Haifa General Overview

The city of Haifa (Hebrew: חיפה "Hayfa", Arabic: حيفا "Heifa") is truly one of Israel's jewels. Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and stretches up the slope of the inspiring Carmel Mountain, Haifa becomes a beautiful composition of mountain and sea, urbanism and nature. Haifa is the third largest city in Israel and the northern capital of the country. The city plays a major role in Israel's economy and its major seaport feeds the blooming industry and tourism in the city.

Haifa's population reaches almost 270,000, 90% of them are Jews and 10% are Arabs (Muslims and Christians), making it the largest mixed city of five mixed cities in Israel. The city has an image of a good party city where both Jews and Arabs live together, although in fairy segregated neighborhoods, with regular contact to promote coexistence.

The Mediterranean shores, the beautiful bay and magnificent swimming beaches as well as the close by mountain makes attractive for those who are looking to relax and meditate. Haifa is also a shopping paradise; Wadi-Nisnas, one of the oldest Arab neighborhood decorated with beautiful old buildings and artistic works, consists of an old traditional market, the Hadar has the best retail market and the three modern big malls will find you the best and most unique deals at good prices.
Haifa also has the finest resort hotels, residences, entertaining sites restaurants and tourist attractions.

Transportation inside the city is very developed, cable car, subway (Carmelite) connect the lower and upper parts of the city; busses and taxi cars make themselves very available and will get you anywhere in the city. In addition, Haifa has three main train stations, three major bus stations and an airport that will get you literally anywhere inside Israel in the cheapest and fastest way.

Resort hotels, shopping malls, museums, galleries, theaters, symphony orchestra, beaches, zoo, botanic garden and a lot more. Haifa city has it all!

Furthermore, Haifa has a significant religious importance to Christians, Jews and Bahaei, Mount Carmel is the dwelling of prophet Elias from the old testament and the Shrine of Bab.

Sites in Haifa

St. Elias's Cave - Prophet Elijah

Baha’i Shrine and Gardens

House of Grace & Madonna Church

More photos of Haifa sites are available at HolyLand Photo Gallery