A Guide to Nimrod Fortress, Israel
Read our travel guide on visiting Nimrod Fortress National Park in Israel. Includes helpful tips on what to see and do while there, what to expect, how to get, entrance fee, or opening hours.
Today, we're going to explore Nimrod Fortress National Park, home to Israel's largest surviving medieval Muslim fortress.
We probably won't be the only ones when we say that the main reason we wanted to travel to Golan Heights in Northern Israel was Nimrod Fortress.
Of course, the mountainous northeast tip of Israel that has borders with Lebanon and Syria also played a vital part in our decision.
The scenery surrounding the fortress is breathtaking, and together they create a combination that's hard to resist.
Simply put, one of the things to know about Israel is that it's not only history but also epic scenery that makes this country so attractive.
And yes, we know, traveling so close to Lebanon and Syria can raise some security questions, but we felt very safe while there.
Anyway, the mountainous settings, indoor spaces with narrow nooks and dozens of arrow slits, the history of the Crusaders era, well-preserved towers and walls, and easy access quickly made Nimrod Castle one of our favorite places in the Holy Land.
If you've enjoyed the Hospitaller Fortress in Akko or Karak Castle in Jordan, this medieval fortress should be on your Israel itinerary.
Simply put, Nimrod Fortress is one of those off-the-beaten-path places you won't regret visiting if you decide to travel that far to Israel's north.
So here's everything you should know about Nimrod Fortress before you go.
History
It was believed that Crusaders built the Nimrod Fortress, but the archaeologists later discovered that the foundation story was completely different.
Al-Aziz Uthman, one of the Ayyubids sultans, built the fortress upon this strategically important place during the Crusader Era due to the fear that the Crusaders would attack Damascus.
The construction started in 1227 and was completed in 1230. And despite its importance and size at the time, the fortress' glory was relatively short-lived.
It used to control the main road from Lebanon's Tyre to Syria's Damascus from its west side, while the eastern side prevented Crusaders from invading Damascus.
The fortress was destroyed in 1260 when Bahri Mamluks of Egypt defeated the Mongol Empire, but soon after, a governor Bilik started massive reconstructions.
The Nimrod Fortress was expanded during the years 1260-1277 to the state we can see today.
After the end of the Crusader era (1291), the importance of the fortress diminished as there was no use for it any further.
A prison was here in the 15th century, but it was later abandoned.
From this time, the fate of the fortress was left in the hands of natural forces. And also occasional visits of local shepherds who used it as a shelter against the bad weather.
Today, Nimrod Fortress is a popular tourist attraction for Israelis, but not many international travelers make the effort of going here.
As Israel is a pretty compact country and there are more interesting sites in the area, we would like to inspire you to include this place in your travel plans.
What to See and Do
Nimrod Fortress has many worthwhile structures to see, and we believe that following the recommended route by INPA is the best way to explore this site.
Therefore, don't forget to get the Nimrod Fortress brochure by the entrance, which includes a map, history, and description of places you see.
By the way, the fortress was named after the Biblical figure Nimrod who lived during the Great Flood and rebelled against God, although it was initially called Qal'at al-Subeiba (Castle of the Cliff).
Here is the list of places you shouldn't miss while there.
The Northwest Tower
We arrived at Nimrod Fortress' entrance on a beautiful November day, showed our Israel Pass to the cashier at the booth, and drove to the parking lot at the western side.
Once we parked and enjoyed the views, we had two options to enter the fortress.
We chose the Northwest Tower entrance, but you can head out to the fort directly via a modern pathway called Service Road.
One of the first structures Ayyubids built here, this entrance with Arabic inscriptions is a massive structure with a small outer gate and a bigger inner gate.
And it's a perfect introduction to what's about to come.
Another approach is to enter the site via the trail from the cashier's booth at the eastern entrance, but that's not very convenient, though you will have a chance to see a fairly large pool that used to serve as a water reservoir during peacetime.
Baybars Inscriptions
Once we passed through the gate, we appeared inside the fortress and couldn't fail to notice impressive Baybars inscriptions on the right.
Unfortunately, the Bilik's palace that once carried these decorations doesn't exist today, so we could only admire them lying on the side of the trail.
Southwest Tower
Then we continued to the Southwest Tower. This is the place where you appear if you take the service road instead.
By the way, this pathway that leads to the viewing platform is wheelchair accessible, unlike the rest of the fortress.
Sitting at an altitude of 815 meters above sea level, the Southwest Tower offers breathtaking views of the Golan Heights, Hulla Valley, and Galilee Region.
But the views are not the only reason to stop by.
The Southwest Tower also has some well-preserved interiors with an arched hall, embrasures, or a narrow staircase that will take you to rooms with more arrow slits.
It's a small labyrinth right here, but we were able to navigate without any issues.
If you arrive on a scorching day, this tower also has some benches inside where you can sit for a while and take a cover against the sun.
Water Reservoir
Only a short walk from here lies another gem of this national park.
The 7-meter high, 9 meters wide, and 25 meters long water reservoir is another fantastic stop in Nimrod Fortress.
The roofed water reservoir is quite different from the ones we had the opportunity to see in Tel Hazor or Masada, as it reminded us of some secret vault from an adventure movie.
It seemed like the wheel of time cut the water reservoir in half, so we could enjoy its architecture from both inside and outside.
The reservoir was once fully vaulted, had plastered walls, and collected the rainwater throughout the year.
The remaining water with a green surface is now only a remnant of the former purpose of the structure and past times.
Right next to it is the Rahat with yet another inscription, which used to be a public drinking fountain.
Beautiful Tower
We continued toward the keep via the southern trail until we reached Beautiful Tower.
This yet another defensive structure was one of the latest additions built in the second half of the 13th century by Baybars.
As we entered the tower, we could admire the vaulted ceiling and a massive column in the middle of the room that holds the structure together.
The advanced tower with a semicircle shape allowed the archers to get the best view of the eventual enemies climbing the hill's steep slopes.
Don't forget to look through the embrasure toward the west to enjoy a fantastic view of the Southwest Tower and the walls.
Moat
Nimrod Fortress has two sections, the fortress in the west and the donjon (the keep) in the east. And the moat with the wooden bridge used to separate them.
The length of the Nimrod Fortress is 420 meters, so be prepared that it takes a few minutes to get from one end to another.
The width ranges from 60 meters to 150 meters, indicating that the fortress copied the hill's topography upon which it was built.
Either way, the moat is not clearly visible today as it was filled in. If you want to see some epic trenches, you need to visit Akko or Caesarea.
The Donjon
At last, we arrived at the keep that guarded the eastern side of the fortress.
If the lower fortress was conquered, the defenders could simply move their forces to the east side and try to defend themselves from there.
The donjon had four towers in each corner, a ceremonial hall, some additional spaces, and water cisterns.
Even though you can climb to the top of the keep to enjoy some more superb views, the structure is not in such good shape as the towers near the western entrance.
Still, the views of Golan Heights with Mount Hermon in the northeast and the Hulla Valley in the west are worth the effort.
Northern Tower
Now it was time to head back, but we followed the northern wall trail this time.
The north side has a fairly well-preserved Northern Tower (also known as the Prison Tower), but we couldn't get enough of the superb views.
Once again, the views of the deep valley beneath us and the surrounding mountains were hard to beat.
The Secret Passage
When we were almost ready to leave, we decided to visit the last stop on our itinerary, the Secret Passage.
As the name suggests, this structure allowed the defenders to leave the fort without being noticed.
What surprised us the most was that the beginning of the passage with high arched ceilings was quite impressive and not precisely how we had imagined it.
Nevertheless, the secret staircase took us into safety without any of our fellow visitors noticing our successful escape.
And once we emerged from the keep's shadows under the impressive walls, we couldn't help to notice the massive boulders that held this side together.
It almost seemed as Incas, architects of Ollantaytambo or Sacsayhuaman, traveled back in time and built it themselves.
Where to Go Next
As it was getting late, we decided to travel towards the Sea of Galilee as our Israel itinerary was packed.
While staying at Tiberias at the lake shores is an exciting experience, our secret tip would be the quiet village of Rosh Pinna.
Staying in the Golan Heights is another option if you don't want to drive any further, though some short driving is required as the accommodations are scattered around the countryside.
However, if you've arrived early in the morning and still have some time, don't forget to visit Hermon Stream Nature Reserve or Tel Dan Nature Reserve.
Opening Hours
Nimrod Fortress National Park is open from 8 AM to 5 PM in summer from Sunday to Saturday (Friday 8 AM to 4 PM).
The national park is open 8 AM to 4 PM (Friday 8 AM to 3 PM) in winter.
Nimrod Fortress has similar opening hours as most other sites under the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
The last entry is usually one hour before closing time.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Nimrod Fortress National Park is 22 NIS ($7), and you can use your Israel Pass here.
How Much Time Do You Need for Nimrod Fortress
It took us two hours to walk around the entire complex.
As walking from one end to another and back can take you 15-20 minutes, we would say that one hour is a bare minimum for this site.
If you like to explore locations in a more relaxed manner, then allow yourself three hours to get the most out of the trip.
How to Get There
To get the most out of Northern Israel, having a car is a must.
Even though the distances between top attractions in Israel are not great, the limitations of public transport are far too big for most travelers who have only a week or two for Israel.
While public transport exists in the Golan region, its schedule is aimed at locals and not tourists.
As always, the decision is yours, but if we can say one thing, it's that we were glad that we rented a car in Israel.
For more information, read our guide on driving in Israel.
Car
Nimrod Fortress is accessible by Highway 90 in the west and Highway 99 from the east.
Kiryat Shmona is 22 kilometers west of the national park, so it takes only thirty minutes to get there.
Safed is about 65 kilometers southwest of Nimrod Fortress, and you will spend anything between an hour and an hour half on the road.
It will take you about two hours to reach the fortress from Haifa, depending on the route you will follow.
Jerusalem is 250 kilometers south of Nimrod Fortress, and Tel Aviv is about 220 kilometers southwest from here.
Be prepared that the trip from either of the cities takes about three or four hours, depending on the current traffic situation.
Also, bear in mind that Highway 6 has an electronic toll system, so it's not free.
Here you can find the best deals on rental cars in Israel.
Bus
Bus 58 connects Kiryat Shmona with El Rom, also goes to Majdal Shams, and it's your best bet to get to Nimrod Fortress by public transport.
If you're visiting Israel on a Budget, public transport is a good way to get around the country.
The stop where you need to get off the bus is Sayeret Egoz Monument.
Be prepared that it's about a kilometer from the main entrance to the national park and about two kilometers from the west entrance to the fortress.
The bus runs several times a day, and the journey takes about 35 minutes.
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Parking
There is free parking in Nimrod Fortress, on the western side of the site, only a few meters from the main entrance.
There were plenty of empty spaces when we arrived there.
It seemed that it was also allowed to park at the entrance booth if you wanted to enter the fortress from the east.
Where to Stay
One of the upsides of visiting Northern Israel is no shortage of lodging options.
Even though some parts of the country are far more popular among tourists, the northern region of Israel has many excellent hotels and small accommodations.
The most significant advantage is that the classic selection of city hotels does not limit you this time.
There are hundreds of places set in different locations to choose from that it might take you time to make some sense of it.
And while you can always try your luck in the cities such as Kiryat Shmona, Tiberias, or Safed, the Israeli countryside might be a better alternative to find the perfect stay.
So here's our choice of the best hotels near Nimrod Fortress.
Budget | Zimer Al-Bayt - Situated on a shore lake in a lovely garden only 11 kilometers from Nimrod Fortress, Zimer Al Bayt is an excellent little accommodation that has everything you need.
Mid-range | Merom Golan Resort - Located 26 kilometers south of the national park, Merom Golan Resort offers a peaceful location, large gardens, a seasonal indoor swimming pool, and lovely modern and clean rooms.
Mid-range | Erettz Dafna Travel Hotel - Located only 13 kilometers west of Nimrod Fortress, Erettz Dafna Travel Hotel features lovely rooms with AC units, buffet breakfast, free parking, and serene gardens.
When to Go
You can visit Nimrod Fortress year-round. However, the best time to visit Nimrod Fortress is often considered spring when the surrounding hills are green and lush.
We arrived here in the autumn on a lovely sunny day and couldn't wish for better weather though the scenery was mostly dry.
The climate here is a bit colder, so be prepared that the winter temperatures might surprise you a bit.
If you don't believe us, you should know that only a few kilometers from here is Mount Hermon, which is the highest mountain in Israel.
It's also a place where Israelis go skiing in winter.
For more information, read our article on the best time to visit Israel.
What to Pack
Regardless of the season, make sure to bring a water bottle with you to stay hydrated. Hydratation is essential to stay healthy while traveling, so don't underestimate it.
The trail around the fortress can be uneven and has some steps; therefore, comfy runners are recommended.
The cool mountainous air can make the Nimrod Fortress visit a bit more bearable than, for example, places in Lower Galilee such as Tiberias or Beit Shean.
As mentioned above, bring an extra layer or two when visiting the Nimrod Fortress in winter.
We usually take a down jacket and lightweight rain jacket to cover all weather conditions, but a good fleece jacket might be enough.
It's better to check the weather forecast a few days before you go to see what the weather will probably be like in the upcoming days.
And don't forget your travel camera or smartphone in your car.
Staying Safe
Even though Nimrod Fortress is only a few kilometers from Syrian and Lebanese borders, it's safe to visit.
Golan Heights doesn't have the best reputation due to its geopolitical status, but most of the time, it's a perfectly safe area to visit.
We traveled to Nimrod Fortress via Highway 90, and we took Highway 98 to get back to the Sea of Galilee.
Both roads were safe, though Highway 98 felt a bit more deserted and had more speeding drivers. We happened to be there late in the afternoon, so the locals probably rushed back home.
The road was also a bit bumpier than we had experienced so far and had some sharper turns, but it was not that bad.
Follow the speed limit, and you should be fine.
However, always make sure to check the current security situation in Israel as it can change rapidly.
On top of that, following the local news is the least thing you can do to stay safe in Israel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Nimrod Fortress Worth Visiting?
In our opinion, Nimrod Fortress is worth visiting even though it's not on the typical tourist route.
Therefore, a bit more accurate question that you should ask yourself is whether you want to explore the north of Israel.
The distances in Israel are fairly short to cover, and we believe that this area should be on your travel itinerary.
Entire Northern Israel is beautiful, and Nimrod Fortress is one of its main stars.
Add places such as Safed, Banias Falls, or Golan Winery, and you will get one of the finest Israeli experiences.
Of course, there is stiff competition between top attractions in Israel, and most of us have so little time.
Places such as Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea coast, Masada in the Dead Sea area, or Timna Park in the Negev Desert are a tough competition.
Still, we loved our trip to the mountainous area where Nimrod Fortress is located, and we believe that you won't leave disappointed either.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
