Safed FAQs
Transportation to Tzfat
. How can you get to Safed?
A. If you have a car you can enter Safed from Route 89 or Route 90.
If you're traveling by bus, you can take a direct bus from Jerusalem (982) which runs several times each day, or from the airport, Tel Aviv or Haifa, by train to Acco and then bus 361 to Safed (runs every 1/2 hour until approximately 9:00p.m.)
Other transportation information can be found here.
A. If you have a car you can enter Safed from Route 89 or Route 90.
If you're traveling by bus, you can take a direct bus from Jerusalem (982) which runs several times each day, or from the airport, Tel Aviv or Haifa, by train to Acco and then bus 361 to Safed (runs every 1/2 hour until approximately 9:00p.m.)
Other transportation information can be found here.
Shabbat in Tzfat
Q. What are my options if I come to Safed on a Shabbat or a Jewish holiday?
A. These are special times in Safed and are quite spiritual. You can make the rounds of the local synagogues to see the different styles of prayer and just walk around to experience the atmosphere. There is no public transportation on the Shabbat or holidays and there are no restaurants or supermarkets open, so you must make arrangements for your meals ahead of time. Or Join a Shabbat Experience!
A. These are special times in Safed and are quite spiritual. You can make the rounds of the local synagogues to see the different styles of prayer and just walk around to experience the atmosphere. There is no public transportation on the Shabbat or holidays and there are no restaurants or supermarkets open, so you must make arrangements for your meals ahead of time. Or Join a Shabbat Experience!
Hotels, bed and breakfasts, kosher accommodations, in Safed
Q. Where can I stay in Tzfat?
A. There are a wide variety of accommodation options in Safed including luxury accommodations, moderately-priced hotels, many different types of Bed and Breakfasts and hostels.
A. There are a wide variety of accommodation options in Safed including luxury accommodations, moderately-priced hotels, many different types of Bed and Breakfasts and hostels.
Touring Tzfat
Q. What's the best way to tour Tzfat?
A. There are a number of options for touring Tzfat.
A. There are a number of options for touring Tzfat.
- Hire a tour guide for a guided tour of Tzfat
- Walk around the city with the self-guided tours of Tzfat on your smartphone to learn about the city's religious and historical sites.
- Read about Tzfat's sites while you walk through the city
What is there to Do in Tzfat?
Q. What is there to do in Tzfat?
A. There are a number of Tzfat experiences including visits to historical sites, workshops, visits to galleries and evening activities. Some of these are one-time events and others run throughout the year. Check out what to do in Tzfat during your visit.
A. There are a number of Tzfat experiences including visits to historical sites, workshops, visits to galleries and evening activities. Some of these are one-time events and others run throughout the year. Check out what to do in Tzfat during your visit.
Aliyah to Tzfat
Q. I'm interested in settling in Safed. How can I start the process?
A. You can start out by connecting to some of the local Safed web-based groups such as the Facebook group and a local listserve. Safed has hundreds, perhaps thousands of English-speaking residents, most of whom have immigrated from English-speaking countries. They will be happy to answer your questions. If you're looking to rent or buy a house or apartment in Safed you can choose from a newer neighborhood, an older neighborhood or the Old City/Artist Quarter. All areas are safe. Some helpful information about real estate in Tzfat. You can also contact us for more information.
A. You can start out by connecting to some of the local Safed web-based groups such as the Facebook group and a local listserve. Safed has hundreds, perhaps thousands of English-speaking residents, most of whom have immigrated from English-speaking countries. They will be happy to answer your questions. If you're looking to rent or buy a house or apartment in Safed you can choose from a newer neighborhood, an older neighborhood or the Old City/Artist Quarter. All areas are safe. Some helpful information about real estate in Tzfat. You can also contact us for more information.
Kabbalah in Tzfat
I want to learn more about Kabbalah. Is there Kabbalah learning in Tzfat?
A. As you noted, there are many different ways of interpreting Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. In short however, Kabbalah is an element of the Jewish Torah, the Five Books of Moses. It is inseparable from the Torah because the concepts which the authentic Kabbalah teaches are embedded in the text, the words and even the letters of the Torah. A teacher of Kabbalah should draw an individual closer to the Torah. There are specific ways for both Jews and non-Jews to study and understand the Torah and the Kabbalah, but the Kabbalah, in no way, changes the teachings of the Torah. Safed offers a wide variety of other Tzfat learning and classes.
A. As you noted, there are many different ways of interpreting Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. In short however, Kabbalah is an element of the Jewish Torah, the Five Books of Moses. It is inseparable from the Torah because the concepts which the authentic Kabbalah teaches are embedded in the text, the words and even the letters of the Torah. A teacher of Kabbalah should draw an individual closer to the Torah. There are specific ways for both Jews and non-Jews to study and understand the Torah and the Kabbalah, but the Kabbalah, in no way, changes the teachings of the Torah. Safed offers a wide variety of other Tzfat learning and classes.
