Haifa is the third largest city in Israel and situated in the north of the country. It is located on the Mediterranean shoreline of Israel below the Mount Carmel. It has become a major seaport. The city has a population of approximately 300 thousand people and is a multicultural melting pot of Arabs and Jews living here.
Haifa is all about working and praying. The city itself is therefore not designed for tourists. Still, there are lots of interesting sights and entertainment for tourists. Haifa has developed into a hi-tech industry, bringing many theaters, cinemas, hotels and shopping malls to the city. Arab and East European influences combine traditional, contemporary, sophisticated and relaxed atmospheres together in one city. Within Haifa lies the village Kababair, home to Muslim inhabitants belonging to the Ahmedi sect.
One of the main attractions in Haifa is Mount Carmel. Here you can enjoy breathtaking panorama views. On the mountain are the Baha’i Holy Shrines, visited by pilgrims, with the Shrine of the Bab, seat of the Universal House of Justice and the Terraces. Also located on the mountain is Gan Ha’em park which is home to a small zoo and the Druze villages. Within the grounds of the zoo you can visit three museums. Other attractions are the caves of Elijah, the Old Testament prophet, the church Stella Maris and Haifa University, open to visitors. You can relax at one of the beaches on the southwest side of the city.
Travelers to Haifa require a valid passport and return ticket. American citizens don’t need a tourist visa. Haifa has a Mediterranean climate, so hot dry summers and cool rainy winters.