Here's Why Gan HaShlosha is Israel's Most Beautiful National Park

Gan HaShlosha is commonly called a modern-day Garden of Eden, for good reason. With its hot natural pools surrounded by lush palm trees and greenery, it is one of the most idyllic places in the country.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZVleqGj9Mk/

The park is located at the base of Mount Gilboa in the Bet She’an Valley, and its pools are fed by the Amal Stream. Its name translates as “Garden of the Three”, a tribute to the three Jewish pioneers who were killed by a land mine when surveying the area for the Jewish National Fund in 1938, ten years before Israel was established.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYjObVfBcBr/

Also known by its Arabic name, Sachne, the park’s natural pools maintain a 28 degree Celsius temperature all year, making it a great place to visit at any time. Pack a picnic or a barbecue and spend an afternoon here like a local.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWe8KeJHPUP/

A microcosm of Israel’s diverse population, Gan HaShlosha is frequented by Jews and Arabs, secular and ultra orthodox, Russian immigrants, kibbutzniks and tourists, all enjoying this heavenly space together. Parks tend to have this effect; they are worlds of their own with their own etiquette, sanctuaries from the outside world that are open to all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVB6LrGD0q2/

In addition to its main swimming pools are artificial waterfalls to relax under, which feed into the magical teal blue water beneath. These cascades are reflections of the rebuilding efforts the park underwent in the 1950s, thanks to the idealistic vision of a member of the nearby Nir David Kibbutz and two Israeli landscape architects.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSnvrIWjqot/

Aside from its stunning pools, cascades and palm trees, Gan HaShlosha is also home to a Mediterranean archaeological museum containing fascinating ancient artifacts, an ancient flour mill, remains of a naumachia (a Roman-era theatre where naval battles were reenacted), the reconstructed Tel Amal tower where Zionist pioneers resided in the 1930s, and a small zoo with Australian wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos. It is also the location of the biggest yoga festival in Israel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWjHbauhvNo

Gan HaShlosha is open from 8am to 5pm during summer weekdays and 8am to 4pm on Fridays, closing one hour earlier during winter months.