The beautiful Port city of Haifa in Israel is situated on the Mediterranean Sea and built on the slopes of Mount Carmel. It is the third-largest city in Israel, and its many-sided distinctive characteristics make it an interesting and attractive point of call for visitors to spend time in.
It has often been compared to other cities with similar locations, such as Naples and San Francisco, with its terraced landscape offering a wide variety of magnificent panoramic views. Across the bay in the northeast is the walled medieval city of Acre. In good weather on a clear day, with visibility allowing, the imposing white cliff of Rosh Hanikra on the Lebanese border can be seen in the North and the snow-capped peak of Mount Hermon in the Northeast.
Haifa has a long and eventful history that goes back to biblical times. In the 3rd century CE, it was mentioned in Talmudic literature as the home of Jewish scholars, including Rabbi Avdimos. After that, it was captured and ruled by Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans, Egyptians, and the British until 1948, when it became part of the State of Israel.
The residents of Haifa, a city that is an outstanding example of tolerance, belong to all three of the main world religions and a variety of minority beliefs, all living in harmony and co-existence.
Haifa is the world center for the Baha’i faith, and the Magnificent Baha’i Shrine with its golden dome and its spectacular Gardens is a city landmark. The Shrine itself is the burial place of the Bab, who was the founder of the faith.
There are many other impressive landmarks in the city with its many churches, the most famous being the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery at the top of the Carmel with the cave believed to contain the grave of the prophet Elijah according to Christian tradition. The site of Elijah’s cave is revered by Jews, Christians, and Moslems alike.
There are also unspoiled magnificent beaches known only to the locals and as yet undiscovered by tourists. Still, plans are being made to develop the area around these beaches into a tourist paradise. There are many places of interest for visitors to see and things to do in the Haifa area, and there is a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.