Getting There
By Bus-Buses run between Safed and Tiberias, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.
By Car-Follow the main but winding roads from Tiberias, Haifa, and Akko.
Getting Around
Most city buses, such as nos. 1, 13, 14, or 3, go from the center to the hotels on Mount Canaan.
Visitor Information
The Safed/Hazor/Rosh Pinna Tourism Association Office is unfortunately not in Safed, but in the Galilee Mall at the entrance to Rosh Pinna (tel. 1-800/323-223 or 04/680-1465, open Sun–Thurs 8am–4pm). In Safed itself, you’ll find the Tzfat Tourist Information Center, 27 Alkabetz St. (tel. 04/692-4427). This useful office is run by a private Jewish outreach organization, Livnot U’lehibanot, and offers a short film on the history of Safed (NIS 5), as well as maps, books, local events, and lists of bed-and-breakfast options and private guides.
July and August are the most popular months because of Safed’s cool climate. In the winter, it can be windy and as much as 20[dg] cooler than Tiberias. Year-round, especially at night, Safed is usually the coldest city in the country.
City Layout
Safed is built on hilltops. The main part of town is compactly clustered atop one hill, while South Safed occupies another hilltop to the south, and Canaan perches on a hillside across the valley to the east. Although you may find occasion to go to Mount Canaan (a few hotels are there), you’ll spend most of your time in the center of Safed. Jerusalem Street (Rechov Yerushalayim) is a circular street that girdles the hill, passing through the commercial street, the Artists’ Quarter, and residential sections before beginning its circle again. Walking the circle should take only 15 minutes, and it is a good way to see most of Safed.
The Egged Bus Station (tel. 04/692-1122) is at the lowest point on Jerusalem Street’s circle through town, where it intersects with Derech Jabotinsky. Walk up to Jerusalem Street from the bus station and go right, and after 360m (1,881 ft.) you will come to the tourism office. But if you come up from the bus station and go left, you’ll be headed toward the commercial district. In any case, once you find Jerusalem Street you can’t get lost in Safed.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.