Shaar Hagolan can be explored through three themes: communal life in the kibbutz, trees and stories on a botanical tour, and agriculture among plantations and a dairy farm. When planning your trip, it’s worth choosing your main interest first. The options differ not only in their subject matter but also in their format: a gentle walk through the kibbutz contrasts with an agricultural drive east to the plantations.

Kibbutz life as a tour theme

The kibbutz tour visits the communal clothing store, the dining hall, the central notice board and the children’s houses area. The guide also explains the kibbutz’s organizational structure and the advantages and disadvantages of kibbutz life. In this way, the tour connects specific stops with the question of how communal life is organized. If you’re more interested in community life and how it is organized than in plants or growing methods, this tour is the right choice.

A botanical walk and stories

The botanical tour follows an easy walking route through the kibbutz, among trees and accompanied by stories. The botanical tour also includes the Shaar Hagolan garden, with dozens of tree species from around the world. The tour combines gentle exercise, storytelling and a clear botanical focus. Unlike the kibbutz tour, its focus is not on organizational structure and communal facilities, but on trees and the botanical garden.

Agriculture in transition and in the fields

The agricultural tour begins with a humorous video comparing modern agriculture with farming in the 1940s. It covers the kibbutz’s agricultural sectors, harvest volumes and growing methods. The drive then heads east out of the kibbutz to banana, avocado and date plantations, and ends with a visit to the kibbutz’s dairy farm. The itinerary combines historical comparisons and an overview of growing methods with visits to actual plantations and the dairy operation. Unlike the botanical walk, this drive explicitly leaves the kibbutz. The provider offers contact and booking options for the kibbutz and botanical tours; arrange the details directly with them. The agricultural tour is paid. You should also check its details with the provider in advance.

Archaeology in the wider destination of the Northern District

In the wider destination of the Northern District, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo offer a distinct archaeological focus. Tel Hazor is a biblical tell with significant remains of a city associated with the Bible; the visit focuses on the upper city. Archaeological features include Solomon’s Gate, with six chambers and two towers dating to the 10th century BCE, and an excavated shaft 45 meters deep. Tel Hazor also preserves significant remains of an underground water collection system. This is considered a sophisticated engineering achievement for water storage, adapted to the geography. The Late Bronze Age palace is described as the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most important in the Levant.

Tel Megiddo also preserves significant remains of a city associated with the Bible. Its Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional for the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity and the documented ritual practices. The orthogonal city plan from the Iron Age has few parallels in the Levant. The two sites offer different archaeological focuses: Tel Hazor, with its upper city, gate and water collection system; and Tel Megiddo, with its temple complex and city plan.

Discover more destinations: Ein Harod, Ma'ayan Baruch, Acre, Hazon, Haon, Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Daliyat Al-Karmel, HaZore‘im.

Return to the wider travel overview: Israel.