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Museums in Haifa

Haifa travel guide

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.

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City of Haifa - Special Attractions

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. Haifa is the third largest city in Israel and is situated in the natural bay between the Mediterranean Sea and the Carmel Mountain. This unique “mountain city by the sea” offers breathtaking panoramas from almost anywhere. It enjoys the advantages of being the educational and cultural center of the north; hosting a mix of old and new urban architecture with the natural scenery of both water and forest; and a unique Mediterranean atmosphere and temperament. Home to 270,000 inhabitants, members of five different religions, living side by side in harmony, peace and mutual respect, Haifa offers a rich tapestry of contrasts and colors, varying cultures, and ethnic groups that make up the fabric of life in the city. Secular, Religious and Ultra-Orthodox Jews live side by side with Christians, Moslems, Bahai and Druze. The following is a shortlist of "Top Haifa Special Attractions": Bahai Gardens and Shrine Considered the eighth wonder of the world, this beautiful golden-domed shrine is located on the Carmel Mountain and is the site of the administrative and spiritual center of the Bahai religion. The remains of Said Ali Muhammad, one of the two founders of the Bahai religion, are buried inside the shrine. The shrine is surrounded by the spectacular Bahai gardens, planted in 1909 and nurtured ever since. The Stella Maris Carmelite Church and Monastery An impressive church of the Carmelite Order that serves as a pilgrimage center. The Church also houses a collection of antiquities. The monastery served as a hospital for Napoleon's soldiers and a monument to French soldiers was erected in front of the Church. Elijah’s Cave The focal point of Elijah the Prophet's activity, the cave has since become a pilgrimage site for believers of the three main religions. Visitors and pilgrims alike have recorded many inscriptions on the cave's walls, including Greek names and a Menorah. Gan Ha-psalim (Sculpture Garden) A beautiful setting for twenty two bronze sculptures donated to the city by the sculptress Ursula Malbin that are set in a garden overlooking Haifa bay and the Galilee landscape. Technion, Israel Institute of Technology The Technion is located in the Neve Sha'anan neighborhood. This institution for higher technological studies is famous worldwide for its scientific achievements. The Coler Visitors Center screens a film on the Technion's history. University of Haifa Haifa University is situated on one of the Carmel Mountain peaks. It is outstanding for its modern planning and three graduate buildings. For spectacular views of Haifa and the Bay area, visit the lookout point in the Eshkol Tower, the University's main building. The University also houses an art gallery with works displayed by artists, victims of the holocaust. A tour of the site includes the Visitors Center where a film is shown and a call at the Reuben and Edith Hecht Archaeological Museum. Wadi Nisnas Wadi Nisnas, with its colorful market and bustling streets is an authentic Middle Eastern neighborhood. The Wadi is also the heart of the “holiday of holidays” festival, an annual winter celebration of collaboration between the Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions.

The renovated lower city of Haifa

The renovated lower city of Haifa is experiencing a bloom like the one the city never knew. Following the transformation of the neglected and crumbling Port Street into an activity of colleges and academic activities - the "Port Campus" and the renovation of the Turkish market complex that became a tourist gem, turning shops and enclosed spaces into a district of designers, artists and craftsmen, in the heart of the lower city that is changing its face and becoming a vibrant and colorful center of creation, culture, entertainment and commerce allows you to experience the young and lively rhythm of the city's nightlife. The ideal location is within walking distance of the German Colony, the "Center of the Eight" train station, the subway and a large number of bus lines that allow quick access to the city's sites, museums and beaches.

Step routes in Haifa

THE GERMAN COLONY The itinerary begins at the Gedera Steps to Hahashmonaim Street. From here take a left turn to the Gamla Steps and walk about 350m. along Golomb Street to the Koresh Steps. On Arlosorov Street turn left to Buniak Steps and to Hillel Street and again to the left to Zionut Avenue and towards the Bahai site. On the right side of the Bahai Temple, descend from Shifra Street via the Shifra Steps to Abbas Street, turn left to Hacramim descent and then on Hagefen Street towards the German Colony. The views on this walk are very special and descending the scenic steps contributes to the charm. The Bahai sites, the Nazareth Nuns' School building near the Shifra Steps and the German Colony itself complete an interesting tour. Return to the Carmel Center by bus no. 22, which does NOT run on Saturdays. WADI NISNAS The Step route descends to Abbas Street as in itinerary a. On Abbas Street, turn right to Zionut Avenue, continuing along Shabtai Levy Street to the Haifa Museum. From there descend to Wadi Nisnas via the Dor Steps and walk along Hawadi Street and the Market Mall on St. John's Street. This walk, in the part below the Haifa Museum and along the Wadi Nisnas axis is characterised by the aroma of oriental foods and spices. Further down, on Ha'azmaut Street close to the port, thepavement offers multiple bargain stalls proposing. a wide open sky market. Return to the Hadar with bus no. 10 or 12 or to the Carmel Center with bus no. 22 or 37. PARIS SQUARE As in itineraries a and B, descend via the steps to Hahashmonaim Street. Turn right to Wingate Street and via Montefiori descend to the Spinoza Steps. After crossing Hess and Bar Giora Streets you will reach Arlosorov Street where you turn left, continue about 300m. and continue descending via the Shmuel Steps to Ben Yehuda Street again, turn left, continue about 100m. and descend to Hanevi'im Street via the Tzfat Steps. Hanevi'im Street is one of Hadar's busiest thoroughfares and here you will find shops, cinemas, kiosks and restaurants. Walk to Shivat Zion Street and continue along Hatib Lane to Paris Square and downtown Haifa. Return to the hadar with bus no.10, 12 or to Carmel Center with bus no.22, 37. EL PASHA Descend to Arlosorov Street as in itinerary C. Continue to the right about 200m. and then left to Chaim Steps. From here the route crosses the classical residential area of Hadar, where houses date from the 1920s and 1930s. Continue to Yosef Street where you turn left and reach the Usha Steps after about 150m. This leads to Pevzner Street, again turn left, go on about 100m. and descend via Hillel Yafe Steps to humming Herzl Street. We cross the Nordau Pedestrian Mall which offers many restaurants, street cafes and shops. Cross Herzl Street and descend to Hehalutz Street where we turn left for about 150m. and then right to Shapira Street. Continue your descent down Ma'ale Hashihrur Street until reaching the Ajlun Steps. Here descend to the House of Mustafa EL-Halil Pasha in the old town. Tour the area and then return to the Hadar and to the Carmel Center as in itinerary B.

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