Metula
Metula at a Glance
Costs: Moderate prices - $70-140 per day; prices vary near the border.
Safety: Cautious - near Lebanese border - generally calm but close to the Lebanese border; follow local guidance.
Best Time: March-May, September-November - march-May and Sep-Nov offer mild weather for hikes and views.
Why Visit Metula?
Perched at Israel’s northern edge, Metula attracts visitors drawn to borderland scenery and a pace of life shaped by the Galilean foothills. Proximity to Mount Hermon’s ski slopes and the Hula Valley bird reserve makes it appealing for both winter sports and spring migration watching. Nearby trout farms, wooded trails and simple guesthouses give the area a rural, restorative vibe. Travelers come for outdoor pursuits, birding and the quiet contrast to Israel’s busier coastal cities.
Best Things to Do in Metula
Archaeological Site
Caesarea Philippi
Ancient Greco-Roman archaeological site with temple ruins
Historical Site
Tyre
Ancient Phoenician port city with coastal archaeological ruins
Mountain
Mount Hermon
Mountain range with snow-capped peaks and springs
Archaeological Site
Capernaum
Ancient biblical town on Sea of Galilee
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
Valley
Hula Valley
Israeli valley and major migratory bird sanctuary.
Metula Bucket List
Don't Miss
Hula Valley Nature Reserve - Observe migrating birds and walk boardwalk trails through the Hula Valley wetlands.
Tel Dan Nature Reserve - Explore Tel Dan’s lush springs, ancient city ruins, and shaded walking trails.
Banias Nature Reserve - Visit Banias Nature Reserve for waterfalls, archaeological remains, and riverside trails.
Hidden Gems
Good Fence lookout - Check the historic Good Fence lookout for cross-border stories and landscape views.
Kfar Blum kayaking - Rent a kayak at nearby Kfar Blum for calm Jordan River paddling and scenic views.
Local orchards - Visit family orchards to taste seasonal fruit and learn local farming practices.
Day Trips
Mount Hermon - Drive up Mount Hermon for alpine hikes, panoramic views, and snow activities in season.
Rosh Hanikra grottoes - Visit Rosh Hanikra grottoes for coastal caves reached by a scenic cable car.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Metula
Visit Metula in spring or autumn for comfortable temperatures, wildflowers and hiking; summers are hot and dry while winters are mild but rainy. Border scenery and nature reserves shine outside peak heat.
Winter
Cool, rainy winters with mild daytime temperatures; good for exploring nature reserves but pack a rain jacket and expect occasional heavy showers.
Spring
Lovely and warm without oppressive heat; wildflowers, comfortable hikes and open wineries make spring the nicest shoulder season here overall.
Summer
Hot, dry and sunny - beaches nearby are tempting, but inland afternoons can be very hot; plan early starts and shady breaks.
Metula's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (775 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 8° | 194 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.1h |
| February | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 157 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 11° - 22° | 16° | 49 mm | some cloud | 63% | 3.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Ideal | 15° - 27° | 21° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 55% | 3.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.8h |
| June | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 49% | 4.0 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 14.2h |
| July | Ideal | 20° - 32° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 50% | 3.7 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 14.0h |
| August | Ideal | 20° - 32° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 57% | 3.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 2 mm | clear | 58% | 3.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Ideal | 15° - 27° | 21° | 23 mm | mostly sunny | 59% | 2.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 82 mm | some cloud | 64% | 2.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.3h |
| December | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 144 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
How to Get to Metula
Metula sits at Israel’s northern tip and is reached mainly by road. Fly to Ben Gurion (TLV) and continue by long‑distance bus or rental car to Kiryat Shmona, then a short local transfer to Metula.
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV): Ben Gurion is Israel’s main international airport. To reach Metula you usually travel by bus or car through Haifa and continue north to Kiryat Shmona/Metula; total travel time by car is about 2.5-3 hours (longer by public transport). Shared shuttles and taxis are available from TLV to northern Israel but can be costly.
Rosh Pina Airport (RPN): Rosh Pina is a small regional airport near Safed that occasionally operates domestic flights; when available it shortens ground travel to Metula (around 30-45 minutes by car). Commercial schedules vary, so check availability before booking.
Train: Israel Railways does not currently reach the far north to Metula; the rail network terminates further south (e.g., Haifa).
Bus: Egged and other bus operators provide services to Kiryat Shmona and nearby towns; from Kiryat Shmona local buses or taxis cover the short transfer to Metula (10-20 minutes). Long-distance buses from Tel Aviv to Kiryat Shmona typically take 3-4 hours and fares are in the tens of shekels range.
How to Get Around Metula
Public transport to Metula relies on long‑distance buses to Kiryat Shmona followed by a short local bus or taxi. For speed and convenience, renting a car or arranging a private transfer is recommended.
- Long‑distance bus (Egged) (ILS 40-80) - Egged operates services from major cities (Tel Aviv, Haifa) to Kiryat Shmona; these are the main public transport option for reaching the far north. Expect journeys from Tel Aviv to Kiryat Shmona of roughly 3-4 hours-check Egged timetables in advance.
- Local bus (Kiryat Shmona-Metula) (ILS 5-25) - Short local buses and minibuses link Kiryat Shmona with Metula and neighbouring villages. These runs are brief and inexpensive-useful for the final leg if you prefer not to taxi.
- Taxi (ILS 80-400) - Taxis are widely used for direct transfers from Kiryat Shmona or the airport; they are convenient if you arrive late or have luggage. For longer TLV→Metula transfers, arrange a fixed‑price shared shuttle or private transfer when possible.
- Car hire (ILS 150-400/day) - Renting a car at TLV or Haifa is the most flexible way to explore the Upper Galilee and reach Metula. Roads are good, and a car shortens travel time considerably-parking in Metula is straightforward.
- Private shuttle / transfer (ILS 250-600) - Private transfers can be arranged from Ben Gurion or Haifa directly to hotels in Metula-handy for groups and door‑to‑door service. Book in advance, especially in high season.
- Walking - Metula’s village centre is compact and pleasant to explore on foot; walking is the best way to move around locally and access nearby nature trails.
Where to Stay in Metula
Budget
Metula village - ₪150-350/night (approx.)
Metula is a tiny northern village; budget stays are basic guesthouses or homestays. Options are few so expect simple rooms and local hosts.
Metula - budget guesthouses (Booking listings) - Small, simple family-run rooms
Local simple stays / homestays (Facebook listings) - Basic rooms and homestays listed on social pages
Mid-Range
Kiryat Shmona / Golan area - ₪350-700/night
Mid-range choices are generally in nearby Kiryat Shmona or the Golan Heights; Metula has only a handful of family-run pensions and small hotels.
Golan Heights / Kiryat Shmona hotels (regional picks) - Mid-range hotels within 20-30 minutes
Northern Israel mid-range hotels (listing) - Convenient regional options
Luxury
Upper Galilee / Golan - ₪800+/night
Metula has no large luxury resorts. Upscale travellers stay at boutique or resort hotels elsewhere in the Galilee or Golan; local luxury options are scarce.
Luxury options are mostly regional (upper Galilee) - Upscale hotels found 30-60 minutes away
Upper Galilee luxury hotels (listing) - Boutique resorts in the region
Where to Eat in Metula
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Metula’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Metula
Nightlife in Metula is quiet outside peak tourist periods. Evenings are usually spent in local restaurants or bars; for a livelier scene and more choices you’ll want to go to Kiryat Shmona.
Shopping in Metula
Shopping in Metula is limited to small grocery stores, local bakeries and souvenir shops serving visitors. For supermarkets, specialty food shops or a larger retail selection head to nearby Kiryat Shmona.