The 5 Best Synagogues in Safed (2026)

Updated September 2026 · 5 picks

The best synagogues to visit in Safed in 2026 are the Ari Ashkenazi, the Abuhav and the Yosef Caro synagogues, followed by the Ari Sephardi and the Alsheich. All five stand in the old city's Synagogue Quarter and carry the names of the sixteenth-century sages who made Safed the centre of Kabbalah. Here are 5, with what to look for.

1. The Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

Built where the Ari and his students went out to welcome Shabbat.

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The Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue stands on the spot where Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Ari, is said to have led his students out to greet the Shabbat Queen at the edge of the town.

The present building dates from the nineteenth century, rebuilt after the 1837 earthquake, and its carved and painted wooden ark is one of the finest pieces of folk art in Safed.

It is the most famous synagogue in the city and the one to see if you see only one.

Good to know: Look closely at the carved ark — the detail repays a few minutes.

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2. The Abuhav Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

Home of a Torah scroll attributed to the 15th-century sage Rabbi Yitzhak Abuhav.

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The Abuhav Synagogue carries the name of Rabbi Yitzhak Abuhav, a fifteenth-century Spanish sage, and keeps a Torah scroll attributed to him that is traditionally brought out only a few times a year.

Its interior is full of symbolism — a painted blue dome and details built around numbers with Kabbalistic meaning.

It is one of the most photographed interiors in Safed.

Good to know: Ask the attendant to explain the symbolism of the dome — it is the key to the building.

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3. The Yosef Caro Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

Where the author of the Shulchan Aruch is said to have studied.

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The Caro Synagogue is dedicated to Rabbi Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch, the code of Jewish law still used worldwide, and it is held to stand on the site of his study house.

Rebuilt after the 1837 earthquake, it is still used for prayer and study, with old books lining its walls.

It is smaller and quieter than the Ari Ashkenazi, and it pairs naturally with it.

Good to know: Go early — it is a working study hall, and mornings are quietest for visitors.

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4. The Ari Sephardi Synagogue — Lower edge of the Old City, above the cemetery

The oldest synagogue in Safed, where the Ari himself prayed.

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The Ari Sephardi Synagogue, at the lower edge of the old city above the cemetery, is considered the oldest synagogue in Safed and is where Rabbi Isaac Luria prayed.

Tradition holds that the Ari studied with the prophet Elijah in a small alcove here. The building is simpler than the others, with a feeling of great age.

Combine it with the old cemetery just below.

Good to know: Visit on the way down to the cemetery — it sits right above it.

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5. The Alsheich Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

A 16th-century synagogue that came through the 1837 earthquake.

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The Alsheich Synagogue is named after Rabbi Moshe Alsheich, a sixteenth-century preacher and biblical commentator, and it is one of the few in Safed that survived the 1837 earthquake largely intact.

It is small and simple, with a sense of continuity the rebuilt synagogues cannot quite match.

It is often quieter than the famous names nearby.

Good to know: A good last stop when the main synagogues are busy with groups.

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Frequently asked questions

Can tourists visit Safed's synagogues?

Yes. The historic synagogues are generally open to visitors Sunday to Thursday and on Friday morning, usually for a small donation. They close to visitors on Shabbat and during services.

What is the dress code?

Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered for everyone. Men should cover their heads; kippot are usually provided at the door.

Why are Safed's synagogues so famous?

In the sixteenth century Safed was home to Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari), Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero and other giants of Jewish law and mysticism, and the synagogues associated with them became places of pilgrimage.

Are the buildings original?

Most were badly damaged or destroyed in the earthquake of 1837 and rebuilt, but on their original sites and with their traditions and some original fittings intact.

Can I attend a service?

Yes. Visitors are welcome to join services, and Friday-evening Kabbalat Shabbat in Safed is a memorable experience. Follow the local custom and ask where to sit.

1. The Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

2. The Abuhav Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

3. The Yosef Caro Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

4. The Ari Sephardi Synagogue — Lower edge of the Old City, above the cemetery

5. The Alsheich Synagogue — Synagogue Quarter

Frequently asked questions

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