- Louis Promenade
- Baha’i Gardens
- German Colony
- The Port
- Arab market at Wadi Nisnas
- Haifa Art Museum
- Mada Tech (Science Museum)
- Masada Street
- Stella Maris
- Beaches
1) Louis Promenade
A nice point to start your Haifa visit, a beautiful promenade from where you have an amazing view of the lower city and the entire Haifa bay.
This is also the access point to the top part of the Bahai Gardens. The promenade has a playground area, green garden, restaurants you can enjoy here of a nice stroll at any time of the day.
2) Baha’i Gardens
A visit to northern Israel would not be complete without stopping in the Baha’i Gardens a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the holy site of the Bahai faith, because of their unique design and their expressions of the human spirit they are considered a unique work of art visited by over half a million tourists each year. A must stop in your tour in Israel.
The gardens comprise a staircase of nineteen terraces of flowers and trees that starts from the Louis promenade at the top you can go down only with a tour and visit their golden dome in the middle. They are built on the slopes of Mount Carmel and have an amazing view of the city and the sea, because of their monumentality they can be seen from very far.
Tips
- You can visit the gardens only by joining the gardens tour- The tours are free of charge and no reservation is needed. The Tour entrance is located at 45 Yefe Nof Street check here for timetable
- It is a long walk going down and it is plenty of stairs, bring comfortable shoes, a hat, and water.
- For photographer lovers: each terrace offers a different perspective: don’t forget to watch both sides
3) German Colony
AT the bottom of the Baha’i Gardens you will find the German Colony, Haifa’s culture and tourism center. A beautiful area that melts past and present, with preserved German Templars houses built in the 19th century, all around the street there are nice restaurants, stores, and art galleries. A nice street walk with an amazing background that will bring you down to the port.
Beautiful also during the night and very well decorated during Jewish, Christian and Muslim festivities.
4) The Port
The port is a renewed area and Haifa’s main downtown. Starting from Thursday evening, this area became vibrant and full of people. If you are fond of markets visit the Turkish Market near Paris Square and enjoy a few hours strolling between foods, nice souvenirs, restaurants, and pubs.
The port is also a good area for walking and watching boats and ships. You can take a boat ride around the harbor.
5) Arab market at Wadi Nisnas
Not far from the German Colony you will find the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood. If you want to feel and understand this beautiful and particular city you must visit this Christian-Arab neighborhood and the main “Wadi street”, established in the 19th century it has maintained its special character as an Arab neighborhood, the open market is a festival for all your senses, a culinary and cultural experience. The area is also famous for its falafel joints and traditional pastry shops you must try the local Falafel especially the Ha’zkenim’s Falafel or Mishel’s Falafel that stands the one in front of the other.
Hours of operation: open from morning to early evening, Monday to Saturday.
Note that since many of the residents are Christians, most of the local stands and shops will be closed on Sundays.
6) Haifa Art Museum
If you love art you can stop at the Haifa Museum of Art one of the three leading art museums in Israel with a particular emphasis on contemporary art.
The museum owns work by international artists like Max Lieberman, Diego Rivera, and Hana Orloff.
Museum Website
7) Mada Tech (Science Museum)
The Mada Tech: the National Museum of Science, Technology and Space in Haifa is maybe the best child museum all over the country, suitable for all the family and a must experience if you are in Haifa.
There are diverse and excellent exhibitions all year round, a science park where you can experience scientific principles, a puzzle game, a preschool-age activity center (ages 2-7), hundreds of interactive displays and a multidimensional 3D cinema.
Phone: 73-782-4027
working hours: 10:00 -17:00
8) Masada Street
Masada Street is the Haifa “Soho” a nice place to hang out. A hipster and artistic area, where you can enjoy of street art, vintage stores, and cool coffee shops.
9) Stella Maris
All the points described until now where in the same area, Stella Maris is in another area, this part of Haifa can be done in another day that includes also the beaches.
You can start the day on Bat Galim Promenade, enjoying the beaches, the sea, and from there you can take the Haifa Cable Car to reach Stella Maris at the top of the Carmel ridge. The ride itself is a tourist attraction loved by all. The view of the Haifa bay is beautiful and a must.
Opening Hours
Summer:9:00 – 20:00
Winter: 10:00 – 18:00
Cost
Ticket Prices:
One way: NIS 19
Round-trip: NIS 28
Children above the age of 2 require tickets.
Phone: 04-833-5970
At the end of the ride(don’t miss the panorama) you’ll find the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery:one of the oldest monasteries in the world dated back to 1291, home for the Carmelite Order that decided to live a hermitic life on the slopes of Mt Carmel. Inside the church, there is a beautiful dome that portrays Elijah. Do not miss to admire the scenery that can be seen from this location.
You can reach the Monastery by car or by bus (15, 30, 31)
Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 3:00 to 6:00 pm; Cost: Free
After visiting the Monastery, you can go to the Elijah Cave from the parking lot opposite the Monastery walk downhill about 15 minutes and you are there or you can reach the cave by parking near the lower cable car stop and walk up.
This is a place of prayer for all religions: Jews, Christians, Muslims and even Druze so men and women are separated.
It is believed that Prophet Elijah lived in Israel around 870 B.C. In 12th century after the Carmelites raised the church which housed a Grotto of Elijah which they believed to be the cave where Elijah lived.
10) Beaches
Haifa has 5 km of coastline where you can enjoy the sea breeze or sit in one of the many restaurants, cafes, etc.
Between the most preferred beaches are Bat Galim (from where you can take the cable and go to Stella Maris), loved by families and surfers. Dado Beach is surrounded by beautiful gardens ideal for family picnics.
