Haifa is Israel’s third largest city and is considered the capital of the north. It is an ancient port city, hailing back to the third century BC.
The city’s special topography includes the Mediterranean Sea and the Carmel mountains. We picked for you our favorite attractions in Haifa, check them out!
The Lower City – The lower city is the name of the quarter in the lower part of Haifa, an area of historic importance and a pleasant place to visit. The lower city was built in the Ottoman period in the 18th century, and continued to develop during the British mandate period. It became a commercial meeting place of all the ethnic groups and religions, with Jews, Christians and Muslims working side by side. Because the area is currently undergoing urban renewal, and many students and young people are moving into the area, we recommend you to check it, as it one of the promising attractions in Haifa. In addition, The new wide pedestrian mall is lined with many art galleries, cafes and restaurants.
Wadi Nisnas – In the lower city of Haifa, we recommend visiting the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood and strolling through the Wadi Nisnas market, with its abundant colors and aromas. This is a famous neighborhood that appears in books and movies. In the neighborhood, you will find the Art Route that serves as an open art venue with changing exhibitions and a permanent display of artworks. Wadi Nisnas is also home to Haifa Art Museum and to the Beit Ha'Gefen Arab-Jewish Cultural Center that promotes coexistence in the city, including the Holiday of Holidays Festival.
Coexistence in Haifa – Haifa is an ethnically diverse city, with healthy coexistence between Jews and Arabs. As an ancient city, the Jews and Arabs have lived in the city for many generations and learned to live together. Therefore, it is not a rare sight to see an Arab family alongside a Jewish family doing their Friday shopping at the market. The coexistence and multi-ethnic character of Haifa led to the creation of the Holiday of Holidays Festival, an annual celebration of the religious and cultural diversity of Haifa. Every year, each weekend in December, celebrations mark the Jewish Hanukkah, Christian Christmas and Muslim Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr. Everyone is invited to the Holiday of Holidays Festival to enjoy the beauty of each culture and religion.
Haifa Port – Haifa has a large seaport, and many tourists come to Israel on cruise ships that dock in the Haifa port. The old port was used by many throughout history – from the Crusaders to the Ottomans, to the immigrants that arrived in Israel. Owing to its seaside location, tourists can enjoy local fish served in the fish restaurants in Haifa.
The Haifa Beach – Strolling along the beach on the promenade is a special experience. Similar to the Tel Aviv promenade, in Haifa, you can find many restaurants, cafes, and recreation facilities that are open to the public free of charge. Come along to learn Israeli folk dances and salsa.
Bahai Gardens –In Haifa, you'll find the Bahai Gardens, one of the famous symbols of the city and the most holy site of the Bahai faith. The site includes the governing institution of the worldwide Bahai community, a shrine and a visitor center. You can find many attractions in Haifa, but none of the attractions in Haifa will be beautiful as the Bahai Gardens.
People of the Bahai faith believe in beauty, aesthetics and landscape design, and the Bahai Gardens they built in Haifa are an expression of this belief. The gardens include 19 green terraces with fountains from Italy. The Shrine of the Bab is situated in the middle part of the garden and below it the visitor center. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to see the beauty and the wonder of the Bahai Gardens in Haifa, and we warmly recommend a guided tour of this attraction.
Stella Maris – Stella Maris is an area atop the Carmel Mountain in Haifa. The peak offers a view of Haifa, and the view from the Stella Maris observation point is considered one of the most beautiful in Israel. You can reach Stella Maris by car, foot or cable car. A cable car ride is a special experience, with the cable car leaving Stella Maris and descending directly down to the Bat Galim neighborhood in Haifa near the seashore. Visitors to Stella Maris can see the memorial to Napoleon’s soldiers and a small Capella, and enjoy a pleasant café and restaurant.
Mount Carmel National Park – Carmel Park is one of the largest national parks in Israel. Located near Haifa, it is a large forested area of 125,000 dunam (31,000 acres). You can hike through the park, dip in the bubbling streams that run through it, enter the caves, and see the animals that live in the nature reserve within the park. Among the animals you may encounter are wild goats, Carmel deer, Land of Israel gazelle, and eagles. In the reserve, you can also see protected flora unique to the park. If you visit the park, we recommend stopping in Little Switzerland – an especially beautiful place near a stream that received its name because of the similarity to the Swiss landscape.
Museums in Haifa – As the third largest city in Israel, Haifa offers its residents and visitors quality culture and recreation. The city is home to several good museums, some of which you definitely shouldn’t miss:
Naval Museum – The museum surveys the naval history of the State of Israel from the founding of the State to the present. Learn the story of the various military naval units throughout the history of Israel, and tour real vessels that were preserved from the inside, including a submarine. The museum offers organized tours and is highly recommended for history lovers and families.
Science Museum (Madatech) - The Madatech National Science, Technology and Space Museum in Haifa is housed in a spacious building and an historic landmark, the old building of the Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, a renowned research institution. The Science Museum is one of the most successful museums in Israel, with changing and permanent exhibitions on a wide range of science topics. The museum encourages visitors to touch and try the displays and installations, offering numerous hands-on activities. It honors scholars and artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci and the Wright brothers, and explores science - from dinosaurs to robots.
The German Colony – The German Colony in Haifa is a unique neighborhood built at the end of the 19th century by the German Templars. Ben Gurion Avenue, the main street in the German Colony, is located beneath the Bahai Gardens. The old buildings built by the Templers have been restored exactly as they were, and tell the exciting story of the German community that lived along the street in the past. Today, the avenue is lined with boutiques, restaurants, hotels, cafes, and shops. Every leading city has a special street that you must see, and the German Colony street in Haifa is without a doubt one of the attractions in Haifa one must see. We recommend a visit to the German Colony at sunset, to enjoy the view of the green Bahai Gardens as the setting sun shines on them, and observe how the view slowly changes as beautiful colorful lights light up.
Ein Hod – The Ein Hod artist colony is about a 20-minute drive from Haifa. The artists include famous musicians, painters, sculpturers, poets and dancers. Some of the village houses were originally built in the Middle Ages. Enjoy walking through the quaint streets lined with art galleries, chat with artisans in their home, sit in one of the cafes or restaurants and take in the spectacular views. We warmly recommend a visit to this colorful artist village!
Caesarea
Caesarea National Park – Caesarea, a 30-minute drive from Haifa, was an ancient Roman sea port. Built at the end of the 1st century BC by King Herod it is now a national park, an impressive archeological site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Israel.
Caesarea Amphitheater – Located within Caesarea National Park, you can visit the amphitheater, an engineering marvel built by King Herod. Preserved and restored, this main venue of entertainment under the rule of Herod the Great now regularly hosts live shows. Also one of Israel’s most impressive archaeological sites, you can see archeological findings and ancient inscriptions that tell the stories of those who lived in ancient Caesarea.
Caesarea Amphitheater and Restaurants in Caesarea – Caesarea National Park, adjacent to the port, offers visitors a view of the ancient hippodrome where chariot races were conducted. Today you can find restaurants, art galleries and cafes where you can enjoy a meal or a drink along one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.
Caesarea Aqueduct – Not far from Caesarea National Park is the beach and the large and impressive remains of the Roman aqueduct. Considered to have been built by Herod, this ancient aqueduct is a popular attraction for visitors who come to see this technological wonder that brought running water to the old city of Caesarea.
Caesarea Golf Club – Just several minutes from Caesarea National Park is the Caesarea Golf Club, the largest golf course in Israel. Established by Baron de Rothschild's family, the prestigious Caesarea Golf Club is the only international golf club in Israel, and hosts international tournaments. The club offers golfers a wide range of facilities, with a meticulously groomed golf course on green hills and advanced golf gear and equipment. The club will be glad to host you and offer its high-standard services.