Haifa: Home to the Baháʼí Faith’s Baháʼí World Centre

Haifa: Home to the Baháʼí Faith’s Baháʼí World Centre – Haifa is Israel’s third largest city. It sits on the slopes of Mount Carmel facing the Mediterranean Sea. Some call it ‘Israel’s San Francisco’.  Although traditionally a working city, there are a number of great things to do in Haifa. These include the Bahai Gardens and German Colony and a number of top museums. The city is also famous across Israel for its mixed population of Jews and Arabs. Here, they peacefully coexist. The result is some amazing fusions of Arabic and Jewish cultures across the city.

Set upon Mount Carmel, Haifa is an unusual city to navigate. However, the advantage is that its scenery and terrain is stunning. From the top of Mount Carmel, take in the view from the Louis Promenade across the Port of Haifa. It heads north right across into the Western Galilee. Hop on the Carmelit, Israel’s only subway system. It travels up and down the mountain. At the bottom check out Hof Hacarmel, Haifa’s beaches.

The city’s crown jewel is undoubtedly the Bah’ai Gardens. They form part of the Bah’ai World Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These beautiful gardens are a place of pilgrimage for members of the Bah’ai faith. They sit on terraces sloping down Mount Carmel towards the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. At the bottom of the gardens is Haifa’s German Colony. The area’s famous for its pretty streets of restored templar-era buildings. The main street of the German Colony runs directly from the bottom of the gardens towards the coast and is lined with restaurants and cafes. Learn more about the best beaches of Greece here, or visit us on Pinterest here.

Haifa Weather – Best Time to Visit Haifa

From February until the end of December would be the best months to visit this city, allowing time to travel to this part of the country practically all year round.

The average temperatures in Haifa range from 66°F in the month of January to 90°F in August. They are generally quite pleasant temperatures, with little precipitation in winter, and not too hot in summer. From June to September are the months with the highest heat, which also coincides with the dry season.

January and February, however, are the coldest and rainiest months, while in March and April the weather is spectacular. If you want to enjoy good weather, with no rain or excessive heat, visit Haifa from March to May.

Best 5 Haifa Beaches

Dor Habonim

HaBonim Beach is the most beautiful in all Israel. It is part of the HaBonim Nature Reserve, where the wind and waves have sculpted rocky inlets and hills alongside this rugged stretch of coast. Enjoy walks of discovery, stunning views and amazing photographic opportunities, along with interesting fauna and flora to enjoy and when the summer heat gets too much, a dip in the pristine ocean waters of the Mediterranean along the sandy shoreline of HaBonim Beach is an obvious choice.

Caesarea Aqueduct Beach

Caesarea Aqueduct Beach is an undeveloped stretch of golden sand running along the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean sea. This beach is as beautiful as it is unique. This is a popular beach, although not many facilities (no lifeguards). For diving enthusiasts there is something really special here – the “Underwater Museum” in the Caesarea National Park. Here you can dive through the submerged ruins of Caesarea Maritima.

Nahsholim Beach

Set at the foot of the Mount Carmel range with white sands and clear blue water blue waters, this is a pristine beach on the Mediterranean Sea. Nahsholim Beach is wide and long, and there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy it. This stretch of coast is divided up into a number of smaller coves, each with its own character. Most have little islands just offshore and some are more sheltered from the waves than others.

Achziv Beach (Banana Beach)

Achziv Beach will most definitely appeal to the beach connoisseur as it offers magical coves and enchanting lagoons set within natural surroundings of the Achziv National Park. Here, you can witness turtles making their way safely to the ocean – they even lay their eggs along Achziv Beach in the warmer summer months between May and September. Lifeguards are on duty on Achziz Beach in holiday season and visitors will find plenty of eateries close by, or you can hire local BBQ facilities to grill your favorite meats to perfection.

Beit Yanai Beach

The white sand beach and crystal blue water makes for pleasant sun bathing during the long summer season. Three beaches – Nuweiba, Mikhmoret and Beit Yanai – link up to provide a 3-mile stretch of pristine sand overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. This is the leading beach for kite surfing along this coast, and attracts surfers from all over Israel and beyond. Besides being a kite and board surfing paradise, Beit Yanai also has a reputation for natural beauty, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts.

Best Haifa Restaurants

Quando Pasha $11 – 30

This charming and beautiful restaurant is located in a converted Ottoman era bathhouse that reflects the history of the place and the artistic sense of the chef. The food is fabulous, very light, perfectly seasoned and presented, and yet the restaurant feels comfortable and homey. Telephone: 972 4-601-6656 Web: Quando Pasha

Ein ElWadi $11 – 30

The restaurant is a father’s and son’s chef’s restaurant that brings a personal touch to the variety of dishes they serve, including recipes from around the world: Mediterranean, Mexican, Oriental, Italian, in addition to fast dishes. Telephone: 972 4-855-3353 Web: Ein ElWadi

Elkheir Druze Cuisine $11 – 30

From the terrace you can see the trees of the Carmel Mountain, all the way the University of Haifa. The taste of the food is that of Druze village cuisine. Shulbata (chickpea and bulghur wheat dish), Babaganoush (baked eggplant salad), Siniya, Maskhan (chicken and onions baked on dough), are only some of the dishes in the restaurant. Telephone: 972 4-850-0090 Web: Elkheir Druze Cuisine

Falafel Ha’zkenim $10 & Under

Falafel Ha’zkenim welcomes visitors with a hot Falafel ball dipped in Tahini. The eatery, (meaning ‘The Old People’s Falafel) received its name from two men who managed the place in the past. The new management have preserved not just the unique name but also the reputation and taste of the traditional Falafel. Telephone: 972 4-851-4959 Web: Falafel Ha’zkenim

Minna Tomei $11 – 30

This pan-Asian gem on the top floor of the Castra mall is a bit hard to find, but worth the effort. The kitchen offers flavorful dining options in unusual juxtaposition. Relax with inspired cocktails or a Thai beer before dinner. Standout options are the Bombay butter chicken and red Thai curry. End the evening on a sweet note with a coffee-infused Saigon crème brûlée.  Telephone: 972 4-666-8080 Web: Minna Tomei

Best Haifa Nightlife

Libra

Libra provides over 6 six different craft beer, including Weiss beer, double pils, smoked stout, bitter, and strong ale. Enjoy a splendid weekend while sipping on fine beers in a retro atmosphere. Even if you are not a beer lover, it has exotic local and international cuisine served for you. Telephone: 972 4-374-0251 Web: Libra

Oak Bar

At late hours, the travelers and locals gather in the bar to enjoy oneself. Girls and boys are witnessed to dress up in fancy clothes and dance till their feet hurt son the Arabic pop music. One could also be a part of the teams playing board games, seeking attention of the crowd by the clickety clack sounds in the hall. Telephone: 972 77-344-8042 Web: Oak Bar

Eli’s Pub

Eli’s club is an exciting place located on the street of Yafo in the heart of Downtown, Haifa. It is widely known for the exclusive jazz performances, jam sessions, and live music concerts. If you are a music lover, then think no more before catching up on the enthusiastic weekly nights from 10.30 pm onwards. Moreover, complimenting the rhythmic beats, it serves delicious cuisines with fine drinks, including local beer and whisky. Telephone: 972 50-831-7378 Web: Eli’s Pub

Cantina Sociale

Built with modern and contemporary interiors, the bar is said to exhibit European styled appeals. People from all over the world flock in large numbers, every year to appreciate the unique flavors of world class wines, and other liquors. The alluring place is not only for foodies or drinkers, but also ideal for someone seeking the best Haifa nightlife. Telephone: 972 50-987-7617 Web: Cantina Sociale

Borekas Turki M’Izmir

Borekas Turki M’Izmir has turned out to be the favorite spot of every traveler out there being located in the Turkish Market of Downtown, well surrounded by plenty of bars and party clubs. The Turkish restaurant serves a boreka meal with fresh drinks, including Edelweiss Austrian or Fucher German lager. Once you’ve rejoiced in a fine dine experience, get lost in the party feels of the vibrant city of Haifa. Web: Borekas Turki M’lzmir

Best Haifa Hotels