Haifa is one of the most beautiful cities of Israel.
Even the name of this city reflects its beauty – it is believed that this name was derived from the phrase “Hof Yaffe” – a beautiful beach.

Haifa, view on the city port.

Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel and third largest city in Israel, located on the Mediterranean coast on the slopes of Mount Carmel, 90 km north of Tel Aviv.

The population of Haifa is over 274 thousand people. Jews and Arabs live here in a peaceful harmony. A significant number of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union had also found their home in this city.

Haifa is surrounded by flourishing nature – mountains from one side and sea from other. The city has an interesting fusion of old districts with modern neighborhoods; churches and monasteries with mosques.

One of the attractions of Haifa is the Baha’i World Centre, a place of pilgrimage for Baha’is believers. In 2008 the Centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Baha’is World Center is a beautifully designed complex built on the slope of the Mount Carmel.

The Center is remarkable by its splendid gardens. In the monumental golden-domed Shrine is the burial place of Bab.

The Christianity is presented in Haifa by many churches such as the Maronite Church which is located next to Paris Square and the nearby Carmelite Church, dedicated to the Prophet Elijah. There is the Saint Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, located not far from here. On the Mount Carmel, holy place for Christians, there is the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery. According to Christian tradition, the cave of the Prophet Elijah is in this Monastery.

Haifa is very different from other Israeli cities – the business life is constantly seething here, the city is strongly influenced by European traditions and the norms of Judaism are followed in a less strict form here. It is the only city in Israel where public transport is available and places of entertainment are open on Saturdays.

The history of Haifa goes back to Biblical times. In the Bronze Age there was a small port town called Tel Abu Havam. In the III century the city was known as a center for the production of dyes.

For centuries this city was ruled by Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Turks, Egyptians and British.

After the establishment of Israel in 1948 the city is under control by the municipality of Haifa.

Today Haifa is a major seaport and railway junction.

Haifa’s cultural life is diverse and rich. A lot of festivals and other cultural events are taking place in Haifa’s city halls. There are many museums in the city: the National Maritime Museum; the National Museum of Science and Technology; the Haifa Museum of Art; the Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum; the Railway Museum and more.

The city has a University of Haifa and the Technion – well known institution of High education in Israel.