haifa israel travel

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Haifa is Israel’s third-largest city, Israel’s chief port and home to 400,000.  Draped around the slopes of biblical Mount Carmel, it is a 100-year-old city whose importance burgeoned in the 1920’s and 1930’s as Britain followed its League of Nations mandate over Palestine to create a Jewish homeland. The bustling lower Carmel neighborhood is the port area and where much of Haifa’s daily business is conducted. The slopes of central Carmel are largely residential, and the mountaintop Upper Carmel is home to museums, many hotels and shops. Transportation from the top to the bottom of Mount Carmel is achieved by the Carmelit subway, the Bat Ganim cable car and, of course, by road.

Haifa’s iconic symbol is the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine of the Bab, completed in 1953, that abuts the international headquarters of the Baha’i Faith, a network of giant white Greco-Roman buildings whose beauty stuns the visitor. The Shrine of the Bab was further beautified with the completion in 2001 of the “hanging gardens” (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) magnificent terraced gardens that lead from the shrine to the bottom of Mount Carmel. Here is the restored Templer Colony – where the homes and workshops of 19 th -century German Christian “Templer” immigrants are now a network of chic stores, bars and restaurants.

Haifa is home to a dozen museums – including a museum of Japanese Art, Israel’s Railway Museum and the Af-Al-Pi-Chen Museum of Illegal Immigration. It is also home to the Technion, Israel’s version of MIT. Haifa’s Wadi Nisnas neighborhood is the center of multi-holiday celebrations reflecting Haifa’s identity as city that is home to Jews, Christians, Muslims and Baha’is.

Baha’i Shrine of the Bab

Baha’i “Hanging Gardens”

Panorama of Haifa Bay from Upper Carmel

Templer Colony

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME:

Af-Al-Pi-Chen Museum of Illegal Immigration

Israel Railway Museum

Museum of Japanese Art

Wadi Nisnas

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Haifa Travel Guide

Haifa, the third-largest city in Israel, is usually overlooked by locals and tourists alike. I often go there for the Holiday of Holidays Festival that takes place every December and celebrates the diversity of religions in Haifa. And while I’m there, I also stop by new and old restaurants and enjoy the city’s exciting food scene. Yes, Haifa is well known for its food thanks to its large Arab population. Arab food is delicious.

But Haifa has more to experience than just food and the Holiday of Holidays. It has an interesting history, some nice beaches, and top-notch museums. Because it’s situated on the slopes of Mount Carmel, it also offers some pleasant and beautiful nature trails. Oh, and I totally forgot the Bahai Gardens!

This travel guide to Haifa includes everything you need to know for a perfect visit to the city. And I’m updating it all the time.

Planning a trip to Israel? Here are 11 tips to Planning Your Budget Trip to Israel.

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5 top things to see and do in Haifa

Eat, eat, and eat.

Haifa is a food-lover paradise. Downtown is packed with a variety of restaurants, selling anything from street food to fancy food. I recommend checking out the restaurants in Wadi Nisnas and its surroundings. Read more >> The Best Restaurants in Haifa: Wadi Nisnas and Beyond .

Go on a free tour of the Bahai Gardens

The Bahai Gardens are the most famous landmark in Haifa. They are located on the slope of Mount Carmel and are BEAUTIFUL. The main building in the gardens is the Shrine in which the founders of the Bahai religion are buried. The Bahais offer free guided tours in the gardens, led by Bahai volunteers. Check out the available tours here .

I also recommend going to the German Colony a short while after sunset to view the Bahai Gardens in the dark. They are lit up and very magical.

Try the Carmelit

The Carmelit is an underground funicular that connects Downtown Haifa to the upper parts of Mount Carmel. You can call it is one of the shortest subways in the world, although it’s not exactly a subway. You can use it to reach the Louis Promenade and the upper gate of the Bahai Garden, or just take a ride for fun. Read more about the Carmelit on its official website.

Visit a museum

Haifa has some of the best museums in Israel. The National Maritime Museum is a fascinating museum that shows the development of the shipping industry in Israel. There are many artifacts on display, that were taken from shipwrecks in the area.

Another museum I recommend is the Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum which tells the story of the illegal immigration to the Land of Israel during the British mandate. You can also look into some of the navy’s vessels.

Besides these two museums, there are many more museums, including the Hecht Museum , the Madatech Museum , and the Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art . So, if you’re a museum-lover, you have plenty of museums to visit in Haifa.

Take a look at the view

Haifa offers fantastic views of Israel’s northern coast. For the best view, go up to the Louis Promenade. The best way to get there is by taking the Carmelit up to Gan Ha’em Station and walking from there. When you look at the view from Louis Promenade, you can see the entire coast from Haifa Bay to the northern tip of Israel – Rosh Hanikra. It’s BEAUTIFUL!

More things to do in Haifa

Explore the history of old haifa.

There are few remains from Haifa’s old city. For many years, Haifa was a fishermen’s village. In the 18 th century, Daher al-Omar established the modern city and built defensive walls around it. In 1869, the city expanded outside the walls, which were later demolished. But we don’t know much about the history of the city because most of the documentation was destroyed by fire during the violent events that took place in 1929 and 1936.  

You can walk around the little remains in Downtown Haifa. At Falcon’s shop on Kibbutz Galuyot 42 Street, you can see an old wall painting depicting the battle between the Turks and British. Here and there you can see some old and abandoned buildings. To really understand what you’re looking at, it’s best to take a tour guide.

Go to the beach

There are several declared beaches in Haifa, so if you want to spend some time on the beach, it’s a possibility. One of the most popular beaches is Dado Beach, but if you’re looking for quieter beaches, it might be best to go to Bat Galim Beach or Neve Yam Beach.  

Enjoy Haifa’s nature trails

Haifa is located on the slope of Mount Carmel, and blends into the Carmel Forest. So, there are many nature trails all around the city, as well as outside it. For example, one of the most popular and pleasant trails in the city is the Nahal Lotem trail, which starts at Tishbi Street and ends at Gan Ha’em.

Here are other trails on the Carmel:

Hiking Down the Carmel Through Wadi Kelah and Galim

Hiking Mount Carmel on the Israel National Trail

Looking for a tour guide in Israel? I might be free to guide you while you’re here. Contact me by email at [email protected] .

How many days to visit Haifa?

It depends on what you want to do. Haifa is very accessible from Tel Aviv and can be a pleasant day trip by train. In one day, you can taste some great food, visit the Bahai Gardens, and maybe squeeze in another activity. If you want to see more and absorb the atmosphere, I’d say 2-3 days should be enough.

When to come to Haifa?

I think the best time to come is October-December or March-May when the weather is usually pleasant. Haifa is right next to the sea. If you’re not planning on the beach, I would skip coming here in June-September because of the high humidity.

If you want to avoid the crowds, don’t come in December because that’s the time of the Holiday of Holidays Festival and everything is crowded.

Where to stay in Haifa?

I’d search for stay options near Downtown, the German Colony, or Wadi Nisnas. That’s where all the good restaurants are located. Here are three places I’ve stayed during my visits to Haifa:

• Nesthouse Haifa : A cozy place in Downtown Haifa, a few steps away from the train station. This place offers a mixed dormitory and private rooms. Read my full review here.
• Hostel Roks: A clean place in Downtown Haifa, about 10 minutes walk from Wadi Nisnas. There are no dormitory rooms here, but the private room prices are cheap compared to other places. Read my full review here.
• The Colony Hotel : This place is a boutique hotel, so it isn’t cheap. But if it’s within your budget, it’s centrally located in the German Colony, and you can see the Bahai Gardens from its rooftop. The rooms have a special inner design. Though, breakfast wasn’t so delicious (maybe because it was a Saturday).

Where to eat in Haifa?

As I’ve already mentioned, Haifa is a paradise for food lovers. If you’re looking for good food, look in Wadi Nisnas and its surroundings. There’s much more than falafel and shawarma. You can also try pita with cheese and za’atar, kanafeh, fatayer, and stuffed vegetables. Ask around and you’ll probably get some good recommendations. Here are my favorite places to eat >>> The Best Restaurants in Haifa: Wadi Nisnas and Beyond .

Money-saving tips for Haifa

Like all places in Israel, Haifa isn’t cheap. Expect to spend around 160-300 ILS (50-90 USD) per day, including food and accommodation. If you’ll follow these money-saving tips, you can keep your budget low:

Use Couchsurfing.

If you want to save money on accommodation,  Couchsurfing  is a great option. They have started charging an annual subscription, but it’s still worth it. Couchsurfing is a platform that connects travelers with local hosts, who will be happy to host you for free. This way, you save money and also get to know the local people! Couchsurfing is very popular in Israel, so it’s easy to find a host. Just make sure to read the references before you send a request and  stick to the safety basics.

Make your own meal.

An average meal costs 30-50 ILS. So to save money, it’s best to purchase supplies in a local supermarket and make your own meals. Though, I do recommend eating out a few times just to taste the food. If you’re staying in a hostel, you can use the shared kitchen. Don’t go to the market because the prices there are generally higher than in supermarkets. Plus, the vendors can tell you a higher price just because you are tourists.

Drink during Happy Hour.

In Israel, alcohol is expensive. If you go to the supermarket, a bottle of beer costs about 10 ILS, depending on the type. In a bar, prices range around 30-35 ILS! So, if you want to hang out in one of Haifa’s bars but also want to save money, come for Happy Hour. The nightlife scene starts late, around 10-11 PM, so you’ll find Happy Hour deals earlier, around 5-8 PM. This way, you’ll get more for less.

How to get around Haifa

It’s not so easy walking around Haifa because it’s situated on the slope of Mount Carmel. So, if you choose to walk, I recommend taking transport up to the highest point you plan to visit and walk down from there.

I think Haifa’s public transportation is the best in Israel. There are regular buses going anywhere you need, and they usually have their own lanes which means less traffic jams. There’s also the Carmelit, an underground funicular railway that connects Downtown Haifa to the higher parts of the Carmel. A one-way ticket costs 6.6 ILS. The bus fare is quite the same. Make sure to get a Rav-Kav public transit card before boarding any sort of transportation.   

To find the best route in the city, you can use the Moovit app or Google Maps .

To learn more, read my full guide to public transportation in Israel .

 How to get to certain attractions from Downtown

If you’re traveling on foot, it’s easy to walk between Downtown places like Wadi Nisnas, the German Colony, and the nightlife area (HaNamal Street). But if you want to visit other attractions, here are some popular attractions and how you can reach them by public transportation:

The Bahai Gardens: You can look at the Bahai Gardens from the bottom of the gardens, but if you want to attend a free tour, you’ll need to get to one of the garden’s top entrances depending on the tour you’re taking. To get to the middle gate on Hatzionut Street, you can walk uphill for about 20 minutes or take bus #136 from Downtown. To get to the upper gate on Yefe Nof Street, take bus #136 and get off at HaNassi/ Iris. Then walk a bit to the entrance.

Stella Maris Monastery: Take bus #58 from Downtown and get off at Cable Car/ Stella Maris station. It takes about 10 minutes.

Madatech Museum: Take bus #28 or #37 from Downtown and get off at Madatek/ Balfour station. It takes about 10 minutes.

Bat Galim Beach: Take bus #16 or #24 from Downtown and get off at Ha’Aliya Hashniya/ Lotz station. From there, walk a bit to the beach.

Annual events and festivals in Haifa

Holiday of holidays.

Dates not set yet – usually December

The Holiday of Holidays Festival in Haifa is one of the top events in Israel. It celebrates the three main monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It’s celebrated in December because Christmas and Chanukkah usually fall together in that month. Sometimes, the Muslim Ramadan also falls in December, but it’s more rare.  

During the festival, there are many tours that introduce you to the people that live in Wadi Nisnas. You get to hear their stories and sometimes taste some local food. Unfortunately, these tours are usually only in Hebrew. Besides these tours, it’s nice to walk around Downtown and enjoy the Christmas decorations.

For more information, check out the official website of Holiday of Holidays .

Check out this video by Israel:

Haifa International Film Festival

This year – 8-17 October 2022

This is the first international film festival in Israel and one of the biggest cinematic events in the country. It takes place every year during Chol HaMoed Sukkot and screens hundreds of international and local films. If you love the movies, it’s worth going.

For more information, check out the official website of Haifa International Film Festival .

Recommended day trips

Haifa is in northern Israel, about 1.5 hours by train from Tel Aviv and 2 hours by bus from Jerusalem. If you want to use it as a base to explore the North, it’s about an hour by bus from Nazareth and 1.5 hours by bus from Tiberias/ the Sea of Galilee. If you want to use it as a base, I think it’s best to rent a car.

Here are some recommended day trips from Haifa:

• Acre (Akko): About one hour by train, Acre is one of the most charming towns in Israel. It has old and winding alleys, good food, and UNESCO Heritage Sites such as the Knights Hall. Read my post >> Top Free Things to do in Acre .
• Daliyat al-Karmel: About one hour by bus, Daliyat al-Karmel is a famous Druze village on Mount Carmel. You can walk around the village, visit the market, and also take a short bus ride to Deir Al-Mukhraqa Carmelite Monastery.
• Caesarea National Park: About 1.5 hours by bus, Caesarea is one of the leading national parks in Israel. It has an impressive Roman theatre and amphitheater, a beautiful view of the Med Sea, and some interesting exhibitions. Read my post >> A Walk Through Ancient Caesarea.  

Haifa is a fascinating city that combines religion, history, and good food. While it’s not a MUST, it could be a great addition to your trip itinerary.

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Haifa's neighbourhoods form an intriguing kaleidoscope: its smart German Colony, teeming Arab-Christian quarter and edgy Masada St each add their own verve to the port city. Posing above roaring traffic and dockside bustle is Haifa's most celebrated sight, a Baha'i shrine and tropical gardens. Tumbling down the flanks of Mt Carmel (546m), the gardens bestow a radiant symmetry on this complex city, whose atmosphere can change from placid to fast-paced in the space of a few steps.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Baha’i Gardens

These formal gardens flowing down 19 steep terraces to a resplendent domed shrine – the final resting place of the prophet-herald of the Baha’i faith –…

Hecht Museum

This university campus museum showcases engrossing archaeological finds such as well-restored mosaics and troves of ancient coins, but the pièce de…

Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery

The Carmelite Order was established in the late 12th century when Crusader-era pilgrims, inspired by the prophet Elijah, opted for a hermitic life on the…

Clandestine Immigration & Naval Museum

Using a series of powerful video testimonials, this fascinating museum showcases the Zionist Movement’s determined efforts to infiltrate Jewish refugees…

Shrine of the Báb

Though it’s primarily a pilgrimage site, modestly dressed visitors are allowed to enter this domed shrine holding the remains of the Báb, spiritual…

Kid-friendly science exhibits fill this elegant 1912 building, including hands-on displays in the astronomy rooms, optical illusions and a hall of mirrors…

Haifa Museum of Art

Challenging and contemporary, the Museum of Art's three exhibition spaces showcase mixed media and photography by Israeli and international artists. If…

National Maritime Museum

This museum, founded in 1953, covers five millennia of maritime history across its three floors, from barnacle-clung amphorae to Israel's recent naval…

Latest stories from Haifa

Jun 18, 2018 • 6 min read

Haifa is moody in the best possible way. Israel’s third-largest city is a jigsaw of neighbourhoods between the slopes of Mt Carmel and the Mediterranean…

Feb 16, 2018 • 6 min read

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17 Top-Rated Things to Do in Haifa

Written by Jess Lee Updated Oct 14, 2022

Modern Haifa is a bustling port town, but unlike many industry-focused cities, its landscape of steep cliffs rolling down to the shore gives it a beautiful setting.

For travelers who want a base with both good access to the sights of the north and plentiful city buzz, with a thriving café and dining scene, this is one of the best places to visit.

Haifa's hillside location is enhanced by the Baha'i Gardens, which are the central city's dominating feature. These cascading terraces of manicured lawns are Haifa's number one tourist attraction.

As well as being a center of the Baha'i faith, which brings Baha'i pilgrims from across the world to the city, Haifa is the base for visiting the sites upon Mount Carmel and is within day-tripping reach of important ruins such as Caesarea.

Discover the best places to visit with our list of the top things to do in Haifa.

1. Tour the Baha'i Gardens

2. stella maris carmelite monastery, 3. ride the haifa cable car, 4. elijah's cave, 5. day trip to caesarea, 6. stroll around downtown haifa, 7. take a road trip to mount carmel's sights, 8. hang out on haifa's beaches, 9. walk the suspension bridges of nesher park, 10. explore jewish history at beit shearim, 11. visit atlit immigration camp, 12. mane katz museum, 13. ursula malbin sculpture park, 14. hecht museum, 15. keep the kids busy at madatech, 16. get some beach time in dor, 17. national maritime museum, map of things to do in haifa.

The extraordinary Baha'i Gardens are top of the things to do list in town, and the Baha'i Shrine, with its golden dome, is the city's landmark monument.

The Baha'i faith began in Iran when, in 1844, Iranian Mirza Ali Mohammed declared himself "Bab" (gateway to God) and founded the faith.

When he was assassinated in Tabriz in 1850, his successor, Mirza Hussein Ali (who later was known as Bahá'u'lláh), fled into the Ottoman Empire. In 1868, when he declared himself Imam, he was held in captivity at Akko for 24 years, up until his death in 1892.

After the death of Mirza Hussein Ali, Baha'i devotees secretly brought the remains of his predecessor, Mirza Ali Mohammed, from Iran to Haifa and built his tomb, the Shrine of the Bab, here.

Today, the terraced gardens and shrine are an incredibly tranquil and beautiful memorial, as well as an immaculate example of garden landscaping.

UNESCO has declared them a World Heritage Site for their cultural value, as well as natural beauty. For those of the Baha'i faith they are also an important place of pilgrimage.

Free tours, in a selection of languages, are offered throughout the day. The access road to the entrance, Yefe Nof Street, offers commanding vistas down over the garden terraces and Mediterranean beyond.

Address: Off Yefe Nof Street, Central Haifa

Official site: www.ganbahai.org.il

The present Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery was built in 1836 and is noted for its lush frescoes portraying St. Elijah.

The interior also contains paintings of scenes of the lives of the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel and has a cedar figurine of the Virgin known as the Madonna of Mt. Carmel.

The Carmelite order was founded on Mount Carmel in 1150 as a hermetic Catholic sect. When the order sided with Napoleon during his battle against the Ottoman Turks in 1799, the Carmelite monasteries were destroyed. In front of the building is the tomb of the French soldiers who were killed during the battle.

Afterwards, the monastery was rebuilt but was again razed in 1821 by the pasha of Akko (Acre).

Many people come here simply for the views alone, which stretch across central Haifa below, out to the sea.

From the monastery, a trail leads down to the grotto known as Elijah's cave, believed to be either the one-time dwelling place or tomb of Elijah.

Address: Off Tchernikovsky Street, West Haifa

The Haifa cable car is the easiest way to get up the steep hill to the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery and by far the most fun.

There are excellent panoramic vistas over the city and its major points of interest all the way up, making this an excellent activity for photographers.

Note, that it is a very short ride, and even if you're not interested in visiting the monastery itself, the views from the lookout point at the top of the hill, across the sprawl of Haifa and out to the Mediterranean, are usually judged well worth taking the cable car for if you don't fancy the walk.

There's a small cafe selling refreshments at the summit.

Address: Entry from HaHaganah Street, Galshanim Beach

Opposite the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery a path leads down to Elijah's Cave at the foot of the cape. Visitors that don't fancy the trek down the hill can access the cave off Allenby Street.

Believers hold that Prophet Elijah hid here after killing the priests of Ba'al.

It is an important pilgrimage site for Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike who all hold Elijah in high regard.

If you're going to visit, remember to dress modestly to respect the pilgrims who might be visiting the site at the same time.

Until 1948, the site was a mosque.

Halfway along the coast, between Haifa and Tel Aviv, Caesarea is home to one of Israel's most fascinating ancient sites.

The site has been occupied since the 4th century BCE, when the Phoenicians used it as a strategic port, but it was Herod I (Herod the Great) in 22 BCE who went on to build the harbor city here, with its temples, a theater, and hippodrome. He named the town Caesarea in honor of the Emperor Augustus.

The city's heyday was from the 1st century CE to the 6th century CE, first as capital of the Roman province of Judea, which later became the Roman province of Syria Palaestina, and later as an important center of early Christianity. St. Paul and St. Peter both spent time here.

During the Byzantine era, it continued to be a provincial capital up until the Arab conquest in 637 CE, after which it still remained but lost its importance. It was only during the Crusader era that the site's strategic location caused a flurry of building works, with further fortifications added.

Archaeological investigation of the site continues, and a number of important finds from the site, including a figure of Artemis of the third century BCE and an important Byzantine mosaic, are now in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem .

The Crusader-era city remains and Roman theater (within the archaeological park itself) and the gorgeously melancholy remnant of the ancient aqueduct (upon the beach), that was part of the city's Herodian period, are the three highlights of a visit here.

Ben-Gurion Street is the old main street of the German Protestant colony founded here in 1868 by members of the Society of the Temple, who believed that settling in Palestine would bring about the Second Coming. The society continued to exist until the Second World War.

The old houses, with their tiled roofs, have all been spruced-up and are very characteristic of their period. The street is now home to Haifa's best dining and shopping.

The cemetery of these zealot settlers lies to the northwest, at 150 Jaffa Street, next to a British military cemetery of the First World War.

If you have your own wheels, tooling around the slopes of Mount Carmel makes an excellent day trip from Haifa.

The big historic sightseeing attraction here is the Carmelite Monastery of St. Elijah where, according to tradition, Elijah set up an altar during his conflict with the priests of Baal.

The small settlements that speckle the slopes of the mountain are just as interesting as the church, if not more so.

Make sure to stop off at Ein Hod, an artists' village riddled with galleries. Bet Oren, on the lower slopes, is where the remains of the "Carmel Man" (a Paleolithic skeleton unearthed in caves six kilometers west of the actual village) was found. The remains, and other finds from the site, are now in Jerusalem's Rockefeller Museum.

Haifa has three main beaches for visitors who want to add some sand and sea into their stay.

Bat Galim Beach, at the city's northern tip, is a favorite spot with local water sports enthusiasts. Windsurfers and kiteboarders take to the waves on sunny days, and you'll find water sports operators here who rent equipment and give lessons.

Carmel Beach, on Haifa's western shoreline, is more about laid-back sunbathing and general lounging and is a favorite haunt for local families on sunny weekends.

Just to the south of Carmel Beach is Dado Beach, which is known for its surfing.

All three beaches have excellent facilities, with cafés along the shore and sun shades and sun loungers for rent.

In Nesher, right at the southern edge of Haifa on Mount Carmel's northern slope, Nesher Park's dense evergreen forest is a good place to visit for a quick hike if you need a break from the city.

The circular trail here is most famous for its two 70-meter-long steel cable suspension bridges strung over a deep gorge, which are great photography spots for scenic vistas.

There are also various panoramic lookout points along the trail for more views of the lush surrounding countryside.

The easiest and shortest trail is less than two kilometers in length and is a non-strenuous walk that is suitable for children. The only issues would be with tackling the suspension bridges for walkers who don't have a head for heights.

There's a picnic area at the starting point of the trail, which is often busy with local families taking a nature break on sunny weekends.

This fascinating archaeological site, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is particularly notable for the impressive catacombs excavated by B. Mazar in 1936, and later, by N. Avigad.

Although the site has been dated back as far as the Iron Age, most of the ruins that can be seen today date from the 2nd century CE, when the town enjoyed a heyday as an important rabbinical city.

Archaeology buffs will find exploring the Jewish necropolis here, only 20 kilometers southeast from Haifa, an engrossing half-day trip from the city.

Atlit, 20 kilometers south of Haifa, is home to two historical sites.

Atlit Crusader Castle dates from 1200, when it was known as Castrum Peregrinorum or Chateau des Pelerins (Castle of the Pilgrims). Unfortunately, these days you can't enter it, as it is on military land, but you can get a good view of the ruins from Atlit Beach.

Much more recently, Atlit was the destination where Jewish refugees from Europe were detained when they arrived in British Mandate Palestine after World War II.

The Atlit Immigration Camp which was built by the British to hold them, has been preserved as a museum, with excellent guided tours available.

This excellent, well-curated museum is a must-stop for any art enthusiast. It contains the paintings and sculptures of Mane Katz, who was an influential 20th century Jewish artist.

As well as his Expressionist art, Katz was a great collector, and his personal collection of Judaica and antique furniture are on display here.

There are great Haifa views from the on-site café.

Just down the road is the Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art (89 Hanassi Avenue), which features exhibits of Japanese artistry from the 14th century right up to the present day.

Address: 89 Yefe Nof Street, Carmel Center

This lovely public park is full of gorgeous bronze statues and is a great place to relax after a morning of sightseeing.

The statues were all made by German-born artist Ursula Malbin who lives part of the year in Israel.

If you're traveling with children, they'll love exploring the well-maintained trails through the park and peering at the quirky monuments.

In the early evening, plenty of Haifa locals come here for a stroll so it's a great place for a spot of people watching and to check out local life.

Haifa's large university complex, 2.5 kilometers south of the central city, is well worth the short hop from the center if you're interested in ancient history because it's home to the Hecht Museum.

The Hecht Museum collection ranges from the Chalcolithic era up to the Byzantine period and was built around the personal collection of Dr Reuben Hecht, who gifted it to the university.

Its most famous artifact on display is the wreck of 5th-century BCE Ma'agan Mikhail Ancient Ship, which was discovered in 1985.

There are also well-displayed and themed exhibits on Phoenician seafaring history and culture, Jewish coins, Biblical-era seals, and ancient crafts, including mosaic and glasswork.

Address: University of Haifa, 199 Aba-Hushi Avenue

Official site: https://mushecht.haifa.ac.il

If you have kids in tow, make a beeline for this interactive science museum that will keep kids - both big and small - thoroughly engrossed and amazed.

The museum's stately building was once the base for Israel's Institute of Technology and was erected in 1913.

Inside, there are all manner of science-based exhibits, from zany and colourful chemistry displays to exhibits explaining aviation and green energy. It's a great example of how to make science fun and accessible for all ages.

Address: 25 Shermaryahu Levin Street, Hadar HaCarmel

Official site: www.madatech.org.il

A favorite weekend hangout for stressed out city folk from Haifa, Dor is home to one of the most picture-perfect beaches in the area. It's only 29 kilometers south of the city, so is easily visited as a day trip.

Although today people mostly travel here for the pleasures of sun, sand, and sea, Dor has a rather illustrious history.

Excavations here, just to the north of the modern town, have brought to light remains of the old harbor, a Crusader era castle , and a 6th century Byzantine church. If you can manage to drag yourself away from the beach, the ruins are well worth a look.

The National Maritime Museum holds a collection of model ships, maps, and charts that illustrate the history of seafaring in the Mediterranean region.

Anyone with an interest in maritime history and in the leading role the Mediterranean played in shaping the centuries of human history in this region will enjoy a visit.

Just down the road is the Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum which documents the Zionist movement's efforts to get Jewish refugees into Palestine during the British Mandate period.

Address: 198 Allenby Road, Central Haifa

Although it was destroyed in the 7th century, Haifa was famed in the 11th century for its shipbuilding and its Talmudic college.

In 1099, it withstood a six-month-long siege by the Crusaders, but was finally destroyed. In 1187, Saladin captured it from the Crusaders, but in 1191 it was recovered by Richard Coeur de Lion.

The Crusaders were finally expelled from the town by Sultan Baibars. The monasteries of the Carmelite order, which was founded in Haifa in 1150 by a monk named Berthold, were destroyed after the fall of Acre in 1291, when the monks returned to Europe .

Under the Mamelukes (from 1517) and the Ottomans, Haifa was an insignificant fishing village. In 1740 Daher el-Amr, lord of Galilee, took the place and founded a new settlement, the present Old City, between Kikar Paris (Paris Square) and the Head Post Office. He also developed the harbor for the export of grain to Egypt .

Under Ahmed el-Jazzar, who succeeded Daher in 1775, the Carmelites were able to re-establish themselves near Elijah's Cave. In 1799, during Napoleon's advance on Akko (Acre), their monastery was used as a military hospital, but after Napoleon's withdrawal, the French wounded were killed by Ahmed el-Jazzar.

The importance of Haifa increased with the coming of steamships, for which the nearby harbor of Akko was too small.

In 1868, the population was increased by the arrival of German settlers, members of the Society of the Temple. When the German Emperor, William II, visited Haifa in 1898, a jetty was constructed, and thereafter the development of the port continued.

The emperor promoted the idea of linking Haifa with the Hejaz railroad and thus opening up the town's hinterland. The upswing in the economy led to the expansion of the Old City to the northwest, in the direction of the German Colony.

As the city grew, Christian Palestinians from the surrounding area moved into the town, as well as Mizrahi Jews. The first Jewish school was established in 1881. Two faiths that had broken away from Islam, the Baha'i from Iran and the Ahmadiya from India, also made Haifa their headquarters.

In September 1918, British forces occupied the town. Thereafter, a new railroad line was built, linking Haifa with Egypt by way of Gaza. New industrial installations came into being. This development continued in spite of conflicts between the Jewish and the Palestinian populations.

The modern deep-water harbor was completed in 1933, followed in 1934 by the development of the oil terminal at the end of the pipeline from Iraq.

In 1936, following further outbreaks of violence, the Jewish population left the eastern part of the lower town and concentrated in the Hadar HaCarmel district. Haifa was thus, for all practical purposes, divided into two.

During the Second World War, the German members of the Society of the Temple were evacuated. After the war, there was continuing conflict between the Jewish underground organization Haganah, the British naval base, and the Palestinians – a conflict from which Haganah emerged victorious.

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