Kibbutz Degania Alef
Kibbutz Degania Alef
Kibbutz Degania Alef
4.5
About
Degania Alef, 'Mother of the Kibbutzim' is the first Kibbutz, established in 1910 on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and Jordan River. A fascinating social experiment in communal living, which has lasted more than a century. History, culture and heritage from pioneer days at the beginning of last century, continued by today's vibrant pioneers in modern Kibbutz living.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
65 reviews
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judyinjerusalem
Jerusalem, Israel174 contributions
Mar 2022
Worth spending an hour or two at Kibbutz Degania on the way to or from Tiberias or the Golan Heights. A lot of the history of this pioneering collective community has been preserved here. The small museum has some fascinating photos (even though there are no English captions) and several of the original buildings and courtyard have been restored. Wander around the paths of the kibbutz and chances are a veteran member will ride past and stop to chat. A cafe on the grounds is a pleasant place to get refreshments and take a breather.
Written 22 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Londoner16
London, UK93 contributions
Do the Degania guided tour. Among the most rewarding experiences of your Israel trip. Ask for Moshe.
Aug 2022 • Family
Degania was Israel’s first ever kibbutz, founded in 1910. We did the guided tour (one to two hours) of Degania Alef, given by Moshe, a kibbutz member since the 1960s. He speaks excellent English and gives a hugely interesting and informative - and moving - introduction to the history of the kibbutz (and of kibbutzim generally), to kibbutz life, and to the kibbutz’s role in the early Zionist movement and the building of Israel. It will increase your understanding of Israel.
Moshe is exceptionally nice and is willing to answer questions throughout the tour. He will show you the original buildings and the kibbutz museum. It was a hugely rewarding experience.
We paid 500 shekels for the whole family. It was well worth it.
To book it, email in advance to rishonim@degania.co.il, and ask for a guided tour by Moshe. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Moshe is exceptionally nice and is willing to answer questions throughout the tour. He will show you the original buildings and the kibbutz museum. It was a hugely rewarding experience.
We paid 500 shekels for the whole family. It was well worth it.
To book it, email in advance to rishonim@degania.co.il, and ask for a guided tour by Moshe. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joannas322
Exeter, UK72 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Degania Alef was the very first Kibbutz, established in 1910. Located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, more than 200 meters below sea level, it oozes pioneering spirit and living history. The core group of pioneers was a dozen intrepid young people who settled in a wooden hut in Um Juni and started to work the land. The hut was reconstructed for Degania's Centenary, and today, surrounded by the majestic date plantation, it houses a display of period photographs and artefacts. It overlooks Tel Abudiya, where archaeologists found the earliest man-made tools (now in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem). Legend has it that this was the site of the Garden of Eden, and it's not difficult to believe. The place definitely has amazing atmosphere and energy.
Degania Alef's permanent buildings have been built closer to the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There is a natural history museum, Bet Gordon, set up by A D Gordon, with a tower and observatory on top. Today it is a museum of museums, needing some renovation, but is full of fascinating items and books which deserve to be preserved. There is a museum about the kibbutz in the original communal dining hall. Our guide told us that labels in English are being prepared. Tours are available.
Degania has a modern olive oil press producing award-winning high quality oil. It has a shop, which sells the olive oil, and almonds, grown in Degania's fields on the nearby hill tops.
It is fascinating to look around the kibbutz, a living social experiment, still thriving after more than 100 years. There is an industrial diamond tool factory, cow shed, chicken houses, communal dining hall, children's houses, a pioneer courtyard, a beautiful Bauhaus style white house where young people live today, the museums, a small zoo, a beautiful shady graveyard by the Jordan River. Several well-known figures from modern Israeli history are buried here.
At the entrance to the Kibbutz stands a famous rusty Syrian tank, on the spot where it was heroically stopped in the War of Independence in 1948. It is a constant reminder not to take the beautiful pastoral life today in Kibbutz Degania Alef for granted. A young teenage girl is among those who fell in that battle for Degania.
Today there is a gourmet restaurant called 1910 in the Pioneer Courtyard, named for the year Degania Alef was founded. This restaurant is of the highest standard and is extremely popular. It is best to book to avoid disappointment.
A visit to Kibbutz Degania Alef is suitable for the whole family. It is inspiring to experience living history, as this unique community continues to evolve.
Degania Alef's permanent buildings have been built closer to the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There is a natural history museum, Bet Gordon, set up by A D Gordon, with a tower and observatory on top. Today it is a museum of museums, needing some renovation, but is full of fascinating items and books which deserve to be preserved. There is a museum about the kibbutz in the original communal dining hall. Our guide told us that labels in English are being prepared. Tours are available.
Degania has a modern olive oil press producing award-winning high quality oil. It has a shop, which sells the olive oil, and almonds, grown in Degania's fields on the nearby hill tops.
It is fascinating to look around the kibbutz, a living social experiment, still thriving after more than 100 years. There is an industrial diamond tool factory, cow shed, chicken houses, communal dining hall, children's houses, a pioneer courtyard, a beautiful Bauhaus style white house where young people live today, the museums, a small zoo, a beautiful shady graveyard by the Jordan River. Several well-known figures from modern Israeli history are buried here.
At the entrance to the Kibbutz stands a famous rusty Syrian tank, on the spot where it was heroically stopped in the War of Independence in 1948. It is a constant reminder not to take the beautiful pastoral life today in Kibbutz Degania Alef for granted. A young teenage girl is among those who fell in that battle for Degania.
Today there is a gourmet restaurant called 1910 in the Pioneer Courtyard, named for the year Degania Alef was founded. This restaurant is of the highest standard and is extremely popular. It is best to book to avoid disappointment.
A visit to Kibbutz Degania Alef is suitable for the whole family. It is inspiring to experience living history, as this unique community continues to evolve.
Written 26 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkLinton
Tiberias, Israel118 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
Degania Alef, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, is the first kibbutz ever. It started as a commune of 12 or so people in 1910, and is now a community of a few hundred. The communal nature has somewhat lessened in this materialistic world of ours, but you can still get a feel for the atmosphere. There is also a guided tour which might give a better insight into the way the kibbutz developed. If you're into history, it's a worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours.
Written 4 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yrnesher
Mazkeret Batya, Israel24 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Bashvilim are a husband-wife two-team tour guides of the area from
Kibbuyz Degania thru the beginning of the Jordan River and the Valley surrounding it. They take you on different types of Buggies for a two hour history and culture tour. Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended!
Kibbuyz Degania thru the beginning of the Jordan River and the Valley surrounding it. They take you on different types of Buggies for a two hour history and culture tour. Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended!
Written 20 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie M
Tulsa, OK54 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
This is a historical kibutz with lovely grounds and historical artifacts. You can see the Sea of Galilee from the grounds as well as beautiful gardens, trees, flowers and plants. A bonus is a fabulous restaurant on the premises - 1910 - I strongly suggest eating there!
Written 2 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne S
Mesa, AZ484 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
We enjoyed our quick stop here with our tour guide to learn about the Kibbutz and how they started. Good homemade chocolate store here too.
Written 7 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gus B
Sacramento, CA53 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
It's a typical kibbutz in a typical state of repair. No big deal. Why do you go? Because they make their chocolate confections with imported Belgian chocolate. Which is the best. I was in heaven!
Written 9 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KommandantTampa
Brooksville, FL111 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We visited this place with the help of a woman tour guide that grew up in this place. She was the epitomy of a forceful woman and I would surely duck behind her when the bombs came to call. Very nice and capable lady.
Written 25 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gefgal
israel66 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
great restaurant in the kibbutz and even better check out the dining room of the kibbutz. great food at amazing prices.
For people who like history and to hear about the war check out an old Syrian tank at the entrance to the kibbutz with a explanation from a recorded metal box beside the tank.
For people who like history and to hear about the war check out an old Syrian tank at the entrance to the kibbutz with a explanation from a recorded metal box beside the tank.
Written 8 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
how long should one put in one's itinerary for visit this kibbutz? other than oil and almonds, is it a agricultural kibbutz? if not, what else is made there? is the restaurant kosher?
Written 1 March 2018
How did you book Kibbutz Degania?
Written 27 January 2015
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