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City in Northern Israel
Photo: israeltourism/Itamar Grinberg, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Haifa (Hebrew חֵיפָה Heifa; Arabic حَيْفَا Ḥayfā) is the third largest city in Israel and the largest city in the north of the country with a population of 282,000 (2021). The city is located on Israel's Mediterranean shoreline, on Mount Carmel and at its foot.
"Downtown" is a fitting name in Haifa, because it's at the bottom of the mountain. It's the main commerce area of the city. Attractions include the Bahai Gardens, the German Colony, Wadi Nisnas, and several prominent museums.
Haifa's main industrial area, including the port as well as several shopping centers, entertainment complexes, and nightclubs.
The western coast of Haifa, characterized by long beaches. Historical attractions include the Cave of Elijah, Stella Maris, Haifa El-Atiqia and Tel Shikmona. There are also two prominent museums (the National Maritime Museum and the Naval Museum) and several parks.
Two quiet suburban neighborhoods.
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The gardens and world centre on Mount Carmel's northern slope area a must-see for any visitor to Haifa. Comprising the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, terraced gardens and administrative buildings, the World Centre is the holiest site of pilgrimage for the members of the Bahá'í faith, as well as the faith's central administrative center. The gardens are stunning and well worth visiting if you are in Haifa. Only parts of the site can be accessed freely without joining the tour – this includes the bottom entrance and the level at the dome. Top, middle, and bottom parts have separate entrances that are far apart, and the middle part has a dress code.
Elijah is considered a prophet in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Carmelites have a tradition that they were founded by Elijah at this time. According to tradition, Elijah lived in a cave on Mt. Carmel during the reign of King Ahab. The site itself may disappoint many tourists as it's a very simple site. One enjoyable and scenic option for good walkers is to walk down to the cave from Stella Maris (monastery) at the top of Mt. Carmel.
A French Carmelite church, monastery and hospice. This is the founding place of the Carmelite Order, a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. The present monastery and church, built over what the Carmelites believe to be a cave where Elijah lived, dates from 1836 after the previous buildings were destroyed in 1821 by Abdullah, pasha of Akko. It's worth visiting the church to view the beautiful painted ceiling which portrays Elijah and the famous chariot of fire (in which he ascended to heaven), King David with his harp, the saints of the order, the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel and David, and the Holy Family with the four evangelists below. A small adjoining museum contains ruins of former cloisters dating from Byzantine and Crusader times.
In 1868 members of German Templer Society (not to be confused with the Knights Templar) purchased land that was far from the city and set out to build the first planned agricultural community in the Holy Land. Many of the original templar houses have been preserved and have undergone restoration in the last decade of 20th century. Now the main street of the former colony (Ben-Gurion Boulevard) is a promenade, with many restaurants and coffee shops. Some examples of good places in the German Colony are Havana Plus, a hookah bar with a full service bar; Milagro, a restaurant that provides great beer on tap and live music after 8PM; and Isabella, one of the finer restaurants in the area. The City History Museum and the local Tourist Board are also located here.
At the top of Carmel, the campus was designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the architect of Brasilia and UN building in New York City. Newer buildings were added later. The top 30th floor of the Eshkol Tower provides an incredible view of almost the entire North of Israel. The campus is also home to the Hecht Museum with its rich archeology and art collections. Entry to both of these attraction is free.
Haifa's largest Arab neighbourhood with a bustling pedestrian zone and outdoor art. "Holiday of the Holidays" is held there between December and January.
An important coastal city from the 15th century BCE until the Byzantine period; some of the ruins can be observed now.
A office tower in downtown, designed to look like the sailing ships which historically plied Haifa's port. You can't go in or to the top unless you have business there.
Established in 1984, MadaTech - the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space is housed in two historic landmark buildings in mid-town Haifa. Designed, at the turn of the century, by renowned German Jewish architect, Alexander Baerwald, these were home to the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel’s first institution of higher education.
This may sound a bit bland but it's actually quite fascinating and worth a visit. The museum deals with the successes and failures of the Zionists' illegal attempts to infiltrate into British-blockaded Palestine in the 1930s and '40s. The centrepiece of the museum (quite literally - the building has been constructed around it) is a boat, the Af-Al-Pi-Chen (Hebrew: Nevertheless), whose hold carried 434 refugees to Palestine in 1947.
Deals with the history of shipping in the Mediterranean area. The collection contains old maps, models of ancient ships, navigation equipment and bits and pieces of sunken ships.
houses a fine collection of archaeological artefacts relating to Jewish history before the Diaspora. There is plenty of ancient pottery, weapons and even a pair of 2100-year-old petite-sized sandals. The museum highlight is a 5th-century-BC Greek ship found near Caesarea in 1984. It has been carefully rebuilt and placed in a specially designed annex of the museum. An art wing upstairs contains sections on French Impressionist and Jewish art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the works are paintings by Monet, Pissaro and Van Gogh.
The museum was founded in the year 1959, at the joint initiative of Felix Tikotin, a known collector of Japanese art. The museum present rotating exhibitions of old and modern Japanese art. It features everything from 14th-century Buddhist scroll art to pottery, metal work and newer exhibits on Japanese animation and even Pokémon.
A small zoo in Carmel Center. It has lions, tigers, and bears, but no apes or large herbivores.
Housed in the old Haifa East train station, The Railway Museum features a collection of stamps, photographs, tickets, timetables and rolling stock. Old timetables remind you that you could at one time travel from here by train south to Cairo or north to Beirut or Damascus.
A museum dealing with urban culture and describing the history of the city Haifa.
Contains high-quality miniature models of 1000 boats, aircraft, spacecraft, military vehicles, and more. Visits should be scheduled in advance.
Hof Ha'studentim - חוף הסטודנטים
The best beaches are right next to the Hof HaCarmel bus and train stations. Just get off the train/bus and walk straight onto the beach. Haifa has many kilometers of beautiful beach on its southwest side. Part of the beach has a boardwalk with cafes and restaurants that are always bustling—day or evening. The beach has its own unwritten segments. Families with kids come to the area along the boardwalk. Younger singles hang in the strip just south of there (with no boardwalk, stores). The locals call it "Students' Beach."
Rides between Bat-Galim Promenade and Stella Maris. The ride offer spectacular views of the city, beach, port and Haifa bay.
A subway runs between Carmel center and downtown Haifa.
Ha'Chag Shel Ha'Chagim - החג של החגים
A festival celebrating holidays of Christianity (Christmas, New Year), Islam (Ramadan), and Judaism (Hanukkah). The festival happens mainly on weekends, and include free entrance to museums, public shows, fair and colorful market.
A trek along Haifa's landscapes and attractions, museums, cultural and religious sites, and the city’s unique urban wildlife.
Haifa's largest park, located adjacent to the sea.
In a suburb of Haifa called Nesher, this is a beautiful park in a forested valley. There are hiking trails as well as two pedestrian suspension bridges over the valley.
This soccer club plays in the Israeli Premier League, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Sammy Ofer Stadium (capacity 30,700), 500 m inland from "Student Beach".
sushi bar
organic
Cafe and bakery, large selection, outdoor seating.
One of the top cuisine restaurants in Haifa. Serving excellent (though high priced as expected) food, desserts and service. Highly advised place for a gourmet dinner.
Pizza and Italian at a high level. Prices accordingly. Advance reservation is required.
A restored Arabic building offers apartments, private rooms and dormitories. Lounge area with a multilingual satellite TV, a small kitchen with free coffee and tea available all day, and a flourishing garden. Member of ILH.
Modern and luxurious units/apartments in Haifa city center with extraordinary panoramic view of the bay and city. Each unit has double bed room, kitchen and bathroom with full amenities. Maya guest house is located right near Wadi Nisnas and hadar area, near groceries, shops and public transportation. The host speaks multi languages so its very easy to communicate and get help.
Highly rated and conveniently located at the foot of the Bahai Gardens.
A Christian hostel in the German Colony. Bethel offers accommodations and facilities for Christian groups and individuals. Unmarried couples are not allowed to share a room (only married couples).
Family-run guest house.
Very clean and comfortable rooms. Run by the Rosary Sisters (Roman Catholic nuns) who seem to take great care of the guests. A free breakfast is included and it's a very central location near the Haifa HaShmona central railway station and the Haifa port. The only downside is that you have to be back in the guesthouse by 10PM.
Kedem Hotel & Spa - Tirat Carmel
A luxurious hotel with modern large guest rooms and suites, and a variety of attractions: workshops, lectures, walking tours, musical evenings and gourmet cuisine accompanied by regional boutique wines. The hotel also offers meeting rooms, studios for workshops and courses, and a conference room.
Health club has a covered pool, wet and dry sauna, Jacuzzi and gym.
Haifa's first luxury hotel. Panoramic views of the bay and the city of Haifa, with private gardens.
Rises high above Mount Carmel, offering good views of Haifa bay and miles of coastline. The hotel is directly linked to a shopping mall.
Next to Baha'i Gardens.
Has a view of Haifa Bay. 109 seaside rooms and suites with modern decor, an open lobby, restaurants and a bar.
The biggest mall. It has international brand names such as Armani, Lacoste, Benetton and Zara as well as local brands and a large food court. "Canyon" is Hebrew for mall as well as English for canyon, and this mall is in a deep valley in central Haifa, hence the pun in its name. Israelis who don't get the pun will often just call it "the Grand".
The Grand Canyon's little brother. Includes a moderate selection of shops, food court and a cinema. Known in the city just as "Haifa mall" (Kanyon Haifa).
Two small-medium floors, large supermarket, a few restaurants. Located at a central junction in the city with many bus connections. Taxis on site.
Known as an artistic center more than as a mall.
Lives up to its name: cinema and mall. Connected to Lev Hamifratz train station and the nearby central bus station.
Lev HaIr
In the eastern Krayot suburbs.
Israel's largest open-air mall
Haifa's historic market. An authentic market experience. Although it has seen better days, it is in the midst of renewal. Graffiti walls, local eateries and boutique restaurants alongside the usual stalls (but definitely not comparable to those in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv). The big building (orange and ugly, hard to miss!) is the market's center, but the nearby streets are also part of the market. Friday morning is a great time to stroll around, as the locals prepare for Sabbath and street shows are taking place.
A wide range of shops, merchant and handcrafts workshops that sell vintage, retro, antiques, clothes, second hand and collectibles. Officially all days of the week 08:00 to 16:00, but Saturdays are the real deal (highly recommended to visit then).
Vegetables, fruits, coffee, falafel and shawarma (one of the best in Israel!), butchers, sweet shops, home food and cheeses. The main Arab market in town.
Not really a market and definitely not Turkish (the name is all that remains). A place to hang out with bars, restaurants, bakeries, street food, galleries, clothing stores, studio complexes and more. The market complex is bounded by HaAtsma'ut street to the north and Natanzon street to the south, and includes a few pedestrians-only streets. Regular stores open from morning to late afternoon, food: from evenings and (sometimes) until sunrise.
By train
Haifa is well connected to Tel Aviv, Akko (Acre), Beer Sheva, Nahariyya and the Ben Gurion International Airport by a train line operated by Israel Railways.
By car
From the south, route 2 is the coastal highway which links Haifa with Tel Aviv. This journey takes up to one and a half hours.
By bus
Haifa has two main bus terminals where passengers can switch between intercity buses to the local routes:
By boat
By bus
Haifa's local bus system includes three "Metronit" (BRT) routes, and a lot of "normal" routes.
By subway
Haifa has a subway: the Carmelit funicular, which is the only subway in Israel. It is useful for getting up or down the mountain from downtown, but it only covers a small part of Haifa.
By boat
There is a variety of cruise options from the Port of Haifa, departures and arrival back to Haifa Port.
By taxi
Yango and Gett ride-hailing services are available.
By cable car
Thanks to Haifa's unique terrain, cable cars in the city are tourist attractions as they are public transportation.
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Haifa · Regional · HFA
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