Wondering what to see in Haifa? The northern city on the sea offers a wide range of outings. It is a perfect destination for a day trip, yet even a full week would not be enough to take in everything this fascinating city and its surroundings have to offer.
Haifa has plenty of unusual museums, a large and handsome port, a stunning promenade, neighbourhoods that are a pleasure to walk through, nature in the middle of town and even an underground railway and a cable car. In the Carmel area you will find pleasant forests that offer an escape from the bustle, a picturesque artists’ village, wild beaches and mysterious caves.
What to see in Haifa: views from the Carmel
Louis Promenade
A lovely, well-kept promenade whose view over Haifa Bay is spectacular by day and by night. It is close to the Carmelit, to restaurants and to many hotels. See hotels in Haifa.
Yefe Nof Street
The name means “beautiful view”, and it lives up to it. This is a charming place to wander and look out over the port area, with pleasant gardens and walking paths between the houses.
History and heritage
Elijah’s Cave
A cave on the slope of Mount Carmel where, according to tradition, the prophet Elijah hid while fleeing from Ahab, king of Israel, during his wanderings on the mountain. It is sacred to Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze and is a well-visited site.
The German Colony
At the foot of the Carmel, this was the first place the Templers settled when they arrived in the Land of Israel in the 19th century. And what a colony they built, like nothing the Middle East had seen: a European village in the heart of the Ottoman city, about as far from Europe as you could get. Along a single avenue lined with appealing stone houses, a community grew up that drove progress in agriculture, tourism, transport and industry, research and archaeology.
For all ages
Madatech, the science museum
Everyone should visit at least once. It is an engaging, innovative museum where there is always something to see, and visitors of every age will find something interesting to do. Visit the Madatech website.
For more ideas, read Haifa with kids: a family day out, our guide to Wadi Nisnas and the complete guide to cruises from Haifa.
