Haifa Gardens and Zoo
Haifa Gardens
Haifa is blessed with so much natural beauty. Home to Mount Carmel (Har Carmel in Hebrew) and situated along the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Haifa is also home to many gardens and parks, as well as the Haifa zoo.
Bahai Gardens
Baha’i Gardens and Shrine (Photo: Michael Paul Gollmer, CC BY-SA 3.0)
The most popular Haifa attraction is the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab, surrounded by the magnificent Baha’i Gardens.
Selected with the Bahai Gardens in Acco (Acre) as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, about half a million people a year visit them free of charge. Adding to the beauty of these well-cultivated and immaculate gardens is the natural beauty of Har Carmel, where the gardens are planted. Nineteen terraces go up the northern slopes of the Carmel Mountain to these amazing gardens, with panoramic views of the sea, the city of Haifa, and the foothills of Galilee. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Famous for the sense of utter tranquility and peace they evoke, each season at the Bahai Gardens offers its own particular beauty, making each visit a totally different experience.
You can choose to walk around the gardens alone or take a guided tour free of charge and with no need to make advance reservations, unless you are a very large group. These tours are offered every day except Wednesdays.
As this is a religious site, dress modestly. No pets, food or drinks are allowed except for bottles of water.
Mother’s Park – Gan Ha’Em
Atop the residential area of the Carmel is a beautiful park called Mothers’ Park, or Gan Ha’Em in Hebrew. The park was named in honor of all mothers and really is a paradise for mothers and children. Mothers’ Park has a beautiful promenade, playground, a zoo, botanical gardens, a museum, coffee shops and a stage where open-air concerts are held. The park is perfect for spending a fabulous day with the children, as there are both indoor and outdoor attractions, which means weather is never an issue.
White Tigers at Haifa Zoo (Photo: Zvi Roger, CC BY 3.0)
Haifa Zoo
The Haifa Educational Zoo located in Gan Ha’em is a very special place. Unique modern features allow you to get as close to the wild animals as possible. Animals include lemurs, baboons, bears, a white tiger, flocks of beautiful birds, and one of the largest reptile collections in Israel. There is also a petting corner. Within the confines of the zoo are beautiful botanical gardens, and near the zoo is the Lotem Stream. For more information call: (04) 937-2390.
Haifa Gardens: Did You Know?
A special cable car called the Carmelit travels up the Carmel mountain in Haifa and down again to the Bat Galim promenade. It’s very popular with tourists and affords a great view.
