Hamat Gader
The Hamat Gader hot springs, "the hot springs of Gadara", are natural hot baths dating back to the Roman Empire period and once serving as large bathing, recreation and healing complexes. The water temperature is 50 degrees C. Hamat Gader is located near the north of the Sea of Galilee, near the Golan Heights and Jordan.
Modern Hamat Gader is an expansive outdoor space filled with restaurants, swimming pools, and sprawling green lawns for picnicking. Hamat Gader is best known for its spa area, including pools filled with natural, mineral spring water, Jacuzzis, a hot waterfall, as well as a spa treatment center with water-based and massage options. The Hamat Gader Spa Village hotel, camping and family style accomodations are available on the park grounds; a coffee shop, bar and seven different restaurants are also located within the Hamat Gader Park site.
Hamat Gader is home to the Middle East’s largest crocodile farm, housing over 200 crocodiles. It also houses monkeys, exotic birds and a petting zoo.
Hamat Gader park is open during the summer season (June through September) from 7am until 5pm seven days a week; in the winter months (October through May), it is open from 7am until 11pm Monday through Friday, until 9pm on Saturday and until 5pm on Sunday. Hamat Gader’s attractions, hotels, antiquities site and spa all require admission fees.
Visitors can also visit the original Roman baths and learn about the history of Tiberias’s ancient neighboring city of Gadara (now in Jordan).