Places of Interest BACK

Haifa has a symphony orchestra which performs regularly, and a theatrical company said to be the best in Israel. There is also a cinematheque showing the best in serious film.

Beit Hagefen - Arab Jewish Cultural Center: 2 Hagefen St. Gallery open: Sun-Thurs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 4-8 p.m. Fri. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tel. (04)8525251/2. Admission free.
(Bus Nos. 10, 12, 22, 41, 42)

Bahai Shrine: Hazionut Blvd. The magnificent gold dome of the Shrine of the Bab is an unmistakable landmark in Haifa. The building houses the Mausoleum of the Bab (Siyyid Ali Muhammed), forerunner of the prophet-founder of the Bahai faith. It is part of a complex of monumental structures and gardens in Haifa and Akko which make up the World Centre of the Bahai Faith. The unique Bahai gardens surrounding the building are beautifully kept. Visitors must be modestly dressed and smoking and eating are not allowed in the Shrine or arcade. Cameras are forbidden in the Shrine, open 9 a.m.-noon daily. The gardens can be explored from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tel. (04)8358358.
(Bus Nos. 22, 23, 25, 26, Walk No. 3)

Beaches: Haifa has a string of municipal beaches, including Bat Galim, which has facilities for observant Jews.
(Bus Nos. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)

Carmel National Park: Encompassing 22,000 acres, this area on the crown of Mt. Carmel is one on the beauty spots of Israel. Twenty-five recreation areas provide facilities for picnics and fun. Although parts were destroyed by fire in 1989, the area is being replanted. It is easiest to travel to the park by car, but you can take a bus to Haifa University and then walk, or take buses 91 and 92.

Carmelite Monastery: See Stella Maris Church and Monastery.

Dagon Silo Archaeological Grain Museum: Plumer Sq. by the port. The history of grain-handling and storage in ancient Israel, with working models. Guided tours every day except Sat. at 10.30 a.m. or by appointment. Open to public only at time of tour. Free. Tel. (04)8664221.
(Bus Nos. 10, 12, 122, Walk No. 1)

Elijah's Cave: 230 Derekh Allenby, below Stella Maris lighthouse and Carmelite Monastery. Believed to be the resting place of the prophet before his encounter with the false prophets of Ba'al. Revered by Jews, Christians and Moslems. Christian tradition holds that the Holy Family sheltered here on return from Egypt. Jews of Oriental background gather here first Sunday after Tisha B'Av, recite Isaiah 40 and invoke the prophet's intercession to better their fate, cure their illnesses and bless their offspring. Open July and August Sun.-Thurs 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The rest of the year: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
(Bus Nos. 43, 44, 45, 49)

The Funicular: Take the funicular from Stella Maris to the Bat Galim Promenade and back again for a spectacular view of the Carmel and the sea. Address: Stella Maris or Bat Galim Funicular Stations, Haifa. Open: during the summer months, Sun-Thurs and Sat 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. Fri 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed on Friday in winter. Tel. (04)8335970.
(Buses to Bat Galim Station: 3a, 41, 42, to the Stella Maris Station: 25, 26, 27, 30, 31)

Gan Ha'em (Mother's Park): Central Carmel. Beautiful park and promenade with small zoo and Museum of Prehistory.
(Bus Nos. 21, 22, 23)

German Colony: A number of period styled houses still survive from the time German Templers settled in Haifa. Dating from 1868, many of the houses are located on Ben-Gurion Avenue and in the immediate vicinity. The lovely houses and courtyards tell us of the Templers' lifestyle. Many restaurants exist in the area.

Haifa Museum of Ancient Art, Modern Art, Music and Ethnology: 26 Shabbetai Levi St. Museum of Ancient Art: archaeological collections of Mediterranean cultures from the beginning of history until the Islamic conquest in the 7th century CE. Outstanding collections of Graeco-Roman culture, Coptic art, painted portraits from Faiyum, rare collections from Israel - coins of Caesarea and Akko, terracottas of all periods. Antiquities of Haifa - finds from the Shiqmona excavations, and from the sea-bed. Museum of Modern Art: collection of paintings and sculptures of Israeli artists. Print cabinet: works of Israeli and foreign artists. A library and collection of slides and reproductions are open to the public. Lectures and projection of art films or slides are given in the evenings. Museum of Music and Ethnology: musical instruments (folk and classical). Coins and medals on musical subjects. Artefacts of Jewish ceremonial and folk art and ethnographic collections from all continents. Open: Sun., Mon., Wed. and Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Entrance fee. Tel. (04)8523255.
(Bus Nos. 10, 12, 22, 41, Carmelit)

Haifa University: Derekh Abba Khoushy, Mt. Carmel. Self-governing after nine years of tutelage by Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It is a liberal arts and social science oriented institution, with 12,000 students. It also has an Overseas Students' Programme. At the Visitors' Centre, films are screened and explanatory talks are given. Visitors should ask to see the Reuben and Edith Hecht Museum and the two art galleries, one of which contains a unique collection of works by Jewish artists who perished in the Holocaust. Free guided tours Sun.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-12 noon or by arrangement including the Hecht Museum. The museums only are open on Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tel. (04)8240097/9. (See Route No. 13.)
(Bus Nos. 24, 36, 37, 37a, 38)

Illegal Immigration and Israel Naval Museum: 204 Derekh Allenby. opposite Elijah's Cave. Illegal immigrant ship, ``Af-al-pi-khen,'' which ran British blockade, exhibited in grounds. Maps, mementos, dioramas, photographs and other exhibits of ``illegals'' period and modern navy. Also surrender flag of Egyptian frigate captured while shelling Haifa Bay in 1956. Open: Sun. - Thurs. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. closed. Entrance fee. Tel. (04)8536249.
(Bus Nos. 3, 5, 44, 45)

Israel Oil Industry Museum: Located in the Shemen oil factory in Kishon port area. Housed in the restored old ``Atid'' factory building, this museum shows ancient as well as more recent items connected with the edible oil industry and the olive culture in Israel. Open: Sun.-Thurs. 8.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. Tel. (04)8654237.
(Bus No. 2)

Japanese Art Museum (Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art): 89 Hanassi Blvd. Central Carmel. Founded in 1959 through donation of private collection of Swiss citizen, this museum contains more than 6,000 items including drawings, prints, painted fabric screens, illuminated books, lacquerwork, statues and metalwork. Also Japanese rock garden. Open: Sun., Mon., Wed., Thurs., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tel. (04)8383554.
(Bus Nos. 22, 23, 31, Walk No. 3)

Kababir: A village at the end of Kadima St. on Mt. Carmel populated by Moslems of the Ahmadiya sect, founded in India in 1889.
(Bus Nos. 9, 34)

Manֵ-Katz Museum: 89 Yefe Nof St. (next to the Louis Promenade). Collection: Manֵ-Katz's works (paintings and sculptures) and his private collections Judaica antique furniture oriental carpets and guest exhibitions. Open: Sun., Weds.-Thurs. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tues. 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fri., Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. winter - Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Entrance free. Tel. (04)383482.
(Bus Nos. 21, 22. Walk No. 3)

National Maritime Museum: 198 Derekh Allenby. Display of 5,000 years of maritime history, including Egyptian, Phoenician, Jewish, Greek, Roman, medieval and modern seafaring. Special sections deal with marine mythology ancient anchors coins fish and dolphins in art scientific instruments amphoras the Mediterranean, its islands and ports cartography, marine philately naval battles marine ethnology. Specialized library. (6,000 volumes.) Open: Sun., Mon., Wed., Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tues. 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Entrance fee (includes entrance to six Haifa museums). Tel. (04) 8536622.
(Bus Nos. 3, 5, 43, 44)

National Museum of Science, Planning and Technology: Balfour St., in the old Technion campus. Focus is on the secrets of science and technology and the advances of Israeli science-based industry. Open: Mon., Wed., Thurs. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tel. (04)8628111.
(Bus Nos. 12, 21, 28, 37)

Panorama Observation Points: Along Yefe Nof (Panorama) St., where it is possible to see the city and its bay, Akko, Rosh Haniqra and sometimes Mt. Hermon. Also Gan Ha'em (see above) and Bat Galim along the water front. Wilhelm's Obelisk, where Kaiser Wilhelm observed a majestic view of Haifa in 1898, is along the Yefe Nof Panorama.

Prehistory Museum (Stekelis Museum of Prehistory): 124 Hatishbi St. on Central Carmel, entrance through Gan Ha'em. Palaeolithic artefacts and finds from the Carmel Caves. Open: Sun.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tel. (04)8371833.
(Bus Nos. 21, 22, 23, 28, 37)

Railway Museum: in the old East Railway Station, Derekh Ha'atzmaut. Documents and artefacts connected with the railways since their inception in 1882, as well as two diesel locomotives from the '50s, three cabooses and five passenger and cargo cars. Open: Sun., Tues., Thurs. 9 a.m.-12 noon. Entrance fee. Tel. (04)8564293.
(Bus Nos. 41, 42)

The Rememberance Garden: Hassan Shukri St. A garden for the remembrance of Haifa's citizens who fell in the line of duty in the Israel Defence Forces. Ii is located opposite the Haifa City Hall.
(Bus Nos. 15, 16, 19, 21 37, or the Carmelit)

Reuben and Edith Hecht Museum: Main building, Haifa University, Mt. Carmel. Archaeological exhibits on the theme of ``The People of Israel in the Land of Israel.'' Art wing with exhibition on ``Impressionism and the Jew ish School of Paris.'' Open Sun., Mon., Wed., Thurs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tel. (04)8240577. Entrance free.
(Bus Nos. 24, 36, 37, 37a, 93)

Sculpture Garden (Gan Hapesalim): Opposite 135 Hazionut St. A public garden overlooking Haifa Bay, which features 22 bronze statues by Ursula Malbin.
(Bus Nos. 22, 23, 25, 26)

Shiqmona: An archaeological site (tel) south of Haifa on the coast below Carmel Cape. Buildings from King Solomon's time down to the 2nd-century BCE Seleucid period have been uncovered, as well as a mosaic now on display in the Museum of Ancient Art. The tel is named after the shikma (sycamore) tree that once grew in this area.
(Bus No. 42)

The Stella Maris Church and Monastery: Stella Maris Rd. An impressive church of the Carmelite Order, it serves as a pilgrimage centre. The church also houses a collection of antiquities. Elijah the Prophet's cave is located nearby. The monastery served as a hospital for Napolean's soldiers and a monument to French soldiers was erected in front of the church. Open all week: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tel. (04)8337758. Entrance free.
(Bus Nos. 25, 26, 27, 30, 31)

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology: Neve Sha'anan, Mt. Carmel. Israel's world-renowned science and technology centre comprises some 1,000 faculty, state-of-the art research facilities, and an active student body of 11,330. The Technion offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, life and exact sciences, architecture and town planning, and medicine. The campus consists of more than 300 buildings spread over 300 acres. Among them are newly rebuilt Wolfson Microelectronics Research and Teaching Centre, Tent of Aaron synagogue with Galilee marble and inverted pyramid roof, and the modern Segoe Building for Urban and Regional Planning, the nation's only school for urban and regional planning. View of Mt. Hermon on a clear day. Information and soon-to-be-completed multimedia interactive display at Coler-California Visitor's Reception Centre. Open: Sun.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m. - noon.Tel. (04)8293863, 8292578.
(Bus Nos. 17, 19)

The Zoo and The Botanical Gardens: Gan Ha'em in the Carmel Centre. The Zoo has a variety of animal species and some secluded spots. Also visit the Botanical Gardens and the Nature Museum, where you can view stuffed animals and a rare variety of live snakes. Open July-August: Sun.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. the rest of the year: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Entrance fee. Tel. (04)8372886, 8372390.
(Bus Nos. 21, 22, 23, 28, 37 or the Carmelit)

Bat Galim Promenade: Along the waterfront. Equipped with areas for fishing and relaxing under palm trees.
(Bus Nos. 3a, 40, 41, 42).

Beaches : Miles of golden beaches, sandy and inviting. Excellent facilities.
(Bus Nos. 41, 42, 43, 44, 44a, 45, in the Summer also Bus Nos. 11a, 24a, 26a, 30a, 33a)

Nordau Pedestrian Mall: In the heart of Hadar Ha-Carmel, restaurants and outdoor cafes.
(Bus Nos. 19, 21, 24, 28, 37)

Louis Promenade : All along Rehov Yefe Nof (Panorama St). Spectacular views of the city, the bay, Akko, Rosh Ha-Niqra and Galilee mountains. A tourist ``must,'' day and night.
(Bus Nos. 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 37, Carmelit).