Rates are per person sharing a double occupancy
Haifa vacation guide
Haifa is also the hub of the Bahai Faith and home to the Bahai World Center. Despite being a major industrial city, Haifa has its fair share of commercial, modern, and cosmopolitan areas. The lower part of the city represents the commercial part and has modern facilities for the harbor; the middle part of the city is made up of old residential areas and has a more traditional appearance; and the upper part of Haifa consists of modern neighborhoods that overlook the sandy and picturesque Mediterranean beaches forming the much sought after bay area.
TRANSPORTATION/GETTING AROUND
Being an industrial town and one of the major ports in Israel, Haifa has good intra city and inter city transportation facilities. Buses run on a network of routes connecting various points across the city. Haifa also had the one and only suburban railway system in Israel. The ‘Carmelit’ starts from Paris Square and go up to Gan HaEm on Mount Carmel, and has a single track with six stations and only two trains. It has found recognition as being the shortest metro line in the Guinness World Records!
Highway 2 and Highway 4 connect Haifa with the rest of Israel and the northern, southern and inland parts of Haifa. The Haifa Airport offers domestic flights to cities like Tel Aviv and Eilat and international charter flights to Cyprus.
ATTRACTIONS
With many interesting places to explore and enjoy, Haifa’s major attractions are religious in nature. But then there are the golden beaches as well!
ELIJAH'S CAVE: Elijah’s Cave is a top pilgrimage site for everyone from Christians to Muslims to Jews. The pilgrims come here through the year to pray and seek blessings.
THE BAHAI TEMPLE: The center of Bahai religion, the temple is set amidst beautifully planned 19 different terrace gardens each with fountains, promenades, and flora. The Bahai Temple in Haifa is an architectural marvel with its golden dome and natural beauty.
Bahai Pilgrimage differs from traditions of Pilgrimage known in other religious faiths. The Bahai Pilgrimage is the action of spending nine days in the Holy Land, organized by the Bahai World Center, i.e. the places connected with a life of the basic figures of Bahai: Bahaully, Abdul-Baha. Pilgrims are organized in the groups. Arrival of pilgrims is carried out each two weeks, and there can be representatives of the most different countries in group. Worldwide, there live some millions Bahais, many of which wish to make Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. To avoid the flow of people, for example in the months of spring, all persons interested in Bahai Pilgrimage should expect within five-six years the special invitation from the Bahai World Center, and then collect a suitcase with the saved up good acts and go on passing transport (mainly to the plane) to Israel. Such practice, as for example, in Islamic pilgrimage (jihad), when all pilgrims come at once to Mecca, clothes dress white and make ritual detour of Kaaby, at Bahai does not exist. It is necessary to mention also that the pilgrim incurs all expenses, i.e. ticket to Israel, accommodation and meals, but the excursion program will be organized already by Pilgrims Office.
The entry to the gardens is free.
STELLA MARIS: A famous church belonging to the Carmelite Order, this church is a pilgrimage site for the Catholics.More than 150 thousand pilgrims visits annually this Catholic monastery. The Stella Maris or Star of the Sea offers stunning views of the city below. On the last Thursday of every month, the Haifa Tourist Board organizes the ‘Sounds of Stella Maris’ concerts in the church grounds.
THE MUCHRAKA: This is a Carmelite Monastery located on the top of the hill. Set within a rich forested area, the church and monastery boast of a beautiful garden and 360o glorious views.
DRUZE VILLAGES: Located on the Carmel Mountain, the Usfiya and Daliat-el-Carmel Druze villages are home to the Druze tribe and have colorful markets that are perfect for buying locally made handicrafts.
CHILDREN PLACES
The Zoo, the botanical gardens, parks, Beit Oren Horse riding Center etc.
SHOPPING
Not too many shopping options, but the best modern shopping malls are the Panorama Center in Central Carmel area, the Migdal Haneve'im in Hadar District, Canyon Haifa at Fliemann Street, the Horev Center on Horev Street near Pica Street and Massada Street unique antique and curio items.
NIGHTLIFE
Haifa doesn’t have as exciting nightlife as Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. However, some of the more popular bars, pubs, and restaurants include Bear Pub, Fever, Glasgow, Little Haifa, Martef Esser, Haifa Auditorium, Haifa Cinematheque, James de Rothschild Cultural and Community Center, and Haifa Municipal Theatre.
CULTURE
Haifa has the reputation of being the cultural capital of northern Israel. With many theatres, Performing Art centers, Cultural centers, and leisure centers, you are bound to find some festival, event, or cultural program taking place in Haifa during your visit.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
The Haifa International Film Festival: the most awaited annual event, it takes place every October and in time with Sukkot, the Jewish holiday.
The Haifa Flute Festival: an event that celebrates the talent of Israeli flautist.
The Haifa International Children's Theatre Festival: 19 - 22 Apr 2008 (annual)
SPORT AND SPORT ACTIVITIES
Maccabi Haifa Football: A major football league club plays at the Kiryat Eliezer stadium. The green team is a hot favorite.
Ahuza Springs: Nature walks to a natural spring.
Bat Galim: Home to best beaches in Northern Israel, it’s perfect for surfing, sunbathing and water sports.
CITIES CLOSE BY
1.Qiryat Motzkin (4.1 miles)
2.Qiryat Yam (4.3 miles)
3.Qiryat Bialik (5.3 miles)
4.Nesher (6.3 miles)
5.Qiryat Ata (7.6 miles)