Haifa
Eco-friendly travel guide to Haifa advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Haifa, Israel.
- Air quality: 3 / 5
- Exploring by foot: 2.5 / 5
- Exploring by bicycle: 3 / 5
- Public transportation: 3.5 / 5
- Parks: 2 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 4 / 5
- Locals' English level: 3 / 5
- Safety: 3.5 / 5
- Accommodation: US$20 - $100
- Budget per day: US$150 - $300
Contents
Responsible Travel
Haifa is a city in northern Israel. You will find that the city is the cultural, financial, and educational center of Israel and attracts tourists from both inside and outside the country. It is famous for the Baha’i Gardens, the city, and the stunning architecture. You will hardly face any trouble while exploring the city and can spend a memorable time exploring the various culturally and historically significant places that hold the potential to take you back in time. While traveling and exploring Israel, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind:
Your trip to Israel begins the second you book the flight. Instead of booking a 5-star and luxurious hotel, find out if the hotel is eco-friendly. After securing the getaway, you need to book a hotel for your stay. Eco-friendly hotels are hotels that follow certain environment-friendly practices that support and protect their local environment.
As a tourist, you will feel that using mineral water bottles and disposable items is a better choice, but they are not. These items create a lot of pollution that uses a lot of natural resources to dispose-off properly. You can carry your refillable water bottle and a cloth bag while traveling to the country.
While booking your flight, make sure that you take a direct flight. Avoid booking transfer flights as they cause a lot of harm to the environment and take more time to reach the final destination. You must prefer these hotels as they will help you minimize your carbon footprint.
Air Quality and Pollution
The Air Quality of any tourist location or place is a crucial thing to keep in mind because not all tourists can adapt to a city where air pollution is low, and the air quality is good, especially for people who belong to a sensitive group. Haifa mostly has good air quality, and pollution levels aren't bad. One can say that automobiles' effect is more than that of the people who visit the city. Other than ground transportation, the shipping industry has contributed a lot to air pollution. If you wish to get fresh and clean air in Haifa, prefer visiting the outskirts and the hilly regions. Most of the fuels used in marine ships have a major concentration of sulfur, which is a contaminant. Automobiles are the prime source of air pollution in the city as they emit harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. Because of such changes in the people's activities, the pollution levels remain low, and people can live a better life. These areas have the least air pollution level, and air quality is also better than the city's crowded places.
Respect the Culture
Everyone loves to travel, but most people always forget the essential thing while traveling, respecting the culture. You can pay your respects by following the rules, not indulging in illegal activities, prefer local businesses, and avoiding any action that harms the local environment. By paying respect to the culture, you can make your trip more meaningful and memorable. Most travelers only focus on getting the most out of their trip and often not getting the best experience. While traveling, you can get the most out of your trip only if you respect the culture.
Top 10 Places to Visit
- Baha’ I Gardens: Baha’ I Garden is situated in Yefe Not St 61, Haifa, Israel. Baha’ I garden is one of the famous places in the city of Haifa. These gardens have elements of the Paradise Persian gardens.
- Baha’ I World Center: Baha’ I World Center is a religious organization in the city of Haifa. It is located in Sderot Eliyahu Golomb, Haifa, Israel.
- Stella Maris Monastery: Stella Maris Monastery is located in Stella Maris, Haifa, Israel. This monastery was constructed in the 19th century.
- Shrine Of The Bab: Shrine of the Bab is located in Haifa, Israel. It is a six-room mausoleum that is made up of local stones. It is one of the popular places in the city of Haifa.
- Haifa Port: Haifa Port is the ferry terminal in the city of Haifa. It is situated in the passenger terminal, Haifa, Israel. It was constructed in the year 1933. Haifa Port Company Limited operates this port.
- Carmel Mountain National Park: Carmel Mountain National Park is located in the city of Haifa. This park is one of the largest open spaces in northern Israel.
- Cave Of Elijah: The cave of Elijah is The pilgrimage place in the city of Haifa. It is located in Derech Allenby, Haifa, Israel. The Cave of Elijah is on Mount Carmel above 40 meters from sea level.
- Tikotin Museum Of Japanese Art: Tikotin Museum of the Japanese art museum is one of the famous museums in Haifa. It is located in Hanassi Blvd, Haifa, Israel. The museum was established in the year 1959.
- En Aftek: En Aftek is the national reserve in the city of Haifa. It is located in Kiryat Bialik, Israel. The alternative name of the place is Apheq. It was designed in the year 1996.
- Hecht Museum: Hecht Museum is situated in Abba Khoushy Ave, Haifa, Israel. The museum was established in the year 1984. This museum is a famous place in the city.
Explore
Haifa ensures that it has places that play roles in calming and relaxing the mind. Thus, it is not surprising that people always want to visit this city. People who love archaeology are usually interested in this as the buildings are unique and outstanding. The city of Haifa has many museums, and they give you a better idea of the history of the city and how it evolved to what it is today. The churches in the city have a gothic appearance, and one can tell that it dates years back. There are also parks where you can relax and interact with people. There is so much to do at Haifa, so tourists should have a schedule plan ready so that activities will not be jumbled.
City Parks
The city has big open spaces and greeneries where you can spend time with your children and other family members. The views are one thing you cannot take away from parks. Here are the city parks in the city of Haifa:
- Hecht Park
- Sculptures Garden
- Hakishon Park
- Givat Haizim
National Parks
The country has always been famous for its beautiful and graceful natural resources, and so that this city has a wonderful collection of national parks and a zoo. We are listing down a few of them that may not exactly be located in and around the city but are not very far away from the city.
- Haifa Educational Zoo
- Peace View Park
- Explore Vr
Beaches
The city is famous for its beautiful and stunning beaches. There are several big and tiny beaches, and it may not be possible to list down every one of them. Some of the beautiful and best beaches in the city are listed below:
- Caesarea Beach
- Habonim
- Dor Beach
- Hadera
- Atlit
Landmarks
The city of Haifa also has its share of memorable landmarks and monuments. You must try and visit as many as you possibly can. While the list is quite long, we are mentioning a few of them for our readers' benefit.
- Carmelite
- Nesher Park
- Cable Car/ Ha’aliya Hashniya
- Hai-Bar Nature Reserve
Museums
Here are some of these museums given are as follows:
- Haifa Museum Of Art
- National Maritime Museum
- Madatech-Israel National Museum
- Hermann Struck Museum
Eat
Some people travel to other courtiers to enjoy their local delicacies, so we know that a foreigner would be interested in the local food in the city of Haifa. You will find that vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes are popular, and you will not find much trouble conveying your food preferences. You will find that the locals prefer to eat healthy and nutritious food with lots of vegetables and meat. Apart from these traditional and modern cuisines, the local street food is a must-try one that will leave your mouth lingering with their flavors. Here are some famous local restaurants, vegetarian and vegan, and street foods are given below.
Traditional Local Restaurants
Here are some famous local restaurants which serve their authentic traditional foods are given below:
- Ein Elwadi
- Lux
- Elkheir Druze Cuisine
- Vivino
- Sangria Tapas Bar
Vegetarian and Vegan
If you are a vegetarian, you do not need to worry when you are in this city as there are many restaurants to attend to your needs. With these places, you will get to enjoy traditional meals properly with your regular choices.
Since it is already established that cravings for the vegetarian and vegan dishes in a city, here are some of the local vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the city of Haifa:
- Umm Kulthum
- Vega Bond
- Rabbit Hole
- Mama’s Table
Street Food
Various cities have various food they classify as street food. Suppose you are a street food enthusiast and would want to try some in this city. The preparation time for them does not take long, and it is something you can eat on the go. One thing about street food is that you can try out varieties at the same time. You know those foods you can easily get at the roadside without the need for a fancy restaurant—those classified as street food.
- Falafel
- Tahini
- Roast Beef Sandwich
- Hummus With Ground Beef
Drink
There are many local alcoholics and non-alcoholic beverages that you can see in the local cafés, restaurants, bars, and pubs in the city. These drinks will help you understand the significance and increasing popularity amongst the locals. You have dozens of big, small, and medium-sized bars to choose from. There is no doubt that the local people love to drink regularly, especially on special occasions with friends and family. You can enjoy almost all types of drinks that you get in any good western restaurant and bar. People in Haifa love to drink, especially at gatherings and special occasions. The locals are simple and laid-back ones that prefer enjoying the time they have. The city offers a wide variety of wines from the different areas of the country.
Tap-water
Unlike many western countries, tap water may be safe to drink, but the locals do drink after boiling it. Even the water that is available in hotels and street-side food joints may be unsafe to drink. Hence, carrying bottled water is a good suggestion. Water is unstable even to the small majority who have a direct connection to tapped water. Different areas of the city receive water on specific days of the week, some for a few days and others for just a few hours. Drinking water is also available in plastic bottles and is considered to taste better than tap water.
Organic Cafés
These places serve vegetarian and vegan dishes with 100% organic ingredients that are quite mouth-watering and pocket friendly. Since some people would prefer to eat organic, it is not out of place to have organic cafes in different cities. The city has stood up to the task of catering for all segments of the population, including those with a preference for organic foods. While they are not as obvious as the mainstream restaurants, the city has several organic eateries:
- Café Brussels
- Café Palmer
- Landwer Café
- Café Hapina
- Biga
- Silva
Breweries
For those who prefer healthier foods and are more on the conscious side, organic cafes and restaurants are ideal places to detox your body. If you love alcoholic drinks, you will have a swell time in the city as there are many fabulous options for you. These places serve vegetarian and vegan dishes with 100% organic ingredients that are quite mouth-watering and pocket friendly.
Have a look at some of its breweries:
- Temple Bar-Haifa
- Gal Marine Ltd
- Living Liquids Kombucha
- Morad Winery
Activities
Foreigners hate getting bored when in a new city, so you would see those seeking locals' recommendations. You may even come across hidden gems of the culture and make your trip even more fantastic than you planned. However, this is not the case for people who wish to visit the city as there is always something to do. The city is best known for its art and culture in tourism, and it has many places to explore. These activities will not only help you create a memorable time in the city but will also make your heart race. These activities are the best way to experience the local culture and be a part of it. If there is not much to do in a city, then what is the point of visiting there.
Yoga and Retreats
You will find that young people are the ones that like to participate in such fitness exercised. There are many yoga institutes in the city where you can train under a qualified and experienced yoga teacher. With increasing awareness of the need for a healthy and fit lifestyle, the local people are gaining interest in yoga. Here are some of the famous yoga centers in the city of Haifa:
- Yoga Laya
- Naya Yoga
- Israel Yoga Life
- Tali-Yoga Therapy
- Studio Naim Haifa
Accommodation
There are many green hotels, camping sites, and couch-surfing hosts that offer accommodation at much cheaper rates and are ideal for those with a tight budget. It would be best to do whatever works best for you. The price you would get depends on your accommodation option. We would not say that accommodation in this city is cheap, neither would we say that it is expensive. These accommodation options range from hotels to apartments, and much more. There are many hotels, hostels, and guest houses that offer various rooms according to your budget's affordability. These places help the tourists to have a comfortable and convenient stay in the city. It may not be as low as what you would get in some cities, but it is not the most expensive in the world. With this clear, we know that the next question concerns the pricing as people want to know to plan their budget.
Green Hotels
If you are an environmental enthusiast, we know that you would search for green hotels in the city to ensure that you have an eco-friendly stay in the city. Many foreigners fail to realize that they have a role to play in protecting the environment, and it does not matter if it is your place of origin or not. You should play a role in any place you find yourself.
- Bat Galim Boutique Hotel
- Bay Club Hotel
- Haifa Luxury Boutique
- Hanasi 129 - Boutique
Hostels and Guest Houses
The city offers a luxurious yet comfortable stay to its guests but at affordable prices. Here are some comfortable and affordable guest-houses as well as hostels in the city. They are given below:
- Hostel Rocks
- Al Yakhour Hostel
- City Hall Hostel
- Backpackers Nest Hostel
- Dream House Haifa
Apartments
Hotels are often the number one choice for tourists as they are usually cheaper and convenient, but tourists visiting the city for a longer time should always prefer renting out an apartment. A lot of these places are located near the prime locations and are the best ones to rent. Before renting out an apartment, inspect the site properly and get reviews from the other residents. It is a small apartment within a hotel ideal for families and groups. These apartments have an en-suite kitchen with the required appliances and utensils. There are many affordable apartment options for tourists.
Couchsurfing
As a foreigner, you do not need to pay your host. However, it is your responsibility to be respectful and abide by the laws of the city. It is a new concept but has taken off quite well in the city. The idea surrounding Couchsurfing is that locals of the city offer hospitality by opening their homes to foreigners. It is usually voluntary so that there will be no complaints. Thus, anyone who signs up to accommodate people through Couchsurfing is expected to treat them right as they were not forced to do it.
Camping
There are few better ways to rest, relax, and reinvigorate than to get back to nature for a dose of the inimitable joys the great outdoors offers. And among the best ways to do this is camping.
- Forest Fairy
- Campsite: Base Of Oren River
- Khayim Porat Campsite
- Tooly Be Akhziv Village
- Eshbal Campsite
How to Get There
Tourists and local people can book the tickets using their online services of various transportation services to reach the destination smoothly without any complications. As a tourist, you need to know every single detail about the different transporting options in the city you are traveling to. Here are some options for transportation and details about them, which will help you know what type suits you best. One can get different options like airways, railways, cars, trams, buses, etc.
Air
Haifa is well connected with air. The city has one airport that is Haifa Airport. The airport serves millions of passengers every year and is considered the busiest airport in the country. It offers many domestic flights to various major cities. Also, avoid taking any transfer flights as they result in a lot of air pollution and you may face a delay in your travel.
Bus
Buses are reliable, cheap, and comfortable. Some companies offer large, cozy airplane-style reclining seats. Reservations are advisable on weekends and holidays. The bus terminuses are chaotic, and you may have to take some local help to determine which bus to choose for your requirements. This is because the intercity bus terminus is located around one hour from the city. The city has reasonably advanced local bus transport services, but intercity bus services are not very comfortable.
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Train
Haifa center railway station, Bat Galim, is the railway station in the city. It provides regional, inter-city, national, and even international destination trains. This public mode of transport is quite popular amongst the locals as a cheap and convenient mode. Traveling to Haifa by trains is a popular mode among travelers as they offer a comfortable service and provide breathtaking views of the countryside. You can use trains to travel from one city to another or even reach the far off places.
Hitchhiking
There is a common perception that hitchhiking is only easy for women and foreigners, but it appears not true. Local people are amiable and usually very honest. Waiting times to hitch are short, and people often don't mind driving a bit further than the place where they needed to be. While the locals are quite friendly and hospitable and hitchhiking is a common practice in many parts of the city, it is not common to encounter hitchhikers. Most drivers are naturally wary of picking up strangers, fearing carrying robbers and carjackers. While there are exceptional cases of drivers who would be okay with offering one a lift, most of them would not, especially when driving at night. Hitchhiking is very much in vogue in the city, but you have to be careful when choosing the right person.
Others
Other modes of traveling to the city of Haifa like rental car services, trams, trains, and private planes can help you conveniently reach the city, but not all of them are the best choices. Although such transports are very comfortable and convenient, if you want the best Haifa experience without any guilt, you should prefer vehicles that are less harmful to the environment. Some of these transports use only natural resources like petrol, diesel, and gas, and these resources emit a lot of carbon while operating, which is the leading cause of air pollution in most cities of the world.
Moving Around
Private transport consists of motor scooters, private cars, taxi cabs, and bicycles. These modes of transportations are efficient in helping you move around the city and discover the city's hidden gems. Walking is an alternative mode of moving around but is the healthiest and cheapest mode. Motor-scooters often weave between cars and occasionally through oncoming traffic. The Station serves as the comprehensive hub for the subway, bus, conventional rail, and high-speed rail. If you wish to travel, then the best option at your disposal is public transports such as subway trains, available buses, and electronic vehicles. There are many rental car services as well but try to avoid them at all costs as they will overcharge you and emit a lot of carbon dioxide into the environment.
Walk
You can reach even the narrowest streets and areas of the city where vehicles cannot get. The best way of exploring the city is by walking. You will find that the streets are safe for pedestrians, and the chances of accidents happening are relatively low. Despite numerous attempts to decongest the city, including increasing the parking cost in town and banning public service vehicles from accessing certain parts of the town center, the streets have continued to be congested. Away from the city and into the residential suburbs boasts of many trees along many avenues that provide shade and fresh air as you stroll along.
Bicycle
Bicycles are friendly to the environment and your travel budget. You can easily find bike renting stores in almost every district of Haifa city. If you cannot travel long distances by walking, you can use an electronic or mechanical bicycle to cover up distances faster.
Electronic Vehicles
You can even find some charging stations outside the city and enjoy various amenities that the government provides the users of such vehicles. With the increasing popularity of environment-friendly practices, electronic vehicles have become one of the best ways of moving around the city.
These cars, motorbikes, and bicycles operate using renewable resources, and their charging points are available all over the city. You can either opt for buying or renting out an electronic vehicle but prefer renting out to save your precious money as a tourist.
Public Bus
Public buses in the country are the cheapest mode of moving around the city. You can easily find these buses in all areas of the city and can take a ride on them by paying a small but reasonable ticket charge. These buses are a standard mode of transportation for the locals and are entirely safe for tourists. You can use public buses to travel to different city areas and gain some useful information from the locals on the bus. These buses provide an accessible transportation mode for locals and tourists to places inside and outside the city.
Tram, Train and Subway
Trams are the most preferred modes of traveling around the city by both locals and tourists. You will find that Haifa's tram network has different lines to help you get to all the city's significant areas. You will hardly find any trouble using the tram network as the locals are friendly and like to help tourists.
You will find that Haifa city is a hub of various train networks in Israel. You can use the trains to get out of the town and visit outside areas to enhance your Israel experience. These trains provide a scenic journey with luxurious facilities at reasonable rates to both locals and tourists.
The subway network for metro trains in Haifa is also a popular and convenient way of moving around the city. You will find that the system provides access to different stations in the city.
Sustainable Shopping
As an eco-friendly traveler, try eco-friendly shops such as recycled or send hand items. You will be able to get many different local shops that sell traditional items. Make sure to buy from the local shops to support them and help them make a living.
A tour of a place is never complete without having good shopping. Eco-friendly sustainable stores that promote zero-waste are increasing rapidly in the city, and many locals are tying hearse products. It helps to give you the best experience and witness the culture up close. You will be able to get some branded eco-friendly stores too in the city. Here are the details about these stores that will help you get from bamboo toothbrushes to recycled furniture.
Food Markets
Roaming the food markets is always good, as you will be able to get close to the locals and learn about different cooking and eating ingredients. These markets are better options as they are relatively cheaper and better sources than the frozen and preserved food in the supermarkets and departmental stores. These groupings eventually turned into more formal food markets.
Some of the food markets also have some food stalls filled with delicious local foods.
- Market And Nisnas
- My Market Haifa
- Keshet Team
- Mini Maxi Market
Flea Markets
Flea markets in the city are markets where items are sold in exhibition stalls by traders. Shopping with a twist is always very good for the tourists, and they often look for flea markets wherever they go. A lot of low-income people and antique searchers can be found in these markets. These items are sold at a much lower rate than at retail shops as they are often used or second-hand ones. Some of these markets operate daily, whereas some work on particular days only.
- Flea Market Haifa
- Haifa Shuk
- Nazareth Market
Second Hand Stores
Many Haifa stores serve various things, such as clothes, utensils, furniture, books, and other reusable items. These stores are quite popular amongst people who are unable to afford retail items because of low income. These items are priced at lower rates as they are used ones and are relatively cheap too.
- Anicha Shop
- Moed Bet Second-Hand Shop
Eco-Fashion
Eco-fashion clothes help in minimizing the impact on the environment and health of society. Organic cotton, recyclable fabrics, plant-based dyes are used to make eco-fashion clothes. Eco-Fashion or Sustainable Fashion is a concept that is becoming quite popular in the city of Haifa. Armed with ground-breaking technology and valuable manufacturing in Haifa is positioning themselves as sustainable fashion hubs of the future. Many businesses indulge in the use of sustainable and recyclable materials to make clothes. These are very affordable clothes because of the recyclable aspect.
Recycling
Changing the behavioral habits of these groups will be instrumental in the success of recycling efforts. Residents pay handsomely without really knowing where the waste will end up. Many wastes are polluting the sea and making it hard for sea creatures to survive. Also, these wastes are slowly polluting the whole earth. So, many countries and different cities have started to take care of the environment by recycling things. While exploring and traveling, make sure to use these containers and vehicles to dispose of the waste properly, or you can get into trouble for violating the laws and environment.
Waste
Due to limited space and a dense population, there is little land for waste disposal. The policies based on reducing quantity, processing of resources, and pluralistic processing were adopted to solve this waste disposal problem. Improper solid waste management to the environment, recycling has not caught on, particularly in middle- and high-income areas where recycled products generate income proportionately too minimal to consider pursuing seriously.
Work and Study Abroad
The city attracts thousands of students from other neighboring countries, especially those who wish to receive the local education style. Legally, no foreigner can start a job in the country without a work permit. Which authority you have to turn to to get your work permit depends on the type of permit.
If you are planning on taking up employment in the city of Haifa, then the matter of work permits typically needs to be taken care of even before you apply for a resident visa. While most expatriates have to contact the Ministry of Labour, those who want to start working in one of the country's many science parks will have to apply with the respective park administration.
Exchange Student
Although most exchange students who come to the city are from neighboring countries, some take part in other faraway countries. The diversity of accredited programs offered by universities and the focus on innovative research make Haifa an appealing destination for international students.
Exchange student study is getting more and more popular in Haifa, as many students are deciding to go to the city for higher study. There are many exchange student opportunities that are there in the city for students to choose from. There is a specific semester in the city that is getting famous and inviting students from other countries. Israel has an outstanding higher education system that provides opportunities for international students to study a wide variety of subjects.
Au Pair
It is a win-win situation as it saves you the stress of searching for a job, and the host gets their job done quickly. Many people are usually ready to work in this city, but some might encounter issues finding jobs as it may be that many are also applying for the same position. You will see some people downcast because they cannot seem to secure a job, and this is where the idea of Au Pair comes into pair. Au Pair is almost similar to Couchsurfing as it pairs you with a host you would work for and get paid in return.
This is a good accommodation option available for tourists also. Au pairing is a relatively new concept in countries where a foreign couple helps out a family meet their responsibilities and manage a household. This is one of the best options for students and foreigners to stay in the city. People who are planning to stay in the city from different countries can take the help of the au pair in the initial stage to earn money and get shelter.
Volunteering
Volunteering is one of the best ways to keep the city clean and get to know the local people very well. You will also get help to get your language skill up one notch. Obviously, in a city of this size, there are plenty of issues to tackle, and you can do your bit for society by volunteering for various endeavors being undertaken, especially by NGOs and service groups. Haifa's volunteering organizations are fighting to resolve various cultural, environmental, and social problems such as violence against women and children, child labor, animal protection, environmental protection, humanitarian rights, etc.