Aerial view of Haifa Beach in Israel
ADVENTURE FROM THE HEART OF HAIFA

Cruise from Haifa, Israel

Before your cruise from Haifa, make sure you dedicate a few days to exploring this shining city in Israel’s northern reaches. Nestled on the sun-kissed slopes of Mount Carmel and bordered by the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Haifa offers endless discoveries along its stately, bustling boulevards and lush, manicured gardens. When you visit Haifa, you’ll notice the city’s architecture, cuisine and art are suffused with a rich blend of Arabic and Jewish culture. Its long, fascinating history comes alive at acclaimed museums and nearby archaeological sites, like the Beit Shearim ruins and the ancient Roman port city of Caesarea, just a half-hour drive south of the city. One of the best things to do in Haifa is to visit the Terraces of the Baháʼí Faith, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sometimes referred to as ‘the hanging gardens of Haifa.’ Or spend a day exploring the trendy art galleries, boutiques and cafes of Haifa’s German Colony, a restored neighborhood founded in the late 19th-century by German Templars. If you’re a sun-seeker, you’ll be glad to know that Haifa’s golden-sand beaches are among the prettiest in the region. No matter how you choose to spend your visit, you’re in for adventure when you sail from Haifa.
National Language Hebrew, Arabic
Currency Accepted Israeli New Shekel (ILS)

Things To Do in Haifa

Three cable cars in Haifa, Israel

Star of the Sea

Three cable cars in Haifa, Israel

Three cable cars in Haifa, Israel

Star of the Sea

Take the cable car up to Mt Carmel (546 meters) and enjoy the magnificent views. Visit the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, Latin for "Star of the Sea." Admire the church's beautifully painted ceiling and dome. Stretching back to the Crusader era, the monks originally inhabited the mountain caves.

A typical house from the German colony surrounded by trees and flower beds in Haifa, Israel
A typical house from the German colony surrounded by trees and flower beds in Haifa, Israel

Romantic Quarter

Stroll around the picturesque, restored German Colony at the foot of the Baha'i Gardens. German Templars who came to establish a Christian community here built the houses in the 19th century. Cruise to Israel to admire the pretty stone houses, browse the little shops, and meet the locals in the lively cafes.

Traditional Israeli shawarma and falafel with fried eggplant
Traditional Israeli shawarma and falafel with fried eggplant

Local Cuisine

Fill up for your Haifa adventure with some burekas, a crispy phyllo dough pastry often filled with vegetables, spices and cheese. Enjoy Middle Eastern fare like falafel wraps slathered in tahini sauce or lamb shawarma brightened up with herbaceous parsley in the Wadi Nisnas or Hadar neighborhoods. For desert, taste sweet baklava, with layers of flaky pastry and pistachio sweetened with honey, or knefah, a light cheesecake soaked in sweet syrup.

Ceramic plates and other souvenirs in the flea markets in Haifa, Israel
Ceramic plates and other souvenirs in the flea markets in Haifa, Israel

Shopping

Haifa's largest shopping mall is the Grand Canyon and includes over 200 designer and boutique shops. In the Haifa Flea Market, you can find vintage and secondhand items, including handmade silver and gold jewelry. During your Israel cruise, look for decorative plates and ceramics hand-painted with traditional geometric patterns or Holy Land-themed designs.

Insider's Tips
Insider's Tips
1 There are banks in Hadar and around Carmel Center where you can get the local currency, New Israeli Shekel (NIS).
2 Make sure the cab driver uses the meter or negotiate a price before you get in a taxi.
3 Dress modestly if you want to visit the Shrine of the Bab or a church.

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