Tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai Tomb

Address: Meron (Mount Meron), Northern District, Israel

Hours: Open year-round; hours vary with religious events

Admission: Free entry to the site (no official admission); pilgrimage events may have associated costs for services or transport

The Tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is a Jewish pilgrimage site in the village of Meron in northern Israel, traditionally marking the burial place of the 2nd-century tanna Shimon bar Yochai. The complex is one of the most important and frequently visited Jewish holy sites in the Galilee.

The site includes the stone tomb chamber traditionally associated with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, adjacent prayer halls, courtyards and multiple terraces that accommodate worshippers and pilgrims. On regular days it is a place for prayer and study; on the holiday of Lag BaOmer it becomes a mass pilgrimage destination drawing very large crowds.

The burial site is traditionally attributed to the 2nd-century rabbinic sage Shimon bar Yochai and has been a destination for Jewish pilgrims for many centuries. The present compound reflects many phases of construction and repair carried out over time to support continuous religious use.

Located in Meron in Israel’s Upper Galilee, the tomb complex sits on a hillside above the village and is a short drive from the city of Safed/Tzfat and other Galilee towns.

• Lag BaOmer crowds: The site receives its largest crowds on the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer, when tens of thousands of pilgrims arrive and local roads and services are heavily congested.
• Access and transport: Access can be crowded and involves narrow lanes and steps; public transport and organized pilgrimage services are commonly used during large events.

What to See#

• Main tomb chamber: The enclosed chamber traditionally identified as Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s burial place, the focal point for prayer and offerings inside the complex.
• Synagogue and courtyards: Prayer halls, adjacent courtyards and terraces used for worship and for accommodating pilgrims, especially during large religious gatherings.
• Terraces and rooftops: Elevated terraces and roof areas that provide viewing space over the complex and surrounding hillside, used during peak pilgrimage times to manage crowds.

Meron is reached by regional roads from Safed (Tzfat) and from the Galilee towns. During major pilgrimage days, special bus services and police-directed traffic plans are in place; on quieter days, renting a car or taking regional buses from Safed are practical options. Parking is limited during peak events.

• If visiting on Lag BaOmer, prepare for extreme crowds and limited mobility; travel with local guidance and heed official instructions.
• Respect religious customs: modest dress is expected for most visitors to the complex.
• Combine a visit with exploration of nearby Mount Meron trails for quieter perspectives on the area.