Haifa Disney Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Haifa, one of Israel's largest cities, is built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, overlooking the Mediterranean. Its sloping streets and boulevards wind up and down the mountain. Although Haifa sometimes gets a bad rap because of its large industrial areas, visitors will find plenty of fascinating things to see and do in this port city.

The golden dome of the Baha'i Shrine, situated on the slopes of Mount Carmel with a stunning view over the sea, is an immediate eye-catcher from any part of the city (Haifa is the world headquarters of the Baha'i faith). Haifa is also the site of Elijah's cave, held sacred by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike.

Geography

Haifa is a highly industrialized, busy port, and the most important one in Israel. It lies to the north of Mount Carmel, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa spans 64 sq mi/165 sq km and is located about 50 mi/80 km north of Tel Aviv.

The city has a population of more than 8 million people. Jews constitute more than 90% of the city's population, while the remaining 10% includes Arab Christians and Muslims.

History

Although the city is not mentioned in the Bible, Haifa has a strong Jewish community and finds a place in the ancient Talmudic literature. Byzantine tradition claims that Elijah the Prophet hid in a cave located there to save himself from the wrath of King Ahab. The site is known as Elijah's Cave and is a revered spot for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Several relics found in the city date back to the Stone Age, and some belong to the more recent Ottoman period. It was during the Middle Ages that the Jewish settlement prospered, and the city flourished as a busy port. However, this prosperous period did not last very long: In 1099, the Crusaders seized the city and slaughtered its inhabitants. Over the years, power passed from the hands of the Mamluks to the Turks and the British Empire. Today, the city is relatively peaceful, though there is some underlying tension that lingers.

Location

Haifa's modern cruise terminal, which contains a duty-free shop and a cafe, is located in the heart of the city. The train station is a two-minute walk from the terminal, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the city is very hilly. Most visitors use Haifa as a jumping-off point for Tel Aviv (75 minutes away by train) or Akko (30 minutes away).

The Carmelit is an underground metro that connects Haifa's three city centers: downtown, Hadar and Carmel. One end of the Carmelit is close to the cruise terminal.

Taxis wait by the port or can be hired outside large hotels.