Types of haifa. Haifa is the charm of Israel. The main attractions. What to see

Haifa Attractions: 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 meet something incredible and historically valuable. Indeed, this is not just the third largest city and the second seaport of the country. Haifa stretches its open spaces on the slopes of Mount Carmel, so there are a lot of amazing views. In addition, there are beautiful beaches, forests and even the only underground subway in Israel!

So if you are traveling in Israel and wondered what other interesting places to see in this wonderful country, website strongly advises you to go to Haifa. And what to do there - read in our article.

Haifa Attractions: A Little History

Of course, before going to any city, you need to look at its history at least out of the corner of your eye in order to navigate in the sights. This is exactly the same as with the menu in the new restaurant - before ordering an unfamiliar dish, you must know its ingredients.

The etymology of the name of the city is very confusing. There are many options, but the most likely, according to Wikipedia, is the version that the name came from the Hebrew word "hapa", which means "to shelter." After all, the mountain on which the city is located, as a mother protects Haifa from bad weather on all sides.

The city originated in the Roman era, then on Mount Carmel there was a thriving Jewish settlement. Haifa was a large town during the time of the Crusaders, the Carmelite Order was based here, and even then a strong port was the landmark of the city. 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 in the port they work - it is an office and business center. They trade in the middle part of the city, and at the top of the mountain they have fun and live in a big way. Mount Carmel is the biblical mountain on which the prophet Elijah lived. Translated, it means "God's Vineyard" and rises 546 meters above sea level.

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

Haifa attractions: how to get

So, imagine that you are going 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 - this is the best option! Just an hour's journey - and you are in a beautiful city.

Trains to Haifa run frequently. In general, it is 2-3 trains per hour, and during peak hours even 5 trains! Travel time is a little over an hour. A ticket costs 27 shekels. You can buy it on the spot both for cash and with a credit card. A ticket is issued without a seat.

If you buy a round-trip ticket right away - get a 10% discount. The same discount is provided to students in the presence of a student. Pensioners travel at a discount of 50%, and children under 10 years old - 10%. Children under 5 years old can travel for free. Keep in mind that trains do not run before the holidays, on Friday evenings and Saturdays.

Haifa has several railway stations: Bat Galim, Merkaz Central and Hof Ha Carmel. We will start the tour with Hof Ha Carmel, this is the first train stop and there are already many attractions here. To be in Haifa at about 9 am, you need to leave Tel Aviv at about 8. You can see the train schedule in advance on the official website of the Israeli Railway, which is very convenient and available in the Russian version.

Haifa Attractions: How to Plan Your Day

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

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

Since Hof ha-Carmel is 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. On the white sand you can sunbathe a bit (always remember that the Israeli sun is tenacious on unprepared skin) and swim in the cleanest Mediterranean Sea.

You can also have breakfast there, as the same long rows of cafes and restaurants stretch along the beach. But in the early morning, we recommend just drinking freshly squeezed juice or a cocktail from a mix of juices that the locals love so much. This tasty one costs about 10-20 shekels (20-40 UAH), depending on the ingredients.

Haifa Attractions. 10:00 - 11:30 - visit the zoo Gan aEm

We go to a nearby bus stop and take bus number 133, 25 (take about 25 minutes) to Yaarot a-Carmel (translated as Forests of Mount Carmel). A 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 aEm zoo. Here, in a vast area, you’ll get stuck - no less than - for exactly two hours! After all, hundreds of animals are represented in the zoo: flamingos, pelicans, lions, bears, camels, wild boars, many representatives of the cat family, otters - in short, the list of our smaller brothers can go on and on.

Near this huge zoo there is a beautiful botanical garden. This is where you can relax from the sun of Haifa. The main thing, if you will be traveling with the children, do not take the strollers, because you have to drag them up the stairs there. And further they will definitely only disturb you.

Haifa Attractions. 11:30 - 12:30 - ride horses, bicycles and tractors!

Well, most likely, you are already very rested, so now you can try the Haifa extreme. We do not waste time, we return to the bus stop and take the bus out of town to Beit Oren. It is located in the heart of Mount Carmel, there used to be a kibbutz, but after a fire in 2010, all residential buildings burned down. Therefore, in the nearby nature reserve you can ride horses and rent a tractor or a mountain bike.

Haifa Attractions. 12:30 - 14:00 - get acquainted with the Druze and try Druze food

We take a bus from Beit Oren and leave for the village of Dalet El Carmel, founded in the 17th century. This is a unique Druze settlement on top of Carmel. On the way you will find many colorful signs that will awaken your appetite. Let your imagination run wild, because Druze food may seem even tastier to someone to Israel. But let's not rush.

Druze is a community that separated from Islam in Egypt over 1,000 years ago. They believe that they have returned to the ancient "secret" religion, to which exclusively the Druze sages are dedicated. 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, to the little shops. There you can buy colorful souvenirs, olive oil, pitas and other home-made goods. Between the counters, look at any restaurant, because only here you can try real Druze ethnic food. Be sure to try the national Druze pita. It is baked with you on a circular baking sheet, greased with sour yogurt, watered with olive oil and sprinkled with zestar - a mixture of herbs. Such a yummy costs about 10-20 shekels (20-40 UAH), and you can eat it full until the evening.

Haifa Attractions. 14:00 - 16:00 - we walk along Haifa and ride on the funicular

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

Walking along Sderot Moriya, at its end you will find yourself in the center of the Carmel region - Merkaz a-Carmel. There, walk along Taalet Louis Boulevard. From charming viewing platforms you will see a real unforgettable Haifa and all its attractions from a height: Haifa Bay, the Mediterranean coast, the mountains of Galilee, the industrial zone of the city, from here you can even see Acre, Nahariya, Rosh a-Nikra and the Zvulun valley! It is also beautiful in the evening, when the industrial zone is illuminated by a thousand lights.

Haifa Attractions: Panorama Shopping Center © commons.wikimedia.org

Here, in the center of Carmel, there is the Panorama shopping center, above which there are two twin towers, another symbols and the most important sights of Haifa: a hotel and a residential building. Then you can choose whether to walk around the area further or ride the only subway 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 Church of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Everyone chooses according to their interests, so we advise you to take a ride on the underground funicular, which the townspeople cute call the "metro" - a round trip will take about 30 minutes. After all, this place is an exclusive attraction of Haifa, there is no such place in Israel anymore.

Carmelit is the final stop on the top of the mountain, but the subway line consists of six stations. Each has a fun, vibrant and youthful design. Ticket price - 6.40 shekels (12.80 UAH). Do not forget that we need to go back to the top of the mountain, because all the cool things are still waiting for us to come!

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

Walking through the Taalet Louis, we find ourselves at the gates of the world famous Bahai Gardens - a key attraction of Haifa. Here it will be necessary to throw all the food out of the pockets - only water is allowed into the gardens.

Bahai Gardens is 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 Baha'i faith, Baba, is buried in it. The Bahai Gardens symmetrically descend 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 Bahai Gardens in our article:

Watch the video about the beautiful Bahai Gardens:

Haifa Attractions. 17:30 -19: 00 - we walk along the German colony

Having finished descending down the Bahai Gardens, we find ourselves in another ancient district of Haifa - Moshava Germanit (German colony). This Haifa attraction is very important historically. We came here specially in the evening. The area seems especially cozy in the evening sunset, and the illumination of the Bahai Gardens is simply mesmerizing.

We will not go into the history of the district, its name speaks for itself. Today, Moshava Germanit stands out against the backdrop of Haifa with a special atmosphere. Between small houses with high roofs, tiled, tranquility hovers. Due to the special design, the area is cool and comfortable even on the hottest day.

Haifa Attractions. 19:00 - 21:00 - we have dinner in the restaurant

In truth, choosing a restaurant in a German colony is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Not in the sense that there is nowhere to eat - not at all! Restaurants, pubs and cafes are here on every corner, all of them are the sights of the city and are worth attention. You can stay in the first one that you like visually from the outside. Or try to find the Alrayan hummus bar, located at 46 Ben Gurion Avenue. Order a traditional hummus dish with fresh, still warm pita, 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 railway station is a five-minute walk away. But we are not looking for easy ways and will go to hang out the night away at the best clubs in Haifa!

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

Now it's time to try 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 station. If you arrived in Haifa on a weekday, you can leave by train at any time - they run around the clock.

Also, to get to the maximum number of clubs, you have to use a taxi. It costs 9 shekels per landing and 5 for every kilometer. That is, you spend at least 28 UAH on everything about everything, although you are unlikely to ride just a kilometer.

Locals believe that Haifa did not have a club life. “They work here and relax in Tel Aviv,” said Jean, our city guide. But still we tried to find out if clubs are Haifa's attraction. As it turned out, Jean was right, but you can try.

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

Fashion bar. Address: 56 Sherodha-Histadrut. The most fashionable and most glamorous cheeks gather here, and the coolest DJs play, as club workers say. Entrance for boys - from 22, for girls - from 19. Birthdays free champagne, cakes and snacks.
Raspberry Club. Address: Scherod Agistadrut, 60. This club is particularly different from others in its modern design and dress code. It’s not easy to get here: dress up like 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 boys - from 25, for girls - from 22.
School Lounge Bar. Address: st. Pal Yam, 14. Everything is very simple here: good European music, an excellent choice at the bar. There are no restrictions on the age of visitors.

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

Business card

Haifa District, Northern Israel
Israel's third largest city: 278,903 residents (2016)
Founded in 1761, the city since 1877.
National composition:

jews - 81.2%
arabs - 9.8%
druze - 0.1%
others - 8.9%

Time zone: UTC + 2, in summer UTC + 3
Phone Code: +972 4

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean. The Carmel mountain range, together with the sea, protects the city from winter cooling, therefore in winter Haifa is one of the warmest cities on the Mediterranean coast, and summers are a bit cooler, although also hot, and precipitation falls mainly from November to April.

In addition, the mountains impede the spread of marine air masses to the east, which is why Haifa has high relative humidity almost all year round, except for days when winds blow.

In summer, Haifa can be quite hot - the temperature in July-August rises to 32-35 ° C.

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

In winter, it often rains in Haifa, it's cool. The temperature can be around 13 ° C, but due to humidity it often seems to be colder.

Best time of year to visit

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

Prices

Prices for accommodation in high and low seasons differ by 10-20%, and all other expenses - transportation, food and entertainment - are the same.

Approximate price level:

accommodation - from $ 50 per night;
meals in cafes and restaurants - from $ 12 for a large portion of salad, both alcoholic and soft drinks - from $ 3-4 for a glass;
taxi - from $ 3 when landing, 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 is free of charge.

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 on a cruise ship. If you flew to Israel, then the bus and train will be added to this list.

If you have never been to Haifa, you hardly know where the famous palm trees planted by Albert Einstein grow, where you can meet Bengal tigers, why the Haifa metro entered the Guinness Book of Records and how to see your own silhouette from the side. The northern capital of Israel has something to show off before the most demanding tourist: from the magnificent Bahai gardens to the magnificent beaches and the famous Carmel forests, from the ancient cave of Elijah the Prophet to the museum of modern science. Welcome to the world of Haifa attractions!

Bahai Gardens

Undoubtedly, this is Haifa's visiting card and its main attraction. Hundreds of tourists from all over the world come here to see these amazing gardens, cascading down the slopes of Mount Carmel. Gardens are divided into several levels, each of which has a separate entrance. Three levels are open for visiting, and admission to them is free.

You can get to the upper tier from the most romantic street of the city - Yafe Nof. This is an ideal place to get acquainted with the panorama of the city. From here you can see almost all of its lower part, including the gardens themselves, surrounded by greenery waterfalls.

On A-Zionut Street is the entrance to the central level. Here you can stroll among the hanging gardens, as well as get into the "holy of holies" of the Baha'is - the tomb of the Bab, the founder of the Bahai faith. By the way, this place is revered as sacred, therefore it is forbidden to eat, smoke, talk on the phone, or appear in immodest clothing. And at the entrance to the tomb, you need to remove your shoes - this is the rule of the Baha'is.

The lower entrance can be found at the intersection of Agefen and Ben Gurion Streets. This is a favorite place to photograph young couples. A stunning view of the gardens opens from below, and a large beautiful fountain and "staircase waterfall" give it a special romantic flavor.

A free 40-minute tour gives you the opportunity to walk down the terraces, get acquainted with the history of the Baha'is and learn many interesting facts, for example, that the Bahai faith forbids taking money from people who are not its followers. The tour is conducted in three languages: in Hebrew, English and Russian. The tour begins near the upper entrance, on Yafe Nof Street, and ends at the middle entrance.

Carmelite monastery and cave of Elijah the Prophet

Carmelite Monastery Stella Maris - second after Bahai Gardens Haifa's most visited place. This is a holy place for Christian Catholics. The main attraction of the monastery is the cathedral, inside which is the cave of the prophet Elijah, the patron saint of Haifa, and in it is a statue of the prophet. Pilgrims come here to pray to the great saint, leave notes in the walls of the cave and, according to tradition, light candles.

Opposite the monastery there is an observation deck of an original design, from where a magnificent view of the sea opens. You can go down to the sea by cable car, in orange funiculars - egg-shaped carriages (they were called “Gurel's eggs”). You can go down and walk - the road passes through the spruce forest, and it also offers a wonderful panorama of the sea.

20 minutes of a leisurely walk - and you find yourself in the cave of Elijah the Prophet (do not confuse with the cave inside the monastery). Once upon a time there lived a great saint, and still people come here to pray for healing. On the walls of the cave there are texts of prayers (in Hebrew) for healing, for the sending of the bride, for prosperity in general, and so on. And behind the curtain there is a place for prayer, where you can also leave a note in the wall.

This is a holy place for three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, however, Jews dominate here, respectively, the entrances for men and women are divided, and you need to enter the cave with your head covered.

Central Carmel: Louis Promenade and Zoo

The central part of the city is a favorite place for tourists. Hotels, cafes, shops are replaced by shopping centers and parks. There is also the Auditorium art center, and the large park Mother’s Garden (Gan a-Em), and inside it there is a large zoo where rare representatives of the fauna live, including Bengal tigers donated by Russia. There is also a small botanical garden and two museums: paleontology and natural history. One of the most shocking local exhibits is the alcoholized heads of Siamese goats.

There is another place that you should pay special attention to is the Louis promenade, a walk on Yafe Nof street, opposite the upper entrance to the Bahai Gardens. It offers amazing views of the city and port. At the end of the promenade there is a beautiful illuminated fountain. And if you go from here to A-Nasi Avenue, you can see the facades of the best hotels in the city, beautiful sculptures and fountains.

Museums of Haifa. Museum of Science "Madatek"

Haifa is the undisputed record holder for the number of museums. Here you will find many art museums, for example, the Museum of Japanese Art, the City Museum, the Art Museum, the Puppet Museum, and there is even a railway museum with life-size wax figures. There is also a maritime museum, a museum of illegal emigration and the navy, and this is not a complete list!

However, the most popular in the city remains the Madatech Museum of Science and Technology at Balfur 12 in the Adar area. At the entrance to this museum, two palm trees grow, planted by Albert Einstein and his wife during their stay in Haifa. The museum itself has a huge number of interesting exhibits from various fields of science and even life-size aircraft. Here you can personally test the operation of various devices and see how all kinds of devices are arranged. There is also a dark room where light effects are demonstrated, for example, there is a separate corner where you can see your own silhouette from the side.

But the most popular place of the museum is the unusual CinemaMatrix cinema, where documentaries of scientific subjects with three-dimensional images and stereoscopic effects are shown, when with the help of special glasses you completely feel yourself in the space in which the film takes place.

Haifa University and Nahal Neder Nature Route

On the top of Mount Carmel, at the highest point of the city, the campus of Haifa University is located. Of the eight buildings located on campus, the most impressive is the 30-story Eshkol Tower (Migdal Eshkol). You can climb to the 30th floor and enjoy the breathtaking view of the city.

The University of Haifa has a library named after Younes and Saray Nazariyan are one of the largest libraries in Israel, where there is almost everything: print media, films and music in different languages. In the main building is the art gallery and the Ruven and Edith Echt Museum of Arts and Archeology, and there is the open-air archeological museum Path of Generations (Schwil a-Dorot) nearby. And at the university itself there is a corner for children, where they can imitate archaeological excavations.

There are also reserved places where you can take a walk, have a picnic and enjoy the local beauties. This, for example, the High Bar and Carmel Park, lurking among the vast forests. It is also called “Little Switzerland”. Interesting routes are ready for hikers: you can take a walk to different parts of Haifa, to the neighboring cities of Tirat a Carmel and Nesher, or to the picturesque settlement of Beit Oren.

The most popular and interesting route runs along the Nahal Neder Valley. It begins in Tlalim Park, which is part of the Carmel Park, and is available for passing in almost any season. The whole path is marked with signs - black and white stripes on the stones, which help not to stray from the path and not get lost in the forests. Soon, the houses disappear from view, and the road goes sharply down, the forest thickens, and there remains only a narrow path between the trees. Rocks grow along the way, and the adventure becomes more interesting and exciting. But below you will find a real oasis among the stones - Ein Kedem, where silence is broken only by a barely audible flow of a spring with crystal clear water. And in spring, when the most beautiful scarlet anemones, cyclamens and orchids bloom, this place looks like paradise.

Adar

This area of \u200b\u200bthe city is simply ideal for budget travelers. It is always noisy here, there are a lot of cafes and shops, as well as the largest Haifa market, Talpiot, where you can buy almost any product, and not only, and all at affordable prices.

Among the attractions, one can distinguish the Madatek Museum of Science and Technology, which we have already talked about, as well as the Garden of Remembrance of the Israeli Warriors, where ceremonies are held every year on Memorial Day. In addition, you can visit Benjamin Park and the Haifa City Theater with a large municipal library.

Lower city

In lower Haifa, tourists will find many interesting things. First of all, the Government quarter. This is a whole complex of luxurious buildings in which various institutions and ministries are located, including the courthouse and the National Insurance Institute. The most impressive building for its bizarre shape received several nicknames, among them - "rocket" and "corn". The building is so high that it can be seen from many areas of the city.

A little higher is another attraction - Paris Square. On it is a complex of buildings "City Windows" of the original design, copying the glass roof of the Paris Louvre, as if justifying the name of Paris Square. There is a whole complex of old buildings in the area that have more than a century of history associated with a visit to Haifa by King William at the end of the 19th century.

Also here is the lower station of the Haifa Metro (Carmelit). In fact, it is a funicular that rises in the upper areas of the city to the district of Merkaz a-Carmel. The Haifa metro is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest in the world. A ride in such a trailer is a pleasure in itself.

Haifa Port is another local attraction. The port itself is closed, but you can walk along the port street A-Namal, where a small campus is sheltered. You can not go past the German colony. The main street in this area is Ben Gurion Avenue, one of the most popular streets in Haifa. There is a sea of \u200b\u200bcafes, restaurants, a small shopping center, as well as a great view up to the Bahai Gardens.

South Haifa

Well, and finally, a little about the southern part of the city, famous for two shopping centers - Azrieli and Castra. The second is a kind of arts center. It differs from other shopping centers in Haifa in its external and internal ornament. On its territory there is a puppet museum, which shows almost the entire biblical history of the Old Testament in dolls, as well as stories from the history of Israel and from children's tales. Nearby is an art gallery and a small archaeological museum.

In southern Haifa, life goes on. In the large technological center of Matam, the pearl, there are branches of well-known world companies such as Google, Intel and Netvision. Various events and concerts are held at the Congress Center, and the first Israeli shopping center in Israel has recently opened there. Interestingly, walking cows can be found very close by.

And, of course, one cannot but mention. Perhaps the largest - Dado Beach. The promenade with many cafes and restaurants stretches from the southern end of the city to one of the most luxurious hotels in the city network Leonardo. The extraordinary silence here is broken only by the pacifying splash of waves.

Be sure to visit it - both in the Bahai Gardens and the palm trees of Einstein. Enjoy the splendor of the Carmel forests, inhale the smell of blooming orchids. Take a walk along the Nahal Neder and along the port street A-Namal ... And you will surely join many who consider Haifa the most beautiful place in Israel!

Vadim Brodsky

A private entrepreneur, a resident of Haifa for more than 20 years, knows and loves the city far and wide.