Making the most of Haifa
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Haifa Port is Israel's main passenger-shipping port, handling cruise and ferry traffic at its expanded terminal. The 5,500 sq meter facility provides a cafeteria, currency changer, parking, excursion-group bus terminal, duty-free shopping and an international telecommunications centre with free WiFi. The Tel Aviv train is a two minute walk away, car hire can be arranged and a shuttle reaches the terminal from some berths.
You dock close to city centre, a 15 minute walk away; remember that Haifa is hilly.
Many cruise passengers choose Jerusalem or Bethlehem, a two- three hour drive away, rather than Haifa. Haifa does have worthwhile sights, although time constraints mean most visitors take a ship-organised excursion.
A printable map to bring with you.
This pleasant-sized city is built on hills and often called the Middle East 'San Francisco'.
Haifa has significant Jewish, Muslim and Christian Arab, Ahmadi communities in Kababir, Druze in Daliyat al-Carmel, Bahá'í and other populations. It is often described as a mosaic of peaceful coexistence among communities.
Green Carmel, blue sea and golden beachfront sand combine with a modern harbour and notable beaches. Haifa Bay, Bahá'í Gardens and Carmel National Park provide breathtaking scenery.
The original name for Mount Carmel, "kerem" or vineyard, associates it with fertility and abundance. Sacred to both Jews and Christians, Mount Carmel is also central to Bahá'ís, serving as the faith's spiritual and administrative centre.
At the heart of Carmel's slopes is the shrine of the Báb, Bahá'í Faith prophet-herald. Spectacular terraced gardens are sculpted into the mountainside around it. The shrine, the "golden dome," is among Haifa's most distinctive symbols.
Haifa Tourist Board is at 48, Ben Gurion Avenue.
Getting around
The Carmelit is Israel's sole funicular, an underground metro serving three of Haifa's most important city centres:
‘Down Town', Haifa's downtown area and one of the city's principal business centres.
Hadar, Haifa's residential, commercial and business district, and Mercaz ha
Carmel, or Carmel Center, a residential, leisure and entertainment district.
The renovated underground train consists of only 4 carriages, all fully modernised and air conditioned. It operates on the same principle as a lift or elevator. The carriages travel on a track-and-wheel system much like that of a conventional train, but a cable pulls them from the main Carmelit station, which also contains the main control room.
From the cruise terminal, walk easily to Carmelit lower end and ride to the top of Bahá'í Gardens. At the final stop, there are marvellous views over city and coast.
Unlike elsewhere in Israel, Haifa local buses, but not Carmelit, run Saturday and other Jewish holy days, though not Friday evenings. Two main bus terminals allow transfers from inter-city buses and trains to Egged local routes.
Nearby places
The Druze Villages are at the top of Mt. Carmel, around 30min away by sherut and longer by bus.
Galilee/Nazareth: time constraints make an organised excursion recommended.
Food and shopping
Israeli shopping malls are called 'canyons'.
Haifa's mountain setting is pedestrian-unfriendly, so shopping avenues are uncommon.
In the city centre, shops provide an inexpensive and essential selection. Haifa is also well known for a broad choice of malls and shopping centres, including Kiryon, Kastra Center, Kanyon Haifa and 'Lev Hamifratz'. The 'Grand Kanyon' is regarded as the newest and largest mall, with international names including Armani, Lacoste, Benetton and Zara, alongside local brands and a large food court.
Eating out in Israel can be expensive, especially in a sit-down restaurant. An outdoor cafe is a less costly option for any meal, with food that is generally good and inexpensive. A sit-down restaurant lunch can cost about $30, and dinner about $50. Credit cards are usually the best choice because they often give a better rate. American dollars are also accepted in most places.
Money
The currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS).
Many Israeli ATMs connect to both European and American banking systems.
Staying connected
Hebrew is the language.
Food chains, municipalities and academic centres have increasingly made wireless internet free. Free access is found across Israel at all Mc. Donalds' branches, some Burger King branches, ‘Aroma', ‘The Coffee bean and Tea Leaf', ‘Arcaffe' coffee shops, ‘Tal Bagels' branches, Jerusalem city center, Even Gvirol st. in Tel-Aviv and some academic institutes.
Just outside the cruise terminal Duty Free Store, WiFi is free.