Overview

Israel’s third-largest city, Haifa is a popular tourist destination and seaport located on the sparkling Mediterranean shoreline, a resort beachside town with plenty of sandy beaches, sunshine, and seas to enjoy. The city is nestled on the slopes and foothills of Mount Carmel featuring some stunning terrain and surrounding scenery with golden beaches, soaring mountains, lush greenery, and miles of Mediterranean coastline.

The city is filled with some intriguing neighborhoods including the smart German Colony with its bustling Arabic Marketplace, Bag Galim one of the oldest neighborhoods on the foothills of Mount Carmel, a waterfront location with a long promenade and sandy beaches; Carmel is a prestigious neighborhood the cultural and recreational center of the city, containing some of the largest hotels in the city.

Haifa is overflowing with stunning sights and attractions including its beautiful and spectacular gardens at Baha’i Shrine and tropical gardens that tumble down the flanks of Mt Carmel radiating symmetry and vibrant colors, it’s a stunning attraction. The city is an excellent place to base yourself and explore northern Israel with many opportunities for organized tours. Haifa and the surrounding areas are filled with physical beauty, it is a thriving city filled with Arab markets, street food vendors, shopping stalls, cinemas, malls, and plenty of shopping.

The city of Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, it is the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is split over three tiers; the lowest in the center of commerce and industry and includes the Port of Haifa; the middle level is set on the slopes of Mount Carmel and consists of the older residential neighborhoods, and the upper level consists of the modern neighborhoods that overlook the lower tiers. Views in the city can be had across the Western Galilee region towards Rosh HaNikra and the Lebanese border.

Things to see and do

Haifa’s crown jewel is undoubtedly the spectacular Bah’ai Gardens, which form part of the Bah’ai World Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These beautiful gardens afford a hillside location dominating the center of the city with cascading terraces of manicured gardens, immaculate walkways, and vibrant flowers that flow down to the Mediterranean Sea. These gardens are a place of pilgrimage and the shining star for members of the Bah’ai faith, it’s like walking into another world, a quiet and sacred place. Be sure to visit the shrine of “Bab” which contains Mirza Al Mohammed’s tomb.

Take a ride on the Haifa cable car, which is the easiest way to get up the steep Mount Carmel and reach the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery. It's the most fun way to get to the top and enjoy some of the most spectacular panoramic vistas over the city. There is a lookout point at the top of the hill which also boasts some spectacular views over Haifa and the sparkling Mediterranean Seas.

Mount Carmel offers visitors an excellent day trip from the city, the slopes are full of historic attractions to sites such as the Carmelite Monastery of St. Elijah, Elijah’s Cave, and the Haifa cable car. Nesher Park sits on the northern slopes of the mountain and offers some fantastic walking trails and two suspension bridges strung over a deep gorge, great for scenic walks.

Another stunning attraction in the city is the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, which was founded on Mount Carmel in 1150, it was later destroyed and re-built in 1836. The monastery is noted for its lush frescoes painted on the ceiling that portray St. Elijah who is believed to have lived in a cave under the monastery, and the famous chariot of fire, King David with his harp, the saints of the order, the prophets of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and David, and the Holy Family with four evangelists below. Many visitors come here for the view alone, which stretches across the city below and out to the Mediterranean Sea. There is a small adjoining museum containing ruins of former cloisters that date from Byzantine and Crusader times.

Elija’s cave is located below the monastery, there is a trail leading down from the monastery to the grotto below. Elijah was a prophet in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Baha’i. The Carmelites have a tradition that they were founded by Elijah at this time, and according to tradition, Elijah lived in a cave on Mount Carmel during the reign of King Ahab.

The German Colony is perfectly positioned at the foot of Mount Carmel and Baha’i Gardens, it is one of the oldest and most popular neighborhoods in the city dating back to 1868. Many of the original homes here still exist and have been very well preserved and turned into charming cafes, authentic traditional Restaurants, and popular vibrant art galleries.

The Wadi is the Arab district that oozes traditional character that winds down the narrow alleyways lined by stone houses leading to the exotic eastern market. A very popular location and attraction in the city for shopping and eating, with flavorful falafel stands, and colorful stalls offering Jewish and Arab artisan items. Shopping is a great option in teh city with its many malls, and markets, Ben-Gurion Street is the main street that runs through the German Colony and is home to Haifa’s best shopping and dining opportunities.

The Louis Promenade has been nicknamed the “Balcony of the Country”, it was built in 1992 stretching for 1,312 feet long blanketed by lush lawns and Mediterranean woodland with pergolas, and benches to take in the spectacular bay views and enjoy the warm sea breeze.

There are two main beaches in Haifa which are set on the glorious glittering Mediterranean Sea; Dor is a picture-perfect location in the city popular with locals and visitors alike. Dor is surrounded by beautiful vibrant gardens and the area’s longest boardwalk. There is plenty of fun in the sun to be had in Haifa as well as sand and seas, Bat Galim Beach is a favorite destination for water sports including windsurfers, kiteboarders who come here to take to the waves, there are rental equipment shops that also offer lessons. Hof HaCarmel Beach is a laid-back beach for sunbathing, lounging, and swimming for families. Both the beaches offer excellent facilities like sun loungers, sun shades, and cafes dotted along the shores. The beaches are a great destination for so many exciting activities including surfing, kitesurfing, swimming, fishing, and extreme watersports including jet skiing and parasailing. There are copious amounts of restaurants, cafes and shops dotted along the beachside strips, and the boardwalk is an ideal place to watch the sunset.

Carmel Park is a perfect peaceful place and the largest park in the city covering a sprawling 21,000 acres featuring bike paths, observation points, open green spaces, and the perfect place for a picnic by the flowing stream.

There are over a dozen museums in the city with the most popular one being the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space with over 150,000 visitors in 2004. This museum is located in the historic Technion building in the Hadar neighborhood, a great place for kids with fascinating interactive displays and exhibits. The Haifa Museum of Art features a collection of modern and classical art with displays on the history of Haifa. The Clandestine Immigration and Navy Museum features varied schedules of exhibits that range from film to art. The Mane-Katz Museum is located on Mount Carmel, housing a collection of artist Mane-Katz’s collection of Judaica.

The Haifa Educational Zoo at Gan HaEm Park is home to a small collection of animals including Syrian brown bears, that are now extinct in Israel. The park’s purpose is to breed and reintroduce extinct species such as the Persian Fallow Deer.

Masada Street is one of the coolest spots in the city to explore, some compare Haifa to san Francisco featuring lots of cool cafes, trendy shops, fancy restaurants, and excellent art galleries nestled on the side of Mount Carmel. There are random street parties held and live music with hippies dancing in the streets, old bookshops, vintage clothing stores, upscale boutiques, and bars, it’s worth wandering down to check out the sights.

Shopping

There are plenty of shopping malls and other opportunities found in the fabulous city of Haifa. The city is filled with massive shopping malls, shopping centers, and open markets spread throughout the city streets.

Haifa is a shopaholic’s haven and the home of some of the most unique shops selling authentic characteristic products. Some of the most popular shopping venues in Haifa are Grand Canyon Mall, the Turkish Market, the Talpiot Market, the Contemporary Crafts Market, Masada Street, The Shuk, and the Flea Market.

The city is renowned for offering distinct shopping experiences and items depicting the diversified traditions in Israel. Shoppers can pick up souvenirs, sneakers, accessories, clothing, produce, spices, and more.

In downtown Haifa, there are a few places to check out such as the Carmel Center and the Hadar area where inexpensive shops can be found. The shopping malls in the city sell brand-name items and international brands such as Armani, Lacoste, Benetton, and Zara. The Arab market locally known as the “Wadi” is located near the German colony neighborhood. The market oozes traditional characters and is a fabulous place for tourists to shop.

The narrow streets and alleyways in the city center are lined with historic stone houses with Jewish and Arabic artisans selling all kinds of wonderful goods. Get lost in the charms of the market. Massada Street features its own Carmelit stop halfway up the mountain, home to a number of small and interesting crafts shops, antique stores, and curiosity shops. A stroll down the street will give you a feel for the authentic architecture of Haifa’s residential neighborhoods.

Food and Nightlife

Get to know the city of Haifa but eating your way through it! There are some fantastic authentic restaurants in the city offering delicious Middle Eastern cuisine including the freshest falafel, well-seasoned shawarma meats, hummus, and pita. The city is a gourmet center like Tel Aviv with plenty to offer visitors; Middle Eastern, Persian, Turkish, and German are just a few of the cuisines found throughout the streets of Haifa.

The German Colony is packed with some of the best pubs and open-air restaurants in Haifa. The colony dates back to the Christian Templars in the 1800s decorated by historic stone buildings that house beautiful vibrant galleries, and trendy cafes, a great place to dine and explore.

Carmel Beach is a beautiful beachfront location at the edge of the city and somewhat isolated from the rest of Haifa at night. The spectacular area has a laid-back beach resort atmosphere with great restaurants and bars with views of the beach and the waters.

There is plenty of street food options to choose from in the city with some great falafel found at Falafel Michel, and Falafel HaZkenim both located in the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood. Falafel HaNasi has locations in the Carmel Center and Horev Center as well as Paris Square. In the downtown area on Yafo Street, there’s a large concentration of shawarma and falafel stands where the food is delicious authentic cuisine at cheap prices. Baraka is another cheap street food option, a phyllo dough-filled pastry usually filled with cheese, potatoes, spinach, feta, or meat.

There are some excellent Middle Eastern and Arabic restaurants located in the downtown area such as Abu-Yousef, Hummus Faraj, Hummus Abu-Shaker, Abu Maroun, and Matza, all famous for their high-quality hummus regarded as some of the best in Israel. There are also options for Romanian-style restaurants in the downtown area, as well as some of the best fish restaurants like Jacko and Shrimp House. Dado Beach features a great collection of restaurants dotted along the beach strip offering some fantastic views. Several restaurants are found by the city’s top attraction, the Stelle Maris monastery, at the San Francisco Observatory also boasting breathtaking views.

Haifa has an exciting variety of nightlife spread throughout the city and its many neighborhoods. Central Mount Carmel has a great selection of cafes, restaurants, and bars to choose from; Greg and Tut are popular cafes in this are both located on Kikar Sefer close to the Horev Center. Frangelico and Barbarossa are both considered to be the best bars in the Carmel area, these bars get crowded on the weekends and there are plenty of other bars located within walking distance such as Brown, Duke, and Maidler. Yefe Nof Street is brimming with a cluster of fine bars and pubs to check out. Maayan HaBira is an old-fashioned pub found in the downtown area and Martef (Basement) which offers open mic nights. The Syncopa bar downtown is a happening establishment.

There is a new development along Haifa’s waterfront port area. The western portion of the port has been transformed into a bustling tourism and nightlife center. There is a long stretch of beachfront promenade, a large park that borders the Kishon River, visitors centers, and bridges leading from the port to the rest of the city. This is a great place to spend an evening for families and couples with plenty of dining and entertainment options to choose from.

History and Culture

The city of Haifa was historically mentioned around the 3rd century CE, a small Jewish town near Shikmona and a center for making traditional Tekhelt dye which was used for Jewish Priests’ temple cloths. Shikmona is an archeological site that lies southwest of the modern-day Bat Galim neighborhood. Until the 7th century, the Byzantines ruled the city until it was conquered first by the Persians, the Arabs. The Crusaders conquered the city in 1100 and under their rule, the city became part of the Principality of Galilee until the Muslim Memelukcs capture it in 1265.

Daher El-Omar the Bedouin ruler of Acre and Galilee destroyed and rebuilt the city in 1761 in a new location, surrounded by a wall. The was the beginning of the town’s modern era, in 1775 the town came under Ottoman rule after Omar’s death, and they ruled until 1918. The city of Haifa grew in terms of population, importance, and traffic and grew further when the German Protestant Temple Society members arrived in 1868.

During the beginning of the 20th Century, the city had emerged as an important industrial port with a growing population. Today the city is home to a mixture of religions and cultures including Jews, Muslims, and Christian Arabs, as well as a community of Ahmadis, Druze, Baha’is, and others. It is a peaceful coexistence between each community and the second holiest city in the world among Baha’is. The city of Haifa has a reputation as a workers city with generations of laborers working in the many factories. There is an industrial area to the north of the city center where one of two of Israel’s oil refineries is located. It also has a world-class high-tech strip in the Matam technology park located along the beach, the oldest and largest high-tech park in the country. This is where companies such as Apple, Cisco, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Philips, and Qualcomm have headquarters.

The city of Haifa is a major seaport located on Israel’s Mediterranean coastline in the Bay of Haifa which covers 24.6 square miles, it sits around 56 miles north of Tel Aviv. The University of Haifa and the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology are two well-respected institutions in the city, Technion is the oldest and top-ranked university in Israel.

The International Film Festival is held in Haifa annually for a week at the end of September. The city transformers into a party city and features over 100 films from all genres. The Holiday of Holidays is another popular annual festival celebrating the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim festivals that fall in December.