Havat Habaron, Haifa

Advantages: Bahai, Carmelite, Cable-Car and more
Disadvantages: Not terribly touristy (which could be an advantage), not all that much to see

...Haifa isn't the best known city in Israel, but it is the third largest city and despite my love for Jerusalem, if I had to choose another place to live, then Haifa would be it. Besides it being built around Mount Carmel, it also touts one of the most beautiful sites that Israel has to offer - the Bahai Temple and Gardens. But there's more to Haifa than just that - unfortunately, not a whole lot, but still... let me see if I can pique your interest. From the bottom upwards: Haifa is built on a mountain on the sea, and the mountain is located on a small a peninsula near the north of the country. Being surrounded by water, it became a port city, and therefore it has a large shipping industrial area - including a large high-tech park on the western and northern sides. On the eastern side of the peninsula, there is a small bay which... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some nice beaches.
Disadvantages: Not very interesting.

...I didn’t really find a lot of things of interest in Haifa, apart from the Bahai temple which was a pretty interesting architectural achievement. If you are looking for Christian related sites, there is nothing of real interest in Haifa. There are a few very nice beaches though, where you can sit on the sand under umbrellas, or on the grass under the shade of trees and sip carrot juice (10 shekels or GBP 1.60 a go). I also went to the Bat Galim beach. It was interesting as it was men-only that day and filled with orthodox Jews. More a cultural experience than a relaxing swim. One good thing about Haifa is that you can stay there on your way to the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, or Nazareth.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: many sights to visit, great scenery
Disadvantages: aparthied society without the international condemnation, Israelis are very rude, prices becoming similar to UK ones

..., cities, kibbutzim, Moshavim and villages have been arranged in contrast to the more naturalistic israeli palestinian villages. You then notice that palestinian villages are bypassed by the routes, that more Israeli houses are being built near these villages without the villages being allowed to expand and that hardly any arabs use the buses or in the Israeli towns. Hmmm.. strange. Having said that, Galilee is a splendid region to visit with the scenery around Tiberias reminiscent of Switzerland. Lake Tiberias or Kinneret is very splendid to swim in and you can hike around the Horns of Hittin where the Crusaders were defeated by Saladdin. Haifa and Acre on the coast are worth visiting as well, the Bahai temple being a highlight in Haifa and the old fortress of Acre bringing back memories of the Crusades. In the far north, There is the Golan... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful