golan Heights.
Ramot Resort & Conference Center (Golan/Tiberias area) - Upscale resort options nearby.
Selected luxury lodgings in Tiberias/Jerusalem - High-end hotel alternatives within driving distance.
Where to Eat in Hittin
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Hittin’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.