There are three major areas in Haifa; the lower city is the “downtown” area where major businesses and factories are located, as well as hotels and year-long swimming beaches alongside the port area. The middle city is called Hadar HaCarmel and includes the market and a busy commercial area. The upper city is stretched on Mt. Carmel, where most entertainment and shopping areas and a lot of the residential areas are located. Commuting between the different areas can be done with the only subway in Israel, the Carmelit, which travels from sea level downtown all the way up the Central Carmel in 6 minutes.

Many museums can be found in Haifa. No matter what your taste or interest are, whether it’s art, technology or national history – you can probably find a museum that will attract you in Haifa:

Haifa Museum of Art

The Haifa Museum of Art is located in an historic building built in the 1930′s in Hadar HaCarmel. The Museum of Art focuses on Israeli and international contemporary art, alongside thematic exhibitions which deal with various aspects of Israeli and international art.

Tikotin Museum of Japanese art

The Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art, which stands on the brow of Mt. Carmel, is devoted entirely to displaying and conserving Japanese art works, and is the only one of its kind in the Middle East. It is a municipal institution, founded in 1959, with the assistance and initiative of
Felix Tikotin (1893-1986) of Holland, and the late Abba Khoushy, who was Mayor of Haifa at that time.
The Museum’s collection comprises some 7000 items including paintings, prints, drawings, screens, textiles, ancient illustrated books, ceramics, miniature carvings (netsuke), metal and lacquer works, antique swords and handicrafts, mainly from the 14th-19th centuries. It also includes modern Japanese works of art.

The Reuben & Edith Hecht Museum in Haifa University

The Hecht museum contains thousands of unique archaeological items illustrating the theme “The People of Israel in the Land of Israel”, from the private collection of Dr. Hecht.
In the Art wing you’ll find French painting from the years 1830-1930, and Jewish art from mid-19th to early 20th century, including – Corot, Manet, Monet, Pissaro, Van-Gogh, Soutine, Modigliani and more.

Chagall Artists House

The Chagall Artists House was established in 1954 as an initiative of the Painters and Sculptors Association, and serves as a venue for one-man shows and group exhibitions, publication of catalogues and periodicals, international exchange exhibitions, projects accompanied by events such as artists dialogues, lectures on various aspects of art, chamber music concerts, etc.

Mane Katz Museum

The late renowned Jewish artist bequeathed his home, paintings and other artworks to the city.

The National Museum of Science, Technology and Space

Established in 1983, the Israel National Museum of Science is situated in the historic landmark – the old Technion building. Through a vast assortment of interactive exhibits and laboratories in its Education Center, it seeks to transmit basic scientific concepts – on mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics and acoustics, robotics and genetics, aeronautics and communications – that help people understand not only how items they use daily function, but also their underlying principles.

The National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is occupying a modern four-story building located near the entrance to Haifa from the south. This museum, founded by Arie Ben Eli in 1953, chronicles over 5,000 years of maritime history, with emphasis on the Eastern Mediterranean, cradle of shipping in the Western World.

Clandestine Immigration & Naval Museum

The museum is devoted to the Clandestine Immigration and to the history of the Israeli navy. The ship “Af-’Al-Pi”, which ran the British blockade during the Mandatory period, is on display.

Dagon Grain Silo & Archaeological Museum

Grain storage and handling in ancient Israel and the Near East, including a display of working tools.
Description: The beautiful city of Haifa is also an entertainment and culture center and has a unique museum to offer for almost any taste or interest.

Haifa is known as the capital city of the north of Israel, and has earned this title rightfully. With plenty of activities and attractions year round, whether you’re planning a day trip or a long-weekend vacation, a family trip or a romantic getaway, Haifa has much to offer.

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Christian Pilgrims have been visiting Israel for centuries. No wonder: the land where Jesus and the disciples lived is filled with historical sites and ancient churches that hold a tremendous importance for Christian believers. Many important churches in Israel are spread throughout the country, and are visited by thousands of believers every year. 

The following is a shortlist of some of the most significant churches in Israel:

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, is the first among the Christian shrines. According to Christian belief, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (refereed to as Golgotha, the Hill of Calvary, by most Christians) is where Jesus was crucified and buried. The resurrection has been celebrated there for many centuries as the most sacred place in all of Christendom.

The Chapel of the Ascension

The Chapel of the Ascension in Jerusalem is believed by Christians to be where Jesus ascended into heaven. It is a holy site for Muslims as well, and serves as a church and a mosque. The first church was built there in 390 AD., the current chapel was built in 1150 AD., and the mosque was added in 1620 AD. It is located just south of the Mount of Olives.

The Church of the Nativity

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the most ancient churches in the world, and one of the most important churches in Israel. It was built over the supposed birth place of Jesus, and is considered sacred to Muslims as well.

The Church of the Annunciation

The Church of the Annunciation, sometimes referred to as the Basilica of the Annunciation, is located in Nazareth, where – according to Roman Catholic tradition – Mary was told by Gabriel that she will be the mother of Jesus. The Church of the Annunciation is a pilgrims’ must-see and a tourists’ long time favorite. 

Church of St. Gabriel – According to the apocryphal Gospel, the Church of St. Gabriel (St. Mary’s well) is the actual place where Gabriel made the announcement to Mary. It is also located in Nazareth. 

The Church of St. Joseph is another main Christian attraction in Nazareth. Known as the supposed location of Joseph’s carpentry shop, the Church of St. Joseph is visited by many believers every year. The lower level contains the Grotto of the Annunciation, believed by many Christians to be the remains of the original childhood home of Mary.

Being the most important city for all major religions, the old city of Jerusalem is probably the most fascinating trip you can make while visiting Israel. The history of Jerusalem combines some of the most important events in Jewish and Christian history alike, and the religious sites spread throughout the city capture the imagination of each and every visitor.

The Wailing Wall (the Western Wall) is the first stop for Jewish travelers in the old city of Jerusalem. It is the only remaining part of the ancient temple of King Solomon which has become the holiest spot in Jewish life and an Israeli national symbol as well. The Wailing Wall is where Jewish worshipers pray in a designated area in front of the holy site; mourn over the destruction of the Temple by the Romans, and wish for the return of Israel’s former glory. They also write their personal requests from G-d and post it in little notes between the wall’s ancient stones.

Mount Zion is another Jewish and Christian holy site you wouldn’t want to miss. According to Jewish tradition, Mount Zion is the burial place of King David. Today, it is one of the most popular Jewish burial sites in Jerusalem. Mount Zion is very significant for Christians as well: according to Christian belief, it is where the last supper was held, in the building identified as the Coenaculum, which is also where Jesus reappeared after his resurrection. According to Christianity, in this area of the city the disciples and early Christians were living at the time. Beyond its history, Mount Zion offers some spectacular views of the old city of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem’s vicinity offers several other significant sites for Christian visitors: the nearby Bethlehem, where Jesus was born; the Mount of Olives, where he ascended to heaven, according to Christianity; and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is the first among the Christian shrines in the Old City of Jerusalem, where the resurrection has been celebrated for many centuries as the most sacred place in all of Christendom. Plus there is the Via Dolorosa, the holiest Christian thoroughfare in the world: This path is symbolically reliving the events of the passion, and includes the shrine of the ascension, the Garden of Gethsemane and Mount Zion.

The holy sites of the old city of Jerusalem have defined its nature for thousands of years and still reflect its remarkable history and significance. Visiting some of these sites and wondering through the streets and markets of the old city is an experience you will carry with you for many years after visiting one of the most special cities in the entire world.