Fun things to do in Haifa

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This is an ancient site where Jesus preached on many occasions. It is in this town that he met Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew. He performed many miracles here.

Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, was believed to have born here and you can visit his house which has been excavated. It was found under a church.

There is also a very old (second century) synagogue near Peter's house.

Would I visit here again? Yes but not in a large tour group.

Opening times: 08:30--16:15

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Photo opportunities!

The Sea of Galilee is picturesque in places. It is small enough to cycle around in an afternoon ---but it is really humid there and so a car may be better! Of course there are many settlements around the Sea for you to explore and enjoy.

We especially enjoyed our visit to Capernaum which is at the north end.

The right bank is a disputed territory. I've also included a photo of part of the Golan Heights. Our tour guide had been in a tank during the war in the Heights.

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We spent about 2 hours here ----frankly too long!

This is a site on the River Jordan where The Baptism took place ---although I gather that there are other claimants for this! There were nutrias in the water: these North American rodents have somehow arrived in Israel!

It is part of the Kinneret Kibbutz. YOu can eat at the kibbutz.

You can be baptised here ---or you may prefer to try the River Jordan elsewhere ----as in one of my photos

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We spent about an hour viewing the Italianate church here. It was built in the mid-20th century.
It is here that the Sermon on the Mount was given.

It's certainly a tranquil place that lends itself to photography.

Open 08:00--12:00 then 14:30--17:00

Would I go again? Yes ---but in a small group, not with a coach load!

TECHNODA - NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

“Gila will never be a scientist,” Mr. Lucas, my 7th grade science teacher, informed my mother. Despite this dismal evaluation of my abilities, which was sadly true, Mr. Lucas would probably jump for joy to hear that I very much enjoyed my visit to the National Museum of Science and Technology in Haifa (known in Hebrew as “Muzeon Hamada” or “Techno-da”).

Don’t miss it! Apart from the beautiful landmark building (it was built in the early 20th century to house the Technion, Israel’s version of MIT), this museum is great fun. With zillions of hands-on, “push the button,” type exhibits in room after room devoted to things like color, light, puzzles, aeronautics, DNA, chemistry, auto safety, optical illusions, mirrors, printing, waves, energy, etc., you are bound to learn something without even trying. For history buffs, there are collections of old historic photos, old machines and gadgets, inventions by Leonardo de Vinci, and much more. Recent exhibits were devoted to dinosaurs and human anatomy (the controversial German exhibit of plasticized humans was on show here).

And who planted two of the soaring palm trees in the boulevard that leads up to the front door? Albert Einstein and his wife, when they visited in 1924.

Tip: If you don’t like crowds, stay away on Saturdays. This is the day when the museum is deluged by families with kids.

Winter hours (September-June): Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m; Tues – 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Friday – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sat – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Summer hours (July-August): Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs , Sat – 10 a.m.-6 p.m; Tues – 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday – 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

This is the main mosque of the Lower City of Haifa.
It stands on Faisal Square, and was built to accommodate the multitude of Muslims who used to go to the small Jereina Mosque.

Its minaret forms part of the skyline of the Lower City.
Today it's a sign of the peaceful co-existence of Jews and Muslims in Haifa.

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Ha-Namal St. ("Port Atreet") borders on Haifa port, and runs parallel to the main thoroughfare, Ha-Atzma'ut St.

The street was run down and neglected for many years, but now is one of the main development projects of Haifa. The goal is to make it into a lively pedestrian street and entertainment area and attract lots of young enthusiastic people by day and by night.

How to bring about such a transformation?
Haifa University opened a campus here in 2008 ("Campus Ha-Namal"), in the old customs house of the 1930s. Some private colleges are following through. Old office buildings were converted to modern student dormitories. A few restaurants and cafes have already opened, and this is only the beginning.

It's interesting to visit this area of urban rejuvenation.
The down side: although this area is very close to the seashore, the port of Haifa blocks any access to the shore.

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Take a walk on Nathanson Street and Moshe Aharon Street in the Lower City of Haifa, near the port, and raise your eyes to look at the paintings on the exteriors of some houses.
The house on 1 Moshe Aharon St., was built in the 1930s, when this street used to be called Central Street (Merkaz St.) and was an integral part of the old business center of Haifa in those days. A printing office was located here in the 1940s, and the Haifa market was all around on this and neighboring streets. The walls of this house have been painted in gay colors, depicting these scenes from the past. On painted windows you can also see a sailor looking out to a girl in the next window, holding a rose.

On another house which used to be part of the commercial center you can see painted doorways of an antique shop, a florist's, and more...

The back wall of the building where "Ma'ayan Ha-Beera" beerhouse and restaurant is located is also painted with themes appropriate for this establishment.

These paintings rejuvenate and add color and charm to the drab old houses.