Huge honor: Kfar Masaryk won the title of "Best Tourism Village in the World" for 2026

Since the establishment of Kfar Masaryk, a lot of water has flowed in the Naaman stream, but none of the founders surely thought then that over time, on the foundations of the first shack and the red brick buildings, a tourism enterprise would grow that is expected to be declared next month as one of the best tourism villages in the world for 2026 by the UN.

Tourism is a livelihood for many rural communities, but its true potential has not yet been fully utilized, said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO (UN Tourism) - the UN World Tourism Organization, and he certainly meant the kibbutz of Kfar Masaryk, which won the huge honor.

For those who don't know, every year over 250 applications from tourist villages from around the world are submitted to the Best Tourism Village competition, from which about 40 villages are selected that represent destinations loyal to their authenticity and rural character, host tourists, and make a living from it. The goal of the prestigious competition is to leverage rural tourism out of a desire to preserve the character of the selected settlements.

The importance of promoting them stems from the need to preserve the communal character alongside tradition, culture, landscapes, and biodiversity, and to promote innovative and sustainable approaches to tourism development. Another goal is to practically promote rural destinations, encourage communities to use success, and turn rural tourism into an engine of growth, livelihood development, and prosperity. For those who met all the strict criteria, the organization awards the program's flagship prize for developing outstanding villages. The winners are villages that are an exceptional example of tourist destinations with recognized cultural and natural assets, which preserve and promote rural values, products, and lifestyles, and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability.

In 2022, it was Kfar Kama that snatched the title and the award thanks to its history, heritage, culture, and traditional architecture, and last year the kibbutz of Neot Smadar won the title due to the kibbutz's cultural and natural wealth. Beyond entering the prestigious list, international recognition, and branding, the real prize is the great exposure that the villages receive as part of campaigns in all global networks and media, initiated by the organization.

This year, as mentioned, it is Kfar Masaryk, and to be honest, this is not the kibbutz's first encounter with the competition. In 2023, it was chosen together with Peki'in to represent Israel, reached the final stage, received international recognition, but did not enter the final list. The committee, which identified the potential thanks to the kibbutz's communal, authentic, and unique tourism branch, included it in the upgrade program and attached a mentor to guide, support, and accompany them on the way to meeting the criteria required for their recognition in the future. Later, the Ministry of Tourism also appointed them an accompanying mentor, Dr. Eran Ketter, an expert in international tourism, and together with the Western Galilee Cluster tourism association, they built the local program. And the future? It arrived faster than they thought. Today, Kfar Masaryk is the only Israeli representative that submitted its candidacy, won to enter the final list, and the kibbutz is already looking forward to the official announcement at the end of September.

From Naaman to Mangrove Jack

Before we jump to the who and what in tourism, we will do a small review of how it all started and what makes Kfar Masaryk a kind of authentic magic, which invites you to see and experience on the ground. The kibbutz was established in 1938 by immigrants from Lithuania and the Czech Republic as a "Wall and Tower" settlement and was named after Thomas Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of the Czech Republic - an inspiring man thanks to his values and belief in equality, peace, and cooperation, values on which the kibbutz is based even today.

Kfar Masaryk is located on the banks of the Naaman stream, between Acre and Kiryat Haim, and serves as a gateway to the Western Galilee. While the kibbutzim established before and after it were based on agriculture and working the land, it, which was located on the banks of swamps and the muddy soil was not suitable for crops, established two factories that gave it the title of the first industrial kibbutz. The first factory was called Askar and they produced paints, glues, and asphalt, which was used during the Mandate days for paving roads and infrastructure, and later became part of the Tambour factory. The second is Naaman - the legendary factory known for the porcelain and ceramic tools that starred in every Israeli home, but in the 40s it was used to produce pipes, tiles, and burnt bricks for construction. The bricks were built from the mud of the Naaman swamps, which was transferred by the longest cable car in the country from the swamps to the factory that was located near the sea. In the 60s, in the days of black-and-white televisions, they also established Silora - a factory for producing televisions, which later became Silora Development and deals in the production of electronic products for the medical market. Another factory is Docart, which produces printed cardboard packaging for the food market (for example, milk cartons and pizza boxes).

And regarding agriculture, the swamps were exterminated and dried, and over the years they learned to overcome the muddy soil and grow on about 5,000 dunams fields of wheat, cotton, corn, chickpeas, peanuts, watermelons, and avocado orchards, alongside a cowshed, a chicken coop, and ponds where carp, tilapia, bass, barramundi, and sea bream swim - for which brine ponds were established like in the sea. Soon a new immigrant will arrive at the ponds, Mangrove Jack (red snapper) - a predatory fish whose meat is a delicacy and after it receives an absorption basket and is cultured, it will be served in chef restaurants.

The Secret of the Kibbutz Wonder

The kibbutz is wrapped in lawns, thick trees, including 80-year-old Banyan fig trees that look like environmental sculpture, green spaces, landscapes, pastoralism, and captivating rural simplicity. Kfar Masaryk, like quite a few kibbutzim, underwent privatization but here it is minor - "light" privatization as they call it. Some things, such as the shared vehicles (which you still need to register to take), the laundry, the dining room, and the members' club, operate as usual. The kibbutz is profitable and financially organized, yet it maintains a modest and solid character, like the kibbutzim of the past. The members' houses that were built recently are also not eye-catching and can be chosen from two models, and this is mainly to maintain a kind of uniformity and equality between everyone.

Basically, it is a renewing kibbutz that maintains the kibbutz foundations, is in growth, and absorbs families for membership and full partnership. The community here is very strong and prominent, and as evidence, the dining room is open all week and the members (and guests of the holiday village) eat breakfast, lunch, Friday evening meals, and large holiday meals there, when everyone meets everyone and maintains the social tradition. One of the most exciting places in the kibbutz is the members' club, which after the Friday meal they cross the square and move to the club where tables covered with tablecloths and a counter with cakes, coffee, books, board games, and conversations about this and that await them. The pool is also a central meeting place, and beyond the fact that it is beautiful, large, and shaded, it is surrounded by large lawns and a grove and you can barbecue there. Between the trees, there are picnic tables and built-in grills, and guests of the inn are also invited to swim and barbecue.

All businesses in the area belong to the kibbutz, are operated by the members, and almost all of them correspond with tourism - so the laundry, the shoemaker's shop, the dining room, the gallery, the pub, the coffee cart, the pool, the horse stables, and also the fish ponds. Over the years, tourism has become an economic branch (at this stage modest, but with ambitions to expand and prosper) thanks to the "Secret of the Kibbutz Wonder", the beating heart of tourism in the kibbutz. The "Secret of the Wonder" is a heritage site located in the founders' courtyard that tells and presents the kibbutz of the past versus the renewing kibbutz, its development alongside industry and agriculture, and the kibbutz lifestyle from the 30s to today. The historical site has become a visitor center that presents the past and future of the cooperative settlement, and the tour is a journey through time that presents the culture and kibbutz atmosphere through photos, characters, exhibitions, objects, videos, and events from the life of the kibbutz over the years.

The route passes through the first shack through the historical arch buildings - built from red-burnt stone, the water tower, the dining room, the children's houses, the laundry, the shoemaker's shop, the model of the long cable car that led mud from the swamps to the factory, to the display of ceramic and porcelain tools. The tour reveals the story of the pioneers and the kibbutz culture that arouse nostalgia and longing in the elderly, even if they did not grow up in a kibbutz. On the other hand, the little ones and teenagers also connect to it in an experiential way and are exposed to pioneering, the beginning of the settlement, and the days when entire families lived in a crowded room, and a room for one child and private toilets and showers were not even a dream, and shoes were passed from child to child or bought (in the best case) only on Passover and Rosh Hashanah.

"Visitors from Israel and the world arrive at the site to experience a kibbutz experience during which they sleep in our inn, eat in the dining room, and tour the kibbutz," says Efrat Peled Sadeh, a member of the farm and the one who initiated and manages tourism in the kibbutz. "We also conduct a variety of tours, including 'Kibbutz Song' - a journey between people, stories, and poets' songs written on the walls of public buildings; 'When Art Meets Soul' - an exciting meeting with local creation; 'Naaman Stream' - a nature, water, and landscape trip; 'Birdwatching and Agriculture'; 'Seasonal Gathering', and a tour along the stream combined with a riddle. You can also choose activities and workshops that correspond with our history, including painting on porcelain plates, a memory of the Naaman factory days, an exciting and humorous meeting with Avram'ele the shoemaker in the authentic shoemaker's shop, learning Hora dances when the dancers are dressed in pioneer clothes, and a glimpse into the agricultural branches - in the fields, in the orchards, and in the fish ponds." She adds with excitement: "As part of the UNWTO organization's competition, we produced a wonderful image video in English, describing the uniqueness of the kibbutz, the community, the culture, the heritage, and our special lifestyle, and we hope to become a significant, valuable, and unique tourist center in the region in particular, and in the country in general." The tours and activities, it is important to note, are built according to the level of interest and the composition of the visitors - groups, couples, families, and children.

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On the Field Chariots

Dvir Sadeh is a member of Kfar Masaryk, an educator and travel enthusiast, and the connection to kibbutz tourism is most natural for him since his wife manages it and he is her helper. And so, without intending to, he was recruited to lead the field tours in Marshal vehicles (small electric vehicles). This is not just another nature trip but a kind of adventure with someone who knows every path and corner surrounding the farm, including wild nature and a hidden lake hidden in the thicket of vegetation.

He accompanies the trip with local stories, explanations, and binoculars for observations, and passes through a Galilean landscape, between the fields, the fish ponds, and the fishermen's hill, which overlooks the ponds where they stop for a break on the swing facing the view. Later, a drive between the ponds and observation of the migratory birds and water birds that feast on the fish and the field crops. A stop at the Blue Dome - a small building with a tabun that the guys built on the edge of the spring and hold picnics and parties there, but beware of the stinging fire ants. Onward to the wild nature reserve Ein Nampit and Ein Afia - a large spring surrounded by a thicket of reed plants whose location secret is known only to the locals. To see the spring you will need to climb a very high stone, and to clear a path to it you will equip yourself with a machete, only then will you see it in all its glory, and on a hot day it is hard to resist the temptation and not jump into the water. Later we picked raspberries and figs, drove along the Naaman channel, and crossed the long, green bridge to observe the stream.

For details: 052-8346306

Dance of the Birds

Keren Or Shahar woke me up before 06:00 to make it to the sunrise over the fish ponds. Apparently, you can see a sunrise anywhere, and the ponds at any time of the day, but Keren, who is an artist and photographer, insisted that this is the most amazing time to photograph the flocks of birds in the ponds against the background of the first light, when they have not yet gone out for their daily flight, and she was right! The show of colors, sounds, and the dance of the birds we received there was worth every minute of unnecessary sleep and the chance that I would miss the breathtaking frames of the pelicans, ducks, storks, and white egrets in the water, the cormorants and ibises that circled above us, the kingfishers that fluttered in the air ready to dive and hunt breakfast, and the fish that jumped in the water when the machine spread food for them. As a finale for the photographic dawn, we received additional frames of horses in the pasture, a group of dogs that ran around us, and a couple on a romantic bicycle ride along the stream. And there was also black coffee, a story about post-trauma and rehabilitation, fresh air, and moments of happiness.

So if you are in the kibbutz or in the area, contact her, set a date at sunrise and she will take you to the amazing location and while doing so will teach and give tips on how to produce professional photos and videos from your mobile.

Positive Communication

The horses arrived in December 2025, in January we were supposed to open the farm and there was just a missile attack. "The horses were frightened by the sirens and the booms but slowly got used to it," says Hofit, an instructor and manager at the farm, and adds that only last May did they officially open. The farm is beautiful and well-kept and so are the horses beautiful and curious, and above all is the beautiful Bamba that we want to adopt. The farm deals with therapeutic riding and soon they will also add experiential riding trips in the field, and until then you can experience the place and the horses in a unique and exciting way. The riders, including small children, are invited to get to know, feel, and connect to the horse, take care of it, comb its hair, assemble the saddle, lead it to the manege, and experience riding. If there is experience and confidence, you can ride and run the horse. Another experience is the human-animal connection and a meeting with two of the horses that learned positive communication. The work with the horse is through communication from the ground - to give it instructions, to conduct a non-verbal dialogue with it, and to make the love for it accessible.

Kfar Masaryk Inn

The inn is a sweet place - pleasant, comfortable, and functional, surrounded by lawns, gardens, and thick trees, which transmit an authentic kibbutz atmosphere and a relaxed vacation experience. Einav Reiz is responsible for the management, who runs around the area, makes sure it is polished and clean, and makes sure the guests don't lack anything. In the area, there are 20 ground-level guest rooms in three segments - renovated superior rooms suitable for hosting a couple up to six guests. In each unit, there is a bedroom, a seating area, an attached garden, and a kitchenette equipped with utensils, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a kettle. Rural wooden cabins with a bedroom and a gallery with mattresses, which children fly on. A third option is the Shaked rooms located in what used to be the children's houses, and they are suitable for hosting a couple up to a large family. Hammocks and seating areas are scattered in the area, it is allowed to barbecue and if you are into a bicycle trip you can rent them at the reception, including a seat for children. Guests are invited to celebrate in the pool, eat in the dining room, and tour the founders' courtyard.

Due to the demand, the inn is expected to expand soon and be renewed with 50 additional guest units, and these days collaborations with hotel chains and chains specializing in rural hospitality are being examined.

Cafe Thomas

A coffee cart located in the founders' courtyard, at the foot of the water tower, surrounded by lawns, trees, and historical stone buildings. In the area, they placed picnic tables, seating areas, and mats, which make the cart an ideal place for a couple or family outing, when the children can play and run in the spaces. On the menu, a great breakfast with a very fresh salad chopped on the spot, a yellowish egg salad with green onions, an excellent avocado salad, seared eggplant slices, and eggs at your request. And there are also tasty sandwiches in a croissant, sweet pastries (the vanilla is excellent) and savory (the one with cream cheese and mushrooms is highly recommended), toasts, Turkish burekas, Italian pizza, desserts, and SPUMA coffee produced in the neighboring kibbutz Rosh HaNikra. Occasionally, fairs and events are also held in the garden.

When: Friday-Saturday, 09:00-14:00

Masaryk Pub

Once there was a poultry hatchery here, then a barbershop, and now a cool community pub in the atmosphere of the 80s-90s pubs in kibbutzim. The pub opened at the beginning of the year and Ido Soker, the kibbutz yardman, is responsible for the eclectic design, who designed it with interesting combinations and in homage to the past. In the large space, he placed the front of the first fire truck in the farm, added items from the Wall and Tower days, a legendary accordion, and grandmother's armchairs. Above the bar, he hung shelves for wine bottles, alcohol, and three beer taps, next to which popcorn and olives are served. And there is also a balcony, a pool table, and a stage for performances.

When: Thursday-Friday from 21:00

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Jordy's Garden

Yarden Buskila, whom everyone called Jordy, went down to his first nature party and was murdered at the Nova. He was born and raised in the kibbutz, worked in high-tech, traveled the world, contributed to the community, and although he was only 25 years old, he managed a lot. He had creative thinking, golden hands, an inspiring personality, and always talked about a better and greener world, and the green and good world is reflected in the way that Meirav and Shimon, his parents, chose to commemorate him - a nature garden. "Yarden loved nature and the desert and the idea of the garden started already during the shiva with the thought of doing something communal-social for the benefit of everyone," says Shimon. They chose the dirt embankment opposite their house, did a crowdfunding, and the family, friends, and good people mobilized to clean the hill and prepare the area. Together they planted orchard trees, brought a large rock from the Golan Heights, which broke here into two and they decided to leave it as a symbol of the break in life, on which they placed an engraving of Jordy surfing on a kite surf. On another rock, a portrait and a sign telling about his life are displayed, and on artistic stones, mosaics are displayed that Meirav and volunteers created inspired by situations and places where he traveled. They built a large pergola for gathering, a stone wall in which they planted purple Duranta flowers, similar to the flowering wall he built in their home, added swings, a hammock, a sandbox, a kitchenette, and a pit for a potjie, and it became "Jordy's Garden of Life" - a charming, exciting, and inviting place to walk, rest, and join the singing evenings that Meirav organizes on the spot.

Sivan's Project

Sivan Sadeh was a son of a family of farmers, a boy of nature and fields, who cruelly met his death in the very place he loved. In November 2024, during the Swords of Iron war, he went out to water the fields and a missile fired from Lebanon hit him. In the kibbutz, it was decided to commemorate Sivan as part of a nature and environment development project, during which they will restore and expand the Naaman channel and create a stream pond, build a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, prepare a hiking trail, build an amphitheater, set up observation plazas, open a cafe, and introduce new and bustling life to the area of the fields and ponds.

La Colective

Colective is a small winery established by a group of friends out of love for wine and its making. They settled in mandatory buildings at the edge of the kibbutz, in one of them they designed an artistic wall, embedded colorful glass bottles and turned it into a tasting room, and the second they turned into a barrel room. They also established a vine arbor that connects the two buildings where they sit, host, and drink good wine. They produce blends and varietal wines including Syrah, Roussanne, Merlot, Malbec, and Shiraz, and bottle 3,000-4,000 bottles a year. And then the war came and shuffled the cards. Some of them were recruited for long reserve service and in the last two years they did not produce wine and the winery was neglected. These days they promise to return, maintain the winery, produce new wine, and open to visitors.

For details: 052-8346330

Munio Gallery

Architect Munio Weinraub Gitai, father of film director Amos Gitai, designed in 1965 the dining room building and the inner courtyard inspired by the Bauhaus with the flat roof, and in combination with the eclectic style. Adjacent, he designed an art gallery but it did not open because the members did not understand its meaning, asked then who will work in the fields? And turned the place into a warehouse. After years, the gallery was renewed at the initiative of Gitai the son, and it is dedicated to Israeli art and exhibitions on society and environment topics.

These days, the exhibition "Time that was Embroidered" is presented, showing works embroidered in the technique of wool threads. The works express the life story of the creators, including an artist from Isfiya who embroidered on an old family carpet, an artist who embroidered on her grandmother's aluminum pot, a third embroidered on family napkins, and a fourth added dry pasta to the embroidery.