Customs / 09.02.2024

Types of Haifa. Haifa and its attractions. National Maritime Museum

Haifa is an amazing Israeli city on the Mediterranean coast. It is called the northern capital, the San Francisco of the Middle East and the main sea gate of the country. Here is the largest national park, the cleanest beaches and a huge number of attractions, ranging from the parking of ancient people to unusual ecological 16-meter buses. Haifa is the only city in Haifa where there is a metro, and during Shabbat all restaurants are open and transport is available.

Haifa: history

The first settlement on the site of modern Haifa arose during the Roman Empire. Then it was a cluster of small fishing villages, whose residents were engaged in catching fish and special shellfish “halazon”, from which they extracted a bright purple dye for dyeing the robes of great nobles and emperors.

Endless wars led to the fact that instead of a thriving city, by the beginning of the 18th century, a poor Palestinian settlement remained on the site of the great seaport, but several decades later Haifa was revived. In 1761, it was already mentioned in the chronicle as the second largest coastal city in the domain of the Bedouin sheikh Dagar el-Omar.

Since then, Haifa has gradually lost its status as a port appendage and is actively developing, increasingly acquiring the features of a Jewish city. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it became a center for illegal immigration of Jewish repatriates.

Haifa appeared on the map of Israel in 1948 according to the plan for the division of Palestine. At first, internecine passions still raged between Jews, Palestinians and Moroccans, but soon all conflicts exhausted themselves, today in Haifa everyone lives peacefully and amicably.

Some facts about the city

Haifa - attractions

Once in this city, you will be sincerely surprised by its versatility and unpredictability. Just walking along the streets of Haifa, you can find yourself at the gates of an ancient monastery, among tall skyscrapers, or at the British Memorial Cemetery. On the way you may meet museum of Japanese art, And authentic Moroccan cafe, And Muslim mosque. And at the market, Russian-speaking tourists involuntarily shudder when they hear the incomparable Odessa speech.

Considering also the sea on which Haifa is located, it is worth adding the sophisticated flavor of the coastal cities and the picturesque surroundings of the Galilee.

We present to you a selection of the most popular among foreign tourists and its surrounding environs:

Monastery of Stella Maris;

Haifa Zoo;

Haifa caves (Prophet Elijah, Tabun);

Yehiam fortress;

Megiddo hill;

Cathedral of the Holy Prophet Elijah;

Baba temple;

skyscraper Parus;
Montfort castle;

Silo Dagon elevator;

Paris Square;
museums (Manet Katze, Janko Dada, Hermann Struck, maritime, art, Japanese art, science, illegal immigration and the Navy);

This list is far from complete. There are about 25 temples of various faiths in Haifa alone. Therefore, this article will not be enough to describe all the sights of Haifa. It's better to go and see everything with your own eyes.

Things to do?

The main type of holiday in Haifa is, of course, on the sea coast. All beaches are landscaped, there is all the necessary infrastructure: promenades, sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, coast guard stations, sports and children's playgrounds, cafes and bistros.

The most popular beaches in Haifa:

Another favorite activity of tourists in Haifa is shopping. Most shopping centers in the Arad area (the most popular are "Lev-a-Mifratz", "Grand Canyon", "Castra"). There are also many shops located along the coastline. In spring and autumn (on the eve of the holidays of Sukkot and Passover), large-scale sales are held.

Be sure to visit the local markets. The best vegetables, spices, herbs and fruits are sold at Talpiot Bazaar. Here you will also buy delicious souvenirs (date paste, coffee with cardamom, local wines and liqueurs). Original souvenirs can be purchased from artisans at Arab market in Wadi Nisras. And if you want to find vintage antiques, go to flea market on Kibbutz Galuyot street.

For nightlife lovers, we present a list of the best clubs in Haifa:

There are also many other leisure options in the city - cinemas, Hecht sports center, theaters, art galleries, holiday parks.

Hotels in Haifa

You can get from Haifa by train (travel time is about one and a half hours).

Haifa today is one of the most interesting cities in Israel. Unfortunately, excursions cover only a few interesting places in the city, and even many Israeli residents do not know about the rest.

In Israel they say that while Jerusalem is praying and Tel Aviv is resting, Haifa is working.

Here is the country's commercial port and a very beautiful embankment (the name of the city in Hebrew means beautiful shore).

The most famous tourist site is the Bahai Gardens. This multi-step (1400 steps) beauty is located on Mount Carmel. It is the world religious center of the Baha'is. There is such beauty and purity here that it is simply breathtaking. It seemed to me that I had never seen such a clean park anywhere before.

Animal lovers will be interested in the Hai Bar Nature Reserve and the small but very cozy Haifa Zoo. The peacocks in it are very cute.

I would call the German Quarter one of the most interesting places for walking. It was built by Germans - Protestants who moved to Palestine from Germany. Those who have been to Germany will immediately notice the similarities and German style. There are wonderful cafes and interesting shops here. There are some very interesting houses to visit.

I would especially like to mention the cultural shopping center "Kastra". Not to be confused with the Castro trademark

This center is located at the very entrance to the city.

The building itself is very interesting, the walls of which were painted by an Austrian artist. The world's largest mosaic of non-biblical themes is here.

Is the answer helpful?

Weather in Haifa by months:

Month	Temperature		Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day
Month	During the day	At night	Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day

January	16.6°C	11.8°C	31.9%	8 days (126.1 mm.)	18.7°C	10 o'clock 16m.

February	17.7°C	12.2°C	28.1%	5 days (83.9 mm.)	17.6°C	11 o'clock 1m.

March	19.6°C	13.4°C	24.5%	4 days (51.4 mm.)	17.6°C	11 o'clock 59m.

April	22.6°C	15.7°C	17.2%	2 days (37.9 mm.)	19.0°C	13:00 0m.

May	26.4°C	19.6°C	12.2%	1 day (16.1 mm.)	21.8°C	13:00 51m.

June	29.1°C	22.2°C	8.8%	-	25.3°C	14h. 16m.

July	31.2°C	24.1°C	6.3%	-	28.0°C	14h. 4m.

August	31.7°C	25.1°C	8.0%	-	29.1°C	13:00 20m.

September	30.7°C	24.5°C	8.1%	-	28.6°C	12h. 22m.

October	27.8°C	22.5°C	11.8%	2 days (25.1 mm.)	26.5°C	11 o'clock 22m.

November	23.6°C	18.3°C	21.3%	4 days (54.7 mm.)	23.4°C	10 o'clock 29m.

December	19.0°C	14.2°C	29.6%	7 days (101.7 mm.)	20.8°C	10 o'clock 2m.

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

Was this review helpful?

Prices for holidays in Haifa. December 2017.

tour cost

The visa is free, issued upon arrival, valid for 3 months. Be prepared for a lot of interrogation, and for the fact that you may not be allowed into the country if you did not take a tourist package. I had an invitation from my mother, so I flew as a family member to visit. It is better to get from the airport to Haifa by train, the station is right at the exit, the ticket price is 35 shekels. Don't throw away your ticket! Only with it can you leave the station, through the automatic system.

Impressions from a holiday in September

It's still too hot, so it would be better to come for a beach holiday in October.

The beaches are excellent and well maintained. They are cleaned every day and the sand is sifted, but the main thing is that they are very wide and long, so there is no such thing as “lying on each other’s heads” here. All beaches have rescue booths with working lifeguards, flags that indicate whether you can swim or not, clean toilets, changing rooms, and showers in special annexes. There could be huge waves here, but the breakwaters save you. The entry into the water is ideal for children.

There are a lot of souvenirs and 50% of them are Chinese. If you want to buy something truly Israeli, do not shop during excursions or in the city center. It is better to buy things in souvenir shops away from the embankment and promenade. On average, small things such as magnets, lighters, ashtrays, key rings can be purchased for $2-12. Among the souvenirs there are many crosses, icons, and red threads. It is difficult to understand their meaning; sellers cannot always explain, so do not buy things whose meaning you do not know. Also, do not buy Dead Sea salt without a certificate, as they will not allow you to take it out. The same applies to cosmetics based on Dead Sea mud. Always ask for a certificate!

Where can I eat?

If you are afraid of eating unfamiliar food, then there is nothing to worry about here. Israel adheres to the American way of life, even in food, so Coca-Cola, hamburgers, and French fries are available at every turn.

About the quality of food and service

We didn’t go to restaurants, we mostly ate fast food. We never got poisoned and everything was of good quality. Everything is neat, with napkins and disposable tableware. Whatever we buy, food or drinks, everything is delicious, and the service is friendly. Here you are not looked at as a source of money; tourists are truly welcome!

How much does it cost to eat? About food prices.

Fast food prices are high: hamburger - 6-8 dollars, shawarma - 10 dollars, falafel - 3-5 dollars, beer - 5-6 dollars, sausages in dough - 4 dollars. If you are limited in funds, it is better to buy in supermarkets, but even there a 1.5 liter bottle of ordinary water costs 1.5 dollars, bread - 4 dollars, 1 kg of apples - 1.5-2.5 dollars, yogurt 50 grams. - 1 - 1.5 dollars. I highly recommend trying the local dairy products and dates (you can take them home as a souvenir).

Entertainment

Here you can walk around the city and visit all the sights, and there are many of them. First of all, the Bahai Gardens are a green park and garden masterpiece, one might say in the middle of the desert. You can walk here for free. There are also two zoos, a museum dedicated to the sea, a seaport with luxury yachts and a cable car from the sea to the mountains.

Disadvantages of holidays in Haifa

Whatever city you are vacationing in, it is better to plan your arrival and departure so that it does not fall on Saturday, because no one works on this day, and if they do, the prices are 2 times higher, for example, for a taxi. But Haifa in this regard is a little different from other cities, since it is an international business center, so here on Saturdays you can find open restaurants and public transport.

A separate disadvantage is the high prices, but the city is expensive, so you need to be prepared for this.

See the Bahai Temple and the famous terraces that go down the slopes of Mount Carmel.
Admire the majestic panorama of one of the most beautiful cities in the world from the University of Haifa campus.
Visit the cave of St. Elijah - the place where the great biblical prophet led a modest, solitary life.
Take walks around Mount Carmel, which is a huge nature reserve.
There is no language barrier here; many speak Russian.

Business card

Haifa district, northern Israel
Israel's third largest city: 278,903 inhabitants (2016)
Founded in 1761, city since 1877
National composition:

Jews - 81.2%
Arabs - 9.8%
Druze - 0.1%
others - 8.9%

Time zone: UTC+2, summer UTC+3
Telephone code: +972 4

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean. The Carmel mountain range, together with the sea, protect the city from cooling in winter, so in winter Haifa is one of the warmest cities on the Mediterranean coast, and summer is slightly cooler, although it is also hot, and precipitation falls mainly from November to April.

In addition, the mountains make it difficult for sea air masses to spread to the east, so Haifa has high relative humidity almost all year round, except on days when the wind blows.

Summer in Haifa can be quite hot - temperatures in July-August rise to 32-35°C.

In autumn, summer warmth remains almost until the end of October.

In winter in Haifa it often rains and is cool. Temperatures can be around 13°C, but the humidity often makes it feel colder.

Best time of year to visit

To combine a beach holiday, sightseeing and walking, it is better to go in May-June or September-October. For lovers of heat and a good tan, July and August are suitable.

Prices

Accommodation prices in high and low seasons differ by 10-20%, and all other expenses - transport, food and entertainment - cost the same.

Approximate price level:

accommodation - from $50 per night;
food in cafes and restaurants - from $12 for a large portion of salad, drinks, both alcoholic and soft - from $3-4 per glass;
taxi – from $3 upon boarding, then depending on the distance, on average about $10-15 per trip;
bus ticket for one trip - $1.5;
tickets to museums - from $7.5;
visiting beaches, using stationary umbrellas, public toilets and changing rooms with showers are free.

How to get there

Getting to Haifa is quite convenient - by plane, by train, by bus and even by sea. You can arrive directly to Haifa by plane or cruise ship. If you flew to Israel, then bus and train will be added to this list.

Sights of Haifa: Panorama shopping center© commons.wikimedia.org

Photo 1 of 30:© commons.wikimedia.org

Haifa is a city loved by all Israelis and tourists. There are many attractions in Haifa; at every step you can find something incredible and historically valuable. Of course, this is not just the third largest city and the second seaport of the country. Haifa is located on the slopes of Mount Carmel, so there are a lot of amazing views here. In addition, there are beautiful beaches, forests and even the only underground metro in Israel!

So, if you are traveling around Israel and wondering what other interesting places to see in this wonderful country, website strongly advises you: you need to go to Haifa. Read our article about what to do there.

Sights of Haifa: a little history

Of course, before traveling to any city, you need to at least glance at its history in order to navigate the sights. This is exactly the same as with a menu in a new restaurant - before you order an unfamiliar dish, you must know its ingredients.

The etymology of the city's name is very confusing. There are many options, but the most plausible, according to Wikipedia, is that the name comes from the Hebrew word “hapa,” which means “to cover.” After all, the mountain on which the city is located, like a mother, protects Haifa from bad weather from all sides.

The city dates back to the Roman era, when there was a thriving Jewish settlement on Mount Carmel. Haifa was a large city during the times of the Crusaders, the Carmelite Order was based here, and even then the city’s landmark was its strong port. Already at the end of 1880, the port became the main sea gate of Palestine. In the 1930s, Haifa was a center of illegal immigration and opened its gates to Jewish refugees, primarily from Germany.

The topographic structure of the city is unique. Since the main attraction of Haifa is Mount Carmel, on the basis of which everything in the city develops, the city is divided into high-altitude areas. At the bottom of Haifa and at the port they work - it is an office and business center. In the middle part of the city they trade, and on the top of the mountain they have fun and live in grand style. Mount Carmel is the biblical mountain where the prophet Elijah lived. Translated, it means “Vineyard of God” and rises 546 meters above sea level.

Haifa is a very friendly city: Jews, Arabs, Baha'is, Druze, Christians and others live peacefully here.

Sights of Haifa: how to get there

So, let's imagine that you are traveling to Haifa from Tel Aviv. You just woke up in the morning and realized that you need to change the situation. Well, believe me, the sights of Haifa are the best option! Just an hour's journey - and you are in a beautiful city.

Trains to Haifa are frequent. In general, this is 2-3 trains per hour, and during peak hours even 5 trains! Travel time is a little over an hour. The ticket costs 27 shekels. You can buy it on the spot either in cash or with a credit card. The ticket is issued without a seat.

If you buy a round trip ticket at once, you will receive a 10% discount. The same discount is provided to students if they have a student ID. Pensioners travel with a 50% discount, and children under 10 years old - 10%. Children under 5 years old can travel free of charge. Please note that trains do not operate before holidays, on Friday evenings and on Saturdays.

Haifa has several train stations: Bat Galim, Merkaz Central and Hof HaCarmel. We will start the tour from Hof HaCarmel, this is the first stop of the train and there are already many attractions here. To be in Haifa around 9 am, you need to leave Tel Aviv around 8 am. You can view the train schedule in advance on the official website of the Israel Railways, which is very convenient and available in the Russian version.

Sights of Haifa: how to plan your day

As we have already said, Haifa spreads its expanses on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Be prepared to walk up and down. So don't take a lot of things with you, the main thing you need is a lot of water. Don't forget to drink often, even when you don't feel like it. And wear a hat.

Sights of Haifa. 9:00 - 10:00 - get to know Haifa and go to the beach

Since Hof HaCarmel is located a minute’s walk from the beach of the same name, we decided that we would begin our acquaintance with the sights of Haifa from here. You can sunbathe a little on the snow-white sand (always remember that the Israeli sun is tough on unprepared skin) and swim in the clear Mediterranean Sea.

You can also have breakfast there, as the same long rows of cafes and restaurants stretch along the beach. But early in the morning, we advise you to simply drink freshly squeezed juice or a cocktail from a mixture of juices, which the locals love so much. This delicacy costs about 10-20 shekels (20-40 UAH) depending on the ingredients.

Sights of Haifa. 10:00 - 11:30 - visit the Gan AM Zoo

We go to the nearby bus stop and take bus number 133, 25 (about 25 minutes ride) to Yaarot HaCarmel (translated as Woods of Mount Carmel). The bus, as in other Israeli cities, costs 6.70 shekels (13.40 UAH). There we walk a little through the forest and go to the Gan Am Zoo. Here, in a huge area, you will be stuck - no more nor less - for exactly two hours! After all, the zoo features hundreds of animals: flamingos, pelicans, lions, bears, camels, wild boars, many representatives of the feline family, otters - in short, the list of our little brothers can be continued indefinitely.

Next to this huge zoo there is a beautiful botanical garden. Here's where you can take a break from the Haifa sun. The main thing, if you are traveling with children, is not to take strollers, because you will have to drag them up the steps there. And they will definitely only bother you further.

Sights of Haifa. 11:30 - 12:30 - we ride horses, bicycles and tractors!

Well, most likely, you are already very rested, so now you can try the Haifa extreme. Without wasting time, we return to the bus stop and take a bus out of town to Beit Oren. It is located in the very center of Mount Carmel; there used to be a kibbutz here, but after a fire in 2010, all the residential buildings burned down. Therefore, in the reserve nearby you can ride horses and rent a tractor or mountain bike.

Sights of Haifa. 12:30 - 14:00 - meet the Druze and try Druze food

From Beit Oren we take a bus and go to the village of Dalet el-Carmel, founded in the 17th century. This is a unique Druze settlement on the top of Carmel. Along the way you will come across many colorful signs that will whet your appetite. Let your imagination run wild, because some may find Druze food even tastier than Israeli food. But let's not rush.

The Druze are a community that separated from Islam in Egypt over 1,000 years ago. They believe that they have returned to the ancient "secret" religion, into which only the Druze sages were initiated. This settlement is a unique attraction of Haifa; Druze and tourists from all over the world come here.

In the village, go to the market and shops. There you can buy colorful souvenirs, olive oil, pitas and other home-made goods. Look between the counters at any restaurant, because only here you can try real Druze ethnic food. Be sure to try the national Druze pita. It is baked in front of you on a circular baking sheet, brushed with sour yoghurt, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with za'atar, a mixture of herbs. This tasty treat costs about 10-20 shekels (20-40 UAH), and you can eat it to the fullest until the evening.

Sights of Haifa. 14:00 - 16:00 - walk around Haifa and ride the funicular

After getting acquainted with the Druze, we return to the stop and go to Sderot Moria (bus 37alef, ride about 50 minutes). There are many boutiques where you can buy exquisite and stylish things. Congratulate yourself on your purchase and buy some delicious ice cream from the nearby cafeteria. Ice cream in Haifa is especially delicious at the height of the day.

Walking along Sderot Morya, at the end of it you will come to the center of the Carmel district - Merkaz HaCarmel. There, walk along Thaelet Louis Boulevard. From the charming observation decks you will see the real unforgettable Haifa and all its attractions from above: Haifa Bay, the Mediterranean coast, the Galilee mountains, the industrial zone of the city, Akko, Nahariya, Rosh HaNikra and the Zevulun Valley are even visible from here! It is also beautiful here in the evening, when the industrial area glows with a thousand lights.

Here, in the center of Carmel, there is the Panorama shopping center, above which rise two twin towers, another symbol and most important attractions of Haifa: a hotel and a residential building. Then you can choose to walk further around the area or ride the only metro in Israel. If you stay in the city, you can see the beautiful Stella Maris Church, the Carmelite Monastery, the Museum of Japanese Culture and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Everyone chooses according to their interests, so we advise you to still take a ride on the underground funicular, which the townspeople affectionately call the “metro” - the round trip will take about 30 minutes. After all, this place is an exclusive attraction of Haifa; there is nothing else like it in Israel.

Carmelit is the final stop at the top of the mountain, and the subway line consists of six stations in total. Each has a fun, bright and youthful design. Ticket price is 6.40 shekels (12.80 UAH). Don't forget that we need to get back to the top of the mountain, because all the coolest things are still ahead of us!

Sights of Haifa. 16:00 - 17:30 - look at the visiting card of the city - the Bahai Gardens

Walking along Thaelet Louis, we find ourselves at the gates of the world-famous Bahai Gardens - a key attraction of Haifa. Here you will have to throw out all the food from your pockets - only water is allowed into the gardens.

The Bahai Gardens are the center of the Bahai faith. Here is a temple with a golden dome, which is called the pearl of Haifa. The founder of the Bahai faith, Baba, is buried there. The Bahai Gardens slope symmetrically straight down from the top to the foot of Mount Carmel. Only here you can enjoy the most beautiful flowers and topiary, waterfalls and monuments. Read more about the Bahai Gardens in our article:

Watch a video about the beautiful Bahai Gardens:

Sights of Haifa. 17:30 -19:00 - walk around the German colony

Having finished our descent through the Bahai Gardens, we find ourselves in another ancient district of Haifa - Moshava Germanite (German Colony). This Haifa landmark is very important historically. We came here in the evening on purpose. The area seems especially cozy at sunset, and the illumination of the Bahai Gardens is simply mesmerizing.

We will not go into the history of the area; its name speaks for itself. Today, Moshava Germanite stands out from Haifa with its special atmosphere. There is an air of tranquility between the small houses with high tiled roofs. Due to the special design, this area is cool and comfortable even on the hottest day.

Sights of Haifa. 19:00 - 21:00 - dinner at the restaurant

To tell the truth, choosing a restaurant in the German Colony is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Not in the sense that there is nowhere to eat there - far from it! Restaurants, pubs and cafes are on every corner here; they are all landmarks of the city and are worth visiting. You can stay in the first one that you like visually from the outside. Or try to find the Alrayan hummus bar, which is located at 46 Ben Gurion Avenue. Order a traditional dish of hummus with fresh, still warm pita bread, and salad. This is more than enough for two and will cost a maximum of 60 shekels (120 UAH).

On this stretch, if you are tired, you can head back to Tel Aviv - the train station is a five-minute walk away. But we are not looking for easy ways and will go party the night away in the best clubs in Haifa!

Sights of Haifa. 21:00 - until the morning - we dance in the clubs of Haifa until we drop

Now it's time to experience Haifa's nightlife. If you want to return to Tel Aviv, do not think that you will have to wait until the morning on a bench or at the train station. If you arrive in Haifa on a weekday, you can leave by train at any time - they run around the clock.

Also, to get to as many clubs as possible, you will have to take a taxi. It costs 9 shekels for landing and 5 for each kilometer of the journey. That is, you will spend at least 28 UAH on everything, although you are unlikely to ride just a kilometer.

Local residents believe that the club life in Haifa has not worked out. “They work here and relax in Tel Aviv,” said Jean, our city guide. But still, we tried to find out whether the clubs are a landmark of Haifa. As it turned out, Jean was right, but you can try.

So, we have compiled a list of good clubs, and it’s up to you to decide which one to go to.

Fashion bar. Address: Scherodha-Histadrut, 56. The most fashionable and most glamorous chicks gather here, and the coolest DJs play here, as the club workers say. Entrance for guys - from 22, for girls - from 19. Birthday boys get free champagne, cakes and snacks.
Raspberry Club. Address: Sherod Agistadrut, 60. This club is especially different from others in its modern design and dress code. It’s not at all easy to get here: you have to dress up like you’re going to a parade. So it’s not a fact that after such a long excursion you will be able to get to such a bohemian place. We, after the beach, horses and tractors, failed. Entrance for guys - from 25, for girls - from 22.
School lounge bar. Address: st. Pal Yam, 14. Everything is extremely simple here: good European music, excellent selection at the bar. There are no restrictions on the age of visitors.

Macedonian Skopje - all interesting places and route for the day

Vertical bionic tower city

Types of Haifa. Haifa and its attractions. National Maritime Museum