Haifa, Israel
Haifa, Israel’s third-biggest city, has a history stretching back millennia and today is an intriguing mix of art and science. Check out our suggestions to discover what lies in store for a day visit (and be sure to read to the end for the pick of the bunch).
Your Haifa Daycation Tips
- Restaurants Aplenty – Amongst the range of dining options there’s Chang Ba Thai Restaurant, Italian delights from Vivino, and Asian cuisine courtesy of Giraffe Haifa. In addition, the city has plenty of other culinary styles, including Lebanese, seafood, Chinese, and, of course, Israeli fare.
- Artistic Delights – Sculptures Garden is an interesting combination of outdoor artwork and pleasant greenery for a stroll or picnic. With pleasant views and plenty of shade, it’s a nice spot to rest and relax. If you prefer more conventional artistic galleries, the city has a number to peruse, including the Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art and the Haifa Museum of Art.
- Madatech – Madatech (the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space) is a child-friendly science museum that features hundreds of exhibits, many of which are interactive to help enthusiasts young and old to get a better grasp on physics and chemistry.
- Bahá’í Gardens – Bahá’í Gardens Haifa is a religious site of stunning beauty, with multiple terraces of geometric flower beds ascending Mount Carmel to reach the Bahá'í shrine. The shrine is a holy pilgrimage destination and, for secular tourists, offers a spectacular view.
Six Intriguing Haifa Facts
- Haifa is home to the Bahá'í World Centre, a pilgrimage destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Humans have lived in the area for over three thousand years, with settlement life dating back to the Bronze Age.
- During Haifa’s long history its rule has shifted from Romans to Persians, Byzantines, Ottomans, and more, and was conquered by both Richard the Lionheart and Napoleon.
- Haifa is Israel’s third-most populous city.
- Famous people from Haifa include Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ founding guitarist Hillel Slovak and actress and model Odeya Rush.
- The city has Israel’s only underground rapid transit system: the Carmelit.
