The Best Things To See And Do In Haifa Israel

The third-largest city in Israel is also one of its most underrated destinations. Having put in many efforts over recent years, Haifa municipality has managed to establish a thriving food and culture scene in the city, drawing many students, young visitors and Israelis from all over the country. Check out some of the best things to do in Israel’s awakening city.

Visit The Bahai Gardens

With only six million followers to the Bahai Faith, their terraces in the city of Haifa are one of the most spectacular places in Israel. At about 200,000 square metres, the terraces are made up of nine concentric circled gardens which are spread across 18 terraced gardens, starting at the top of Carmel mountain and ending at its bottom. The terraces are facing towards Acre, a sacred city according to Bahai religion. The architecture of the compound, which was built from 1987 to 2001, was by Iranian Fariborz Sahba and the structural engineers were Karban and Co. of Haifa.

Aerial view of the bridge terrace behind the Shrine of the Báb

Ride The Cable Car

The Haifa cable car, one of the only ones in Israel, connects Stella Maris monastery with Haifa’s Bat Galim port. The ride only lasts five minutes in each direction, but it provides a wonderful outlook on the Carmel mountains and Haifa Bay.

Delicacies in Wadi Nisnas

The Arab neighbourhood in the heart of Haifa, with a population of about 8,000 inhabitants, is considered a symbol of co-existence between Arab and Jewish residents. The small market in the neighbourhood is one of the best places in the city to eat the best hummus in town, shop for fresh produce and spices, and absorb the wonderful scents of the local delicacies.

Vesper Cocktail Bar

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Israeli

Hidden in the renewed downtown area of Haifa, this trendy 20-seat cocktail bar is the city’s first and most promising cocktail bar, with award-winning mixologists offering unique recipes and local adaptations for classic cocktails. This bar will make you forget you ever left Tel Aviv.

21 Compound, Downtown Haifa

Having undergone a massive urban rehabilitation project by Haifa Municipality, the downtown area of the city has started blossoming with a new compound centering students, cultural life, entertainment and commerce. You will be very surprised at the variety of restaurants, cafes, shops and boutique businesses now available at the compound.
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Venya Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, Israeli, Seafood, Mediterranean

Also located in downtown, Venya Bistro makes the awakening of a bohemian, hipster and food-crazed scene of Haifa, following in the footsteps of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The vintage design of the restaurant is accompanied by fresh ingredients of high quality and a menu that may, for a minute, remind you of a Tel Avivian restaurant, but is definitely ‘Haifa’ at heart.

Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art

Museum, Art Gallery, Building, University

The Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art is the only museum in the Middle East entirely dedicated to the preservation and display of Japanese art, and it is located in Haifa. The museum galleries exhibit over 7,000 Japanese works of art and artefacts, both traditional and contemporary.

About the author

Lior Kantor

I am an architecture student and pilates instructor from Tel Aviv who is passionate about design, architecture, travel, and food. Having lived in London and Hong Kong, I share my passion for all things culture by means of travelling, exploring, writing and eating my way throughout the world.