Haifa boasts an extensive public transportation system that comprises of buses, trains, light rail, underground tube, and taxi services making it easy to get around the city and its many attractions.

The local bus service runs 24/7 and runs during Shabbat on the weekends, but with minimal services during the hours between Friday night at 10:30 pm until 5 am on Saturdays. Egged Bus runs services in the city and the Egged Bus Terminal is located next to the Central Railway Station in Bat Galim where intercity buses travel to all points in the city and Israel. There are two main bus stations in the city where passengers can switch between intercity buses and trains to the local routes run by Egged. Bus fares cost around 5.90NIS per journey.

Night buses operate from 11:00 pm until 4:00 am and on Fridays from 10:00 pm until 4:00 am. Routes 200 and 210 both operate at night every night (except specific holidays), as well as route 1 (24/7).

A Rav Card is a good idea if you plan to frequently travel by public transport when visiting Haifa. The card is good for travel on light rail, bus, and intercity trains. The card enables travelers to preload a balance to be used for fares on all public transport. The initial cost is 5NIS and can be purchased from the Ben Gurion Airport, central train stations, all light rail stations, or directly from any bus driver. The Rav Kav card is valid for 90 minutes so trips include transferring between buses or light rail, there is no need to pay separately for each ride, provided the passenger transfers within the 90 minutes.

Trains in Haifa are quick and efficient, with nine total stations dotted through the city heading north and south. There are short travel times between stations and the mainline Nahariya-Tel Aviv Coastal Railway runs along the coast of the Gulf of Haifa with stations along the way. From south-west to north-east the main stations are; Haifa Hof HaCarmel, Haifa Bat Galim, Haifa Merkaz HaShmona, HaMifrats Central, Hutzot HaMifratz and Kiryat Haim. Together with the Kiryat Motzkin Railway Station in the northern suburb Kiryat Motzkin, they form the Haifa – Krayot suburban line (“Parvarit”). There are direct trains from the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport, with stops in Nahariya, Akko, Kiryat, Motzkin, Binyamina, Lod, Ramla, Beit Shemes, Jerusalem, and other locations.

The Carmelit is the only underground railway in the country, the Haifa underground railway system, a subterranean funicular on rails that runs from downtown Paris Square to Gan HaEm (Mother’s Park) on Mount Carmel. A single track with six stations and two trains, it is an ideal way to access the city’s main attractions and is listed as the world’s shortest metro line. The total travel time lasts only eight minutes and the frequency is super quick. The Carmelit stops on Fridays at 3:00 pm and re-opens Saturday evenings. Carmelit can be combined with a bus ticket, so a ticket can include a transfer to a bus.

The Metronit is a light rail option in the city that runs three lines that travel from the city center to Haifa’s southern and northern edges, via central station and along the sealine and the port.

The Haifa cable car is the easiest way to make your way up the steep hill to the main attraction at the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery. A fun ride with excellent panoramic views over the city.

If strictly staying in Haifa for your trip then there is no need to hire a car, the amount of public transport in the city makes it easy to get around and a car is not great for many reasons; traffic, lack of parking, and cost. The city is easily accessible by car from the Ben Gurion International Airport along the scenic coastal Route 2 which links Tel Aviv to Haifa. The journey takes around 1 ½ hour. Highway 4 runs along the coast to the north of Haifa passing through the downtown area. If you plan on traveling to other cities and destinations a car is a good idea, there are rental car companies available in the city.

There are plenty of local taxi companies in Haifa, you can hail a taxi from the street, find them outside major attractions, shopping centers, and hotels or call and order one by phone. The fares start at a flat rate of 12NIS and its 6.2NIS per mile thereafter.

The main sights in the city center can be reached on foot and many of the great attractions like Bahai Gardens, and the German Colony are not far from one another. Ben-Gurion is the main old street located in the German Colony neighborhood is a great place for a stroll to see the old houses with tiled roofs and authentic characteristics of the past. This is also the place for some of the best shopping and dining opportunities in Haifa. The Louis Promenade opened in 1992 and is etched into the crevices of Mount Carmel, this massive popular terrace provides visitors with spectacular views both day and night. It is the perfect place for a stroll to take in the beautiful surf, sand, and sunsets. Keep in mind there are a lot of hills in Haifa due to the city being nestled on the side of a mountain, so some walking can be strenuous.

Bicycle rentals are available in Haifa although the city has quite a few hills being on the side of a mountain with steep roads. However, down by the beachfront and along the promenade are some great locations for a bicycle ride. Two large bike stores found in the city are Rosen and Mintz, and Mazman and Merutz.

Haifa is a very safe destination for tourists with crimes against visitors being very rare. Although the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is ongoing, most travelers will see few sights of it aside from Israeli soldiers going about their business. There is no need for travelers to take any further precautions when traveling here other than common sense in a foreign country. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas especially on board public transport. Keep your valuables close, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t wander around alone at night. If you rent a car be sure to take extra precautions and lock your vehicle and remove any valuables.

There are plenty of shopping malls and other opportunities found in the fabulous city of Haifa. The city is filled with massive shopping malls, shopping centers, and open markets spread throughout the city streets.

Haifa is a shopaholic’s haven and the home of some of the most unique shops selling authentic characteristic products. Some of the most popular shopping venues in Haifa are Grand Canyon Mall, the Turkish Market, the Talpiot Market, the Contemporary Crafts Market, Masada Street, The Shuk, and the Flea Market.

The city is renowned for offering distinct shopping experiences and items depicting the diversified traditions in Israel. Shoppers can pick up souvenirs, sneakers, accessories, clothing, produce, spices, and more.

In downtown Haifa, there are a few places to check out such as the Carmel Center and the Hadar area where inexpensive shops can be found. The shopping malls in the city sell brand-name items and international brands such as Armani, Lacoste, Benetton, and Zara. The Arab market locally knows as the “Wadi” is located near the German colony neighborhood. The market oozes traditional characters and is a fabulous place for tourists to shop.

The narrow streets and alleyways are lined with historic stone houses with Jewish and Arabic artisans selling all kinds of wonderful goods. Get lost in the charms of the market. Massada Street features its own Carmelit stop halfway up the mountain, home to a number of small and interesting crafts shops, antique stores, and curiosity shops. A stroll down the street will give you a feel for the authentic architecture of Haifa’s residential neighborhoods.

There are some beautiful beaches in Haifa stretching for miles; Bat Galim, Dor, and Hof HaCarmel Beach. Both beaches offer excellent facilities including busy cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating, cute shops, and sun loungers and shade along the sand. Bat Galim Beach is a favorite spot for water sports including windsurfing and kiteboarding with operators they offer rentals and lessons. Hof HaCarmel Beach boasts a laid-back vibe for sunbathing and lounging on its soft sands. Dor is a favorite weekend hangout for locals and visitors alike with plenty of sand, sea, and sun to absorb. Bat Galim is a peaceful neighborhood in Haifa with a great beach and a stunning promenade dotted with relaxing restaurants, quaint coffee shops, and entertainment. The water here is great for surfing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and kite surfing. The cable car ride up to the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery is located here.

The official language spoken in Haifa is Arabic and Hebrew. Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants, and many locals speak Italian. We recommend you get a good English-Hebrew guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Haifa features a hot Mediterranean climate with very hot, dry, humid summers and mild, somewhat rainy winters. The best time to visit Haifa in March and April during the springtime months when temperatures start to heat up and the rain has stopped, it’s not too hot but a great time to enjoy the outdoors, attractions, and the beaches. April through September the temperatures range from 71-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Average temperatures during the summer are 79F and 54 F in the winter months. Snow is very rare in Haifa being on the coast, and humidity tends to be high year-round. The rain usually occurs between September and May.

The currency of Israel is the Israeli Shekel (NIS or ILS). You will need to exchange your currency for the Israeli Shekel, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus.

Tipping in Haifa is a customary process with a normal rate of at least 10% at all establishments where you sit down and are served by a waiter or waitress.

Get to know the city of Haifa but eating your way through it! There are some fantastic authentic restaurants in the city offering delicious Middle Eastern cuisine including the freshest falafel, well-seasoned shawarma meats, hummus, and pita. The city is a gourmet center like Tel Aviv with plenty to offer visitors; Middle Eastern, Persian, Turkish, and German are just a few of the cuisines found throughout the streets of Haifa.

The German Colony is packed with some of the best pubs and open-air restaurants in Haifa. The colony dates back to the Christian Templars in the 1800s decorated by historic stone buildings that house beautiful vibrant galleries, and trendy cafes, a great place to dine and explore.

Carmel Beach is a beautiful beachfront location at the edge of the city and somewhat isolated from the rest of Haifa at night. The spectacular area has a laid-back beach resort atmosphere with great restaurants and bars with views of the beach and the waters.

There is plenty of street food options to choose from in the city with some great falafel found at Falafel Michel, and Falafel HaZkenim both located in the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood. Falafel HaNasi has locations in the Carmel Center and Horev Center as well as Paris Square. In the downtown area on Yafo Street, there’s a large concentration of shawarma and falafel stands where the food is delicious authentic cuisine at cheap prices. Baraka is another cheap street food option, a phyllo dough-filled pastry usually filled with cheese, potatoes, spinach, feta, or meat.

There are some excellent Middle Eastern and Arabic restaurants located in the downtown area such as Abu-Yousef, Hummus Faraj, Hummus Abu-Shaker, Abu Maroun, and Matza, all famous for their high-quality hummus regarded as some of the best in Israel. There are also options for Romanian-style restaurants in the downtown area, as well as some of the best fish restaurants like Jacko and Shrimp House. Dado Beach features a great collection of restaurants dotted along the beach strip offering some fantastic views. Several restaurants are found by the city’s top attraction, the Stella Maris monastery, at the San Francisco Observatory also boasting breathtaking views.

Haifa has an exciting variety of nightlife spread throughout the city and its many neighborhoods. Central Mount Carmel has a great selection of cafes, restaurants, and bars to choose from; Greg and Tut are popular cafes in this are both located on Kikar Sefer close to the Horev Center. Frangelico and Barbarossa are both considered to be the best bars in the Carmel area, these bars get crowded on the weekends and there are plenty of other bars located within walking distance such as Brown, Duke, and Maidler. Yefe Nof Street is brimming with a cluster of fine bars and pubs to check out. Maayan HaBira is an old-fashioned pub found in the downtown area and Martef (Basement) which offers open mic nights. The Syncopa bar downtown is a happening establishment.

There is a new development along Haifa’s waterfront port area. The western portion of the port has been transformed into a bustling tourism and nightlife center. There is a long stretch of beachfront promenade, a large park that borders the Kishon River, visitors centers, and bridges leading from the port to the rest of the city. This is a great place to spend an evening for families and couples with plenty of dining and entertainment options to choose from.

In case of an emergency dial 100 for police, 101 for an ambulance, 102 for fire.

Hospital:

Elisha Hospital tel.972-4-830-0000

Italian Hospital tel. 972-4-851-4294