Haifa Orientation BACK

Haifa is located on the Mediterranean coast, 98 km north of Tel Aviv and 44 km south of the Lebanese border.

Topographically, the city winds around the bay and climbs the slopes of Mt. Carmel, which offers spectacular views. Down below, where the attractive buildings of the Dagon Grain Silo tower over the dockyards, the port provides employment for many of the city's blue collar workers, as do the chemical, petrochemical and oil industries.

Slightly higher up is the Hadar central business district. Today slightly shabby, the district still retains the charm and style of an earlier day. Further up still lie residential neighbourhoods, crowned at the top by the Carmel Centre, with its luxury hotels and houses. Along Yefe Nof (Panorama) St. there are observation posts looking over the wide sweep of the bay all the way to Akko, 24 km to the north. Higher still lie luxurious homes, the campuses of the Technion and Haifa University and the Carmel Nature Reserve. The unusual Bahai Shrine with its lovely gardens lies halfway up.

The Carmelit subway runs straight up Mount Carmel, linking the sectors of the city. It has recently been renovated, and runs from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Hadar Hacarmel, with its tree-lined boulevards and scores of sidewalk cafes, is the main shopping centre, but in recent years, a number of ultra-modern shopping centres have sprung up. These include Hanevi'im Centre, in Hadar Hacarmel; the Panorama Centre, next to the Dan Panorama Hotel; the Horev Centre on Horev St. in the Ahuza district and the pedestrian mall (``midrachov'') on Nordau St.

An immense American-style Mall, Hutzoth Hamifratz, is situated at the eastern entrance to the city.
Two Arab communities in Haifa are Wadi Nisnas , near Hadar, and Kababir , in the central Carmel area.

Promenades

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).